Graham Reid | | <1 min read
Spiral Stairs is Scott Kannberg – co-founder of Pavement but now in semi-retirement – and his solo albums have always had an easy charm and, as we noted previously, sounding closer to the Saints/Chris Bailey in rock ballad mode.
They can sound undemanding in the best way – the sound is familiar, tight and melodic – but there have always been layers of meaning.
Now living in Australia, he recorded this album with some remote colleagues (among them Kelley Stoltz who also knows his way around a decent, strong tune) and its themes are very adult, albeit wrapped in rock guitars, organ and driving drums.
Pressure Drop (an original) is a terrific tribute to the late bassist Matt Harris, Mole is a chiming rocker which considers mortality, Petrified is about regrets . . .
Medley Attack!!! is hardly an essential album but once again Spiral Stairs proves the virtues of Replacements/Stones-like rock guitar riffing with tight solos and memorable tunes.
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You can hear and buy this album (on cassette if you want it) at bandcamp here.
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