THE JOGGERS - Solid Gold

[November 5th, 2003] THE JOGGERS
Solid Guild
(Startime International)

These kids play their hits (and this LP is packed with 'em) like they're knitting their sweatpants out of guitar string. Singer and guitar clanger Ben Whitesides leads the other three Joggers in a choir of good old Portland SLACK. A knee-slapping combination of new dynamics and warm, comfort-food-style pop. Someday, when Truman's Water finally comes back as a Stones cover band, it may (or may not) sound like this. The stuff to know: The Joggers don't flaunt any kind of math skills, and they eat melody for breakfast. With a side order of day-old bacon. Soundtrack possibilities: "Loosen Up," sleepytime music for nomads; "Natural Novice," for clumsy romancers; "Every Other Word," good for slow-motion bike crashes in the grass; "I'm Not Convinced," perfect afternoon makeout music. In fact, the whole thing lends itself to some John Hughes/Harmony Korine shot-on-video masterpiece. Can I hear you say, action!