Chris Stamey, “Universe-sized Arms” from Euphoria (2015): One Track Mind

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“Universe-sized Arms” is a strange-bird of a song, so much like the earliest of Chris Stamey’s triumphs but also like something else entirely. You hear, from the jangle of his beat-up Silvertone to the deft Mitch Easter-helmed touches, something that draws a straight line back to the dBs, and even earlier, to the beginnings of the whole college-rock scene. But the lyrics are something else, fizzy and new — the result of a gifted track written but never released by Ryan Adams.

Adams composes with the lovesick grandeur of Richard Butler at his best, even as Chris Stamey stirs in an orchestral counterbalance that would bring a twinkle to George Martin’s eye. That gives “Universe-sized Arms” a stirring depth, as it opens Chris Stamey’s forthcoming Yep Rock release Euphoria (due on June 2, 2015), whisks you back in time, and hurtles you forward into things you might never have associated with Stamey.

It’s fun journey, and when coupled with the earlier previewed “Invisible” — a dark paean written in part for friend and ex-Let’s Active member Faye Hunter — you get some sense of the impressive scope of Stamey’s vision for this new release.

Euphoria arrives with plenty of momentum, following Chris Stamey’s terrific 2013 solo release Lovesick Blues, and the 2012 dBs reunion project Falling Off the Sky. Stamey has also been working as musical director for a series of Big Star tribute concerts. He recorded this project at Mitch Easter’s studio and his own Modern Recording facility along with a group that included guests from Teenage Fanclub, Wilco and Let’s Active.

Nick DeRiso