Indiepop, you know, is that unique musical aesthetic that was first identified with the C86 movement in Britain way back when, and then branched out, acquiring flavors and sophistication along the way, especially in Sweden and Japan. Jumprope was a true indiepop band from Boston of the late great 1995-2001 era when indie bands first found the Internet. Featuring three primary songwriters and singers, they energetically jangled their way through pensive, melancholy, richly harmonic gems on two EPs, two albums, and a sprawling list of compilation records on indie labels based in the US, Sweden, Japan, Spain, China, and the Philippines.
Jumprope performed at Popfest '97 in New York, Popfest '97 1/2 in Boston, and Popfest Toronto '97 -- among the first indiepop gatherings of their kind, now an ongoing tradition in various countries -- alongside other legendary groups such as Aden, Coloring Book, Heartworms, Holiday, Honeybunch, Musical Chairs, My Favorite, Poconos, Poundsign, Push Kings, Shoestrings, and many more.
"The Lost Album" finally collects Jumprope's earliest recordings together on one CD, including those first two vinyl-only 7-inch EPs, plus a handful of original compilation-only tracks and previously unreleased songs, all recorded in 1996-1997 before the sessions for their first proper album, "Bookshelf Adventures." Also included are several additional compilation-only and non-album tracks from early 1999 before sessions for the second album, "Suitcase and Umbrella." Long belated, "The Lost Album," stands firmly alongside Jumprope's other full-lengthers, and is even bound to be a new favorite of some fans.
Co-founder Ad Boc, who also created one of the earliest indiepop index web sites for bands, labels, and mailorders, has recently released his first solo album, "Pop Supraliminal." Find him, and Jumprope, at adboc.net.
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