Search - Jon Auer, Ken Stringfellow :: Private Sides (Split Ep)

Excellent EP from two MAJOR talents!!!

06/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow's "Private Sides" EP is an excellent collection of songs by the two former Posies members. According to what I've read, instead of collaborating like they have done in the past, Jon and Ken worked separately on their songs for "Private Sides" with neither one knowing what the other had contributed until the EP was complete. If this was actually the way that they worked, it is easy to see why these guys have been compatible band mates and songwriting partners for so long because their contributions are actually sort of similar. Each one contributes an uncharacteristic, but georgeous Country & Western-style ballad - Jon's "When The Lights Go Up" and Ken's "Ask Me No Questions", and two of the more uptempo Power-Pop style songs that we've come to expect from the Posies. Jon's "Beautiful" is similar, but not exactly like the Posie's early hit "Dream All Day", while his "All U People" sounds like it could be a collaboration between "Plastic Ono Band"-era John Lennon, and "Electric Warrior" and "Slider"-era Marc Bolan of T-Rex. Ken's "Don't Break The Silence" is a about staying out of the way of a young woman growing up instead of trying to be too controlling and mold her into what you want, and his "Prequel" is about a man who's woman is running around on him while he is remaining foolishly loyal. Both "Don't Break The Silence" and "Prequel" sound as though they would fit in well with the Posie's "Frosting On The Beater" and "Amazing Disgrace" era songs. It's good to hear from these two major talents again!"