Stands for Decibels
Encyclopedia
Stands for Decibels is the acclaimed 1981 debut album by The dB's
. It was initially commercially unsuccessful but has since become recognized as a crucial album in the power pop
canon, alongside releases by Big Star and Let's Active
. Many rock bands, from Yo La Tengo
to Teenage Fanclub
to R.E.M., have cited the album as an influence.
At the time of its release, The dB's consisted of singer/guitarist Chris Stamey
, singer/guitarist Peter Holsapple
, bassist Gene Holder and drummer Will Rigby. The songwriting between the group was evenly divided between Stamey and Holsapple, although Stamey became known for writing the stranger, more avant-garde numbers ("She's Not Worried", "Espionage") while Holsapple would write the more accessible, poppier songs ("Black and White", "Bad Reputation"). Both Stamey and Holsapple would play keyboards occasionally as well. Holder and Rigby didn't receive any credit for writing songs (other than a group credit for "Dynamite"), but with this album they helped create a reputation as a dynamic rhythm section.
The album's sound is mainly characterized by its use of power pop melodies and jangly guitars subverted by strange time changes and instrumentation. Most songs are uptempo but the last song, "Moving in Your Sleep", became one of their best known ballads. The first track, "Black and White", was also their first single.
The album was dedicated to George Scott III
.
Side two
Most CD versions (including the "Stands for Decibels/Repercussion" deluxe CD), come with a bonus track, the Holsapple-written single "Judy".
The dB's
The dB's are a jangle pop/power pop group who came into prominence in the late 1970s and 1980s. The bandmembers were Peter Holsapple, Chris Stamey, Will Rigby and Gene Holder, all of whom were from Winston-Salem, North Carolina...
. It was initially commercially unsuccessful but has since become recognized as a crucial album in the power pop
Power pop
Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are...
canon, alongside releases by Big Star and Let's Active
Let's Active
Let's Active was an American rock musical group formed in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in 1981.-History:The principal songwriter and sole continuous member of Let's Active was Mitch Easter, who kept the band active through most of the 1980s. The band's musical style is sometimes referred to as...
. Many rock bands, from Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo, sometimes abbreviated as YLT, is an American alternative rock band formed in Hoboken, New Jersey in 1984. Since 1992, the lineup has consisted of Ira Kaplan , Georgia Hubley , and James McNew .Despite achieving limited mainstream success, Yo La Tengo has been called "the quintessential...
to Teenage Fanclub
Teenage Fanclub
Teenage Fanclub are an alternative rock band from Bellshill, Scotland. The band is composed of Norman Blake , Raymond McGinley , Gerard Love and Francis MacDonald , with songwriting duties shared equally among Blake, McGinley and Love...
to R.E.M., have cited the album as an influence.
At the time of its release, The dB's consisted of singer/guitarist Chris Stamey
Chris Stamey
Chris Stamey is an American musician, singer, songwriter and record producer. After a stint playing with Alex Chilton, and a brief partnering with Mitch Easter under the name Sneakers, he formed The dB's, whose stewardship he would share with Peter Holsapple.In 1977 in New York, Chris founded the...
, singer/guitarist Peter Holsapple
Peter Holsapple
Peter Holsapple formed, along with Chris Stamey, the singing, songwriting, and guitar-playing core of the dB's, a jangle-pop band from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He became the band's principal songwriter and singer after Stamey's departure. The dB's were at the forefront of the guitar bands...
, bassist Gene Holder and drummer Will Rigby. The songwriting between the group was evenly divided between Stamey and Holsapple, although Stamey became known for writing the stranger, more avant-garde numbers ("She's Not Worried", "Espionage") while Holsapple would write the more accessible, poppier songs ("Black and White", "Bad Reputation"). Both Stamey and Holsapple would play keyboards occasionally as well. Holder and Rigby didn't receive any credit for writing songs (other than a group credit for "Dynamite"), but with this album they helped create a reputation as a dynamic rhythm section.
The album's sound is mainly characterized by its use of power pop melodies and jangly guitars subverted by strange time changes and instrumentation. Most songs are uptempo but the last song, "Moving in Your Sleep", became one of their best known ballads. The first track, "Black and White", was also their first single.
The album was dedicated to George Scott III
George Scott III
George Scott III was a bass player for several New York City bands during the No Wave era. He was a founding member of 8-Eyed Spy and the Raybeats, and he worked with James Chance and the Contortions, James White and the Blacks, Human Switchboard, and John Cale, among others.- Biography :George...
.
LP track listing
Side one- "Black and White" – 3:09 (Peter HolsapplePeter HolsapplePeter Holsapple formed, along with Chris Stamey, the singing, songwriting, and guitar-playing core of the dB's, a jangle-pop band from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He became the band's principal songwriter and singer after Stamey's departure. The dB's were at the forefront of the guitar bands...
) - "Dynamite" – 2:35 (Gene Holder, Holsapple, Will Rigby, Chris StameyChris StameyChris Stamey is an American musician, singer, songwriter and record producer. After a stint playing with Alex Chilton, and a brief partnering with Mitch Easter under the name Sneakers, he formed The dB's, whose stewardship he would share with Peter Holsapple.In 1977 in New York, Chris founded the...
) - "She's Not Worried" – 3:04 (Stamey)
- "The Fight" – 2:54 (Holsapple)
- "Espionage" - 2:39 (Stamey)
- "Tearjerkin'" – 3:56 (Stamey)
Side two
- "Cycles Per Second" - 3:06 (Stamey)
- "Bad Reputation" – 3:11 (Holsapple)
- "Big Brown Eyes" – 1:58 (Holsapple)
- "I'm in Love" – 3:29 (Stamey)
- "Moving in Your Sleep" - 4:35 (Holsapple)
Most CD versions (including the "Stands for Decibels/Repercussion" deluxe CD), come with a bonus track, the Holsapple-written single "Judy".
Band
- Chris StameyChris StameyChris Stamey is an American musician, singer, songwriter and record producer. After a stint playing with Alex Chilton, and a brief partnering with Mitch Easter under the name Sneakers, he formed The dB's, whose stewardship he would share with Peter Holsapple.In 1977 in New York, Chris founded the...
- Guitar, vocals - Peter HolsapplePeter HolsapplePeter Holsapple formed, along with Chris Stamey, the singing, songwriting, and guitar-playing core of the dB's, a jangle-pop band from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He became the band's principal songwriter and singer after Stamey's departure. The dB's were at the forefront of the guitar bands...
- Guitar, vocals - Gene Holder- Bass guitar
- Will Rigby- Drums