Reflecting on 1984, I wonder if my fellow teens knew of Dwight Twilley’s resume as they watched him on MTV. I know I didn’t. Full disclosure, I liked him because as a horny teenage boy, I liked the video he did for “Girls” (even the censored version…I was just that horny). The song was insanely catchy with Tom Petty’s unmistakable vocals in the background and Twilley clearly had the good looks made for TV. Little did I know that this “Porky’s”-themed video would lead me to one of the most talented and underappreciated artists of his, or any, generation.
Jungle, his third official solo album released in 1984, boasts contributions from legends like Tom Petty, Mike Campbell, Susan Cowsill, and the direction of Twilley’s long-time producer, Noah Shark. This album, a trove of pop gems, updated his sound for the MTV generation and proved Twilley’s most successful work, landing two singles on the charts. Fans have been clamoring for a CD release for years, and for the album’s 40th anniversary, the ever-awesome Iconoclassic Records granted our wishes, with Maria Triana handling remastering duties.
Kicking Off with a Bang: The Standout First Tracks of Jungle
Of all the pop rock albums of the 80s, few carried the 1-2-3 punch delivered by the opening salvo of tracks on Jungle. “Little Bit of Love” and “Girls” kick off an album of what is some of Twilley’s best work (and that is saying something). With remastering, the hook of “Girls” leaps out of the speakers, its lurking rockabilly core, the Saturday night rock n’ roll on which he cut his teeth in the 70s, intact.
“Why You Wanna Break My Heart”, the third song and one of my all-time favorites, is a masterclass on how to pack a lasting gut punch into a stunning pop melody in under four minutes. The sonic improvements bring Susan Cowsill’s harmonies to the forefront making them positively shimmer.
Now, with Bonus Tracks!
Any one of these songs could have been a hit (including the hilarious “Max Dog”). The high point of the collection, however, may be the six bonus tracks. “Forget About It Baby”, versions of which have appeared on other albums, finally takes its place among its contemporaries. The other five bonus tracks peel away the layers of 80s production given the originals, revealing the timelessness of Twilley’s work. Stripped to the essentials, tracks like “You Can Change It,” “Don’t You Love Her,” “To Get to You,” and “Long Lonely Nights” blossom into straight-up, glorious rock songs. Yet, it’s the reimagined title track that stands out for me. The original cut’s flirtation with funky new wave and its catchy electronic riff is transformed – without these elements – into an irresistibly compelling swampy groove.
Jungle (with its video) was my generation’s introduction to Dwight Twilley, and for me, more like a gateway that led me to one treasure after another as I pored over his catalog. Though his work prior had already established his reputation as a master of pop songcraft, the 40th Anniversary reissue breathes new life into Jungle, placing it easily in his canon, reaffirming Twilley’s status as an underappreciated hero of my generation, as well, ready to be rediscovered. Thank God for Porky’s. Highly recommended.
Jungle (40th Anniversary Edition) is available to order from Iconoclassic Records.
From Iconoclassic’s website:
For the much requested first CD release of Jungle, longtime Twilley art director Zox has uncovered never-before-seen photos from the original shoot and power pop authority Ken Sharp contributes new 2500-word liner notes based on his interviews with the late Dwight Twilley, Susan Cowsill, Zox (who did the original photography), and musicians who played on the album – all included within a 12-page booklet. Remastered by Maria Triana from the original masters.