Jellyfish – Best (Virgin/Charisma)

The release of Best sees a belated overview of one of those bands whose flame flickered but whose initial spark went out almost as soon as it was ignited.

Jellyfish are a band that warrants a modicum of attention today. 2003 saw the release of a 4 cd box set, followed by this compilation - an abridged version of that particular box set. They set out making their name in an age when their sound was at odds with the prevailing musical culture of the time.
In their lifetime Jellyfish released two albums Spilt Milk and Bellybutton and the band were hampered by line-up changes with each release. The musicians that made up Jellyfish have all remained in the industry in some form but have tellingly never reconvened as Jellyfish at any point down the years. Though principal songwriters Roger Manning and Jason Faulkner have been involved in a number of projects together down the years.

The cliché of musical differences is apt for this band as a third album was aborted as the line-up finally capitulated. The US band certainly mistimed their career, coming to the fore after Baggy and before Britpop. It was quite possibly a case of wrong place, at the wrong time for the band. As their Paul McCartney Wings style may have found an audience in the retro obsessed days of Britpop.

The stand out tracks from this release are The King is Half Undressed a song which was on heavy rotation on MTV in the early 90s, as was the near UK hit The Ghost At Number One – which came close to denting the Top 40.

These tunes certainly are the pick of the album, as well as Ignorance is Bliss but I have to say time has not been too kind and the sum total of this album merges into one continuous loop, with the standout tracks few and far between. There is evidence of quirkiness in some of the songs Ignorence Is Bliss is a good example of how it could have been, but more often than not they have a tendency to resort to a bland MOR style - more akin to third rate Supertramp copyists.

It could be argued that it is the ultimate album for the download age, the afore mentioned songs are the only ones you really need to own.

Best is evidence of band with numerous ideas, but with no coherent vision in which to present them.