Customer Reviews

Neverland (Stands for Decibels / Repercussion)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A brief history of the dB's, one of the most original, inventive power pop bands ever: First album ("Stands For Decibels") and second album ("Repercussion") featured two strong co-leaders, Chris Stamey and Peter Holsapple. (This import two-fer contains both of these albums - such a deal!) This original version of the band made wildly inventive, if sometimes inconsistent, left-field pop. Then Stamey, the more unconventional of the two co-leaders, left the band, and the Holsapple-led band made albums three ("Like This") and four ("The Sound Of Music"). Under Holsapple's guidance the sound became more mainstream and rootsy, and I personally prefer those albums to the first two, although many people feel the opposite. Anyway, all four of these albums are highly recommended. The dB's catalog is rounded out by "Ride The Wild Tom-Tom", a nice collection of rarities, and "Paris Avenue", a very disappointing last hurrah. Stamey has made a number of solo albums, none of which particularly appeal to me. Holsapple made one fine solo album. Stamey and Holsapple made an album as a duo, which is very good. Holsapple is now a member of the Continental Drifters, who have made 2 nice albums. But of all the music these guys have put out, the best is the first 4 dB's albums, and of these, my favorites ("Like This" and especially "The Sound Of Music") are unfortunately out of print, though you have a good chance of locating them used if you put a little effort into it. But I'd definately recommending putting this import package right in your shopping cart right now, who knows how long it will remain in print.

The Db's wrote some of the best pop songs ever. There was a great duality especially in the first 2 records (The CD contains both) between Peter Holsapple's 2 or 3 minute perfect pop confections and Chris Stamey's more bizarre experimental melodies and fab guitar playing. And not only did the group have such great tunes, they were all great players. Will Rigby was/is a fantastic drummer and has played with people like Matthew Sweet since then. Gene Holder is a great, melodic bassist as well. You really can't lose. I'm jealous that they didn't put it out earlier. Just get it. "Black & White" IS one of the greatest poptunes ever. And so is "Amplifier", "Nothing Is Wrong", "Livin' a Lie", "Happenstance", and "She's Not Worried".

Folks, if you read my earlier review of the collection "Ride the wild Tom-tom", you'll see this record is the answer to a long-standing wish to see these two seminal and influential albums re-released. Now you can hear for yourself the realization of the potential on display in "tom tom". "She's not worried" is nothing less than a classic in the vein of "Pet Sounds"-era Brian Wilson. In fact, it bears more than a passing resemblance to "God Only Knows". Phil Spector's wall of sound walks hand in hand with Alex Chilton's blue-eyed soul wail on "Living a Lie". And "Amplifier" is the funniest, funkiest tune in the country tradition of songs such as "She Got the Gold Mine-I Got the Shaft" that you're likely to hear. I could go on about how great each and every one of these songs are. But I'll just cut to the heart of the matter and say that if you love upbeat, catchy, melodic tunes full of sing-along choruses, jangly guitars and SWEET harmonies-you really should pick up this record! The dB's changed my pop life, now let them change yours. Won't you? Thank You.

...As a power-pop afficionato, I've dug through cut-out bins and used CD stores, and spent a fortune on ebay trying to get some of the best pop music out there. All that being said, "Neverland" (which is really the first two dB's records put onto one disc) is amongst the best. The reason is that unlike most pop bands, the dB's weren't afraid to push the limits. A dB's song could be damn catchy, but it would also have weird sound affects and a pronounced post-punk leaning that many of their peers just never employed. It means that your punk-listening little brother and pop-loving older sister would both find middle ground on this release, and that's not something that can be said for most albums. I actually prefer the dB's two later, somewhat country-influenced releases--the VERY out of print discs "Like This" and "Sound of Music"--but I think that most fans will want to start here, where the dB's music was still bristling with energy and unapologetic hookery.

I just recently discovered the Decibels (dB's) and also that their first two albums were availiable as an import. Well great. This is quirky power pop band who, especially on their first album, display a talent of songwriting of highest rank (sounding much like their main influence Big Star). It's brilliant pop song-writing craftmanship with subtle quirks that gives the music a brilliant creative edge to it. This new import that I just discovered as of this review, apparently includes their first two albums that have been criminally out of print for years. Think Big Star with dashes of R.E.M. and Pere Ubu mixed up into a brilliant whole. Check this one out

This CD ranks with anything by rock icons like the Beattles, The Who, REM, New Order, etc. The guitar riffs are dazzling, the vocals expressive, the arrangements Beatlesque. What a shame that so few people have heard these great tunes. If you can find it, check out their CD Stands for Decibles (released in the early 80's) and the Chris Stamey early solo work, including It's a Wonderful Life, for equally ineffable listening. jdg

...which was pretty durn on-target. A few other thoughts: if you know the dB's from "Like This" or "Sound of Music," their first two albums had Chris Stamey as a co-leader. They're quirkier but just as hook-filled. Repurcussion might be the best use of horns in a pop record I know of, while "Black & White" from the first lp is one of the 10 greatest pure pop-rock songs ever. Highly recommended!

... and I'm inclined to think the dBs could do no wrong! This is a repackaging of (I think) their first two albums. Good clean power-pop fun. I wouldn't steer ya wrong.