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The dBs: The Ritz, New York NY

Roy Trakin, Musician, June 1982

THE CONVENTIONAL wisdom on these Carolina-bred, N.Y.-honed popsters says they're expert in the studio, puzzlingly erratic in concert. On two Albion import albums, Stand For Decibels and the recent Repercussions, the dB's concocted a series of synthetic symphonies that deftly paid homage to master craftsmen like Brian Wilson, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ray Davies. Trouble was, all too often the group took its live cue from the erratic nature of another mentor, Big Star/Box Top Alex Chilton, for whom co-leader Chris Stamey was once a braces-clad bassist.

Total word count of piece: 541

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