Jughead � Jughead 
Label: Inside Out 
Rating: 
 

If you take some of the biggest names in prog rock and let them share their collective love of grunge injected power-pop, you get Jughead, a band that if you read the roster of members will throw you for a total loop once you listen to the CD. 

These heroes of prog-rock have managed to produce one of the best alternative power pop albums heard in years!  (go listen to a couple of the samples before continuing). 

Who are these heroes of prog-rock that make up Jughead? This supergroup includes Ty Tabor of King's X and Platypus fame as well as Derek Sherinian from Dream Theater, Platypus, and Planet X and the Matt and Gregg Bissonette.  Not a bad lineup if you love your prog-rock but guess what people this is a power-pop gem that would make The Foo Fighters, Enuff Z'nuff and The Nixons stand up and take notice. 

Did you listen to the samples? A little shocked now that you know who is in this band? I was too and as much as I love King's X, I would be just as content if this became Ty's full time gig. These guys pull off melodic alt-rock flawlessly with incredible harmonies, rich textured music and amazing songwriting. There isn't one bad track on this CD and for an old power-pop junkie like myself this album is like letting a kid with a sweet tooth loose in Willie Wonka's chocolate factory!  But unlike that kid, you won't get a sugar hangover from listening to this CD. 

Just when you thought the disc couldn't get any better the next song comes on and knocks you out.  I'm actually speechless so I'll leave it at this but go right now and listen to some more samples and if alt powerpop is what you crave then do yourself the biggest favor of the year and get this CD as soon as possible!  It won't disappoint die hard power-pop fans and would be a great vehicle to turn on the kids who are getting ripped off by bands like Blink-182 to real guitar driven powerpop! 

I know which album has my vote for Power-pop album of the year and maybe even album of the year!