Disco de The Posies: “Failure”

The first time I saw the Posies was at a Northern Lights record store in downtown Minneapolis. They had just released their album Dear 23. They signed our cds and took out their guitars and played a wonderful acoustic show that I'll never forget. I knew some but not all of their songs back then. The ones I didn't know were from Failure. I looked and finally bought it. It was by far my favorite of the group. I don't like most of their recent stuff, but Failure and Dear 23 will always be my favorites.

Although the Posies gained a little bit of success in the latter part of the 90s, this CD is by far the best they've produced. Their newer work is "polished" and the amount of studio influence is obvious; "Failure" is raw, with garage lyrics and sound...it is anything but what it claims to be.

The Posies' newer work is shiny, like a new car. It has no character, no feeling, no raw emotion. "Failure" on the other hand is like that old beat-up bag of bolts that you keep around because of the memories it holds. The songs on "Failure" have lasted for me and none of the Posies' newer work makes me feel the way these songs do.

I first heard the Posies in the late 80s. They played at some local clubs and I saw them at Bumbershoot (Seattle's music and arts festival). I fell in love almost instantly. The lyrics are painfully honest and practically slap you in the face.

For instance, "The Longest Line" (track 2) begins, "I've spent half of my life in this god-awful place and I swear that I've only grown older; I've had all I can take of patience and kindness I can't wait in this line any longer." This was the ballad of my youth.

The honesty continues. "I may hate you sometimes" reminds me of every relationship I've ever had. I could go on to describe how every song rings true, but I'll just let you buy it and you'll quickly see that this lower-budget album speaks directly to your heart and history. This album is invaluable to me and I'm sure it will be so for you.

Enjoy!

I first heard this album when I was a high school freshman (1988). Some friends of mine knew the band; I had never heard of the Posies before. We listened a scratchy tape recording in my friend's beat-up Honda on our way to lunch break from school. On our way to the McDonald's I heard the lyrics to "Longest Line" (track 2) and almost wet my pants. It was as if those lyrics were written just for me! I quickly had my friend make a copy of the already scratchy tape and I still have that crusty old thing. Why am I telling you all this? Because this album meant a lot to me at that time of my life (a hard time for most every one). Here it is 11 years later and the songs still mean as much to me. Of course I have a CD version...the tape is un-playable after years of use and being taken on various trips around Europe and the U.S. What I think is important to note for the prospective purchaser is that you may *think* you know the Posies, but if you haven't heard _Failure_ or even _Dear 23_, then you don't know squat. I think this band's last album should've been _23_ cuz the rest just pale in comparison. The band won't play songs from this album at shows any more...which sucks. It's probably because of the changes in the band's members...we won't go into politics. Bottom line...if you want a CD that will stay strong over a lifetime, then you want this CD.

I listened to this album almost every day for at least a year of my high school life (late '80's/early '90's). I have countless memories of my friends and I driving around with this album on, on Continuous Play. It didn't hurt that we got to see these guys live at places like the then-all-ages venue, the OK Hotel, or the Ballroom at the University of Washington, also in Seattle. No, I love this album because of the music. The lyrics, mainly, the almost perfect whini-ness of the voices, especially Stringfellow's, but Auer's as well. This is always going to be a postcard book of my youth -- it was the perfect soundtrack for growing up smart and sane in Seattle. The lyrics will amaze you. I remember them being touted for their lyrics in a weekly Seattle newspaper. The author of that article was just in awe at what the young duo had put together, and for good reason! Note that this album was recorded in a garage with only a couple of 'layers,' so the sound/tone of the album is somewhat simple and bare. However, as a snapshot in time, the album works very, very well. For it to be slightly "out of focus" captures the moment beautifully, reflecting the band itself at that time, as well as the musical era into which the then-new band was born. Highly recommended.

Failure is without question the best CD release in a very long time. I just bought it for the 4th time (it keeps getting stolen). Their lyrics are echoes of what my life has been, their delivery is honest and real, and their music is unique. If you buy one CD today, it should be this one. I've been converting doubtful people to Posies fans since this cd came out.