CHRIS PRICE

Stop Talking 8/10

Miami-born, LAbased polymath Chris Price worked semi-anonymously in various powerpop bands before drawing accolades for his strikingly simpático production on albums for Linda Perhacs and emitt Rhodes, both coaxed out of retirement by this kindred spirit four decades younger. Those projects led seamlessly to Stop Talking, whose ornate arrangements, elegant melodies and beguiling vocals uncannily recall Nilsson circa 1970–71. There’s substance amid the sophistication: gripping songs such as “Sigh”, “Man Down”, “Once Was True”, “hi Lo”, “One Of Them”, “Pulling Teeth” and “Father To The Man” insightfully explore existential crises, pinpointing the narrators’ flaws and blind spots with a Newman-esque blend of empathy and wit.