I know the kids don't remember, but back in the 80s the Midwest was ground zero for real rock and roll. Minneapolis, of course, and Chicago as well, but Kansas City and Omaha had their own vital scenes. The Pedaljets were one of the "almost, not quite" bands from Kansas City. Two albums in the late 80s and then a scattering. I could go through the lineage, but the members of the Pedaljets never quite gave up on music or the KC scene. More than 10 years ago the band re-recorded its second album, a somewhat strange project that I reviewed back then. From there, the band started playing again and released a new album six years ago.

The Pedaljets Twist the Lens (Electric Moth)

And so here's another new one, some 32 years after the first. As a survivor of at least one Pedaljets show (I know I caught them in Columbia when I was in school, and I have a vague memory of seeing them open for All at Liberty Hall in Lawrence--given my condition that evening, I might well be wrong about that one), I can say that the years have taken off an edge or two. By and large, that's a good thing.

The boys blast out rootsy power pop as well as they ever have, though there's a bit less raucous haphazardness and more melody (one of those nicely-rounded edges). This is a document of a (semi) working band, not some one-off reunion gig. Just as the college-age me would be a bit puzzled by the current almost-50 me today, a Pedaljets fan from back in the day would have to squint to recognize this album. In particular, the rock-steady midtempo backbone of these songs is more Smithereens than 'Mats. The guitars still wail, but there is more method in the madness.

The other influence that comes out much more strongly today is early 80s British pop punk. Buzzcocks, Psychedelic Furs, Echo and the Bunnymen, that sort of thing. I think that was always around somewhere in the background, but it's more prevalent now. The attention to detail in the arranging and playing is a definite sign of maturity, and I think it's easy to say this might be the band's best effort. Not as vital as those two early shots--whose calling card was an undying energy--but more complete. I can't really compare this new effort to those, but what I can say is that Twist the Lens is serious quality. Sometimes getting old isn't such a bad thing after all. At least, here's to hoping that's true.

Jon Worley