Bellybutton

Editors’ Notes This modest 10-song debut album from the San Francisco band Jellyfish has become one of the most influential albums of the '90s. Featuring singer/drummer Andy Sturmer, guitarist Jason Falkner, and keyboardist Roger Manning, Jellyfish were a retro-pop band that modernized their sound enough for alternative radio listeners and pop fans everywhere. “Baby’s Coming Back” offers up a guileless, cheery pop song, while the melancholy of “She Still Loves Him” is rescued by the singer’s second chance on love that has him reaching for (and hitting) notes in the stars. Songs such as “The Man I Used to Be,” “The King Is Half-Undressed,” “All I Want Is Everything," and “Calling Sarah” carry off an ebullient sound that’s since encouraged Ben Folds Five and other merry popsters to ply their trade using a mix of pop inspired by Todd Rundgren, XTC, The Beach Boys, Badfinger, and The Zombies. The light, airy production here is deceptive, as there are many moving parts working together to make things sound so fresh and simple.