Tag: Chris Stamey

The Power Popaholic Interview: Chris Stamey and Mitch Easter

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Chris Stamey and Mitch Easter

Founder of Sneakers and the dB’s, Chris Stamey stands alongside Alex Chilton as the progenitor of the Southern jangle-pop sound. I get the chance to talk with him and famed producer-musician Mitch Easter (REM, Sneakers, Let’s Active) about Yesterday’s Tomorrow: Celebrating the Winston-Salem Sound, a live concert recording. Bonus news about upcoming dB’s material!

“Condition Red,” from Sneakers’ first record, was originally recorded during the bicentennial celebrations of 1976, which perhaps partially explains its insistent, fatalistic jingoism. In this live performance from 2018, we see Mitch Easter (guitar, SR), Will Rigby (drums), Chris Stamey (guitar & singing), and Robert Keely (bass). Musicologists, take note: Its lyric includes a “lift” from the inner groove message of another American group, Memphis’s Big Star: “The more you learn, the less you know.” From the new album, Yesterday’s Tomorrow. Get it on Amazon

Chris Stamey and Mark Britton

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Chris Stamey

Chris Stamey “Euphoria”

The venerable Chris Stamey (dB’s, Sneakers) quietly released this new album full of timeless pop. “Where Does The Time Go?” is phrase you will be saying after repeat listens, as the hook filled melody is surrounded by ascending chords and Beatlesque horns. Stamey’s gift is that he can see new things in compositions that echo the past.

“Make Up Your Mind” is the biggest gem here. It recalls Big Star, all about retirement the lyric states “isn’t it time you quit, its for your own benefit” with an awesome guitar break. The ballad “You Are Beautiful” slowly builds to a full orchestrated composition and “Invisible” is a statement about your insignificance that could be a lost REM hit single. “When The Fever Breaks” is the heaviest rocker here and  “Awake in the World” mines those East Indian Beatle-isms George Harrison was best associated with. The album has a great soul-seaching theme for Stamey and its highly recommended.

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Mark Britton

Mark Britton “Odds and Sodd”

This came out last year, but its worth noting if you have a Beatlesque fetish. Britton delivers several melodic tunes that exemplify power pop. Opening with the windmilling, power riff of “Hearts and Minds” its straight from The Pete Townshend playbook. Then its the McCartney styled piano of “Sally Ann,” with a Beach Boys styled vocal break. “Dear Rosa” is similar, with harpsichord as the main instrument and “Eleanor Rigby” styled strings.

He moves from these basic influences, but the strained lead of “Good Morning Sunshine,” shows Brittons limitations as a vocalist. His guitar also seems to come to life on “Let’s Get Famous,” but its a little too close to Fountain of Wayne’s “Bright Future In Sales.” He takes tired blues detour on “My Friend Foe,” but thankfully comes back with a pair of gems on the psychedelic “Magic Circles” and the charmer “Family Guy.” I’d give this one a few spins on the playlist, overall a positive impression.


Amazon | CD Baby

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCYrY-FV-2o

The Anderson Council and Chris Stamey

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The Anderson Council “Looking At The Stars”
After over six years since The Fall Parade, The Anderson Council returns. Lead vocalist-guitarist-songwriter Peter Horvaths style is cut from the same cloth as other New Jersey power pop bands, The Smithereens and The Grip Weeds (Kurt Reil is also producer here).  Starting with the catchy “Don’t You Think,” the band hasn’t lost it’s knack for alt. rock sugar with that vintage British flavour.

“Sweet Girl” has a manic beat building up to epic proportions, and those layered piano melodies on “Hazel Eyes” make it a gem. “Watch You Sleeping” could be a lost Smithereens track, and the relentless jangle-fest continues up to the mid-tempo psyche-pop of “Do We Have A Deal?” No filler here, and with 15 tracks there is plenty to pick through. The collection often feels like a group of singles, each with its own great riff combo opening it up. Some tracks have more psychedelic styling than others (“Gardening Man” and “Never Take Your Love Away” being great examples). It labors a bit at the end with long jams “Birthday Beauty” and “Park The Car,” but overall this LP is a power pop feast for the ears.

CD Baby | Amazon

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Chris Stamey “Lovesick Blues”
Chris Stamey is best known as one of the founding members of The dB’s, and his latest solo work displays a maturing artist. Stamey brings a world weary sensibility to these elegant tunes, “Skin” is a descriptive folk acoustic that slowly unfolds with masterful lyrics. “London” is a bittersweet ballad, where yet “another year of ceaseless rain” adds to his long distance longing.

“Astronomy” is the albums highlight, with flute and strings between the catchy multi-tracked chorus. And while “Anyway” and the road trip tune “You, Me and XTC” (ironically assisted by Andy Partridge) are beautifully constructed, both drag on too long. Some great moments are found on the LP’s second half, the delicate melody of “Occasional Shivers”  and the rich orchestration of the title track. Finally, the XTC influence is seen on the toy piano and weaving harmonies at the end of “If Memory Serves” and it sure is impressive. DB’s fans looking for big hooks might skip this one, but fans of the reunion album with Peter Holsapple Here and Now will love this.

Amazon | Itunes