Peter Holsapple & Chris Stamey - Here And Now (Bar-None) It’s been almost 20 years since the two ex-dB’s recorded together - their 1992 Mavericks album was the last time - and it’s very good to have them back. The dB’s were one of the great American power pop bands, who, incidentally, have been seriously under-utilised by the reissue industry, and it’s pleasing to note that they’ve lost none of their skills with a smile inducing melody and hooks you can go shark fishing with. Of course, over the intervening years both Holsapple and Stamey have had plenty of practice, between them, notching up experience with Alex Chilton, REM, Continental Drifters, Golden Palominos and various other good to great bands. There latest, whilst retaining all the pop fundamentals we know and love, embraces other elements such as Americana twang and West Coast harmonies, and the Everlys are a refined influence throughout. Sunshine pop comes in several guises and most are covered on here. Should our promised glorious summer materialise, then Here And Now will provide a suitably sublime soundtrack. In passing, Leicester based readers should note, the opening cut is a cover of Family’s “My Friend The Sun”. Small world, eh? www.myspace.com/hereandnowpeterandchris Rob F. Next