Big Star to Release New Album

[nkotb]

For you power-poppers:
 
 Big Star to Release New Album
 
 Caroline Bermudez reports:
 For the Men and Women of the Rock and Roll Canon, life is merely a series of endless misfortunes, each artistic endeavor overshadowed by a past triumph. Their solo albums and side projects register temporary blips on the music landscape, to be forgotten months later, or worse, used against them as punchlines. Basically, they can't win. All they can really do is fade away and get real jobs, or bank on their glorious histories. Eventually, when the time is right, they'll almost invariably reunite with their old bands, tour, and even, in rare cases, release new albums. On September 26, one of the canon's most revered astral bodies, Big Star, will follow suit with In Space, their first album since 1978's Third/Sister Lovers.
 
 To be released by Rykodisc, In Space will feature mastermind and principal songwriter Alex Chilton and drummer Jody Stephens, both original members of the classic quartet. Rounding out the lineup are Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow of fellow power-poppers the Posies. Auer and Stringfellow have been part of Big Star since 1993, when the group reformed to tour. Tracklist:
 
 01 Dony
 02 Lady Sweet
 03 Best Chance We've Ever Had
 04 Turn My Back on the Sun
 05 Love Revolution
 06 February's Quiet
 07 Mine Exclusively
 08 A Whole New Thing
 09 Aria Largo
 10 Hung Up With Summer
 11 Do You Wanna Make It
 12 Makeover
 
 Big Star recorded three much-lauded albums in their brief time together, 1972's #1 Record, 1974's Radio City and Third/Sister Lovers, which was released after the band imploded. Formed in 1971 in Memphis by singer/guitarist Chris Bell, Big Star melded British Invasion pop/rock with Chilton's penchant for eccentricity. Bell and Chilton had a turbulent partnership and Bell exited the group in 1972, after the release of #1 Record. Bell later died in a car crash in 1978 at the age of 27. Commercially unsuccessful and ignored during their time, Big Star gained notoriety later when acts such as REM and Teenage Fanclub cited them as major influences-- not to mention the Replacements' song "Alex Chilton".
 
 From pitchfork...

[shoot ur shot]

should we expect some touring to promote the new record? Seth, please bring this to the club if they offer to bring it to Dc.. would hate for it to get taken by the birchmere or state theater.

[snailhook]

i agree...this should be at the 9:30. i'm still kicking myself for missing the reunion show in nyc with yo la tengo in '97 or '98.

[chaz]

I saw them up in new york last year at the little steven underground garage fest thingy.  I was really looking fwd. to seeing them, and I was dissapointed to say the least.  As much as I hate to say it, they were really bad.
 
 In their defense though, it really wasn't a very good venue for them.  I'd imagine them faring much better at 930.

[Bags]

I'd love to see them, though it would be a shame to be disapointed.  Of course, apparently I get to see the Posies, so that's half the issue!

[Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer]

I once went to a (free) cheesy 4th of July oldies concert in my hometown in upstate NY perhaps 12-15 years ago. As I was watching the show, there was this short guy standing next to me by himself sort of checking out the opening bands (whose names I have forgotten, but who you'd recognize if you listen to oldies stations). Then the headliners went on, and it was then that I realized that Alex Chilton of the Boxtops had been standing next to me.