...after all it's KURT'S KRAP...

GINGERSOL NOTHING STOPS MOVING FURRY SIDEKICK 2001 [Similarities: Gin Blossoms, The Replacements, Tom Petty] www.gingersol.com

The first two songs, the bland “Help Me Push The Car” and “Tuck Me In”, didn’t really do much for me and I almost gave up hope. But when third track, “Bring Me Along”, came blaring through my speakers, I was in pop nirvana. Bringing to mind late 70s Tom Petty, its urgency could have set the tone for a power pop classic. Unfortunately, those grand moments come few and far between with most of the songs seemingly meandering without direction. It wasn’t until track 9, the rollicking “I Don’t See How”, where this disc grabbed my attention again. With only two decent songs out of ten, I’m not left with giving much recommendation.

THE JELLYBRICKS SOAP OPERA RITE OFF 1999 [Similarities: Jason Falkner, The Wondermints, Enuff Z’nuff] www.thejellybricks.com

Even before you spin the disc, the first thing that becomes apparent is that this band does not take itself too seriously (one reading of the back of the jewel case is proof of that). But upon playing this disc the first time is akin to your first taste of a good beer. In fact, I almost envy those who will spin this the first time. Fourteen numbers that vary from the all out crunch of “Speechless” and “Mite” to the more pure pop of the title track, “Too Far” (and just check out that Doobie Brothers-like ending!) and the Lennon-esqe “Overdrawn”. And “So Many Times” just has hit written all over it, a jangly little Matthew Sweet like number that is best described as addictive. This mob seems to slip in and out of different relations with relative ease that gives the whole affair longevity. Not too many bands out there today can dabble in so many different genres yet still retain their own sound. The Jellybricks are one of them…brilliant.

LINUS OF HOLLYWOOD LET YOURSELF BE HAPPY FRANKLIN CASTLE 2001 [Similarities: Jellyfish, Kyle Vincent, Brian Wilson] www.linusofhollywood.com

Genius…sheer f’ing genius! Anyone who could take Ozzy’s “Goodbye To Romance” and turn it into something the Beach Boys would be proud of deserves total props. Building on the solid pop foundation of the 70s AM Gold sound and giving it his own wicked spin, once again Linus knocks me for a loop. With bigger than life melodies and harmonies songs like “A Whole New Country”, “The Girl I’ll Never Have” and the Wings-like “Where Are You?” are among some of the best pure pop I’ve heard in quite a while. And just try listening to “Every Day I Fall In Love Again” without going “oh my God!”. Various types of keyboards dominate the mix, which are strictly worked from 8-tracks, which make it all the more incredible that everything sounds as clean and crisp as it does. If this isn’t on everyone’s top 10 for 2001, something is seriously wrong. Like I said, sheer f’ing genius!

TAXXI CHEQUERED PAST FANTASY 2001 [Similarities: Rick Springfield, Hall & Oates, Franke & The Knockouts] www.fantasyjazz.com

Talk about LONG overdue… Taxxi was one of those bands from the 80s that not too many remember, but those that do are very fond of them. Mixing a hi-tech AOR sound with a Prince-like funk vibe, this trio was somewhat unique. Though it’s somewhat dated it’s nonetheless enjoyable. Taken from their three albums recorded with Fantasy, it unfortunately does not include any songs from their work with MCA (like the INCREDIBLE “Heaven And The Heartaches”). But, songs like the all attitude “Cocktail Queen”, the thumping “Whipping Boy” and the HUGE ballad “The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter” recall all the great things we all loved about early 80s AOR and make up for that small miscue. A sweet little collection that leaves you wanting more.