Jason Falkner - Can You Still Feel (1999)

A pop marvel of the highest order, Jason Falkner first caught people's attention in the early '90s as a member of both Jellyfish and the Grays. Jason's 1996 solo debut, Jason Falkner Presents Author Unknown, received extensive critical praise for it's ringing hooks, sharp guitar and clever lyrics. His new album, co-produced by Nigel Godrich (Radiohead's OK Computer), sports a rich sound that echoes the great depth of Jason's intelligent songwriting. 1st single: "Author Unknown."

These days, power-pop is as much a catch-all term as any: rock music with tunes, maybe? But when an album such as Jason Falkner's second solo outing comes along, you stop being blasé and listen. The one-time Jellyfish frontman covers all bases, from the driving pop of "Author Unknown" and "Holiday", to the gorgeous melodics of "Revelation" and "See You Again". What's more, his lyrics are witty and well-crafted, touching on the time-honoured themes of break-ups and breakdowns with a humour that keeps to the meaningful side of throwaway. "The Plan" is a gem of self-deprecation, its barbed cheerfulness making it almost a sing-along in alienation. Co-produced by Falkner and Nigel Godrich, this is exactly the sort of album, thoughtful but immediate, that ought to sell in vast quantities: after all, we could all use a little of the emotional pick-up on offer here. If you'd decided that power-pop is all style without substance, let Jason Falkner show you otherwise. --Richard Whitehouse