"Here and Now"

Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey

http://www.holsapplestamey.com

Bar/None

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- There's no shortage of reasons to recommend this release. Separately and together, these fellas have been part of some of my favorite bands: the dBs and the (incredible) Continental Drifters, to name just two. To say these guys wrote the book on '80s indie pop might be overstating the case -- but not by much.

Throughout this disc, which is their first collaboration since 1992's "Mavericks," you can hear echoes of their former groups, as well as bands that wisely assimilated their formula, from Fountains of Wayne to any number of the indie/alt-country groups they inspired. Their voices blend seamlessly, their sensibilities for sound and arrangements are nearly flawless, and they put it all together in a deceptively simple, unpretentious way.

The opening track is a suitably gorgeous cover of "My Friend the Sun," by English band Family. "Broken Record" and "Bird on the Wing" wonderfully show off the duo's voices. "Santa Monica" features an unbelievable guitar solo, while "Born Again" has a soaring outro by sax man Branford Marsalis.

The best thing about these guys, though, is that they're playing this Sunday's "Mountain Stage" in Ashland, Ky., along with Nanci Griffith, Todd Snider, the Greencards and Ashleigh Flynn.

"Here and Now"

Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey

http://www.holsapplestamey.com

Bar/None

----------

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- There's no shortage of reasons to recommend this release. Separately and together, these fellas have been part of some of my favorite bands: the dBs and the (incredible) Continental Drifters, to name just two. To say these guys wrote the book on '80s indie pop might be overstating the case -- but not by much.

Throughout this disc, which is their first collaboration since 1992's "Mavericks," you can hear echoes of their former groups, as well as bands that wisely assimilated their formula, from Fountains of Wayne to any number of the indie/alt-country groups they inspired. Their voices blend seamlessly, their sensibilities for sound and arrangements are nearly flawless, and they put it all together in a deceptively simple, unpretentious way.

The opening track is a suitably gorgeous cover of "My Friend the Sun," by English band Family. "Broken Record" and "Bird on the Wing" wonderfully show off the duo's voices. "Santa Monica" features an unbelievable guitar solo, while "Born Again" has a soaring outro by sax man Branford Marsalis.

The best thing about these guys, though, is that they're playing this Sunday's "Mountain Stage" in Ashland, Ky., along with Nanci Griffith, Todd Snider, the Greencards and Ashleigh Flynn.