Pedaljets Self Titled The Communion Label 1989

Pedaljets Self Titled The Communion Label 1989 COMM13

There's a hype sticker on the back of this copy that states the following; "2nd recording from K.C.'s greatest quartet. D'ya like Zen Arcade? Raymond Carver stories? Lots of guitars? Then, come on down to Stipple County!" High praise indeed, but you'd expect it from the band's label.

To address everything there, though... Greatest quartet? Well, again, label hype. The Zen Arcade comparison is warranted. The Pedaljets sound like the rural in between to Husker Du and Replacements. Like Zen Arcade, this album is trying to tell a story. Thus, the Raymond Carver hype. The Pedaljets aren't Carver-good at telling stories, they aren't even as good as Husker Du, but A for effort. They fall shy of Westerberg on a lyrical front. The group is more about being a rock band than poets, anyway. The "lots of guitars" is also warranted. The band picked up an additional guitarist, which let them spread their sound out a bit more. This is much more ambitious than the previous album, Today Today. Initially, it sounds weaker than Today Today, but repeated listens prove this LP is the band's best work.

So, despite the shortfalls of the hype sticker, what the Pedaljets do well is make a great sounding album. This isn't awash in late-80's style. In fact, you'd think with the multiple guitars you're hearing something from the 90's. And, yes, the band is very similar to the Replacements and Husker Du, but this isn't a poor man's version. Musically, they're on the same level. Repeated listens are all you need. Just keep listening to this, it's better every time.

Also of note, the original artwork was done by Archer Prewitt who was a Coctail at the time, but went onto to form the Sea & Cake with Sam Prekop. This copy is also pressed on virgin vinyl, which may not have been standard for all copies, but the sound benefits greatly because of it. The Pedaljets would reissue a CD of the album with new artwork and mastering...it wasn't needed, it's great as is.

Pedaljets What's IN Between Electric Moth Records 2013

Pedaljets What's IN Between Electric Moth Records 2013 CAT#EMR002

The Pedaljets were part of the college scene back in the mid to late 80's.  Formed in Lawrence, they released some well received Husker Du-ish albums in the late 80s.  Toured with the SST crowd and played shows with just about everybody cool in those days.  They were better players than most the hardcore scene and a little more accepting of taking a step towards popularity than say Husker Du (but, never willing to go full sell-out like the Replacements) and that combination actually got them on MTV for a brief period.

Despite possible big time success, the band unraveled and broke up.  One member went full time with The Wilders, another to Grither, and despite the possible big time, they were done.

23 years later, they released a single and this full length.  Paul Malinowski of Shiner fame got in the studio with the band and helped produce this for group's own label.  The band isn't as crunchy and loud as they were back in the day, but fuck if they're aren't some great pop songs here.  Honestly, they try to get tough and loud on about half the tunes, but I'm far more into the subdued stuff.  I'm not talking Communion style subdued Pedaljets either, for the most part that stuff was still loud and angry, I'm talking ballad style Pedaljets.  The life experience, acknowledgement of country music, and the fact they have no one to impress at this point suit them well.  This LP could and should have been a total disaster, instead, it's pleasant surprise that's worth picking up.  (You can get it super cheap right now at Mills Records and apparently free on the band's website, but that's got to be an error or an odd way of saying it's sold out).

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