In a word, DAMN.More like Squeeze or Split Enz power pop than Cheap Trick or Elvis Costello power pop, Jellyfish's Bellybutton came and went in 1990, wedged between the death of hair metal and the explosion of grunge. If you're looking for meaty slabs of distorted guitar you'll be disappointed, but there IS an abundance of smart lyrics, Beach Boy harmonies and solid musicianship. Bellybutton seems painstakingly crafted and is jammed with more hooks than Bill Dance's tackle box. (Rim shot!)
The band didn't stick around for long, but at least we've still got the album. Sometimes bad timing can torpedo a band (I'm looking at you, Big Star), but I've got to think that if Jellyfish hadn't dressed like H.R. Pufnstuf rejects, they might have been taken a little more seriously by the record buying public.
But I could be wrong.
1 comment:
I remember playing them on V89. Of course, it was at around 4am on a Tuesday, so the exposure really didn't help much...
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