Jack Simons
The Ballad of John Simons
Todd Rundgren, Prince, Stevie Wonder, R. Stevie Moore, Adam Elk of the Mommyheads in his “Swiss Army Knife” phase, Ray Mason in his ’80s, homespun days, XTC’s Andy Partridge out in his demo-writing shed — they’re all one-stop pop music wizards who can write/sing/play/record everything themselves. Their recordings crackle and flow with unfiltered energy, playful and vibrant.
Add Jack Simons to that list of uniquely creative royalty. For years, the Hadley multi-instrumentalist has been making records in his basement studio, influenced by Rundgren/Zappa/XTC/Beach Boys/Beatles.
Earlier this month, Simons, now based in Queens, New York, released a new short and sweet 10-song digital album, “The Ballad of John Simons,” which immediately launches out of the speakers with the catchy chorus of the strummy, springtime Skylarking-esque song “Tower Turning” (Simons wastes no time getting to the good stuff). His heroes’ spirits swoop around other songs, like the way “Tunnel of Warmth” builds off the funky swagger of The Beatles’ “Taxman,” or how the beautiful and richly melodic “We Know Nothing” uses a Brian Wilson swing feel with bouncy bass and organ. “Won’t You Join Me In the Freak Parade” skips and slips joyfully through kaleidoscopic chords like early Mommyheads, with Simons singing surreal lyrics that involve an awkward-style courtship: “I have a creepy mustache / you have a sinking eyelash / and we both have an incredible rash.”
Closing the album is “Run It Again,” a swirling synth funhouse instrumental with clattering electronic percussion, sounding like a relative of Danny Elfman’s theme for “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure.” After a little over a minute there’s an abrupt cut — suddenly there’s the voice of Simons, stepping out from behind the production curtain to offer a personal thank you to the listeners and a sign-off wish that they “have a good night’s rest of otherworldly proportions.”
Jack Simons’ new record, “The Ballad of John Simons,” is available for free download at the artist’s Bandcamp page, jacksimons.bandcamp.com.•
