The Well Wishers “A View From Above”
Jeff Shelton is back with his 9th album, and while I’ve grown accustomed to solid Well Wishers albums, this time I hear a little more variety in the approach. “Gravity Waits” has all the catchy guitar crunch and infectious chorus that set it as one of Jeff’s best openers. The softer jangle of “In Another Life” has the sound of earlier Well Wishers tunes before the louder riffs return on “I Like You Better,” and the very REM-like “April Is Only A Lie.”
Jeff also included some of the better tracks from last year’s Trip Wire’s LP (“There Goes My Gun” and “I’m Not the Enemy.”) The layered buzz of the guitars on “Come Out And Play” and “Is It Me, Is It You” are also keepers that fans of Bob Mould will appreciate. Overall, another great album without filler that is without a doubt Highly Recommended.
Jackie Daytona “She’s So Hot” EP
Texas-based Jackie Daytona knows how to party, and he fires on all cylinders with the opener “Hot & Sweaty,” a guitar pop gem that was designed to juice up a crowd, Daytona channels Rick Miller in his vocals. “She’s So Hot” is a great follow up, with its slick bass line and rumbling riffs that The Eels don’t really do anymore. “California” is a mid-tempo gem that sounds like a lost Jackson Browne classic.
With these standouts, it’s easy to recommend and it even has a cool cover of The Beach Boys “You’re So Good To Me.” Hopefully, more people get hip to Daytona’s brand of crunchy power pop you can dance to. I would love to hear more on a full-length album. Highly Recommended.