Chris Stamey

Chris Stamey

After last year's dB's reunion, those looking to Chris Stamey for another dose of jangle might be surprised by Lovesick Blues. Neither blues, nor a guitar album for that matter, it's an introspective LP full of muted colors, orchestral sweeps, and choral harmonies. It's different from anything he's attempted before, yet it retains his clever melodic sense. Having recently completed a stint as musical director for a series of all-star performances of Big Star's Third album, Stamey echoes some of that disc's melancholia and adventurousness with Lovesick Blues, particularly on "Skin" and "Astronomy." Among the perkier cuts, "You n Me n XTC" preserves Sixties horn pop with an arrangement assist from XTC's Andy Partridge. Some songs fail – the unadorned poetry of "The Room Above the Bookstore" and meandering title track – but Lovesick Blues once again proves Stamey's worth as a pop magician. (12mid, St. David's Bethell Hall)