45 RPM First Impressions: The dB’s - “Picture Sleeve”/”Write Back”

A few weeks ago, The dB’s released a double-sided vinyl single as part of Record Store Day 2011. The jacket states the B-Side, “Write Back,” was taken from the forthcoming album, which might mean that the A-Side, “Picture Sleeve,” is one of those Record Store Day exclusives that becomes a genuine rarity. Regardless of its status, this 45 was definitely worth the effort it took to hunt it down.

“Picture Sleeve” is a mid-tempo romantic fantasy that incorporates those classic elements of a dB’s song; fetching melody, harmony vocals, and clever lyrics. Composed by Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey, it depicts a guy who’s fascinated with a female drummer for a band he discovers “at the back of the indie bin” in a record store. Spotting her in an ad in New Musical Express furthers his obsession. He sets the picture sleeve up on a shelf so that, “When I walk into the room. there she is again.”

We don’t find out until toward the end of the song that part of the appeal of this drummer is that she reminds him of a woman he knows in real life. “Picture Sleeve” is a fun tune that follows in the tradition of “Behind The Wall Of Sleep” by The Smithereens, “Picture Book” by The Kinks, “Idolizer” by the Hugh Hart-fronted band Wedge, and probably quite a few tracks by Fountains Of Wayne.

“Write Back,” which was written by drummer Will Rigby, has a bit more energy as well as a touch of Country & Western twang. It’s about an unraveling relationship, and how the guy won’t carry on a correspondence with his girlfriend because she doesn’t “deserve to read the words.” There are a lot of quick rhymes like that in the song, as well as more winsome sentiments like, “remember the moon that we found among the clouds?” Like the A-Side, “Write Back” is catchy, with strong harmonies.

It would have been great to hear The dB’s really cut loose like they did on “Ask For Jill” from Repercussion or “She’s Got Soul” from Like This, but hopefully there will be at least a few freewheeling songs on the new CD.

Slumgullion #57

The dB’s are looking to release their long-awaited new CD in early 2012, and will be performing a few songs on April 16th at the Criminal Records store in Atlanta. The band’s double 45 record, “Picture Sleeve”/“Write Back” is among the many vinyl treasures being offered as part of Record Store Day festivities.

Ohio-based alt rock/country band Over The Rhine is back in town for a show tonight at Lincoln Hall. Led by Karin Bergquist and Linford Detweiler, both of whom play various instruments and sing, Over The Rhine has released several critically-acclaimed CDs since forming two decades ago. Their latest, The Long Surrender, which was pretty much recorded live within five days last year in California, is likely to continue that tradition. I had the pleasure of interviewing Bergquist and Detweiler for the Illinois Entertainer around the time their stark and beautiful Patience CD came out in 1992, and saw Over The Rhine perform at a Chicago street fest in 2009. Lucy Wainwright Roche, Over The Rhine’s opening act tonight at Lincoln Hall, recently released her debut CD, Lucy. She’s the daughter of Loudon Wainwright and Suzzy Roche of The Roches. The show starts at 8:00 PM.

Wonderwall Music Shoppe & Emporium is well known to Beatles fans in the Chicago area, and is using a mop-top motif for an event to help aid Japan’s earthquake and tsunami victims. Help! Japan Fundraiser, organized by Wonderwall co-owner GiGi Wong-Monaco, will run from 6:00 to 9:00 PM next Thursday, April 14th at the store’s location in Oak Park. WXRT radio personality and Breakfast With The Beatles host Terri Hemmert will serve as the MC, and performers include Brit Beat, Eric Howell, Jay Goeppner, Phil Angotti, The Harrison Street Ukulele Players, and Sandalwood Sitar Music Ensemble. Admission is $40 per person in advance, $45 at the door.

Fountains Of Wayne have posted on Facebook that they’ll be releasing details on their new CD in the near future.

This Sunday night brings Part 2 of Bruce Springsteen’s visit with his longtime band member Little Steven in the Underground Garage. The syndicated radio show airs on from 9:00 to 11:00 PM on WXRT in Chicago, and people around the globe can hear a live stream via the station’s website.

The Cars are releasing Move Like This, their first CD of new material in ages, on May 10th, and they’ll be in Chicago about a week later to perform at The Riviera Theatre.

The Minnesota-based group Matt Dodge & The Lobsters have already proven that power pop is alive and well among the younger generation of musicians, and now Atlanta trio The Head offers more evidence. The energetic songs from the band’s latest release, Hang On, are built on strong melodies and harmony vocals.

Expo ‘76, one of singer-guitarist Dag Juhlin’s multitude of bands, will be returning to Simon’s Tavern on Clark Street in Chicago for another evening of entertaining and eclectic cover versions on April 13th.

Orgie Theatre Award, a group formed to “encourage original innovative risky thrilling inspiring overlooked offbeat or even outlandish work in Chicago,” is sponsoring a ceremony to celebrate past and current Award winners at The Spot on April 19th. Seth and Kellen will serves as official hosts, and the email invitation notes, “All theatre freaks and friends are welcome.” Doors open at 8:00 PM. The Spot is located at 4437 N. Broadway.

The Chirp Record Fair is being held tomorrow and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Chicago Journeymen Plumbers, at 1340 W. Washington Boulevard in Chicago. In addition to offering a wide assortment of CDs, vinyl, cassettes, original art, and posters for sale, the fair will also present entertainment throughout both days. Admission is $7, or $5 with any ad that mentions the Chirp Record Fair.

The new season of Doctor Who is garnering some heavy-duty, movie type promotion in the United States in preparation for its arrival via BBC America on April 23rd. Earlier today, cast members Matt Smith, who plays the current incarnation of The Doctor, along with Karen Gillan and Arthur Darville, who play his companions, appeared at the Barnes & Noble on Fifth Avenue in New York, to sign copies of the Doctor Who Complete Fifth Series DVD. Chris Hardwick of The Nerdist blogsite will host a premiere screening at the Village East Cinema in New York from 7:00 to 10:00 PM on the 11th. The show’s Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, Arthur Darville, Alex Kingston and Steven Moffat will also be on hand. The Red Eye newspaper is reporting today that its Show Patrol TV columnist Curt Wagner will host a premiere in Chicago on April 20th at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema, at 2828 N. Clark in Chicago. Those interested in attending must RSVP at the Show Patrol website.

Christmas Time With Chris Stamey And Friends

Here's another nod to the Noel season, reposted from 2009.

Back in 1993, the release of a holiday album featuring The dBs and Big Star had visions of catchy songs dancing in the heads of power pop fans. Christmas Time by Chris Stamey And Friends not only delivered the gifts, it had the feel of an old-fashioned variety show. The performers were talented, fun, and at times, even devout.

Host Chris Stamey, a founding member of The dB’s, kicked things off with them on the impossibly catchy “Christmas Time.” If you’re into making your own holiday mixed CDs, this is a perfect tune to pair with The Idea’s “It’s About That Time” from the Yuletunes compilation. Stamey also teamed up with vocalist-guitarist Wes Lachot for the wistful “Christmas Is The Only Time (I Think Of You)” and joined vocalist-keyboards player Cathy Harrington on the high-charged romance of “You’re What I Want For Christmas.” Harrington also entertained with her own festive song, “Sha La La.”

Big Star, the band most power pop musicians cite as a major influence, checked in with an original rocking hymn called “Jesus Christ,” and founder Alex Chilton offered a positively cozy acoustic version of “The Christmas Song.” Vocalist-guitarist Peter Holsapple of The dB’s (and later a touring member of R.E.M.) served up a simple but beautiful “O Holy Night” while acoustic guitarist Brent Lambert’s “Silent Nocturne” was an instrumental take on “Silent Night.” Brent Lambert and Kirsten Lambert performed a low-key but engaging “Silver Bells,” and singer Syd Straw handed out holiday puns with her rendition of “(I’m Always Touched By Your) Presence, Dear.”

The dB’s sounded like they were having a blast during the recording of this CD, especially on the high-speed “Holiday Spirit” and a totally loopy “Feliz Navidad.” In 2006, an expanded version of Christmas Time was released, with additional tracks from Don Dixon, Marshall Crenshaw, and other artists.

Under The Influence - Part Three

Waiting for the No. 36 Broadway? Material Issue gives “Bus Stop” the Chicago power pop treatment.

With five days left until The Hollies are inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, it’s time to take another look at Sing Hollies In Reverse, the 1995 various artists compilation recorded in their honor. Here are three more highlights from that tribute CD.

The Wondermints are a power pop act that has artfully mixed lush vocals, clever lyrics, and inventive arrangements on CDs like Bali and a self-titled 1996 effort. The band frequently contributes to tribute albums, and members Darian Sahanaja, Probyn Gregory, and Nicky Walusko are part of Beach Boy Brian Wilson’s critically acclaimed band when he goes out on tour. On Sing Hollies In Reverse, The Wondermints give “You Need Love,” one of The Hollies better album tracks, an energetic arrangement that has more of an edge than the original while still maintaining a definite 1960s feel. Sahanaja’s keyboard playing add an additional texture to the song.

Formed in the early 1990s, The Continental Drifters mixed roots rock with power pop on CDs like Vermillion and Better Day. With a lineup that included Peter Holsapple from The dB’s, Vicki Peterson from The Bangles, and Susan Cowsill from The Cowsills, it was a cinch the band would electrify the early Hollies single, “I Can’t Let Go.” Robert Mache nails its classic guitar intro and Cowsill does a great job singing lead. The vocals and instrumentation are nearly identical to the original, with the main difference being the co-ed harmonies provided by Holsapple, Peterson, and drummer Carlo Nuccio.

Material Issue would get its own tribute album with Just What This World Needs in 2000, but back in 1995, the Chicago power pop trio brought its distinctive sound to one of The Hollies’ best known hit singles. Jim Ellison’s vocals are immediately recognizable on this revved up version of “Bus Stop,” making it sound like it would have fit right in on Material Issue’s impressive debut, International Pop Overthrow. The Chicago band excelled at cover versions, particularly “Kim The Waitress” on Freak City Soundtrack, and a cover of “Run To Me” on the Bee Gees tribute CD, Melody Fair.

Love Is For Lovers

If there was such a thing as a Power Pop Hall Of Fame, The dB’s would be one of the first acts to be inducted. We’re still waiting for that new CD that was promised to us by the winter of 2009, but in the meantime, here’s a look back at an earlier album and a song that’s particularly appropriate for Valentine’s Day.

The dB’s 1983 release Like This was pretty close to a power pop masterpiece, despite the absence of founding member Chris Stamey. Vocalist-rhythm guitarist Peter Holsapple is the star here, penning several great songs. (Stamey would later return to the fold, and 2009 saw the release of the Holsapple/Stamey CD, Here And Now.)

Set to an irresistible melody, Holsapple’s “Love Is For Lovers” comes across as a jubilant tale of a guy who finds himself in a relationship for the first time. “Do you believe that real love is right now?” Holsapple asks. “Could we be having the time of our lives now?” He wonders, “Can you conceive of anything better?” and concludes, “Now every day’s like summer vacation.” But my favorite couplet is, “Do you believe that love is a sure thing?/You say hello and I hit the ceiling.” A clever, and actually, pretty accurate account of the thrill of romance.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all who drop by this blog. And a special Valentine’s Day wish to my wife Pam who is not only loving and caring, but helps out in so many of my creative endeavors. Can you think of anything better?

Christmas Time With Chris Stamey And Friends

Back in 1993, the release of a holiday album featuring The dBs and Big Star had visions of catchy songs dancing in the heads of power pop fans. Christmas Time by Chris Stamey And Friends not only delivered the gifts, it had the feel of an old-fashioned variety show. The performers were talented, fun, and at times, even devout.

Host Chris Stamey, a founding member of The dB’s, kicked things off with them on the impossibly catchy “Christmas Time.” If you’re into making your own holiday mixed CDs, this is a perfect tune to pair with The Idea’s “It’s About That Time” from the Yuletunes compilation. Stamey also teamed up with vocalist-guitarist Wes Lachot for the wistful “Christmas Is The Only Time (I Think Of You)” and joined vocalist-keyboards player Cathy Harrington on the high-charged romance of “You’re What I Want For Christmas.” Harrington also entertained with her own festive song, “Sha La La.”

Big Star, the band most power pop musicians cite as a major influence, checked in with an original rocking hymn called “Jesus Christ,” and founder Alex Chilton offered a positively cozy acoustic version of “The Christmas Song.” Vocalist-guitarist Peter Holsapple of The dB’s (and later a touring member of R.E.M.) served up a simple but beautiful “O Holy Night” while acoustic guitarist Brent Lambert’s “Silent Nocturne” was an instrumental take on “Silent Night.” Brent Lambert and Kirsten Lambert performed a low-key but engaging “Silver Bells,” and singer Syd Straw handed out holiday puns with her rendition of “(I’m Always Touched By Your) Presence, Dear.”

The dB’s sounded like they were having a blast during the recording of this CD, especially on the high-speed “Holiday Spirit” and a totally loopy “Feliz Navidad.” In 2006, an expanded version of Christmas Time was released, with additional tracks from Don Dixon, Marshall Crenshaw, and other artists.