Posies - Solid States

by Tony Gaughan

published: 30 / 5 / 2016

Label: Lojinx
Format: CD

Instantly infectious and likeable power pop on eighth album from the Posies, which has been recorded as a tribute to long term drummer Darius Minwalla who died last year

Review

'Solid State' is the eighth studio album of Seattle band the Posies and their first in six years and since 'Blood/Candy', which was believed to be the last record for the band. What brought the band together again was the sad passing of long-term drummer Darius Minwalla last year, which devastated them and spurred co-founders Ken Stringfellow and Jon Auer to mark their dramatic life changes, music and the evolution of the band. Stringfellow and Auer have, of course, not been idle having performed with Alex Chilton's reformed Big Star until his death in 2010, R.E.M's touring band and Burt Bacharach They both have also acclaimed solo careers and they are producers in their own right. Seattle may have you thinking if you are unaware of the band that they might be part of the renowned grunge scene, but this is far from the case. 'Solid States' is packed with power pop sensibilities, but this return also offers much much more. Opener 'We R Power' is certainly upbeat in style whilst the following 'Unlikely Places' is infectious and laid back and lush. 'Scattered' and the first single 'Squirrel vs Snake' are also pretty instant. Hopefully they won't mind comparisons to Squeeze and Australian tunesmiths Crowded House with the beautifully crafted pop of these two songs. 'The Plague' is more rock and closer to some of the earlier material.'M Doll' is synth and drum machine driven as is 'The Definition', which like all this album is instantly likeable. This album is a real grower which becomes more impressive with every play. The band also lost friend and former bassist Joe Skyward in March. 'Solid States' is a triumph and testimony to the posies' greatness

Track Listing:-

1 We R Power!
2 Unlikely Places
3 Scattered
4 Titanic
5 Squirrel vs Snake
6 March Climes
7 M Doll
8 The Definition
9 The Plague
10 Rollercoaster Zen
11 The Sound Of Clouds
12 Radiance

Band Links:-

http://theposies.net/
https://www.facebook.com/theposies
https://twitter.com/theposies
https://www.instagram.com/theposies/
https://www.youtube.com/user/ThePosies
https://plus.google.com/10379682382420

Label Links:-

https://www.lojinx.com/
https://www.facebook.com/lojinx
https://plus.google.com/+lojinx/posts
https://twitter.com/lojinx
https://www.youtube.com/user/lojinx

Interviews

Interview (2010)

The Posies have recently returned with their first album in four years, the sour-sweet ‘Blood/Candy’. Singer and guitarist Jon Auer talks to John Clarkson about it and his and his band mate and co-songwriter Ken Stringfellow’s successful long musical partnership of over twenty years

Live Reviews

Hug and Pint, Glasgow, 28/10/2016

Tony Gaughan watches American power pop act the Posies play an exceptional set at the tiny Hug and Pint and their first Glasgow gig in eleven years

Features

At Least At Last (2002)

Although The Posies were together for more than 12 years, their less than prolific output during this period, just 5 studio albums, doesn’t make them obvious candidates for the retrospective box set t