Stands for Decibels

Infobox Album |
Name = Stands for Decibels
Type = Album
Artist = The dB's


Released = January, 1981
Recorded =
Genre = Power pop, Alternative
Length = 34:36
Label = Albion Records
Producer = Alan Betrock and The Group
Reviews =
* Allmusic Rating|4.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:fm3zefwkhgf8 link]
* Robert Christgau A- [http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?id=1410&name=The+dB%27s link]
* "Pop Matters" (Recommended) [http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/d/dbs-standsmft.shtml link]
Last album =
This album = "Stands for Decibels" (1981)
Next album = "Repercussion" (1982)

"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 being one of the most dynamic rhythm sections in rock, and arguably in power pop history.

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.

LP track listing

ide one

# "Black and White" – 3:09 (Peter Holsapple)
# "Dynamite" – 2:35 (Gene Holder, Holsapple, Will Rigby, Chris Stamey)
# "She's Not Worried" – 3:04 (Stamey)
# "The Fight" – 2:54 (Holsapple)
# "Espionage" - 2:39 (Stamey)
# "Tearjerkin'" – 3:56 (Stamey)

ide 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".

Personnel

Band

*Chris Stamey- Guitar, vocals
*Peter Holsapple- Guitar, vocals
*Gene Holder- Bass guitar
*Will Rigby- Drums

Honors

*Was ranked at 76 on Pitchfork Media's list of [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/36736/Top_100_Albums_of_the_1980s/page_3 greatest albums of the 80s.]