Bobby Sutliff

Only Ghosts Remain Plus

Jem Records

Sutliff lost his battle with cancer in 2022, and this reissue of this first solo album, plus 11 bonus tracks selected by his family and friends, backs up what was said about it in 1987, that it is one of the best power pop albums ever. Every track is a winner. The songs never quit, even as they are about love gone wrong, “Same Way Tomorrow” should’ve hit big, and it’s a shame he didn’t live long enough to see this reissue.

The original release was produced by Mitch Easter, so it jangles. You might think this jangle sounds like early REM or Let’s Active, but it doesn’t. It’s all Bobby, and as jangle pop had gotten heavier by 1987, this does sound like heavy pop, with the Tele chiming metallically. What it adds here is a solid bottom and jiggly top.

It’s not all about his relationships, either, but other people’s as well, so the lyrics don’t feel sorry for themselves or woebegone. How they do sound is tough -- tough rock. So if you ever wanted to find out what jangle pop was, this is the place to start, with some of the best power pop ever.

Andrea Weiss