Album Mini-review: Those Pretty Wrongs
File next to: Starling Electric; Teenage Fanclub, The Posies
Jody Stephens was the George Harrison of legendary Memphis power pop group Big Star: though these days Chris Bell and Alex Chilton get the lion’s share of credit for the transcendent melodies they served up on #1 Record and Radio City, Stephens’ contributions are too often overlooked. He’s raised his profile via his involvement with the ongoing Big Star 3rd project, but Stephens’ new collaborative effort with Luther Russell should earn him well-deserved recognition for his current work. “Ordinary” sounds incredibly like a great lost cut off one of those first two Big Star records. “Empty City” is informed by The Beach Boys‘ Pet Sounds. Stephens’ achingly vulnerable voice conveys bucket loads of emotion, and the jangle quotient is delightfully high throughout the album. Those Pretty Wrongs delivers winsome and tuneful pop of the highest order.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4000-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he is co-teaching a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 40 Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.