Jill Sobule Issue #39

The California Years, Vol. 1

By Catherine Cole
Published: March 1st, 2009 | 2:43pm

Prior to Katy Perry’s lame song with the same name, Jill Sobule catapulted into the pop spotlight with her 1995 single, “I Kissed a Girl,” just as she was riding the wave of success from her iconic addition to the Clueless soundtrack, “Supermodel.” Since then, life’s been a little bumpy: she released four albums on a combination of two major labels and two now-bankrupt indies.

Fast-forward to January 2008: she had another batch of songs ready to record, but no cash. So what did the fearless Jill Sobule do? She started a fundraising campaign and raised the $75,000 needed to produce The California Years, Vol. 1. In grand Sobule tradition, California showcases the songwriter telling it like it is — which is both her strength and her weakness. Flat lines like, “I left my cellphone / I took the Prius / It gets good mileage” are mildly humorous the first time you hear them, but then have you yawning after that.

The album’s highlight (which at press time was listed on the bonus B Sides) is definitely “The Rapture.” The hip-swaying melody is backed by horns, keys, and has a fun chorus. Quintessential guitar-pop riffs and hilarious questions like, “What if I’m right? And there’s no hell fire when we’re dead / Regretting all the boys you could’ve kissed.” Sobule might not have it all figured out, but it’s pretty entertaining listening to her try.