Stands for Decibels

by

The dB's

Edit

Stands for Decibels is the acclaimed 1981 debut album by The dB's. It was initially commercially unsuccessful but has since become recognized as a crucial album in the power pop canon, alongside releases by Big Star and Let's Active. Many rock bands, from Yo La Tengo to Teenage Fanclub to R.E.M., have cited the album as an influence.

At the time of its release, The dB's consisted of singer/guitarist Chris Stamey, singer/guitarist Peter Holsapple, bassist Gene Holder and drummer Will Rigby. The songwriting between the group was evenly divided between Stamey and Holsapple, although Stamey became known for writing the stranger, more avant-garde numbers ("She's Not Worried", "Espionage") while Holsapple would write the more accessible, poppier songs ("Black and White", "Bad Reputation"). Both Stamey and Holsapple would play keyboards occasionally as well. Holder and Rigby didn't receive any credit for writing songs (other than a group credit for "Dynamite"), but with this album they helped create a reputation as a dynamic rhythm section.

The album's sound is mainly characterized by its use of power pop melodies and jangly guitars subverted by strange time changes and instrumentation. Most songs are uptempo but the last song, "Moving in Your Sleep", became one of their best known ballads. The first track, "Black and White", was also their first single.

The album was dedicated to George Scott III.