Eugene Edwards - My Favorite Revolution (Tallboy Records) 2004 CD

 

Wow, I have no idea why I sat on this gem of a CD for so long. What a pleasure this album is! Eugene Edwards writes some great power pop songs with a strong sense of melody and a little bit of twang. I have known about Eugene Edwards for a long time, however, I had always hesitated in buying this album for some unknown reason. A few years ago (6 or 7 years now?), I saw Eugene playing guitar for Dwight Yoakam. After watching him play, I reminded myself that I had to go and get the CD. It is out of print but I am sure you can find copies around. Do yourself a favor and go get this. It is hard to take off the CD player. I am definitely burning this to my ipod...this has to be played a lot.

Here is a taste of Congratulations, My Darling   or Telling that Lie Again

The Jayhawks - XOXO (2020) CD

 

In 2020, The Jayhawks are still releasing warm, melodic records with just enough twang to firmly lay claim to their upper Midwest roots. All their records are worth buying but this really reminds me of their very early releases. I am not claiming that this was their intention but there is something about the feel of this record that reminds me of their releases back in the late 1990s. That is a good thing.

I lived in Minnesota for 4 years. While many bands and artists can state they represent the "Minneapolis/St Paul sound", the The Jayhawks capture the sound of rural Minnesota. Maybe because I lived there, The Jayhawks represent for that "feeling"...what is that "feeling"? ....'Feelin' Minnesota'. 

Listen to Bitter Pill

Various Artists - Best of 2 Tone (Chrysalis) (2017) Digipak (Europe)

                                                                        

Purchased for nostalgic reasons. This neat compilation contains songs released on the 2 Tone label in the U.K. For those that do not know, the Two Tone label spearheaded the U.K. ska revival. Actually, to be honest, 2 Tone probably led the global ska revival of the late 1970s. All of our heroes are here: The Specials, The (English) Beat, Madness, The Selecter, The Bodysnatchers, and legendary Cuban-born, Kingston, Jamaica-raised, trombonist, Rico (Rodriguez).  

For many, the music on this CD may seem dated but to me it sounds classic. This was the music of my high school years. Listening to this compilation also re-introduced me to a song I loved back when it was originally released,  The Selecter - Missing Words. 

Some of the later releases by The Specials moved away from the traditional 2 Tone-ska sound but it is still worth revisiting. Good buy.

The Mop Tops - Inside (1995) (Velodrome Records) (Sweden)(Swedish Pop Collection #8)

Another from the Swedish Pop Collection and a CD that I already had. Just superb jangly guitar pop from the mid-90s and Sweden. You can't go wrong. The Mop Tops were well known by the collectors and others deeply involved in the 90s 'pop music' scene. They should have been huge. Very Beatle-esque. If you like bright, jangly guitar pop then these guys are the real deal. Check out, Inside, the second song on the album. A personal fave of mine is Melancholy. 

Worth finding their stuff. 

Bryan Estepa - Subject To Change (Rock Indiana) 2024 CD (Spain)

 

I have a couple of Bryan Estepa CDs in my collection. This is his latest. He never disappoints. He is a master of the pop melody and he really should be a star worldwide. For those of you as old as me, think of someone with the talent of Chris von Sneidern (CVS). The comparison to CVS is not that they sound the same. No, the comparison is really is how I feel when I listen to Bryan's records.  I have the same feeling of wonder and awe as when I first heard CVS. Yeah, I think he is that good. Just listen to Everything You Wanted or Trick Of The Light. Superb.

This appears to be a compilation of songs that Bryan has released digitally between 2020 and 2024. It was released in Spain and Bryan made them available from his website. I mentioned on X that I need to get all of his catalog. It will be well worth the effort.

Purchased Collections

 During the last couple of years I have purchased the CD collection of a well-known collector of pop music but especially Scandinavian bands. Now, in 2024, I am starting to go through this collection. I am going to post my thoughts on these CDs as I play them. I will tag these CD reactions as the "AB Collection" and, where appropriate, "Swedish Pop Collection".  I will number them. Some of the CDs in the collection that I purchased I already owned. AB and I had similar tastes! However, her knowledge and collection of Swedish and Scandinavian pop was superb and envied. Looking forward to reacting to this for you. Enjoy 

Yabby You meets King Tubby - Walls of Jerusalem (Pressure Sounds, 2019) (LP)

 

Pressure Sounds with another quality reissue (with extra tracks). Originally released back in 1976, this classic roots reggae album gets the royal treatment. Definitely a must for any serious reggae listeners.

Yabby You, aka as 'Jesus Dread' for his Christian beliefs, is a massive figure in reggae and his music has a 'spiritual' quality that is unique and it hits hard. I hate to say it but I will anyway, if you don't like Yabby You then you probably do not like reggae music.