Jellyfish: “Spilt Milk” and “Bellybutton”
I can’t think of a band that came and went as quickly and silently as Jellyfish leaving behind a musical legacy of two albums that would be considered by many to be masterpieces. Most bands in their career of 20+ years don’t make two albums that are as good as these two. Lead by the songwriting time of singer/drummer Andy Sturmer and keyboardist/guitarist Roger Manning, Jellyfish arrived in the music world sometime around 1990 with the release of their debut album “Bellybutton.” Most people had no idea what the hell to call it since retro wasn’t even a used term yet. Jellyfish was a band that was ahead of their time yet far behind their time. The 90’s just weren’t ready for Jellyfish and by the time everyone was ready for them, they were long gone. The band managed to have a few singles that got some airplay such as “That Is Why” and “Baby’s Coming Back” but again, nobody knew just what to do so they were just categorized as yet another alternative band.
Sounding more like Queen, The Beatles and 70’s pop rock bands like Fleetwood Mac and Badfinger, Jellyfish found themselves on tour with bands such as The Black Crowes and Tears For Fears which really didn’t do much for them. Again, a case of not knowing what to do with them. The band went on to release their follow up to “Bellybutton” which is the album that many consider one of the greatest albums ever, “Spilt Milk.” “Spilt Milk” was an ambitious album from start to finish that shows not only the bands ability to write timeless and amazing songs but their ability to utilize studio magic to the fullest extent in their favor. Songs like “Sabrina, Paste and Plato” show the use of these studio goodies while “The Ghost at Number One” and “He’s My Best Friend” show Sturmer and Manning’s wittiness and craftiness as they create fun, tasteful songs with a bit of tongue in cheek content. The band released “New Mistake” as a single and once again the band was swallowed up by the grunge and alternative rock that seemed to devour any and every band around. The band toured for “Spilt Milk” and all of the sudden they were gone.
Today “Bellybutton” and “Spilt Milk” are timeless classics. Its impossible to even think of listening to one without the other. Its almost as if these albums were companions made to played front to back, one after another. Sadly, Jellyfish is one of those bands we will never see reunite and while I do find it sad, sometimes I’m really thankful for that. They left us with two outstanding albums that will truly last a lifetime. The songs are classics in their own right and to think that they might even put something to tarnish that legacy scares me. Maybe it’s best that they came, they delivered and they left. While greatly missed, they are greatly loved and appreciated!
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