SPARKLING DEBUT STILL POPPING AT 40

Many songwriters have been inspired by the incredible work of John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Although the famous songwriting team explored all kinds of styles, the description 'Beatlesque' has come to mean a melodic song with harmonies, a catchy chorus and a strong middle-eight. If there are jangly guitars, preferably 12-string, we might also apply the term 'power pop'. If you think of 'Can’t Buy Me Love' or 'Day Tripper' as the diving board, you’ll be in the right swimming pool.

Marshall Crenshaw was born in Detroit, Michigan. That’s a heck of a long way from Liverpool but the young singer-songwriter paid his Fab Four dues by performing in the musical Beatlemania in the late 1970s, prior to releasing his debut album in 1982. It is this effervescent self-titled album we are featuring today, re-issued with bonus tracks for the fortieth anniversary of Crenshaw’s first LP.

The opening song is 'There She Goes Again'—not to be confused with 'There She Goes' by The La’s, another superb power pop gem. Rollicking along with a rockabilly rhythm and a sing-along tune, 'There She Goes Again' sets the tone of the album. Well, musically speaking anyway. The cover is actually the first thing we see; the bold colours and stylised 1950s decor providing a broad hint of what to expect inside. Something bright but nostalgic, something with an arm around the past while winking at the present. Marshall’s complimentary clothing and tinted shades add a cool 1980s touch, while the sky blue background suggests things are cheerily sunny. But are they?

One of the aspects of power pop I have always loved is the tinge of melancholy within, the salt in the caramel. (Think 'Ticket To Ride’ by the Beatles.) The second song on Crenshaw’s debut is the catchy 'Someday, Someway'. The title suggests a simple love song yet despite the jaunty melody the lyrics tell another tale. Each chorus ends with a yearning for each to appreciate the other. 'Maybe I’ll understand you' the first time, 'Maybe you’ll understand me' at the end.

With twelve songs around the three minute mark and an LP clocking in at thirty-three-and-a-third minutes, one might argue Mr Crenshaw is taking the 'early Beatles' thing too far… or not far enough. Fans want more! Yet for all the brevity, this is a very satisfying album. The favourite track of this writer is the delicious 'Cynical Girl' which leads with ringing guitar and updates Buddy Holly with wit and flair.

Well I hate TV

There's gotta be somebody other than me

Who's ready to write it off immediately

I'm lookin' for a cynical girl

Did it seem I was complaining about the compactness of Marshall Crenshaw? Not the 40th Anniversary re-issue, that’s for sure. As mentioned earlier, it comes with seven bonus tracks on an extra LP, including the sparkling 'Something’s gonna happen', a demo of  'Maryanne', and an early version of one of Crenshaw’s best and most beloved songs, '(You’re My Favourite) Waste Of Time'. Several covers of this gem, including one by Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs for their excellent Under The Covers project and another by Bette Midler, attest to the strength of Marshall Crenshaw’s songwriting. Waste some time with him soon.

© Bruce Jenkins—January 2023