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Recommended if you like bands like Queen, the Zombies, Soul Asylum, Semisonic, and The 88. This album is simple pop-rock bliss.
19 FREAKIN YEARS later stumble upon Bellybutton in a Goodwill (Goodwill, AND HOW.).bin for.99.I feel like I have been granted a miracle of no small order at precisely the time I needed it. But the level of pure transformational ART at work here is of an otherworldly order, my friends.It sort of rewrites the playbook.
Best I could come up with is what if the Beatles were actually an American band, came along 30 years or so later, and were deeply influenced by Gentle Giant.But that is all artifice, not ART, which is so clearly and radiantly what this is. I kept trying to encapsulate in a short sentence what this band achieved and how they could be characterized so I could describe it to my brother (a musician, like myself).nearly impossible.
.Vaguely distantly remembered in the mists of the strange cluttured pop landscape of the early nineties. To say these musicians are vastly talented, greatly inspired and clever songwriters/producers is ALSO accurate.
I've just ordered Spilt Milk and am waiting on huge delicate tenter-hooks until it gets here.HAPPY LISTENING. Gave a flashing glance to "The King is Half-Undressed" video and was mildly intrigued at the time.
To say this is perfectly crafted, honed-to-a-fiery-brilliance pop gem is accurate.
I remember that they put on quite an impressive advertising campaign to try to get as many as possible into their music before their upcoming Wembley show, the most outrageous being a helicopter flying over the stadium the day of the show, dropping countless postcards "introducing" the band to the people as thousands were filing in for the all-day affair. I was fortunate enough to be in London back in the early 90's when "Bellybutton" was first released, & got to see the original line-up at Wembley Stadium as the opening act for 5 other bands, the headliner being INXS. My personal opinion is that they emerged at an inconvenient period, just as the grunge scene was beginning, & were just too musical for the times-10 years earlier & who knows, they may have become the supergroup they so richly deserved to be. My only regret is that they disbanded much too soon, as they most assuredly would have put out several more excellent albums. I had never heard of Jellyfish, but was immediately taken by their "psychedelisized, power-pop, Beatle-esque" approach to their music, & stage show. So the first thing I did the next day was search out their album at the local HMV store, & of course, fell in love with it.
This band belongs in the inner circle of The Beatles, Bad Finger, Squeeze, etc.- [.]. Alas only I and a few others acknowledge that. If you band members read this, know that your symphonic orchestrational genius is recognized.
Simply put. "Best Friend" sung by Harry Nilsson. Often I've heard critics remark that it's a tribute to the Beatles and while their are traces of Beatlesk sounds found on this record. One direct link could be the theme song to the TV show.
But what we do have will influence generations to come. This song could pass for Jellyfish song. It's just as good, but alas, like all good things. In our minds and hearts. It couldn't last forever. It's one of the greatest recordings ever, that sadly few in the world will ever hear, but the few who have know it's captivating hold and unforgettable songs.
Check out their follow-up as well, Split Milk. Jellyfish's beautiful and endearing music will live on forever. The music is more a tribute to the early sounds of the 70's and Brien Wilson. The Courtship of Eddie's Father.
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