It’s really too bad Jellyfish split up, because from the sound of this album and its solitary follow-up, they could have amassed a following as the premiere pop group of the 1990s. These guys really enjoyed making their music, and their joy in doing so is evident just from listening to it. If you need proof, listen to the goofy song “Now She Knows She’s Wrong”. I remember hearing “The King Is Half-Undressed” several years ago on MTV and disregarding the entire song until the bridge, which consists of some absolutely entrancing Beatlesque-going-on-ELO harmonies, and it turns out the rest of Bellybutton was at least as good as that one song, if not better. I have to single out “The Man I Used To Be”, “Bedspring Kiss” and especially the sobering “She Still Loves Him” – about a woman trapped in an abusive relationship – for special praise. These guys could make some music. Sadly, after one more album, Jellyfish broke up, though some of its members are still active, even if their output is somewhat obscure. I highly recommend this album to you, and it’s hard to miss – it’s got the ultra-colorful, trippy cover featuring the band members looking for all the world like they’re auditioning for a live-action movie about the Smurfs!
- The Man I Used To Be (4:34)
- That Is Why (4:16)
- The King Is Half-Undressed (3:47)
- I Wanna Stay Home (4:06)
- She Still Loves Him (4:32)
- All I Want Is Everything (3:44)
- Now She Knows She’s Wrong (2:36)
- Bedspring Kiss (5:03)
- Baby’s Coming Back (2:57)
- Calling Sarah (4:03)
Released by: Charisma
Release date: 1990
Total running time: 39:38