I’ve had a lot of time for writing recently; some leave and then a work trip with long haul flights and time in airport lounges. Lately, I’ve made several pages for acts with only a handful of albums to their name. These three acts have commonalities; they’re all white, male American acts, although they’re operating in different genres and different eras. The most striking similarity is they all have small discographies, and each has one album with a clear consensus as their best. While I don’t always agree with canon, in each of these cases, I concur with the consensus, even though all three have other enjoyable albums.
Television – Marquee Moon
1977
https://albumreviews.blog/reviews/television/
Jellyfish – Spilt Milk
1993
https://albumreviews.blog/reviews/jellyfish/
Jason Isbell – Southeastern
2013
https://albumreviews.blog/reviews/jason-isbell/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUzqkV7MQdA
Are you a fan of any of these albums?
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Nice to see someone else out there that digs that Jellyfish album. I always found Bellybutton a bit dull after a while, but Spilt Milk had range. Did you ever check out Imperial Drag at all?
Oh cool, I have Manning’s Solid State Warrior, but had no idea about Imperial Drag – I’ll check them out.
I haven’t actually heard any of his solo stuff. Recommended, then?
I like Solid State Warrior so far – haven’t listened quite enough for a recommend yet, but in terms of arrangements it sounds very similar to Jellyfish. The XTC side of Jellyfish comes out more.
I came for the Television (LOVE that rcord) but stayed for the learning about two other bands!
Cool! Both of those other albums have given me lots of listening mileage.
Don’t know the third, have been meaning to pursue the second for, er, decades and love the first.
Great to see a piece about Jellyfish. For my money, one of the most criminally underrated power pop bands of them all. I can’t pick between their debut or “Spilt Milk” because they’ve both got an equal amount of outstanding tracks.
I definitely like Spilt Milk best – just sounds more elaborate and over the top, which works for this band. Conversely, my favourite material on Bellybutton is the simplest like ‘I wanna stay home’.
That title track on the first is particularly special – the other two are new-to-me!
I like Guiding Light on that album a lot too.
A friend of mine was in a British power pop band that toured in support of Jellyfish in the early 90s (The Adventure Babies) and he said they were an amazing live band. I regret never seeing them.
Rich from KamerTunesBlog has written about how they were an amazing live band, and could do the four part harmonies perfectly live.
Great post with three wonderful artists. The only place we diverge here is with Jellyfish. I love both albums (and I saw them on both tours) but I think “Bellybutton” is a stronger record. “Spilt Milk” is impressive and shows off a few additional influences, but it’s perhaps slightly overstuffed, whereas its predecessor is all killer & no filler (and has the added bonus of Jason Falkner on guitar & backing vocals). The tour for album #2, however, was stunning. I’ve never heard such perfect vocal harmonies.
I think you’re the only comment so far who’s into all 3 artists! I like my Jellyfish over the top, but it’s totally a personal preference.
Wow! Glad I checked out the last album! I’m loving it! Thanks. Hope all is well.
Yeah, it’s great. Very good songwriter, deserves to be huge – and he is building a pretty good profile now.