Jordan Zevon - Insides Out

It is a real treat when I am completely surprised by a new album. Jordan Zevon's new album, Insides Out is one of those records. He is the son of the late Warren Zevon and was instrumental in helping his father record music in the late years of his life. In 2002, Warren Zevon was diagnosed with lung cancer and decided that he wanted to spend his final days in the recording studio making one last album. Jordan was the Executive Producer on that record, The Wind. The album was released in 2003 and Warren Zevon died within a week of its release. Before his death Warren told Jordan to follow his dream and use Warren's studio to record his own music. That is where he recorded this record. Jordan also contributed the song "Studebaker" to the Warren Zevon tribute record called Enjoy Every Sandwich: The Songs of Warren Zevon. That song also appears on this new record.

This album is amazing, but don't expect it to sound anything like Warren's music. This is a solid power pop record that recalls the music of the Beatles, Cheap Trick, XTC, Elvis Costello and more modern groups like Fountains of Wayne and The Feeling. The production is tight and the vocal harmonies are tighter. Even though this is not an album that can compare in any way to Warren Zevon's catalog of music, it is the clear sign of a strong debut album by a songwriter with great pop sensibilities. I look forward to hearing him mature as a songwriter based on the strength of this record.

You can check out some of Jordan's songs from the new record at his MySpace page.

Roger Joseph Manning Jr. - Catnip Dynamite

Besides the Beatles, the biggest musical influence on me over the last 20 years has been Jellyfish. I could explain their impact over two albums in the early '90's, but to keep this blog relevant to now, I will talk about the new release by Jellyfish keyboardist Roger Joseph Manning Jr. It is titled Catnip Dynamite and is the follow-up to 2006's Land of Pure Imagination.

Even though I have often described Roger's last effort as "the third Jellyfish album", this one goes even further to carry on the legacy of the mighty 'Fish. Even though I crave a Jellyfish reunion, I am afraid that it would be a mistake and it would taint the memory of what I would consider to be two perfect albums (1990's Bellybutton and 1993's Spilt Milk). I am glad to see that Roger can still churn out tasty pop classics, even though Andy Sturmer doesn't wish to participate.

From the opening chords of "The Quickening", you can tell that Roger was inspired for this record. "Love's Never Half As Good" sounds like it could have come off of Spilt Milk. My favorite tracks are "Down In Front", "The Turnstile at Heaven's Gate", "The Quickening" and the supercharged "Living in End Time". This is an album that won't disappoint any fan of Jellyfish. It isn't the same without Andy's presence, but this is the most inspired I have heard Roger in years.

Unfortunately this album is not currently available in the United States. Similar to his last release and Jason Falkner's latest album I'm OK, You're OK, the album is released only in Japan currently on the Noise McCartney label. I am confused about why these artists are releasing records this way. I understand if they have a Japanese label and no US label, but it seems to me that there are alternate ways of getting music out to people (iTunes, self releases via websites like Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails, etc.)

A US release is most likely forthcoming, but if you are interested in getting Catnip Dynamite right now, the best import price on it is from CD Japan .

You can listen to short clips of all of the songs from this album at the Not Lame website at this location.

Welcome to the Machine....

This blog has been a long time coming for me. I have been building up over 30 years of musical knowledge and it is time to let it out! I have a few friends that will help add to the blog from a variety of musical backgrounds. Hopefully it will combine into a blog that not only reaches into the best music from our past, but relates to the best of what is currently cool in the music industry. Stay tuned...