Reissue Reviews Archives - Page 3 of 3

Reissues: Jellyfish “Bellybutton” and “Spilt Milk”

January 10, 2015July 7, 2024 powerpopaholic

Jellyfish “Bellybutton” 2-CD Remastered Edition

When it comes to power pop, the band Jellyfish have been the most influential band for the genre in the past 20 years, and is a yardstick by which most other bands from the modern rock era can be judged. Jellyfish captured the melodious qualities of The Beatles in a modern indie rock style, all wrapped up with tight melodies and arrangements.

This new 2-CD set captures the 1990 debut, with a set of live performances and demos adding up to 25 additional tracks. Previously these demos only appeared on the long out-of-print box set. On top of the remastered sound quality, you get expanded artwork and liner notes. More details at Omnivore.
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Jellyfish “Split Milk” 2-CD Remastered Edition

Once established, the bands driving forces Andy Sturmer and Roger Manning, Jr. increased the intensity on “Spilt Milk” and delivered an updated “Sgt. Pepper” for the new generation. The dream concept incorporated many music styles from the classical strings on “Hush” to the guitar rock on “Joining a Fan Club” to the polka style of “Bye Bye Bye.” This is another one of those desert island discs, and its a shame the band imploded after this masterpiece.

Like the debut CD, the new remaster includes 26 additional bonus tracks that are mainly demos and live performances including the last ever recording from them, Harry Nilsson’s “Think About Your Troubles.” Also included is expanded artwork and notes, including a track by track commentary, and essays from Ken Sharp. More details at Omnivore.
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Considering the the long out of print box set “Fan Club” is worth well over $150 in new condition, these new albums are the definitive Jellyfish collection (at a bargain price.)
Also if you have friends that want to know what power pop is supposed to sound like this is the best gift you can give them.

Reissue: Trip Shakespeare

December 17, 2014July 7, 2024 powerpopaholic 2 Comments

When people think of the “Minneapolis sound,” most think of Prince or at least Bob Mould during his Hüsker Dü days. But in the mid 80’s a highly creative band named Trip Shakespeare combined alternative rock with a power pop twist. Elaine Harris and Matt Wilson founded the band with John Munson and produced the debut record Applehead Man in 1986. Matt’s brother Dan Wilson soon joined the band later and eventually Wilson and Munson went on to form the mainstream power pop band Semisonic. I never got the chance to appreciate Trip as a band back then, so I did some digging and was lucky to find that Omnivore Recordings has reissued the bands debut and follow up Are You Shakespearienced?

With a new listen Trip Shakespear’s music has held up much better than I remembered. On the the debut Applehead Man, best described as both melodic and esoteric, starts good and gets better with repeated listens. Harris’ unique rhythmic skill and Wilson’s poetic lyrics set Trip apart from other 80’s bands. Highlights include the title track, “Washington Bridge,” “ Necklace,” and the angular tribute to the Fab Four “Beatle,” without sounding a bit Beatlesque. Are You Shakespearienced? is more polished and with the addition of Dan Wilson, contributes to the harmonies and sophisticated arrangements shown on “The Lake” and “Two Wheeler, Four Wheeler.” The band would soon earn a contract with A&M Records after these 2 albums, so its cool that you can re-discover them with the added bonus tracks and demos.

Applehead Man | Are You Shakespearienced?

The Beach Boys “SMiLE Sessions”

October 30, 2011October 30, 2011 powerpopaholic 1 Comment

For all you audiophiles, this is the motherlode. On November 1, the original tracks of the legendary Beach Boys SMiLE will be released in a 2 CD set. If you are a really completist, the expanded boxed edition of The SMiLE Sessions will also be released, featuring the main SMiLE album tracks, plus four CDs of additional audio from the legendary sessions, a double vinyl LP set, and two 7″ vinyl singles. The deluxe box also contains a 60-page hardbound book with rare and previously unseen photos and memorabilia from The Beach Boys’ archive and newly-written essays by Beach Boys Al Jardine, Mike Love, Brian Wilson, and Bruce Johnston, as well as by Beach Boys historian and author Domenic Priore and many other inner-circle participants.

Reissue Reviews: John Brodeur and George Michael

March 15, 2011October 27, 2024 powerpopaholic 2 Comments

John Brodeur “Tiger Pop Ten”
Everything old is new again with NYC musician John Brodeur. The critically praised debut ‘Tiger Pop’ from 2001 gets a 10th anniversary re-issue with a newly recorded version as a second disc. This new recording proves that Brodeur’s seminal work retains it’s stopping power. The songs like “Dying For Me” have a fleshed out rhythm and mature quality that those original four-track recordings lack. And the melodic power of tracks like “Remains of The Heart” and “Sucker” sound even better here as John is joined by a host of veteran musicians. An exclusive track “Masterpiece” is added to this 2 disc set. With the original CD long out of print, this is a welcome gift for power pop fans.

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George Michael “Faith”
Everyone thinks they know George Michael. The iconic album ‘Faith’ is being re-mastered with an entire disc full of bonus tracks. This Grammy winner includes all the amazing hits (“Faith,” “Father Figure” and “Monkey”) that represents Michael’s peak as a commercial force. My long time favorite, the pristine croon of “Kissing A Fool” is joined here by covers of Stevie Wonder’s “I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)” and “Love’s In Need of Love Today (Live).” Michael was one of the artists that defined the 80’s, and despite the tabloid history his talent is unquestionable.

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