Radio Jejune

Mixmasters
June 16, 2002
by Mark Weinfeld

MIX XI M

Radio Jejune/Salmolina - Sugarplastic (Radio Jejune - 1995)

I was surprised to find that Brett had heard of this group, and in fact already had this album, when I told him I was going to include them. Sugarplastic is an "alternative pop-rock trio" from Los Angeles. While their summary in e-music says that they are influenced by "David Byrne, the Beatles and XTC," Radio Jejune sounds more like Queen to me, particularly with its strong vocals. As for "Salmolina," since I first heard this song, I have been unable to get it out of my head. It is simply one of the catchiest songs I have ever heard. The rest of the album has a bit more of a punk rock sound.

THE POPE: There is an interesing Latin phrase we use in the Church that goes, "Domino vobiscum." Which means, "The pizza guy is here." Ha! Ha! Ha! Well, as you pointed out, Brett was already well familiar with Sugarplastic prior to your mix, and he seemed to know both of these songs. I like them both OK, but after numerous spins, I started to get a little sick of them. "Radio Jejune" reminds Brett of a middle-period XTC number, and I agree. (Hey, I'm old, but I've heard XTC!) It's very catchy and has a lot of things going for it. (8) "Salmolina" continues the XTC feel, not least of which is because XTC has a song called "Rip Van Reuben" that recalls these lyrics. This too is very catchy. (8)

JOHN: I like the Sugarplastic, though before these two tunes I had only heard their album Bang! The Earth Is Round!, which the tunes on this mix predate. You can't help but hear Andy Partridge in the vocals, though I don't think the music particularly mirrors XTC. (8) Mark calls this one of the catchiest songs he's ever heard. Although "catchy" is probably the most subjective adjective in the music critic's lexicon, I have to admit that this song does plaster itself to the inside of one's cranium. Also, the lyrics, which are full of puns and fanciful turns of phrase, seem like they're directed at those of us with short attention spans. I have no problem whatsoever with this, but I don't find this song as likeable as similar efforts by Andy Partridge and They Might Be Giants. (7)

MIKE: Ah, more Sugarplastic. I think Dean turned me on to this terrific band. "Radio Jejune" has a killer hook (love the bright, bouncy guitar line) and more changes than most pop tunes. No real Queen influence here though. Trust me, I was a Queen nut in my misspent youth. (8) "Salmolina" welds a whimsical lyric onto a fat hook then drives it full speed thru many dizzying switchbacks of melody changes. Virtuoso pop. (9)

DEAN: Sugarplastic's second CD, "Bang The Drum Softly" [sic] got big and continuous mention on the XTC digest so I got it and it is a great, great CD. I then went back and got this one, their first, and a long time later, stumbled across their latest online (which is represented in my MM11 mix). I can't hear Queen in here like Mark does, but I sure hear David Byrne, Andy Partridge and the Beatles, yet all mixed together in a fresh sound. This stuff sounds so innocent, like they're really having fun. "Radio Jejune" sounds goofy when you break it down to its individual components but, taken as a whole, it's an incredibly sophisticated and well produced song for a debut CD! As a whole, it's just fascinating and, oh so catchy. (9) "Salmolina" brings more catchy pop. And once again, it sounds like segments from about 4 songs spliced together into a single opus. (Think "Heroes And Villians" with only a few weeks of writing and production as opposed to months and months!) And I hear Brian Wilson in this one, in addition to all the other influences. (9)

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