The dB's: Revolution Of The Mind (Orange Sound Records/2013)

Winston-Salem North Carolina's The dB's were one of the leading-lights of the American Power Pop/Jangle Rock movement of the late 70's/early 80's. In 1988, after ten years and four albums the band called it a day. In 2005 the original line-up reformed to play various shows and in 2011 they released the Picture Sleeve single on their own Orange Sound Records (“The Label With Appeal”) and the Falling Off The Sky album on Bar/None Records in 2012.

Released on Record Store Day in 2013 Revolution Of The Mind (also on Orange Sound Records) is a four-song EP on Orange Vinyl in a limited pressing of 2,000 (and includes a digital download). The EP is basically a four-song distillation of makes the band special. The title-track is a minor-key rocker that features a hypnotic siren-esque lead guitar riff. “Lakefront” is compelling ballad with Mellotron-strings that would've been a lovely addition the most recent full-length album and recalls earlier dB's tracks such as “Nothing Is Wrong” and “From A Window To Screen”. “Orange Squeezer” is a whimsical Chris Stamey composition about a Dan Armstrong compressions pedal. And rounding things out is a live version of “pH Factor” (which first appeared as a the B-side to their 1982 “Neverland” single). “pH Factor, which references song author Peter Holsapple, is a sleepy Raybeats-like surf instrumental. And this is a very-well recorded live version of the song.

The EP is once again, a nice distillation of what makes the dB's a special band (i.e. good songwriting, a thoughtful approach to playing and challenging hooks). The vinyl itself is of nice quality and is on nice Orange Vinyl. All-in-all a nice piece for the dB's fan. And also quite appealing for the uninitiated as well.

Here's the video review: