Stands for Decibels [Import]

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Deleted in the U.S., this is a German reissue of their 1981 debut album, featuring Chris Stamey and 13 tracks. Note: 'Judy is an unmarked CD bonus track.

Stands for Decibels/Repercussion
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Meh...
  • classics you may have missed
  • Repercussion - a new horizon for powerpop and new wave composition
  • Nice guys but...
  • Finally, I Own the dB's
 Stands for Decibels/Repercussion
The dB's
Manufacturer: Collector's Choice
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Jangle PopJangle Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
Power PopPower Pop | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B00005REPM
Release Date: 2002-01-08

Tracks:

  1. Black And White
  2. Dynamite
  3. She's Not Worried
  4. The Fight
  5. Espionage
  6. Tearjerkin'
  7. Cycles Per Second
  8. Bad Reputation
  9. Big Brown Eyes
  10. I'm In Love
  11. Moving In Your Sleep
  12. Judy
  13. Living A Lie
  14. We Were Happy There
  15. Happenstance
  16. From A Window To A Screen
  17. Amplifier
  18. Ask For Jill
  19. I Feel Good (Today)
  20. Storm Warning
  21. Ups And Downs
  22. In Spain
  23. Nothing Is Wrong
  24. Neverland
  25. Soul Kiss

Product Description

1. Black And White
2. Dynamite
3. She's Not Worried
4. Fight, The
5. Espionage
6. Tearjerkin'
7. Cycles Per Second
8. Bad Reputation
9. Big Brown Eyes
10. I'm In Love
11. Moving In Your Sleep
12. Judy - (bonus track)
13. Living A Lie
14. We Were Happy There
15. Happenstance
16. From A Window To A Screen
17. Amplifier
18. Ask For Jill
19. I Feel Good (Today)
20. Storm Warning
21. Ups And Downs
22. In Spain
23. Nothing Is Wrong
24. Neverland
25. Soul Kiss - (bonus track)


Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars Meh..........2007-07-22

A girlfriend I had years back bought this album for me because she loved the song amplifier and figured I would as well. I thought the song was stupid... and told her as much. We broke up a couple months later.

The first three songs on the collection are good. The first, Black and White, is an absolute gem. If I had a seven inch of the first three songs I'd give the DBs a four star rating. This... I don't find it interesting. Sounds like an 80's movie background band. Not worth the $10.

Maybe you disagree.

5 out of 5 stars classics you may have missed.......2007-01-18

A lot has been said about The DBs classic Repercussion. It's arguably the very best album to emerge from the early 80s South/East (Chapel Hill/Athens) alternative scene. I'd go further and say its classic pop sound checks and superlative stories of relationships gone awry place it in the the top twenty rock albums of all time. But even quirkier- and my personal favorite of the two- is Stands for Decibels. It's a much more challenging soundscape, embodying the edgy music of the best New Wave and at the same time providing an exemplary blueprint for so much heartfelt thinking person's pop to come in the subsequent twenty years. Absolutely essential.

5 out of 5 stars Repercussion - a new horizon for powerpop and new wave composition.......2006-08-15

This review is for the Db's second record - Repercussion:
Wow! the songs on this record are a varied lot, borrow from lots of sources, but thematically point to a similar theme - old relationships, loss, regret, and occasional bravery in the face of rejection. I am usually deaf (blind?) to lyrics, but here, the songwriting matches the lyrics. Much as "Repercussion" sounds like a souped up version of the Raspberries or Badfinger, "Repercussion" goes to next level and is a foundation for our contemporary rock/metal scene - these days, bands may rock hard but are able to express many emotions.
Some examples of lyrics that combine with composition:
"Amplifier:" a song about loss and suicide. The Db's use a simple riff and droll vocals to state a simple and final statement: "Dave went home and killed himself last night." When the song reveals that the girl left and took everything, but left the poor fellow's amplifier, the guitar riff 'amplifies' what Dave was feeling.
"I Feel Good (today)": Acoustic guitar and cello and rambling chord progression (that goes up and up) evokes a "lazy day affair." The Db's then tighten up and play faster in the chorus with a tighter chord progression to express their "running jumping everywhere." The Db's then resolve the chord progression to tell everyone "is that bad? I feel good!" I would sound like a dope if I said that to an audience - but say it with evocative music with an appropriate composition and you get - something too ahead of its time to get any airplay!!!!
"We were happy there:" Big drum sound and repetitive riff to express "Girl I've never been so tired of living" and 8 bars later, a major chord progression without the drum sound which expresses "we were happy there," then back to the minor key to express "a long long time ago."
"Happenstance:" Minor, dirge-like chord progression utilized to scold a girlfriend, telling her to "run back to your mother."
There is so much music here within such tight song structures, but "Repercussion" still isn't well known!! Try it, especially if you are from Hoboken!

1 out of 5 stars Nice guys but..........2005-05-21

I bought this album on the strength of these reviews-what a mistake. After listening to this comp, I am again truly amazed at the reviews. I understnad that one persons floor is anothers ceiling and all that, but hey... these guys are nowhere even near Bigstar or other bands that I see other reviewers use as a comparrison. Anyway, as a heartfelt sign of the times or nostalgia for people who saw/ know them, maybe this album is great, but for a lot of us who did indeed never hear of them (no surprise there) their music doesn't really stand up to the test of time. Dated? You bet! Musicianship? Basic at best. Coming from someone who likes listening to anyone who puts it on the line- no matter how wavering, I gotta say, if this is their best example, these guys were amateur warblers who came to NYC to just hang out and take in the sites and music scenes.

4 out of 5 stars Finally, I Own the dB's.......2004-10-23

I remember looking for the dB's back in the early 80's and only striking out. This previously unavailable in the US set of discs were on my to buy list for quite a while. I believe the wait was worth it. I like the Holsapple tunes the best, but Stamey's contributions add a nice quirkiness to the set.

I hear the band was terrible live. Well, I saw Stamey solo a couple of months ago and he was terrible live. I like his new solo disc, though.
Stands for Decibels
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Southern Anglophilia
 Stands for Decibels
The dB's
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Jangle PopJangle Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
Power PopPower Pop | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Alternative RockAlternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
RockRock | Imports | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B000026BMR
Release Date: 2005-09-20

Tracks:

  1. Black and White
  2. Dynamite
  3. She's Not Worried
  4. Fight
  5. Espionage
  6. Tearjerkin'
  7. Cycles Per Second
  8. Bad Reputation
  9. Big Brown Eyes
  10. I'm in Love
  11. Moving in Your Sleep

Album Description

Deleted in the U.S., this is a German reissue of their 1981 debut album, featuring Chris Stamey and 13 tracks. Note: 'Judy is an unmarked CD bonus track.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Southern Anglophilia.......2000-12-03

This is one of the best power-pop records ever made. I always thought that Americans did it better than the English--that distance, and that realization that the English were imitating Americans to begin with, made the American imitation of the English bands that much more piquant. "Stands for Decibels" was recorded in 1979 and first appeared in 1981. It's mannered music, very self-conscious, and somewhat speedier and more brittle than its obvious model, Big Star. The intricate overlay of guitars, the nimble drumming, the whole way that the dB's build their arrangements, is quite sophisticated. Peter Holsapple's songs tend to be a little less overtly avant-garde than Chris Stamey's, but on this record the combination results in a minor classic.
Stands for Decibels/Repercussion
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Stands for Decibels/Repercussion
    The dB's
    Manufacturer: Line
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
    Jangle PopJangle Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
    Power PopPower Pop | Rock | Styles | Music
    ASIN: B000008EW5
    Release Date: 1996-12-17

    Tracks:

    1. Black and White
    2. Dynamite
    3. She's Not Worried
    4. Fight
    5. Espionage
    6. Tearjerkin'
    7. Baby Talk
    8. Cycles Per Second
    9. Bad Reputation
    10. Big Brown Eyes
    11. I'm in Love
    12. Moving in Your Sleep
    13. Judy

    Tracks:

    1. Happenstance
    2. We Were Happy There
    3. Living a Lie
    4. From a Window to a Screen
    5. Ask for Jill
    6. Amplifier
    7. Soul Kiss
    8. Neverland
    9. Storm Warning
    10. Ups and Downs
    11. Nothing Is Wrong
    12. In Spain
    13. I Feel Good (Today)
    Stands for Decibels/Repercussion
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		Stands for Decibels/Repercussion
      The dB's
      Manufacturer: Line
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
      Jangle PopJangle Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
      Power PopPower Pop | Rock | Styles | Music
      ASIN: B000002RL8
      Release Date: 1996-12-17

      Tracks:

      1. Black and White
      2. Dynamite
      3. She's Not Worried
      4. Fight
      5. Espionage
      6. Tearjerkin'
      7. Baby Talk
      8. Cycles Per Second
      9. Bad Reputation
      10. Big Brown Eyes
      11. I'm in Love
      12. Moving in Your Sleep
      13. Judy

      Tracks:

      1. Happenstance
      2. We Were Happy There
      3. Living a Lie
      4. From a Window to a Screen
      5. Ask for Jill
      6. Amplifier
      7. Soul Kiss
      8. Neverland
      9. Storm Warning
      10. Ups and Downs
      11. Nothing Is Wrong
      12. In Spain
      13. I Feel Good (Today)
      Stands for Decibels
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        		Stands for Decibels
        The dB's
        Manufacturer: Capitol
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
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        All Bargain TitlesAll Bargain Titles | Oldies | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
        ASIN: B000008EW4
        Release Date: 1990-08-24

        Tracks:

        1. Black and White
        2. Dynamite
        3. She's Not Worried
        4. Fight
        5. Espionage
        6. Tearjerkin'
        7. Cycles Per Second
        8. Bad Reputation
        9. Big Brown Eyes
        10. I'm in Love
        11. Moving in Your Sleep
        Neverland Stands for Decibels
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          		Neverland Stands for Decibels
          Db's
          Manufacturer: Msi Music Corp
          ProductGroup: Music
          Binding: Audio CD

          Jangle PopJangle Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
          ASIN: B0002B6FZQ
          Release Date: 2002-07-22

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