Published on Oct 20, 1997
I remember back in the early eighties — were any of our readers
born yet? — when the Rolling Stone interviewed all the up and
coming stars of the day. They were looking for everyone’s
prediction of the next “big thing”. The most repeated names were 1)
The Replacements 2) the dB’s and 3) REM. To make it even more
interesting and equitable, all three bands named each other as the
next big thing as well.
Well, we know where REM went. We know the Replacements went
south a few years ago. Where all the members of the dB’s went is
still one of those wondrous questions. Peter Holsapple actually
became the honorary “fifth” member of REM for a couple of tours.
Will Rigby had a great lounge act for a brief while, tongue firmly
in cheek with his band, Wipe Me Mommy. I assume that Gene Holder is
still repairing and collecting guitars in NYC as he always hated to
tour. And original co-founder Chris Stamey has consistently put out
some killer solo records that nobody ever buys and which rarely
receive airplay.
The talent was there. The desire for success was there. And
The Sound Of Music proves that in the end, the dB’s could
still spin some pretty decent pop records. I miss Stamey’s
departure especially on this record. The band’s records have always
been very noisy and versatile. They mix country and pop as well as
some of the best Credence records while maintaining the jangle and
perk of the Byrds and early Brit pop. Stamey was a great
counterpoint to Holsapple not only as a guitar player, but as a
songwriter. He gave us a lot of the early quirker material and some
of that is gone on this record.
What remains is some solid stuff though. “I Lie” repeats
Holsapple’s oft visited theme of love and betrayal while using his
thin reedy voice to its best. His love life seems to rank right up
there in the miserable company of all of pop’s melancholy chaps.
Another heart-tugger is “Never Before” which is, according to my
excellent sources at the time, a somewhat biographical account of
the demise of the relationship between Mitch Easter, early producer
for REM and other Athens, GA popsters, and Faye Hunter, who
together had a great eighties band, Let’s Active, for awhile. The
guitar work of Jeff Beninato and Holsapple pluck around the candid
lyrics stating “Never be lovers before you are friends, never
before and never again.” Over and ouch.
The countrified “Bonneville” and “Working for Somebody Else” are
fun, upbeat numbers that are nicely interspersed between the
heavier, moody pieces. The band seems to genuinely enjoy a rootsy,
bluesy feel during these songs and this helps showcase not only
their musical diversity but the great drumming of Will Rigby. Will
has also guest drummed for Matthew Sweet recently and I’ve never
seen a drummer who used his snares and cymbals better. He is truly
one of those people that you have to see live to appreciate.
Listening to the background of each and every song on
The Sound of Music again, I really began to appreciate his
subtlety and talent. A 10 minute crashing drum solo does a lot less
for me than a well placed roll or the occasionally mournful
punctuation of Rigby’s cymbals. The old adage less is more really
applies to his technique.
But the dB’s strength still lies in their pop numbers, even the
sad ones. “Think Too Hard” warns if you think too hard “you’ll blow
yourself in two” while the Rigby/Holder rhythm section weaves and
bobs around Holsapple’s lyrical seriousness. Ironically, the music
and players remain upbeat while our hero warns if “you wish too
hard, your wishes may come true.” I like the musical and lyrical
dichotomy on this record a lot. That dichotomy really distinguishes
many of the other upbeat numbers like “Better Place” which yearns
for not only a better place but “the good old days” while happily
bouncing along musically.
I think that’s what most appealing about our long-faced pop
heroes and what works best for Holsapple and the dB’s. When it’s
all seriousness, it can become morbid and melodramatic. But when
the musical mood is light yet the words are coming out heavy from
the heart, there is still an underlying optimism that won’t die.
Holsapple doesn’t let you forget that life is hard and then you
die, but there is a bit of fun (dare we say happiness?) to relish
if only for the experience of good, old fashioned love.
I find the dB’s passion in their playing and lyrics something
that is missing in a lot of pop bands today. While today’s popsters
might scream anthem-like choruses of despair and longing, they’re
lacking that sense of hope, no matter how small.
I doubt anybody would call Holsapple an optimist. And let’s not
forget an earlier song, “Amplifier,” which discussed his own
suicide attempt after being left high and dry by a lover. OK, he’s
not exactly ready for the lecture tour on “100 Ways to Be Happy.”
But he doesn’t give up either. The music on
The Sound Of Music is soulful, yet joyful. It’s fun and
poppy, yet thoughtful. It’s a really good record and unfortunately
the band’s last. But its little ray of hope still comes through and
the db’s shine brightly.