Wood +
Wire
PROLIFIC
POPMEISTER CHRIS VON SNEIDERN
RELEASES A SECOND CD WITH MOD LANG
See Lyrics, Credits,
and Production Notes for Wood +
Wire
"Don't Worry Now" (3.9MB MP3 file)
"Sun" (3.1MB MP3 file)
Get W+W by mail order
Scrapbook: Press about Wood + Wire
San Francisco based popmeister Chris von
Sneidern's 4th album of arresting and timeless pop, hits area shops Jan. 20th.
Wood + Wire, his second title released on Mod Lang Records, is the follow up to
last year's Go!
Critics rave:
The Seattle's The Rocket deems CVS "One of the
finest pop tunesmiths of his generation." "Masterful melodic
songwriting. A record that makes you want to keep listening to it over and over
again." Stereo Review writes, "Superior power pop. A genuine
find." Tower Pulse! describes his music as "Pedigreed-pop mini
masterpieces that deftly balance melodic craft and lyrical passion."
"Rockin', whimsical and
wistful" opines Creem magazine, Melody Maker writes
"Melodic pop, chiming guitars, harmonies and a sugary sheen" whose praise
matches BAM, who exclaim, "Wow! Pure unadulterated pop...a true
gem, brilliant from all sides." The SF Chronicle gives it "4
Stars! Sounds like a lost Beatles album."
Traditional
Production Techniques:
The sound of Wood + Wire is clearly more American than the
three previous albums, yet similar to his 1st, Sight & Sound, in its
simplicity. It's a bigger sound made with fewer elements. The recording studio
was set up in a similar fashion to a jazz session, everyone playing in the same
room without separation between instruments. What you hear is the entire band
politely feeling around each other's playing, which creates more sonic space
than in his earlier records.
"I wasn't necessarily looking
to make a purist's record. I overdubbed the vocals, for example." With
everyone comfortable, the relaxed vibe really comes across in "Don't Worry
Now." "After a week, we had six songs finished. It wasn't an album,
but it was too much work already done to leave unreleased." The concept of
his New York album was born at EastSide Studio, and completed at Jolly Roger
Recording in Hoboken, NJ.
Arresting Songs:
Opening with the stoic rock of "Starting Out,"
the obligatory pop of "Sun," and "Love," to the poetic folk
of "The End," this record pleasingly runs the gamut. Although CVS is
often found in his studio producing his own albums or other artists', Wood +
Wire was recorded entirely in the NY metro area with a winning combination of
musicians.
Peter Straus, previously of the Dwarves,
has been playing bass with CVS for six years. Drummer Dennis Diken of the Smithereens,
Buzzed Meg, and currently backing Amy Rigby, is also producing recording sessions as well as
writing music articles and CD liner notes. Joe McGinty, pianist, organizes the Loser's
Lounge in NYC, a live tribute series that honors classic pop songwriters. Joe
has also played for the Ramones, the Pizzicato Five, Jewel, Ben E. King, and
the Psychedelic Furs. Dave Amels, owner of Voce Inc., and keyboard collector
guru, plays Hammond B-3 Organ. Gene Holder (dB's,
Yo La Tengo) engineered the sessions. Also contributing are Richard X. Heyman on
drums and his wife Nancy Leigh playing bass on some tracks.
Wood + Wire is the special studio
recording that fans of CVS have been waiting to hear.
(1998)