We are living in the latest Golden Age for power pop bands – The Whiffs! The Lemon Twigs! Uni Boys! The Speedways! The Reflectors! 2nd Grade! The Sino Hearts! But power pop also had a moment in the 2005–2015 era (Mother’s Children! Barreracudas! Nervous Talk! Something Fierce! Warm Soda! The Connection!). Right in the thick of it was Gentleman Jesse, the crown jewel of that whole scene, and I am blown away every time I revisit his output.
As such, I was ecstatic to find a new GJ compilation upon return from my summer break. I Wonder if You Would Even Notice is out now on LP through Beach Impediment Records and captures the spark of the first five years of the band. The LP has 16 songs, some drawn from singles, others early demos or alternative versions of beloved hits. The digital version has seven bonus tracks. Either way, this is essential stuff for fans of power pop that isn’t extremely loud, but is extremely infectious and played with the energy and attention span of punk rockers. Damn, I love this band!