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Ken Stringfellow | Touched

Ex-Posie Stringfellow makes his album.
CD, Poptones/Zomba

Tekst: Wilko van Iperen

Publicatiedatum: 22 oktober 2001

It's sad when, in the high-days of grunge in Seattle, you're playing Big Star and Byrds-like pop music. Alternative rock is finding its way to the mainstream while you're playing classicly crafted pop songs with a nice tune. While everybody seems to be headbanging, you're whistling. Seattle's finest The Posies always seemed to have missed the boat. Contemporary mind-like artists such as Teenage Fanclub and our own Dutch poppers Daryll-Ann got better and better, and thank God sales figures and recognition rose, so they kept on going. Sadly, The Posies lost their muse after four great albums and called it a day after their fifth one, ironically titled 'Success'. Ken Stringfellow couldn't sit still and toured with Big Star and REM and started a new short-lived project Saltine. And because old love lies deep, The Posies reunited for some acoustic gigs, which resulted in a tour around the globe. After their "[Thanks] for ten years of good time rock'n'roll. Goodnight," they showed everyone who wanted to see that they were still all about rockn'roll - acoustic guitars, good songs, and a lot of tequila. The Posies put out a new EP 'Nice Cheekbones and a Ph.D.', which featured the first slide guitar in a Posies song ever. So Mr. Workaholic got some time left and recorded 'Touched', his second solo effort. If you liked the power pop of The Posies be prepared - you're about to be shocked. The album starts off with, again, a slide guitar. While the guitar riffs sound familiar, the slide guitar sets the tone for the record. No more noisy guitars, but gentle guitar playing with a lot synths. These are the slower Posies songs played with different instruments. It gives the album a 60s or 70s classic sound. The only guitar-driven songs are the re-recorded Saltine songs 'Find Yourself Alone' and 'Reveal Love'. All songs are about love lost, new love, and a depressed state of mind, even the uplifting McCartney-ish 'One Morning'. It seems Stringfellow sets a standard for his solo work: "Here I am writing classic pop songs, while you're expecting distorted guitars." This solo record seems to be another (emotional) outlet for this underrated songwriter. Although you have to get used to the sound of this recording if you know The Posies, this will be one of your favourites just before the end of the year. Poptones boss McGee gives this new offering to the world (except the USA - Manifesto Records) in the exact right year for it, with releases like Pernice Brothers' 'The World Won't End' and, again a Dutch release: 'Pergola' by the resurrected Johan. The Posies always seemed to put out records in the wrong era, hopefully Stringfellow jumps the bandwagon this time. This consistent record doesn't have the power of The Posies, but the charm of good pop songs. This man is here to make a point, be it with The Posies, solo or rather both. Give this record a few spins, and let it grow on you. This is a soothing sound. Twice daily - be careful when driving.

http://www.kindamuzik.net/recensie/ken-stringfellow/touched/1025/
Meer Ken Stringfellow op KindaMuzik: http://www.kindamuzik.net/artiest/ken-stringfellow