What has changed for the band, hinted on 2005’s Every Kind of Light, is a more mature point of view and orchestrated approach. The opener “Plastic Paperbacks” has strong angular riffs and pounding beat, but it’s “The Glitter Prize” that long time fans cherish, with Kay Hanley doing background vocals along Ken’s lead vocal. The duo gets creative on the multi-tempo “Licenses To Hide” which combines the rock energy and dramatic piano melody (Lisa Lobsinger helps out on this track). The optimistic bounce of “So Caroline” and “Take Care Of Yourself” will also please long time fans, but occasionally you’ll get something out of left field like “For The Ashes” which recalls Supertramp, or the pretentious filler “Accidental Architecture.” Thankfully, these songs are in the minority and don’t detract from overall greatness of the gems “She’s Coming Down Again!,” “Notion 99” and the beautifully crafted Beach Boys-Posies hybrid “Enewetak.” Blood Candy demonstrates the band has aged gracefully with it’s complex indie pop compositions and elegant lyrics.
The Posies "Blood Candy"
With their first album in over 5 years, The Posies have hardly been stationary during that time, with both Ken Stringfellow and Jon Auer involved in various projects (most notably the re-formed Big Star since 1993, until the death of power pop icon Alex Chilton). Being the current genre’s elder statesmen the band hasn’t lost its gift for strong melodies with a personal message.
