fotno
05-29-2006, 12:08 PM
Artist - Jellyfish
Album name - Bellybutton
Year of Release - 1990
Record Label - Charisma
Genre - Rock/Pop
Released in early 1990, just ahead of the storm that became the "Grunge" revolution, Bellybutton is the last of a genre of music (true pop/rock) that doesn't really exist anymore, and that's a real shame.
If Jellyfish COULD be pinned down, the closest an honest reviewer could ever come is to try pitching the band as if his readers were a prospective movie producer. Which is what I'm going to try to do. *Clears Throat* "Ya see Murray, imagine if The Beatles, XTC, 10-CC, Queen, and Cheap Trick were all vacationing at Ian Anderson's summer house, Bellybutton might well be what they'd cook up while taking it easy... But only if Jeff Lynne decided to drop by!"
From their psycodelic album covers, witty smart lyrics, and their "quote everything" philosophy, Jellyfish were a trip in all respects. Down memory lane, and straight on through flash-back city. I'm here to do my little part in saying; If you ever loved any of the aforementioned bands, give Jellyfish (a band that should have gone a lot further) a listen.
Highlight Tracks;
The Man I Used To Be - A lyrically Poignant reflection on being an absentee Dad, but set in candy-coated, gothic toy warehouse. The verse weighs upon the listener, as the chorus hauls the jib in a far more hopeful direction, till the shore of a triumphant bridge is reached. This opening track owes the most to 10-CC of the entire set-list in my opinion.
That is Why - A song about honesty & trust. Real notes of Cheap Trick on this one. But considering that most of the quoted bands were busy quoting The Beatles during their heyday, it's often difficult to tell the root of the tree from the branches here. Still a great poppy song.
She Still Loves Him - A hymn of unrequited love. The protagonist is a girl who despite all evidence to the contrary, continues to love the memory of a love that has long since died. Very much a Beatlesque Descant.
All I Want Is Everything - Could very easily be a track from "Live at the Budokan" replete with audience noise. It's just too purposeful to not be, well, on purpose. Especially considering that various members of Jellyfish were later on involved with tracks on Robin Zander's solo album.
Baby's Coming Back - In an album populated by fun songs, this cut is possibly one of the most joyous! There are even notes of The Monkees (in a good way!) here, and this cut is so radio friendly that it seems impossible to me that it got NO airplay, of course most of the music I own fits into that category, so what do I know!
Although I've only mentioned about half the tracks this funhouse of an album offers, trust me, if you like any one of them, you'll likely enjoy the entire set. It's consistantly good throughout, and if there's an ounce of pop/rock enjoyment left in your soul, you'll like this album. You might not be able to admit it in mixed company, but you'll enjoy it.:D
Album name - Bellybutton
Year of Release - 1990
Record Label - Charisma
Genre - Rock/Pop
Released in early 1990, just ahead of the storm that became the "Grunge" revolution, Bellybutton is the last of a genre of music (true pop/rock) that doesn't really exist anymore, and that's a real shame.
If Jellyfish COULD be pinned down, the closest an honest reviewer could ever come is to try pitching the band as if his readers were a prospective movie producer. Which is what I'm going to try to do. *Clears Throat* "Ya see Murray, imagine if The Beatles, XTC, 10-CC, Queen, and Cheap Trick were all vacationing at Ian Anderson's summer house, Bellybutton might well be what they'd cook up while taking it easy... But only if Jeff Lynne decided to drop by!"
From their psycodelic album covers, witty smart lyrics, and their "quote everything" philosophy, Jellyfish were a trip in all respects. Down memory lane, and straight on through flash-back city. I'm here to do my little part in saying; If you ever loved any of the aforementioned bands, give Jellyfish (a band that should have gone a lot further) a listen.
Highlight Tracks;
The Man I Used To Be - A lyrically Poignant reflection on being an absentee Dad, but set in candy-coated, gothic toy warehouse. The verse weighs upon the listener, as the chorus hauls the jib in a far more hopeful direction, till the shore of a triumphant bridge is reached. This opening track owes the most to 10-CC of the entire set-list in my opinion.
That is Why - A song about honesty & trust. Real notes of Cheap Trick on this one. But considering that most of the quoted bands were busy quoting The Beatles during their heyday, it's often difficult to tell the root of the tree from the branches here. Still a great poppy song.
She Still Loves Him - A hymn of unrequited love. The protagonist is a girl who despite all evidence to the contrary, continues to love the memory of a love that has long since died. Very much a Beatlesque Descant.
All I Want Is Everything - Could very easily be a track from "Live at the Budokan" replete with audience noise. It's just too purposeful to not be, well, on purpose. Especially considering that various members of Jellyfish were later on involved with tracks on Robin Zander's solo album.
Baby's Coming Back - In an album populated by fun songs, this cut is possibly one of the most joyous! There are even notes of The Monkees (in a good way!) here, and this cut is so radio friendly that it seems impossible to me that it got NO airplay, of course most of the music I own fits into that category, so what do I know!
Although I've only mentioned about half the tracks this funhouse of an album offers, trust me, if you like any one of them, you'll likely enjoy the entire set. It's consistantly good throughout, and if there's an ounce of pop/rock enjoyment left in your soul, you'll like this album. You might not be able to admit it in mixed company, but you'll enjoy it.:D