I've been on a huge Jason Falkner kick these past few days, soaking up just about everything he put out - Presents Author Unknown, Can You Still Feel?, Bliss Descending, and even his guitar work in Jellyfish. The dude is just supremely talented, and completely overlooked except by songwriting musos like me.
His music almost sounds like prog-pop, in the sense that it uses very dense, complicated arrangements of guitar and voice. It's just weird enough to not sound completely mainstream, but everything is a hook. It's kind of like XTC, only an American version, with all the instruments performed by one guy (he plays everything on his albums).
I encourage everyone who reads this to go to your nearest record store or used CD store, and grab any of his records you can find. OR if you're a Napster or Rhapsody member (the unlimited kind) check him out on there.
He has a new album out, but it's still unavailable in the states except as an import from Japan. They get all the good stuff, including bonus tracks on almost all releases that aren't available on the American versions.
Why is America so consistently denied the best in power pop?
In a world that actually judges its art based on merit rather than fashion, Jason Falkner would be a superstar.
So, here's to you, Jason...I hope you're able to shed those sideman shoes and get the recognition that befits a talent as great as yours.
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