File
Under: I Thought These Guys Were Done, But It Appears
They Were Not
I
don’t need to give you background on these guys,
do I? Real quick:
Ken
Stringfellow and Jon Auer have been writing songs,
playing guitar, and singing together since 1986.
The Posies, whose rhythm section has never been the
same for two consecutive records, made four classic records
for DGC in the 90s (one was a best-of) and a handful
of records for other labels (the current rhythm section
of Matt Harris and Darius Minwalla is more than up to
the task).
Ken and Jon convinced Alex Chilton to reform Big Star
with them for a show in Columbia, MO in 1993 and ended
up touring as Big Star in 1994.
Both Ken and Jon are all over the records of other
artists. Both Ken and Jon have released solo material.
Ken is occasionally a member of REM. Their voices together
are total magic - even live - and the live show, as I
recall, is a real barnburner.
OK!
So
they’ve just released Every Kind Of Light for
Rykodisc – twelve new Posies songs! WTF!? Though
I’m a longtime fan, I’ll admit to not paying
much attention over the last few years, and I wasn’t
optimistic about a brand new record. Because, you know,
sometimes? Getting The Band Back Together just isn’t
a good idea.
I’m wrong! I’m wrong! In this case I’m
wrong!
The whole record is strong, but my favorite songs so
far include:
"Conversations",
which ends the exact same way as their old song "Dream
All Day" (so
much so that I’m almost sure it was intentional).
That mellow, fake-ballad beginning is deceiving! It morphs
into a classic pop gem! The chorus is so sing-loudly-in-the-car
catchy! All that acoustic guitar mixed in can remind
a girl of the Pixies in an unguarded moment! "All
In A Day’s Work", which brings
back the power pop, just with a little more edge. "Second
Time Around", which (mostly) sets
aside the pop gemmitude and, instead, drives in a way
that Hum fans might relate to, complete with groovy studio
effects (but with more harmonies).
"Could He Treat You Better" -- a withering,
just withering, commentary on the current state of political
affairs in the US. Ken Stringfellow (who now resides
part time in France) sings lead on this one, using falsetto,
even! He’s in terrific voice, and the bluesy guitar
just sort of stabs at you. Great! More, please! I bet
I could belt this one out at the bar after a few drinks
(if I ever went out and if I still drank). "I Finally
Found A Jungle That I Like!!!" sounds
like an outtake from a Cheap Trick record. I know, the
Cheap Trick comparison is a cop-out, but whatever! It
works! Add
to that a few "gentle" ballads and you’ve
got a great summer record.
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