Album Reviews

From the second they welcome you to the age of stupid in the opening track, The Jellybricks more than live up to the album title. ‘Dreaming In Stereo’ is the Harrisburg, PA based band’s second album for Wicked Cool Records and their eighth overall and on it they are back at doing what they do best. Which is - if you missed out on them for the past 25 years - cranking out catchy, harmony-driven power-pop that is both influenced by the 60ies British invasion as well as 90ies alternative and everything in between. Well, that last part isn’t true. You’d be hard-pressed to find any funk, disco, hip hop or 80ies pop influences on ‘Dreaming In Stereo’. It’s all big, shiny guitars, melodic hooks and choruses for days. Think Fountains Of Wayne meets a less raggedy Replacements, topped off with some early Goo Goo Dolls. Yes, it is that good.

Produced by Geoff Sanoff (Jesse Malin, Bush Tetras) and with Doug Gillard (Guided By Voices, Nada Surf) contributing some extra guitar licks on a couple of songs, ‘Dreaming In Stereo’ is pure power-pop bliss. Album favorites include the title track, the absolutely flawless ‘Devil’s A Day Away’ and ‘Sound Of A Broken Heart,’ which reminded me of the Jayhawks in the best of ways. Some of the songs might be a bit too saccharine for my punk rock-warped brain, but honestly, they still hit the mark.

Dreaming In Stereo track list:

1. Age of Stupid        
2. Dreaming in Stereo        
3. Sound of a Broken Heart        
4. All About You        
5. Monday's Never        
6. Let You Down        
7. Enchanted I Am        
8. Devil's a Day Away        
9. Follow That Girl        
10. Do It When You're Done        
11. Crazy Weather        
12. Shine On