Disco de The Posies: “Nice Cheekbones and a Ph.D.”

After a couple of announced break-ups and "final tours", the Posies regrouped long enough to make this outstanding EP. The tone is completely acoustic; there's hardly an electric guitar to be found here. What you will find is the usual stellar writing, playing and singing. Things open up with the relatively up-tempo "Matinee" and "Chainsmoking in the U.S.A." Next are two gorgeous, haunting songs, not exactly what I would call ballads, but definitely more subdued. These two songs ("With Those Eyes" and "No Consolation") are among the finest things that Ken Stringfellow and Jon Auer have ever done, and if you know The Posies, you know that is quite a statement. Things wrap up with a cover version of The Byrds' "Lady Friend", and the soaring vocal harmonies will give you chills.

This is not a typical Posies record by any means, but it shows off their softer side that was evident on Dear 23. If you like great, thoughtful pop music, pick this one up. And if you don't have the rest of The Posies library, what are you waiting for?! This is one of the great unappreciated bands of the last 20 years.

After seeing their acoustic gig in Rotterdam last year, thinking it was their last ever gig in Holland, I was surprised they made this record. As a big Posies fan I bought this EP immediatly and I think it is great. Compare it with Dear 23 & success and you know what you can expect: beautiful melodies, great harmonies (their voices being the best harmony-voices in pop today) and 5 very emotional songs. Great stuff! I'm eagerly awaiting their next album (I hope).

It seems The Posies have been more productive after their alleged break up then when they were an official item. A greatest hits collection, two live albums, a box set, an amazing acoustic tour, and now a new EP and full band shows! Nice Cheek bones . . marks the first release of new material in the era now known as 2001 A.P. (After Posies) and it is very promising. It sounds like they've come full circle musically. Most of the writing and the overall production harken back to the days of Failure and Dear 23, but with an added maturity and musicianship that transcend a mere "back to our roots" record. Instead, this EP feels like a new beginning for The Posies. The lyrics are smarter and take more risks "You could charm your way out of a hearse with those eyes", the singing and playing are better than ever, and the harmonies are heavenly as always. The stripped down acoustic production and understating mix give it the immediate and intimate feel of their astounding acoustic shows. Muted drums sneak in and out of the background, electric guitars peer in and around the edges of their gigantic acoustics, organs and pianos anchor in the background; all of these textures pay courtesy to what makes The Posies so special; great songs and beautiful vocals. I have only two complaints, the first is that it feels more like a split solo EP than a collaboration. There are two Jon songs and two Ken songs and then a cover of a David Crosby song. The two Jon songs sound like outtakes from his solo EP. On "No Consolation" it sounds like Jon had the song in the box and just had Ken come in and overdub keyboards. My other complaint is that I was hoping for more of a band sound than an acoustic duet. As great as their acoustic stuff is, I still pine for the days when these guys rocked harder than any other pop band around. Still, when all is said and done, this is a new Posies release and is therefore essential and exciting and thankfully, it's a damn fine record too.

I think most of us were going through withdrawls when this snuck its way onto the store shelves...Candy..we found some ear candy and we took it home only to be wanting more..heck five songs?! That just wasnt right.

I think this ep showed in some respects what direction Jon and Ken were going as far as writing was concerned..be it solo or later on together. "No Consolation" was for me the best of the lot.