Some Of My Favourite 90's/ Early 2000's Powerpop

In no particular order, and with many omissions (I have enough left for a few more lists)...

Greta-This Is Greta! (1995)

My previous post covers Greta in depth (an interview with Josh Gordon). I won't re-write that post here...but obviously this album deserves a spot on this list.

Some People (Youtube Audio)

About You (Youtube Music Video)


















The Nines-Wonderworld of Colourful (1998) 

A prolific and extremely talented group. It was difficult to pick just one album. The single "Melanie" alone nearly made me choose 2001's "Properties of Sound", but I think "Wonderworld..." is their brightest moment, and demonstrates their full range. There's nothing they can't do---from the chugging, shadowy "Bobby's Alibi" to the heavenly Pet Sounds-esque "Ghost Town Sunday", to the fuzzed out pseudo-grunge of "Jules Maxi" it is all perfectly executed.

Ghost Town Sunday (Youtube Audio)

Bobby's Alibi (Youtube Audio)












Jellyfish- Spilt Milk (1993)

In my opinion, this album is EASILY one of the top 10 best of the 90's (any genre). The ambition and scope are massive, and the musicianship is godlike. Andy Sturmer's lead vocals often recall the heroics of late Queen frontman Freddy Mercury (!), and the harmonies call up visions of Sgt. Pepper era Beatles, or The Beach Boys circa "Pet Sounds"(!) (just listen to the too-perfect opener "Hush" if you don't believe me). If that's not enough of an endorsement, I don't know what is.  AllMusic's Mark Deming gave the album 4.5/5 stars...but I assure you, he merely lost that .5 in the pocket of another jacket. It's a 5/5, hands down.

Joining A Fan Club (Youtube Audio)













Imperial Drag (1996) 

Roger Joseph Manning Jr.'s post-Jellyfish project. More straight-ahead than Jellyfish, but still absolutely massive. I hear a 70's glam influence here--perhaps a bit of Marc Bolan/ T-Rex in the track I have linked below?

Boy Or A Girl (Youtube Music Video)




















Splitsville- Presents...The Complete Pet Soul (2001) 

Yes, your eyes aren't mistaken; the title is a combination of "Pet Sounds" and "Rubber Soul". Not since the makers of "Life" cereal has someone been so audacious in the naming of a product. Despite this act of hubris (and I mean this in the Classical Greek sense: defiance of the gods-- usually sealing one's fate), Splitsville were able to back up the title with the goods. While the album's namesakes may never be truly surpassed in terms of both quality and mythology, this is a worthy shelf companion. Splitsville have always been able to flex their vocal harmony skills. On this album they went all in--turning the distortion down a bit on their amps, slowing things down just a touch, and indulging their intimate familiarity with 60's sunshine-pop. Luckily this doesn't come across as a novelty record--the writing is simply too strong, and the earnestness seeps out of every groove (if ever a CD had grooves, it would be this one). Why not wear your heart on your sleeve? Why not indulge? Good on you Splitsville!

Sunshiny Daydream (Youtube Audio)









The Shazam-Godspeed The Shazam (1999) 

Nashville's "The Shazam" released this gem on the now defunct "Not Lame Recordings" label. If you're searching for good powerpop artists, the "Not Lame..." roster is a good place to start. If you're not afraid of falling in love, check out the song "Chipper Cherry Daylily".

Chipper Cherry Daylily (Youtube Audio)



















The Pillbugs (1998) 

Seriously, who has the audacity to make their first release a double album!? These guys, that's who-- and the gambit pays off! Essential for fans of 60's psychedelia (think The Pretty Things circa "S.F. Sorrow" and early Pink Floyd). Available (along with the rest of their catalogue) for listening and purchase on Bandcamp. Spacy, cerebral pop ecstasy.

Pretend You're Not Home (Youtube Audio)

The Pillbugs on Bandcamp

Brian Stevens-Prettier Than You (1996) 

Talented "Q Division" alumnus (check out that label's roster for some other great artists), and former member of Boston cult heroes The Cavedogs. Stevens even gets some help on guitar here from Clayton Scoble of Poundcake (reviewed in another post). Just as colourful and rich as the baroque cover art would lead you to believe.


The Piper (Youtube Audio)















The Gravy-Hangman's Pop (1997) 

Includes Todd Spahr, another former member of The Cavedogs. Not dissimilar to what Stevens was doing (which is good).


Memory (Youtube Music Video)


















The Gravel Pit-The Gravel Pit Manifesto (1996) 

The third straight "Q Division" release on this list. A bit heavier and more jagged than the previous two, but just as enjoyable and pop-savvy.

Allmusic Review & Song Clips





















Sloan-Navy Blues (1998) 

Canada's perennial powerpop powerhouse, Sloan, are so consistent that there isn't a simile available to describe how consistent they are. Why? The word "Sloan" has been universally accepted as the go-to simile for something that is extremely consistent ("x is as consistent as Sloan")--saying "Sloan are as consistent as Sloan" is just self-evident. Since their debut album in 1993 they have taken care of business without interruption, and without falling below the incredibly high bar they have set. But, if I HAD TO pick a favourite album from their catalogue, I think I would go with this one. It is just too much fun! It also contains one of their signature tracks: the riffy and electrifying "Money City Maniacs". Other instantly loveable cuts include "She Says What She Means", "Chester The Molester", and "Iggy and Angus". Near-legendary status in Canada, but I'm not sure how well-known they are elsewhere. Essential listening.

Money City Maniacs (Youtube Audio)

She Says What She Means (Youtube Music Video)

Chester The Molester (Youtube Audio)










The Killjoys- Gimme Five (1996) 

The chiming, reverb-drenched opening notes of "Soaked" are a direct callback to "There She Goes" by The La's (that being one of the greatest singles on one of the greatest albums of all time)- so you know you're in for a good ride. This is crunchier than The La's though-- just listen to standout track "Like I Care". It was 1996 after all--- it would have been impossible not to be excited about the chunky riffery that was constantly in the air. "Space Girl" is a nice mid-album detour into more quiet territory though. Also, these guys are Canadian, proving that Sloan weren't merely a fluke--Canuck powerpop is a real thing.

Soaked (Youtube Audio)












The La's (1990) 

Like I said in the last blurb: one of the greatest albums ever made. While frontman Lee Mavers was apparently displeased with the production, I think the songs are just too strong to be sullied by any mixing issues (and I actually have no qualms with the production myself). I don't even know if this can fairly be called "powerpop"...it is transcendental and ineffable. I tend to put this on whatever "best of" list I can shoehorn it into.

There She Goes (Youtube Audio)















The Tories-Wonderful Life (1997) 

The single "Gladys Kravitz" is impossible not to like. Excellent vocals too!

Gladys Kravitz (Youtube Music Video)
























Fuzzbubble (2000) 

Be careful, this one has attitude. If you like "power" in your powerpop, this one is for you. Opening track "Bliss" hits like a silverback gorilla, so make sure you're holding onto something and wearing some protective gear. A very formative album for me.

Don't Let It Get You Down (Youtube Audio)

Bliss (Youtube Audio)





















The Green and Yellow TV- Record X (2002)

The subject of an independent post from awhile back, but too good to be left off of this list! Another formative album for me.

Ruined (Youtube Audio)

In With You (Youtube Audio)





















Vinyl Kings- A Little Trip (2002) 

The Vinyl Kings are composed of a group of session-men with dazzling resumes. This is obviously an homage to The Beatles--but it is much too heartfelt and earnest to be dismissed as simply a tribute or a burlesque. No, this is a proper album and it deserves your time and attention.

A Little Trip (Youtube Audio)


















The Spongetones- Beat and Torn (1994) 

I'm cheating a bit here on two counts:
I) This is actually a compilation, not a proper "studio album"
II) It consists of the group's 1980's material.
After careful consideration by a panel of myself, I have granted this album exceptional status. It is a nice companion to the others on the list, and an excellent introduction to the band (who did in fact continue to release quality material throughout the 90's and into the early 2000's).

My Girl Maryanne (Youtube Audio)













Supraluxe (2005) 

"Sugar Chalet" is a hit in multiple fairer parallel universes.


Sugar Chalet (Youtube Audio)






















Willie Wisely-Turbosherbet (1997) 

Punchy, sexy, and infectious. Some may prefer 1996's excellent "She", but this one has had more rotation with me personally. Either way, you can't go wrong.

She Said Yeah (Youtube Audio)

So Turned On (Youtube Audio)




















P. Hux-Deluxe (1995) 

P. Hux is the pseudonym of powerpop luminary Parthenon Huxley (what a great name!) Huxley would later be involved in ELO Part II (a Jeff Lynne-less second iteration of the legendary 70's/80's giants)-- a fitting recognition of his considerable talent. Huxley lost his wife to cancer a few years after releasing this album-- making the already touching love songs found here all the more poignant in hindsight.

Playing Her Guitar (Youtube Audio)

So Good (Youtube Audio)


















That Dog- Retreat From the Sun (1997) 

The group's most solid release in my opinion; absolutely bursting at the seams with confidence. "Never Say Never" hits it out of orbit with its new-wave inflected cool and "Gagged and Tied" seals the deal.

Never Say Never (Youtube Music Video)

Gagged and Tied (Youtube Audio)




















Chaselounge- Black Plastic Ordinary (2005) 

Distinctly early 2000's sound (would have slotted in nicely alongside pop punkers like Fall Out Boy) but with echoes of the ghost of rock past (do I hear some of Elvis Costello's vocal acrobatics on "My Rotary Phone"?)

My Rotary Phone (Youtube Audio)




















The Irresponsibles- When Pigs Fly (1999) 

Protegees of the legendary Adrian Belew, with a decidedly poppier sound than their mentor. Many great tracks here (will probably warrant a longer entry in the future). Maybe a bit of an XTC edge?

A Girl To Looze (Youtube Audio)





















Fountains of Wayne (1996) 

The world lost a tremendous songwriter this year in Adam Schlesinger. Fountains of Wayne have always occupied an important and much-visited spot on my CD shelves. I think this, their debut, may be their most consistent release. It also paved the way for many other powerpoppers who emerged in the late 90's/ early 2000's-- showed them the dazzling heights the genre was capable of reaching. While it wasn't until the 2003 single "Stacy's Mom" that these guys fully broke into the mainstream, many of the tracks here could have easily done the trick with a bit of luck.  

Radiation Vibe (Youtube Music Video)













Admiral Twin- Mock Heroic (2000)

Tough to pick just one album by these guys to include here, but tracks like "The Unlucky Ones", "No. 1 Fan", and "Blessed Imperial" are hard to top.

No. 1 Fan (Youtube Audio)






















Wunderband (1997) 

Quirky, off-kilter fun. Sometimes compared favourably to XTC.

Mayqueen (Youtube Audio)






















Liar's Club-Drop Dead (1994) 

The subject of a lengthy post elsewhere on this blog. Just never gets old!

Allmusic Drop Dead Song Previews























Michael Penn- Mr. Hollywood Jr. 1947 (2005) 

Member of the talented showbiz Penn family (brother of Sean Penn), Michael is a powerpop mainstay and a seriously bright dude. This album completes a string of solid releases going back to 1989 (and is the most ambitious of the bunch in my humble opinion). As the title suggests, the backdrop here is post- WWII Hollywood/ California. Residue, memories of memories, self-aware nostalgia, tenderness, hints of lingering trauma...sophistication wrapped in stellar popcraft.

Walter Reed (Youtube Music Video)
















Owsley (1999)

Straight-ahead fun. By 1999 Will Owsley had already demonstrated his considerable talent as a member of cult heroes The Semantics, who released a single album, titled "Powerbill" (only distributed in Japan), in 1996. Despite consisting of Owsley, Zak Starkey (son of Ringo Starr), Millard Powers (who later joined Counting Crows on bass), and (occasionally/ informally) Ben Folds, The Semantics seem to have faded into obscurity. A re-recorded Semantics track, "The Sky is Falling", appears here and is arguably the album's highlight.

The Sky Is Falling (Youtube Audio)

Oh No The Radio (Youtube Audio)












Wondermints (1995) 

Selected by Beach Boys frontman Brian Wilson as a touring backing band, and as studio-mates for his re-recorded version of "SMiLE", listening to this album makes it easy to understand why. In fact, I think I prefer this album to "SMiLE"...am I allowed to say that?

Proto Pretty (Youtube Audio)






















Superdrag- Regretfully Yours (1996) 

Fortunately, this album saw a pretty broad release, so tracking down a physical copy is usually fairly easy (and prices for used copies online are generally extremely reasonable). "Sucked Out" got some well deserved airplay, and the rest of the album lives up to the promise of that stellar track.

Sucked Out (Youtube Audio)




















Sugarbomb- Bully (2001)

Very apt band name. Theatrical bombast and an eclectic mishmash of styles. Sometimes they even seem to recall Jellyfish (yes, they're that good). Fantastic vocals, well executed harmonies, and complex-yet-direct compositions. Jackdaw 4 would be another apt point of reference.

Motor Mouth (Youtube Audio)

Mail Order Girlfriend (Youtube Audio)














The Sneetches- Starfucker (1995)

Sneetches, if you recall, are fuzzy, yellow Dr. Seuss-ian creatures-- some having stars on their bellies ("Star-Belly Sneetches") and some without. I am just leafing through my own copy of Seuss's book to find the scene referenced in this album's title.
The Sneetches have achieved cult-hero status for their lovingly crafted classic guitar-pop tunes, and they gained positive critical (not necessarily commercial) recognition in the late 80's and early 90's. The band would split after 1994's "Blow Out The Sun", but released this mini-album, composed of leftover tracks, the next year. Against all odds, it ended up being one of their finest works, and a fitting capstone to their legacy.

They Keep Me Running (Youtube Audio)

Watch Me Burn (Youtube Audio)








Silver Sun (1997) 

Immaculate harmonies, razor-sharp melodies, and lots of cheeky sexual innuendos. Like an amped up, feistier version of the Beach Boys.

Julia (Youtube Music Video) 

Greta- INTERVIEW WITH JOSH GORDON

I would like to dedicate this post to the memory of Paul Wisdom Plagens- a man of immeasurable talent and inimitable creative voice. Please keep him in your thoughts as you enjoy Greta's music, and delve into their history with me.
           

Design by Josh Gordon & Richard Frankel; Photography by Alison Dyer and GALLO, C

I have wanted to write about LA-based band Greta for quite some time. As music journalist Stewart Mason writes, they: "...executed one of the most impressive mid-career changes of direction of the 90's" (https://www.allmusic.com/artist/greta-mn0002294238/biography). Still, their two releases "No Biting" (1993) and "This Is Greta!" (1995) are tied together by keen melodic sense, strong musicianship, and encyclopedic knowledge of rock history. The heavy psychedelia of "No Biting" was quite unique: the metallic attack of Scott Carneghi's drumming, and frequent forays into truculent first-wave grunge riffage--- paired with singer Paul Plagens' ear for melody and Josh Gordon's fluid, mellifluous bass-lines. In other words, equally prepared to pulverize or to romance. The music video for the single "Fathom" even got some rotation on MTV's zeitgeist defining "Headbanger's Ball" (they had videos featured on Beavis and Butthead's video review segment too, but I can't confirm which one(s)). Viewers who tuned into "The Ball" on November 13th 1993, for example, would have seen "Fathom" played alongside reels for Megadeth's "Peace Sells" and Motorhead's "Burner". But Headbanger's Ball was only part of the story---there were hints in the music that Greta would have been just as at home with fellow LA locals Redd Kross or Dramarama. Those hints exploded to the fore on 1995's This Is Greta!, an impressive power-pop platter, featuring my personal Desert Island Discs pick: "Some People". It remains an overflowing chalice of inspired 90's ambrosia (highlights including the aforementioned "Some People", the punchy opener "About You", the soaring "Silver Blue," and the relentlessly catchy "Warm Disease"). According to a 1995 interview in Highwire Daze Magazine, there may have been even MORE goodness, as the band apparently wrote as many as 30 songs for the album before settling on the final 11(wrightproductions.tripod.com/greta.html). Whether these additional tracks still exist out there in the ether I do not know, but I digress. I could write all day, but fortunately for you, Greta's bass player and frequent songwriting collaborator Josh Gordon has agreed to answer some questions for me.

"Some People" Audio-1995 (Youtube)
"Silver Blue" Audio- 1995 (Youtube)
"About You" Video- 1995 (Youtube)
"Jesus Crux" Audio- 1993 (Youtube)

Greta in Rolling Stone Magazine (5 August 1993); Photo by Greg Allen

N: Where did the name “Greta” come from? Did it have anything to do with the dress Paul was known to wear on stage in the early days? An alter ego perhaps?

JG: Our original drummer Brad Wilk came up with the name. He left to join Rage Against the Machine. we were sitting around at rehearsal or in the car trying to come up with a name, and he said "what do you think about Greta?" We all thought it was really interesting and unique. I don't know if you've ever been in a band, but coming up with a good name is such a hard thing to do. We had spent weeks-- maybe even months-- trying to come up with a name with no luck whatsoever. He said it, and it just kind of rang with us, so we went with it. The dress originally came from a Halloween outfit that Paul had worn for a house party we were playing. Paul went in drag, and we thought it was awesome. It brought an energy to the band, and Paul was able to really let himself go as a lead singer in it. Most of us have strong feminine components to our personality, and identify very strongly with feminine energy. The dress and the name personified this for us. We were feminists from an early age and very anti-macho. The lyrics to “Off the Slug” are an example of this. 

Paul Plagens in his Halloween party dress; Photo by Lindsay Brice for Getty Images

N: I think “No Biting” and “This Is Greta!”, while very different, are both strong in their own ways. I’ve noticed some reviewers taking the album title “This Is Greta!” as a declaration that it embodied the “real” Greta---the project you guys really wanted to do. Are they making too much of the name, or maybe misinterpreting it? Or was that really the case?

JG: The short answer is: we wanted to do both… but the long answer is: the "declaration" is, in fact, a correct interpretation. Paul and I had been friends since we were 12 years old. We, without question, come from the "Beatles are God" school of music. We religiously devoured 1960s music: The Who, The Kinks, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds, Paul Revere and the Raiders, and everything in between. We also became punk and new wave fanatics in the late 70s (which was a seminal era for power pop as well: The Plimsouls, The Knack, 20/20, Paul Collins Beat), so there was also that dichotomy of pop music and "alternative", more dangerous/edgy music. Back then we were regularly bullied at school for wearing punk/new wave styles. We were threatened on a near daily basis. So as quaint as DEVO and The Clash seem now, it really freaked people out back then. People had very visceral reactions to punk rock when it first came out. In 1990 I had become very attracted to industrial/alternative music. Bands like Ministry were taking music into new territory. I told Paul that I wanted to start a band that had the heaviness of some of the metal/industrial music, but with a melodic sense. I wanted to combine the sound and feel of heavy metal with The Beatles. So, cutting back to your question-- when we did the first album, “No Biting”, we were all really into the this hard/soft thing. The first song we came up with for it was "Fathom". I wrote the music, and Paul and I worked together on the lyrics. All the melody for “Fathom” was Paul. We felt we had something unique, and pretty interesting. That set the tone for all of the songs that came after. By the time we got to "This Is Greta", we were painfully disappointed by the lack of success of the first record. By the standards of the industry in charge of our future, it was a colossal disappointment. I have ADD and so I was in a "let's try something different!" mode. We didn't have anything to lose and Paul, Kyle and I always admired bands like the Beatles and Stones that were always changing direction and evolving. Kyle, Scott, and I and were jamming when we all came up with the music for "About You"-- just before Paul got to rehearsal. Kyle came up with the gorgeous music to "Charade". We were just naturally moving in that direction. I think that kind of music is where we defaulted to. One of our pre-“No Biting” singles, made right after we signed to Mercury was a pretty straightforward cover of Hank Williams’ "There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight", and Bing Crosby's "Pennies From Heaven"-- so were always into anything that was good, regardless of genre. So, when we came to "This Is Greta" we had nothing to lose, and thought "fuck it", let’s just make the best record we can. I had to lobby for the title. I wanted it to be an introduction to the band like a lot of the sixties debut albums were -- "Meet The Beatles", "Ladies and Gentlemen, The Rolling Stones", The Zombies, Begin Here" -- I thought "This Is Greta” was absolutely a declaration! This is where we come from and this is who we are. I also love that it's the name of a Spinal Tap record [“This is Spinal Tap”]. We love Spinal Tap, so there was always a kind of "Tap" awareness that anyone who makes rock music should be aware of. This was sort of our "Jazz Odyssey" change of direction, but it was absolutely sincere, and very true to us.   

N: I found a snippet in a Rolling Stone magazine from August 1993 (written by David Wild) calling Greta “Beatles-influenced hard rock” (this article predated “No Biting”). The pop/ power pop elements didn’t really seem as evident until “This Is Greta!”. Was your live set around that time pretty faithful to what ended up on the “No Biting” album? The Beatles seem like an odd primary point of reference for the band’s early incarnation (although your bass playing did always have a melodic McCartney-esque quality to it, even in the heavier moments). Was some of the later material already written/ in your repertoire by this point? Just curious where a journalist would have been coming from in 1993 after seeing one of your shows.

JG: I think I may have rambled the answer for this in my last answer. The only song from TIG that had been written during the “No Biting” era was "Rocking Chair". We had a number of very heavy riffs and jams that we were going to use moving into our second record, but we really were moving in a different direction. Paul was writing really strong songs like "You’re So Whatever" and "Some People," and we were all just going with it. Paul wasn't into heavy metal/hard music in the same way the rest of us were. Fleshing out those heavy riffs wasn't necessarily working or coming naturally at that time.

To anyone who was seeing us live, I can only guess that songs like “Sleepyhead” and “Jesus Crux” may have hinted at our Beatles influences, but songs like "Off The Slug" and "Insomnia" certainly don't make it obvious. 

McCartney is my favorite bass player and I was always trying to find appropriate melodic lines to compliment the songs. The pre-chorus to "Everything's Fine" is an example of my love of McCartney, and I recall actually saying out loud while writing the part: "what would McCartney do?".  Kyle's solos on that record are also, I think, reflective of his understanding and love of straight-ahead melody-oriented guitar solos. 

N: I think 1995 would have been one of the most difficult years to release an album----PERIOD. There was this collision between the cool affected-disaffectedness of early 90’s youth culture (I sense a wry critique of this in “Cal Cool (You’re So Whatever)”), and something more earnest and dramatic emerging in the first wave of “post grunge”. Either way, it didn’t seem like a new group could win—if you fell in with the post-grunge crowd you would attract megatons of hipster ire for being too serious/ earnest/ stiff…but if you channeled the energy of the early 90’s groups you would be labelled a “band-wagon jumper”. I think the enduring strength of Greta is a testament to the band not falling into either camp---being more transcendent...but did you guys ever struggle with anxieties about image? Especially after changing your sound so much between albums? (My take on 90’s culture is from second-hand accounts/ my own preconceived notions, as I was only 2 or 3 years old when this was all happening-so feel free to set me straight!)

JG: You're 100 percent right. You're also spot-on about “Cal Cool”. There was a lot of "hipster" bullshit at the time. I think that era gave rise to the hipster-- which none of us ever subscribed to. Silverlake (a hub of hipster pretension) was near nausea inducing at that period of time. We WERE earnest! I think that's one of the more tragic legacies of the 90s: a destruction of commitment. Everybody became so disaffected and ironic. Irony and satire are great for comedy and art in the right doses, but too much of it takes away society’s emotional vulnerabilities. Without vulnerability, you're really just pretending to be invulnerable. You can get carried away to some dangerous systems, many of which we're experiencing in America now. 

We didn't really struggle with our image. We were just doing what we wanted. We had fun with image, and by that I mean fashion can be fun, and has always been a huge part of rock and roll. We liked that… Bowie, The Sex Pistols, etc… Of course, even no image is an image. The Doc Marten's- cut jeans is obviously an anti-image image… but it's still an image. We were, in a way, so unsuccessful with our first record that we had nothing to lose, so we just did whatever we wanted. It gave us a kind of freedom.  

We were particularly proud of the second record. I think we played really well together as a band. I think "Silver Blue" was the tightest and most connected the four of us ever played in the studio. 

Here's a fun fact: Most of the tracks on the 2nd record are demo versions. We went in to record the album after doing the demos, and our A&R man said "these new versions suck...we're going to use the demos".  We recorded the demos in 2 days at Sound City, and there was no pressure. “About You”, “Charade”, “Silver Blue”, “Strained”, “Cal Cool”, and “Some People” were all recorded at Sound City for the demos. “Rocking Chair”, Nothing At All”, “Warm Disease”, and “Anomaly,” I think, were recorded after the demos, and intended for the record.  We're critical of some aspects of “No Biting”-- some of the tempos are too fast, there was a great deal of pressure, I don't think we're grooving and locking in as a band the way we would have liked... I think “Insomnia”, “Jesus Crux”, and “Sleepyhead” came out really well… but “Off the Slug”, “Is It What You Wanted”, “School On Fire”-- we think are too fast. 

We really like “Some People” too! That would've made Paul really happy that it's one of your Desert Island Discs.

N: Greta has some pretty cool videos. “Fathom” and “About You” are a filmmaker’s dream---all sorts of kinetic energy to work with---“Fathom”, for example, has that awesome syncopated riff to frame action around (and, as an aside for any musician readers-- the riff is a great way to see how good at alternate picking you really are). Anyways, do you have any interesting memories from the actual video shoots?

JG: We have great memories of the video shoots. I'm a huge film buff and have a real interest in design. The band let me run with conceptual ideas and production for the videos. For “Fathom” we were working with a pretty small budget. I think the director's name was Troy Smith. I was really into “Survival Research Laboratories”-- a performance art troop from San Francisco. They were doing very industrial, mechanical, violent pieces of performance art that I thought would be really perfect conceptually. Some of the intention behind “Fathom” was to sort of make us the house-band in hell. The opening "staccato" cuts are from a video for a song called "Fire Extinguisher Love" that I directed for a band I was in called "Ugly Wedding" in the late 80s. The guitarist and singer of that band, John Bird, grew up with Paul and I. He played organ on "Nothing At All" on “This Is Greta" and is currently the keyboardist for The Living Dolls with Kyle and I. I also really liked the idea of '60s go-go dancers dancing to such an un-sixties, undanceable piece of music. We had wanted the video to be much more colorful, vivid, and vibrant, and for whatever reason the colors weren't really captured as explosively as they looked in real life. The shoot was an absolute blast. we had a really good time making it. 



We were all really happy with the “About You” video. I worked with the director, Bill Ward, with an idea that I wanted the backdrop to have a 60s feel-- like something from “Shindig” or “Ready Steady Go”, but on a bigger scale. We were letting some of our mod influences come out. The band was facing a critical point with our label and our success (or lack thereof). The A&R guy was really behind us, and we were very excited about this new music, and really enthusiastic about the video. Sadly, it was never sent to MTV. The band was really tight as a unit at that period of time-- musically and emotionally. Bill did a phenomenal job on that video. We met him through my sister, and he had just done work with The Smoking Popes. We still stay in touch through Facebook now and again.

"Fathom" MTV Video-1993 (Youtube)

N: Lastly, in the spirit of Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity (thinking about the top 5 side-1, track-1 debate)… how much did you guys agonize about choosing the perfect opening track for “This Is Greta!” “About You” seems like one of those Platonic ideals of a side 1-track 1. Especially considering your influences-- there’s a lot riding on that track. It has to be a real knockout punch (The Beatles’ “Taxman”, and The Knack’s “Let Me Out” for example).

JG: “About You” had that feel for us too. I love that you use The Knack as an example. Paul and I were absolute Knack freaks and I agree with you that “Let Me Out” is one of the great all-time openers! With the title, “This is Greta,” we felt that the first track had to exemplify this shift in sound for us. We experienced it as an up-tempo, lift you off the ground, power pop opener. We were using it to open our shows as well.  

"About You" Video-1995 (Youtube) **ALSO LINKED AT TOP OF PAGE

N: And of course I will give you some free space to say whatever you want---anything you want the listener in 2020 to know, any projects you have going on right now that you’d like to promote---absolutely anything.

JG: Kyle Baer and I still play together in a band called The Living Dolls. All of my influences are there: The Kinks, The Who, Lou Reed, ELO... I'm the lead singer, and I’m afraid I’m not even on the same planet as Paul as a vocalist-- but I love playing music, and will always do it no matter what. Scott was actually in the band for a couple of months as well. We all keep in touch and miss Paul a great deal. He was supremely talented. A tremendous songwriter.

During Paul's memorial, John Easdale (the singer for Dramarama and the co-producer of our first album and early demos) sang “Jesus Crux” and “Sleepyhead” with Scott, Kyle and I.  

It’s so nice to know that people are finding and appreciating the music now. It's validating. It means a lot to us and would have meant so much to Paul.  

FOLLOW THE LIVING DOLLS ON FACEBOOK HERE!

 

Greta c. 1993, Photo by Greg Allen

Lund Bros.-Loser (1998)

Apparently Geffen was involved in funding this record's production, but ultimately passed on the band because they "sounded too much like The Beatles" (CD Baby Album Notes).  They fired the guy painting their ceilings for being "too much like Michelangelo" shortly thereafter. Their loss I guess. Luckily this was merely the start for the Lund Bros., who would go on to release a handful of extremely tasty power pop offerings.

In My Hands

Told You So

Kick Me

The Sharp-This Is The Sharp (1993)

Thought I needed some Australian content. After all, this is the country that blessed us with The Hoodoo Gurus, The Vines, TISM, and Jet (oh and ACDC anybody?). The Sharp definitely deserve to be part of the conversation. 

Their 1993 hit "Scratch My Back" is catchier than a cocklebur storm at a Velcro convention. It curls toes more forcefully than advanced rigor mortis, and remains a prime suspect in the Strasbourg Dancing Plaugue of 1518 investigations (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dancing_plague_of_1518). Channeling 60's British Invasion vibes, it would not have sounded out of place in the early 2000's garage rock revival either, when other bands with "The" in their names (The Vines, The Hives, The Caesars, The Strokes, etc...) made a brief but forceful climb up the charts. So perhaps they were just too early...or too late? Regardless, they did make a splash in their homeland, even spawning a well-known parody sketch, titled "Skivvies Are Back," ("skivvies" in Australian parlance= "turtlenecks" in Canadian) on The Late Show (a popular satirical Australian TV program of the era). Honestly, in hindsight the sketch seems mostly like an excuse to rock out to the song and look cool (the actors donning The Sharp's trademark white "skivvies"/ black pants and jacket combo).

"This song is not profound" sing the comics in the sketch segment. While the original song's lyrics (and by extension the parody's) may not be profound in the traditional sense, I believe profundity comes in many shapes and sizes. For example, there is something profound in the experience of enjoying an infectious, perfectly executed, generation defying 3 minute rock song. Are the lyrics merely perfunctory sexual innuendo? Not when sung with this much conviction!     

Scratch My Back

Other album highlights include "Train of Thought" and "Closer".   

Britpop: A Deeper Dive

I would be remiss not to post about 90's Britpop, and it has taken me far too long to get around to it!

I am going to assume that most of you know about the megalithic, untouchable pillars of Britpop: Oasis' first three albums, Blur's "Parklife" (or... really any of their albums), The Verve's "Urban Hymns", Radiohead's "The Bends", Pulp's "Different Class", and Supergrass's "I Should Coco".
(If these aren't ringing a bell, PLEASE go listen to them right now!!!)  
As an aside, this list is likely more helpful for non-UK residents. Most of the following groups/ albums achieved at least some degree of commercial success in their homeland. I want to bring them to the world (or at least the handful of people actually reading this).

The La's (1990)

Let's be clear: THIS IS AS CLOSE TO A PERFECT ALBUM AS YOU CAN GET. When I first heard it, it was a revelation. That's because Lee Mavers and co. honed these songs to a scalpel edge; playing them for years on the local club circuit before committing them to wax. The tracks are concise, melodic, catchy, invigorating, memorable, charming (in an unmistakably Liverpudlian way), and timeless (see, for example, the aptly named "Timeless Melody"). Mavers is a genius...it's that simple. It is impossible to pack more pop goodness into a 2-3 minute track than The La's do here. Unfortunately, Mavers' genius proved to be the end of The La's, who would never release another album. Displeased with the debut album's mixing, Mavers lashed out in the press, doing everything he could to stymie its success (unsuccessfully as it turned out). In the meantime, he began working feverishly on the follow-up...which, almost 30 years later, has yet to see the light of day. Some rough cuts have surfaced online, including a recording known as "The Crescent Tapes" (Mavers had taken a band called "The Crescent" under his wing...and they appear to have covertly taped some material and leaked it). Although the sound on these leaks is rather low quality, the songs sound extremely promising. 

So, what happened? Rumours abound...but Mavers' perfectionism, and the gargantuan scope of his artistic vision almost certainly contributed. Apparently a young Noel Gallagher once said that he began Oasis as a way to "finish what The La's started." Hopefully one day The La's will finish what The La's started.

There She Goes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eu2iv-vMKT8

Feelin':
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bzxpWob71M

I Can't Sleep:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LURvVxSZl4




Cast- All Change (1995); Mother Nature Calls (1997); Magic Hour (1999)

Fortunately, not all was lost. From the opaque, swirling limbo enveloping The La's emerged Cast- fronted by (ex-La) John Power. In fact, a couple tracks originally written by Power for his previous band surfaced here (including the brilliant "Alright"). While The La's were largely about jangly and earthy acoustic rock, Cast tend more toward the "modern guitar rock" end of the scale. Fortunately, the songs are still anchored by impeccable craft and melodic sense. Their live recordings reveal a band completely at home in a "stadium rock" setting, not unlike The Who in their heyday.      

Alright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtP_-knmRqc

Fine Time:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3inhvtBqd5o

Beat Mama (from 1997' "Magic Hour" album):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkuGRDOnIiw

Longpigs- The Sun Is Often Out (1996)

My favourite podcast of all time, "The Ricky Gervais Show" (hosted by Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, and Karl Pilkington), featured a segment called "Rockbusters". Pilkington would provide a "cryptic clue" and an initial to the listener (much to the chagrin of Gervais, who expressed his disdain for the segment at every opportunity), who could call in and guess the band Karl was thinking of. It is still a joy to listen to, and I have linked a few excerpts below:

Rockbusters:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtSi6_kjQPU

For me, it wouldn't get any bigger than being featured on Rockbusters. Longpigs achieved this honour. 

Clue: "You'll get a load of bacon off them. Initial 'L'." 

If that distinction doesn't have you convinced, just listen to some of the perfect pop on their debut album. Tracks like "She Said" (the group at their most brash), "Far", and "Dozen Wicked Words" are easily among the best of the genre.

Far:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZW04NmOf7g

She Said:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dutG1mcfkpo

Dozen Wicked Words:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6l_Ox-5G9Q

The Charlatans-Tellin' Stories (1997)

Another beneficiary of the "Rockbusters" treatment:

"Those people can't make up their minds whether to sit in the sun or not" (Charlatans= Shall-I-Tans?).

Again, this list won't be a deep dive for some. The Charlatans were hugely successful, and continue to maintain a rabid fanbase. In fact, this album captures them at their commercial peak (3 smash UK hit singles). Still, it wasn't until recently that I familiarized myself with brilliant tracks like "One To Another", and "How High" (after seeing the album listed on Q Magazine's 100 best records of the 90's list). I generally avoid the more dance-inflected/ "Madchester" scene groups- I am more of a guitar-rock kinda guy...but The Charlatans are an exception. They retain enough grit, swagger, and rawness to win me over. The electronic flourishes are garnish here, and the main dish is impossible not to love.

One To Another:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxyQ5ByKLfE

How High:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qm9LHAMbY6M

Out Of My Hair- Drop The Roof (1996)

Here's a genuinely overlooked entry. Breezy, bright, effortlessly charming, and distinctly English- it's amazing that this group doesn't get namedropped more often. 

Songs like "Mr. Jones" (not to be confused with the Counting Crows song of the same name) and "In The Groove Again" showcase Simon Eugene's (AKA Comfort's) dulcet and playful-yet-earnest vocal delivery. 

Mr. Jones: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvsL_SM9O7s&t=54s

Ocean Colour Scene- Moseley Shoals (1996)

This is pure, no-nonsense British rock: Reverence for tradition paired with modern punch and production values. Moselely Shoals captures the group at their peak, and begins with the unbeatable one-two punch of "The Riverboat Song" and "The Day We Caught The Train".   

The Day We Caught The Train:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rr4tXN2eJM

The Seahorses- Do It Yourself (1997)

Though featuring ex-Stone Roses guitarist Chris Squires, The Seahorses favoured a more direct and less electronic attack than the Roses had (gone are the dense washes of sound, calculated ambience, and drum loops). Singer Chris Helme also proves himself a compelling frontman. Unfortunately, this was the group's sole release (not including stand-alone single "You Can Talk To Me") before they split.

Love Is The Law:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVzUFNWIYM0

I Want You To Know:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asAJaSPdl3k











Dodgy- Free Peace Sweet (1996)

Workmanlike Britpop mainstays with a string of successful, radio- ready singles (one of their best, "Found You", appearing on this album...along with 3 other top 20 UK singles). Check out the dual chorus melodies and pure rock bliss of "You've Gotta Look Up". 

Found You:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wikGi23DXz0

You've Gotta Look Up:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVGT0T4AO0w

Suede (1992)

The masters of dark romanticism. Sex-charged, self-consciously excessive, and revelling in crunchy, dense glam riffage--the debut is as good a place to start with Suede as any (although critics usually gravitate towards the follow-up: the darker, more esoteric "Dog Man Star").

Metal Mickey:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32fPNb2WHzM











Gay Dad- Leisure Noise (1999)

With a lineup including an ex-Mojo Magazine music journalist (Cliff Jones), this group kinda had to be good (imagine the glee of tearing into a critic unable to back his words with actual musical talent: the ultimate poetic justice for so many scorned artists). Fortunately, Jones retained both his street cred and his entrails.

Oh Jim:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rhkvqxmhvi0

My Son Mystic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TR7JGMibho
















Oasis- Whatever (Single) (1994)

Yes, I know everyone is aware of Oasis. If not, you should be- they're brilliant.

What audiences outside of the UK may not know is that the group released a stand-alone single (unavailable on any full-length album until the deluxe reissue of "Definitely Maybe") to bridge the gap between their debut, and the now legendary "(What's the Story?) Morning Glory". It did the job nicely, maintaining the momentum the young superstars had begun to build until they could deliver the knockout punch.

"Whatever" is an ambitious (almost 6-and-a-half minutes in length + featuring a full orchestra) anthem for the defiant, the proud, and really anyone seeking a sense of affirmation--- an uplifting "take me as I am" statement from the pen of one of rock's most tuneful songwriters, and the lips of one of its most defiant and confident performers. In short, it richly deserves its almost 55 million(!) plays on YouTube. "I'm free to be whatever I- whatever I choose and I'll sing the blues if I want".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=EHfx9LXzxpw&feature=emb_logo









Heavy Stereo- Smiler (Single) (1995)

Jubilant! Heavy Stereo released a couple of 3-track EPs to promote the release of their full length album "Deja Voodoo". "Smiler" is my favourite song from the EPs, and (miraculously) did not make the track list on the full-length. Copies of the EPs and full-length are tricky to find this side of the pond, but do surface regularly on auction sites like Ebay.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfeIM-L5x-Y















The Real People (1991)

Liverpudlian pop-connoisseurs who rubbed shoulders with Oasis (including a couple guest credits on early Oasis tracks---Tony Griffiths provided backing vocals on "Supersonic", and Chris Griffiths co-wrote "Rockin Chair" with Noel Gallagher) and The La's. They seem to have taken cues equally from The Stone Roses (electronic textures and rhythms) and The La's, while retaining a wholly unique personality and vision all of their own. Hugely underrated!

Window Pane:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2OyWJTGXDY

The Truth:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGKhkNmvQaM











Drugstore-White Magic For Lovers (1998)

I usually stay away from anything branded "dream pop", but this one appeals to me nonetheless. Hands-down the best track here is "El President"- an ethereal duet between Isabel Monteiro and Thom Yorke (YES, THE ONE FROM RADIOHEAD). It is near impossible to stand toe-to-toe (or voice-to-voice) with Thom Yorke...but Isabel Monteiro is more than equal to the task here.












El President:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=_6pc-tWwccU&feature=emb_logo



Hurricane #1 (1997)

Just recently discovered these guys, so I don't have much info. Regardless, they deserve a spot on my list.

Step Into My World:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jPZgLszqRY














Travis-Good Feeling (1997)

It's bouncy, angular, irreverent, brash...a far cry from the restrained and minimalist "adult alternative" sound these guys would become known for (and achieve a modicum of fame in North America with) in the new millenium. I hear echoes of Brit-Pop future here. Might The Fratellis have been listening to this album when they came storming out of the gates in the early 2000's?  
U16 Girls:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXgjN_9Id88



















Starclub (1993)

Embrace- The Good Will Out (1998)

One Big Family:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IqLH3VPImk

The Boo Radleys- C'mon Kids (1996) 

Let's end on a rocker. 

C'mon Kids:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT5RIYNU2nw

Some critics believe that Starclub shot themselves in the foot---naming themselves after a Hamburg club where The Beatles played a legendary string of shows in 1962 (see the Beatles' recording "Live! at the Star-Club..."). There may be some truth there, as these guys don't quite call the Fab Four to mind. That being said, they do warrant a re-examination. Now that the dust has settled, we can listen to simple, no-frills pop tunes like "Hard To Get" on their own merits. It's not breathtaking, but it is fun to dip one's toes into now and then.

Drummer Alan White would go on to play with Oasis from 1995-2001 (replacing original drummer Tony McCarroll). 

Hard To Get:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRsttXfQsVQ