SPS@aquila.gc.cuny.edu (Scott Schnackenberg) (06/13/91)
Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey - 'Mavericks'
The creative forces behind the wonderful pop (but not popular) rock
group the dBs are back together with a self produced batch of lean
catchy tunes. The opening cut, 'Angels', is the only one that was
collaboratively written, and this spritely melodic song is the best
of the impressive batch. Otherwise it alternates between Holsapple
(the unofficial 5th member of R.E.M.) and Stamey compositions with
a Byrds cover ('Here without You') thrown in for good measure.
The production is considerably more spare than on the dBs 'Stands
for Decibels' or 'Repercussion' and has a 'live' feel to it.
Stamey's adenoidal quaver and Holsapple's grittier voice mesh well
together -- Stamey's voice in particular can become annoying when
left to itself for the length of an entire disc. As usual with
these guys the lyrics focus on bittersweet love, and are less
innocuous than they seem to be on the surface: Stamey's comeon to
a fresh face is "I want to break your heart".
The disc resembles 'Nuts and Bolts' by Bongos Richard Barone and
James Mastro (who gets a special thanks in the credits), but the
set of songs is stronger overall than on that early 80s recording.
To these ears the strongest Holsapple tunes are 'She Was the One',
which would sound right at home on a Peter Case disc, and the sing-
song 'The Child in You'. Stamey is in top form on the ballads
'Close Your Eyes' and 'Haven't Got the Right (To Treat Me Wrong)'.
Rating: 8.5 on the 10 point scale
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Scott Schnackenberg sps@aquila.gc.cuny.edu