Every Kind of Light

Posies

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 28, 2005)
• Original Release Date: June 28, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rykodisc
• ASIN: B0009N11ME
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #31,097 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The Posies can't quite seem to make up their minds as to whether they should break up or not. After announcing a formal split in 1998, the Seattle duo stayed remarkably active, touring, releasing live discs, even a box set. Now it's official: Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow have made their first proper studio album together since intended swan song, Success, and with good reason. "There's so many chords that haven't been played yet," they sing in the self-reverential "All In A Day's Work." Indeed, the time apart has made the Posies come back fiercer, louder and heavier, casting off the gentle acoustic guitars for furious power-pop melodies and vocals so commanding they almost sound overwrought. But the band hasn't forgotten how to conjure pure AM-radio bliss, radiating some vintage dreaminess with "Anything and Everything" and honey-dipped "Love Comes." --Aidin Vaziri

Product Description

Formed in 1986 by guitarists/vocalists/songwriters Jonathan Auer and Ken Stringfellow, Seattle-based quartet THE POSIES return with Every Kind Of Light - the band’s 1st studio album in over five years! The fans have been longing for the return of one of rock music’s most-respected bands.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great blend of progressive elements and straight-up pop-rock melodies, August 22, 2005

By	George Dionne (Cape Cod, MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

With its special effects intro and faded fuzzy guitars, "It's Great to be Here Again" reminds me of an old James Bond theme. The layered chorus is quite melodic, without being overbearing. The smooth repetitive chorus is what is sure to hook you in on "Conversations". The verses are just as captivating in the own way, with just the right amount of falsetto to emphasize the emotion. A dominant warbling riff sets the pace for "All in a Days Work"; while a catchy chorus helps define the track. This is one of the more up-tempo songs on the disc.

"Second Time Around" keeps the energy flowing with muted riffs and pulsing keyboard tones. The song is a sweet story of rediscovering love with the one you let get away. "Could He Treat You Better" has a jazzy-blues feel to it with its soulful vocals, down beat drumming, and melodic soloing. "I Finally Found a Jungle I Like" is a great mix of piercing keyboards and thick guitar riffs that combine with a vocal arrangement reminiscent of the Beatles.

The Bad
Nothing notable

The Verdict
This was my first introduction to The Posies, and I must say that I was disappointed...that I hadn't discovered them sooner! Every Kind of Light is a great blend of progressive elements and straight-up pop-rock melodies.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars can't wait to hear it live, July 17, 2005

By	J. Davis (Shelton, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Posies are back, and they are a band again. This is not a Jon and Ken collaboration, it is a set of full-band tunes that should sound great as they take the show on the road this summer, first to Europe and then the US.

The song structures and tempos are as varied as any Posies record. "All In A Day's Work" and "Second Time Around" in particular are high-energy guitar blasts that recall Frosting on the Beater. "Anything and Everything," "Last Crawl," "Love Comes" and especially "Conversations" showcase the gorgeous vocals that are the Posies greatest talent.

The so-called political commentary here is really pretty subtle, not at all unwelcome or out of place. In "Could He Treat You Better?" Ken sings the blues for a woman being mistreated by her man. To the casual listener it might not be obvious that the woman is the USA and the abusive man is known by his middle initial W. Same goes for "That Don't Fly," which could be taken as leaving a lover behind, instead of a reluctant goodbye to the writer's homeland. The final track is the most obvious social comment - "Sweethearts of Rodeo Drive" slams consumer culture, takes digs at celebrity Humvee drivers, and asks "paper or plastic body bags?" just in case the listener doesn't "get" the connection between gas guzzlers and oil wars.

The Posies will never make Dear 23 again, as much as I'd like that. Restless creativity drives them in a number of new directions here - keyboards, horns, etc. I had to listen to this over and over the first week, something I haven't done with a new disc in a long time. It is still revealing its complexity. This is an excellent record - their best since Frosting. Don't miss it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Welcome Return!, July 10, 2005

By	Lil' Creeper (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews

I'm more than pleased with The Posies' first new studio album in more than 7 years. Sometimes-moody, powerfully melodic guitars? Check. Beautiful harmonies? Check. Thoughtful lyrics? Check.

But perhaps the most pleasant surprise with this disc is that the Posies can write some remarkably strong material about something other than relationships. "Sweethearts of Rodeo Drive" finds them cleverly critiquing America and its infatuation with SUV's at the expense of our boys being sent to die in Iraq. I never would have thought I'd find myself humming along to such a tune, but alas, the Posies made me do it.

"Every Kind of Light" is the kind of come-back album I'd like to see more groups make. Que viva Stringfellow and Auer!