Listing to the iPod on the plane yesterday, I stumbled upon an album I bought way back in 1993, the sophomore effort of the band Jellyfish. I saw them at Edgefest in Dallas that year (that was the big music festival hosted by the local alternative station), and ran to pick it up.
I recall none of my friends being impressed with it. After all, having just discovered Seattle grunge, we were all wearing flannel shirts. In Texas. But something about it just clicked with me. Call it my first album of “happy songs”. At the time I wasn’t versed enough to explain why I liked it. But rediscovering it last night, and enjoying it just as much, I’ve put my finger on it.
Wikipedia says they were a major influence in “power pop”, which I haven’t heard of. But nonetheless, this crazy album is a wonderful mix of 50s harmonies, 60s sunshine, 70s Freddie Mercury, 80s cheese, and 90s edge, with a little polka and sound fx mixed in. The Ghost at Number One was the song that caught my ear at the concert. Listen to Joining a Fanclub and try not to picture Queen. Or the trippy Sebrina, Paste & Plato and not bop around in your chair. Bye Bye Bye’s polka beat. Hush’s Beach Boys-esque lullaby. He’s My Best Friend, a song about a penis. All is Forgiven is half 90s pop, half 80s power ballad.
They may feel dated now, but with all the influences, they kind of felt dated in ‘93, too. Regardless, I still think it’s a fun album. Something to put on when you’re just a little gray.
