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Steve Ison
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12/11/2012 3:01:53 PM
---- Updated 12/12/2012 12:49:45 AM
IAC GEMS #7 Jean Jacket by TROLLEYVOX
Jean Jacket by TROLLEYVOX is such an ace TRACK- as opposed to a fantasticly written 'song' which is what i usually go for..I mean it dosn't even have a chorus .Broken down,its basically a series of 2 chord verses interspersed with guitar breaks really-but what a gorgeous, dreamy n delightful pop confection it is ! And what a beautiful atmosphere it creates as a whole..
So much to enjoy here..
The cool Byrdsian riff,the seductive whisper-soft vocals from a singer sounding remarkably like The Bangles Suzanna Hoffs..The fab bubbling McCartney bass and the wonderfully poppy "Jean Jacket" BVs littered throughout..The real star here is the guitar tho..Shimmering n cascading luxuriantly from speaker to speaker with a series of utterly stellar cameo's.The ace echoey chromatic bit -so evocative.The brilliant glisteningly transcendent lead breaks flowing
like waterfalls..Reverby n resplendent and all encased in a gorgeously clear technicolour hifi production..
The long pauses of silence before diving back into the endless cyclical signature riff are brave, intentionally humorous and deliciously eccentric, giving the track a strong identity of its own and also the listener a space to dream ..
This is luxurious, airbrushed psychedelic soft pop with a fabulous band performance and a spick n sparkling modern sheen...
A wonderfully decadent full fat pop pleasure f'sure..
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Shoe City Sound
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12/12/2012 5:00:39 AM
---- Updated 12/12/2012 9:08:34 AM
The best Gem yet! (thanks for unearthing) and amazing Gem description. So great how in the act of not taking themselves oh so seriously by creating a beautiful bright light of fun, they create a super valid piece of work in disguise. This is just what a pop tune should be in my opinion.
Dolores
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Stoneman
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12/12/2012 12:31:26 PM
Wow, a very interesting choice this time. This song is a very 70's ish song with strong Rock/Pop overtones. The stand out on this song for me is the Bass player. I like the way he comes in and out of the song and each time he sort of makes a musical statement. It's almost like he is playing a lead part which of course is very unique for Bass players. This is the kind of music that is very popular here at IAC. and I am not surprised that it is on so many stations and obviously revered by so many people here.
Now, there is that more important question of how much do i like it? Well, I may be the lone wolf on this one as the song is a bit too repetitious in some areas for my taste. Also, it didn't spark any emotional connection other than a very familiar sound from the past. The lyrics meant absolutely nothing to me and the stops that kept fooling me into thinking that the song was over? Kind of annoyed me. Maybe if I was still doing acid I would think that was an exciting thing to listen to. But I haven''t done acid in 45 years and the repetition, false endings and disconnected lyrics only seem to leave me wondering what all the hype is about. Don't get me wrong, it is a good song for those who really love this kind of music but I am one of those strange birds who often goes against the popular trends. That is probably why my music isn't as popular here. If you look at the Hit line and charts you will notice that R&B/Hip-Hop/Soul/Reggae is not a big draw at IAC. If I didn't do other kinds of music to, I would probably be down in the dumps with all the other artists that do my kind of music here. Diversity is not IAC's strong suit. Sort of makes me feel like a fish swimming against a rushing wall of water. It's hopeless. Anyway, this song has some very good qualities but I wouldn't consider it one of your best GEMS. Keep them coming though! I have grown to look forward to what you might proclaim a GEM next.
But as I said before. A lot of people here love this song so wtf do I know? Thanks for the post!
Much Respect,
Stoneman
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Steve Ison
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12/12/2012 1:53:09 PM
---- Updated 12/12/2012 1:56:55 PM
Dolores...Nice one..Its tough to explain -but for me you've hit the nail on the head of why this totally works better than i did and alot more concisely ! lol
Great pop's about the SPIRIT of something..And they've obviously had great fun writing and performing..Its obviously done with alot of love - and taking the art seriously but not themselves
Stoneman..Thanx once again for listening and such thoughtful comments..
I had a listen again to appreciate the bass playing more - and i agree its frikkin' stellar..
If you're someone who needs meaningful lyrics to really enjoy something then i can totally understand why 'Jean Jacket' wouldn't be your thing..
I'm pretty certain they picked the title 'cos it SOUNDED so good as an unapologetically ultra-pop hook than because there's any real meaning there - I havn't a clue either what the song lyric's about - and maybe the band don't too lol..
I love cathartic deep art - but i can equally love obvious artifice - like this track - if its done very artfully n skillfully (which this song is) and makes such a blissful atmosphere
Of course it IS evoking and heavily influenced by psychedelia and 70s easy listening pop from the past like you said -but when somethings created so well with a certain magic -it makes something fresh,timeless and vital for me..
I'm not a fan of artless pastiche for its own sake
I always appreciate comments on these selections -if people don't like them as it promotes debate and intelligent questioning on reasons why we like/dislike what we do..
Cheers dude..:)
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Richard Scotti
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12/12/2012 2:22:29 PM
As a very big fan of the Byrds it would be hard not to like this song. I feel inspired to whip out the 12 string once again as I did on my retro song "She's An Angel". I agree that a song can be lot's of fun to listen to regardless of the meaning of the lyrics or lack thereof. Jean Jacket reminds me of songs from Rubber Soul and Revolver where the spirit and gestalt** of the songs was everything. The bass is very McCartneyesque. I agree with Stoneman that the false stops are not essential and in my opinion are a little pretentious but as a retro song it's possible to be a little forgiving since as Stoneman also mentioned - it helps to be stoned to appreciate some psychedelic songs. After all the very name of the genre carries it's own implications!
Gestalt** therapy is an existential/experiential form of psychotherapy which focuses upon the individual's experience in the present moment. Certain retro music can be described as such. Overall, I enjoyed this song very much.
Although it doesn't have a chorus, it does have an amazingly catchy hook ("jean jacket) I guess it could be considered a chorus since it achieves many of the objectives of a chorus. The great production compensates for whatever the song may seem to lack. Thanks for sharing, Steve!
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Steve Ison
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12/13/2012 3:23:10 PM
Cheers for listening and commenting Richard..Really glad you enjoyed it !
I think the the "spirit and gestalt" was the whole thing all the way for The Beatles -not just Rubber Soul or Revolver..
They certainly didn't transform the world thru ace inventive lyrics -like say Dylan -Their appeal rests firmly on the elusive 'spirit' their music expressed..
Its that kind of indescribable 'spirit' i'm definitely chasing on my own creative journey and gives me a sense of meaning n purpose..
The magic of a chord change,the rythm of a line -the twist in a melody,the emotional 'push' of a certain phrase..The atmosphere n mood something makes..
Elusive qualities indeed -but we know them when we hear them/create them..
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Richard Scotti
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12/13/2012 5:55:39 PM
I think the Beatles' lyrics started getting a little more multi-leveled as the age of Dylan
began to prevail. Each album's lyrics starting with Sgt Pepper got more mature.
Abbey Road had some very sophisticated words like the "love you make is equal to the love you make". The "mop tops" grew up! Lennon's solo work also reflected an even greater appreciation of intellectual lyrics that were also very emotionally charged
and visceral, worlds away from Hamburg in the early 60's.
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Tom O'Brien
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12/13/2012 6:54:16 PM
What a fun track! It had me from the first riff. I didn't even have to listen to the lyrics to like this song. I like the way "jean jacket" becomes a rhythmic motif. I could've used to hear it more. The false endings didn't bother me at all. The first one fooled me into thinking this was just an incredibly short, good song. When it all comes down to it, isn't music just about how the sounds make you feel? This one feels good on my ears and brain.
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Steve Ison
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12/17/2012 12:32:52 PM
"I think the Beatles' lyrics started getting a little more multi-leveled as the age of Dylan
began to prevail"
Yeh,Dylan was the big influence lyrically on them all..They started smoking pot about that time too -which i'm sure helped
"When it all comes down to it, isn't music just about how the sounds make you feel?"
Absoloutly...Its definitely my deciding factor on the music i like - and the melodic ideas i choose to develop..Glad you enjoyed the track Tom !
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