No, it wasn't the full-blown reunion of the '80s power pop quartet the dB's that many enthusiasts had hoped for. However Mavericks (1991) did bring Peter Holsapple (vocals/guitar/keyboard/bass/drums) back together with Chris Stamey (vocals/guitar/keyboard/bass/drums) for a one-off collaboration on Rhino Records short-lived RNA [read: Rhino New A...

No, it wasn't the full-blown reunion of the '80s power pop quartet the dB's that many enthusiasts had hoped for. However Mavericks (1991) did bring Peter Holsapple (vocals/guitar/keyboard/bass/drums) back together with Chris Stamey (vocals/guitar/keyboard/bass/drums) for a one-off collaboration on Rhino Records short-lived RNA [read: Rhino New Artist] imprint. Although it had been over half a decade since Stamey's quest for a solo career had effectively dissolved the combo's original lineup, in many ways Mavericks is the exquisitely dozen-facet gem that celebrates the strength of their sonic kinship. Even fellow dB Gene Holder (guitar) gets in on the action, contributing his unmistakable evocative strings to the cherubic "Close Your Eyes". Clever and quirky songwriting remain among the respective and collective strengths as they wrote all but one of the entries. That selection is an equally worthy update of the Byrds' -- specifically Gene Clark's -- hauntingly beautiful "Here Without You," which stands as the sole cover. The upbeat ballad "Angels" gets the endeavor underway, accenting Holsapple and Stamey's incandescent vocal harmonies behind the punchy and buoyant rhythm section of Ilene Markell (bass) and Michael Blair (drums). Blair then provides multiple subtle percussion parts to Holsapple's optimistic "I Know You Will". In terms of sheer, raw emotive power, "Close Your Eyes" ranks in the upper echelons of Stamey's considerable cannon and stands as the zenith of his offerings to this album. The melodically probing "Anymore" is a starkly pensive, if not penetrating number that is another spotlight for the pair's uncanny -- and at times eerie -- vocal blend. John Siket gets a special (and deservedly so) credit for his production on the number. "I Want To Break Your Heart" and "Lovers Rock" are of pure vintage Stamey lineage with his trademark idiosyncratic and often unpredictable lyrical twists and departures. To a similar extent he abandons the cliché of chemistry, choosing to compare and contrast a fractious relationship to that of "Geometry". Holsapple counters with his own slightly traditional and achingly poignant tale of love lost, found and unrequited on "She Was The One" and "Taken". "The Child In You" is of analogous timbre, commenting on the loss of innocence and the inevitable changes that come with age. The concluding "Haven't Got The Right (To Treat Me Wrong)" bears a stunning aural resemblance to the Everly Brothers' most revered works as Holsapple and Stamey blend their voices into a singular tonality that is given additional emphasis thanks to James MacMillan's copious stereo mix. In 2007, Collectors' Choice Music reissued Mavericks and with the artist's involvement, added new notes and another half-a-dozen previously unissued selections. These include demos and remixes of "Angels," "Anymore," "Here Without You" and "I Know You Will" -- tentatively-titled "I Knew You Would" -- a 'band version' of "Close Your Eyes" and the unreleased number "Hollywood Waltz". ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide