Jellyfish Is Music For Sweet Tooth
by Joanna Young
(Taken from _The Colonnade_, October 14, 1993)


	If music was candy, then the music of Jellyfish would be a stick of
licorice. Like the candy, Jellyfish's music delivers a delicious bite.

	The alternative music quartet, originally based out of California,
has a reputation for producing sugary-sweet pop-rock melodies similar to
those happy songs of the Seventies.  But beyond the delight of the music
is a twist of painful reality and enchanting stories that weave a fantastic
spell.

	Jellyfish's latest 12-track album, "Spilt Milk," shows the band's 
dedication to perfection. Released earlier this year, the album spins an 
eclectic blend of fantasies, from the whimsical to the chaotic. From the 
opening lullaby "Hush" to the noise-driven  "All Is Forgiven," Jellyfish 
shows all-around musicianship and creativity.

	The music side of Jellylish could be compared to Queen or The Beach
Boys.  The band's precise harmonies are soothing to the ears, blending  
mellow tones into rich orchestral arrangements. Even the hardest of 
songs are easier to digest with the sweeping harmonies. The voice of 
lead vocalist, drummer, and co-songwriler Andy Sturmner is just bluesy 
enough, and he belts each song out wilh plenty of emotion.

	Lyrically, Jellyfish's songs take either a personal or third-person look 
at all types of crises from a mother trapped in a world of enslavenment 
to a young woman who is envious of her friends. But the group does show a 
positive side of life. In "Hush," a father comforts his child about 
going to sleep.  "Russian Hill" takes a tranquil look at an imaginary 
stomping ground, where "dirty hands feel clean" and where the senses merge.

	Most of "Spilt Milk"'s songs may sound as if the group is trying to make
a statement. The first single, "The Ghost At Number One," is a 
full-throttled rhythm scction rocker which scorns rock stars who have  become deities. "Joining A Fan Club" parallels greedy rock fan clubs with moneyhungry church 
hierarchies.  

	Contrary to what listeners may think, the band isn't out to make a 
statement. As bassist and vocalist Tim Smith said in an interview prior 
to the group's Atlanta show. plights are going on everywhere. It's not
that Jellyfish doesn't want to take a stand; rock stars taking on causes 
today are becoming pretty trite.

	Though Jellyfish's music may be sweet, their history has been rocky. 
Their debut album "Bellybutton" was a critical success, and soon the 
group found themselves the darlings of MTV. They played at the channel's 
Spring Break extravaganza in Florida in 1991, and their cartoon video, 
"Baby's Coming Back," was put into heavy-rotation. Later the band opened 
on tour with The Black Crowes, and the Crowes fans were receptive to 
Jellyfish's sound.

	Things took a sharp turn when bassist Chris Manning and guitarist and vocalist 
Jason Faulkner left the group to pursue other interests . Sturmer and 
keyboardist, vocalist and co-songwriter Roger Manning (Chris' brother) 
were then the only original members. The race was on to find 
replacements. Luckily, they found Atlanta-native Tim Smith and guitarist 
and vocalist Eric Dover.

	The album took a lengthy six months to record due to the orchestral 
arrangements. Smith says the hard work paid off.

	"I think the band is trying to be a little more in tune wilh playing 
more serious songs and not be quite as cartoonish," he says.

	But Jellyfish hasn't lost it's childish side. Another song from "Milk," 
titled "Sebrina, Paste and Plato," could probably land on a children's 
album. The song tells the tale of Sebrina and her imaginary picnic at 
recess.

	Smith says that the band's childlike nature is refreshing. "It kind of 
keeps you pure in some way," he says.

	Although Jellyfish is known in alternative music circles in the U.S., the 
band is widely recognized in Europe. During the summer they played at 
music festivals in Germany, England, and Japan with the latter tour 
dates sold out. Next, Jellyfish may be opening up for Tears for Fears in 
the U.S. Details have yet to be confirmed.

	The band has found audienccs to be enthusiastic about their live 
performances.

	"Usually we've found when people see us live, it really gets them 
excited about us," Smith says. "Then they see we are a band. It's not 
like a studio, Steely Dan kind of project."