Eight years down the line, Ric Menck and Paul Chastain have decided it's time to shred the nerves of power-pop freaks with an album both luminous and agreeably bleak. Aided by guitar wunderkind Adam Schmitt, Stereo Blues bristles with intent from the wondrously down "Rusted Star" to the country-fried "Great To Be Fine". Chastain's depressive vocals and Menck's madcap drumming have few equals, and they apply all their harmonic skills to both the Neil Young-esque "The Connection" and the moody "California Incline". Schmitt's trickery is buried in layers, but this isn't a garage item-it's a classic on the forecourt.
Eight years down the line, Ric Menck and Paul Chastain have decided it’s time to shred the nerves of power-pop freaks with an album both luminous and agreeably bleak. Aided by guitar wunderkind Adam Schmitt, Stereo Blues bristles with intent from the wondrously down “Rusted Star” to the country-fried “Great To Be Fine”. Chastain’s depressive vocals and Menck’s madcap drumming have few equals, and they apply all their harmonic skills to both the Neil Young-esque “The Connection” and the moody “California Incline”. Schmitt’s trickery is buried in layers, but this isn’t a garage item-it’s a classic on the forecourt.
