Now/It's: A Single Premiere - "Move Me" by Stereo Specter
Another day, another dollar, another fantastic new single premiere from another solid local artist (that you're more than likely familiar with). If you frequent the websites for one of the many venues around town, you've likely stumbled upon Stereo Specter.
As many of us know, it's no easy feat to pop up on a bill, much less multiple - but Stereo Specter has managed to do it, many a time. If you think back to that old Nashville concept of "walking the floor" until there's no more room to roam, then Stereo Specter is at the forefront of the modern equivalent.
Seriously, they've done as much an anyone else in town, especially in the name of making inroads, and thus we've managed to finally collaborate on a truly stellar new single, "Move Me." Upon first listen, "Move Me" seems like a tune pulled directly from the most harrowing moment of your favorite prime-time TV show. Now, for those unfamiliar with prime-time TV, it's an antiquated... just kidding.
I hate patronizing media writing, namely the buffoonery that coincides with veiled knocks against millennials and the generations that follow. That sort of spiteful callousness is something that's become far too common and a generally lazy practice in media writing. Thankfully, there will be none of that here, but if there were, "Move Me" is the type of impassioned song that would laugh in the face of such a tired concept.
Anyway, diatribe aside, "Move Me" is a such an uncommonly good song that the fact it has yet to be placed in a TV show or commercial spot is damn near a travesty. There is a such a distinct and heartfelt pop sheen to the song that it's only a matter of time before the song goes full earworm.
In learning a little bit more about Stereo Specter (via Jordan Dean, the brains behind the band), the band's homage to the late 70s early 80s outrun aesthetic comes through stronger in this song than those that set out to attempt the same. Stereo Specter hits the nail right on the head. And the most remarkable fact is that everything you hear on the track, is played live. There are no tracks, no triggers, no loops - nothing short of human excellence, which makes the song all the more impressive. Furthermore, friend of the website, EZA, provides backing vocals on the track. So in that sense, it's only fitting the song premiere on N/I.
From Dean's vantage point, "Move Me" is somewhere between T.Rex and Electric Light Orchestra, with a pinch of Pink Floyd. I'd have to agree on the Electric Light Orchestra, if not for Dean's vocals, then the layered composition that's been so acutely tended to, much like the sublime attention to detail that made Jeff Lynne and Roy Wood two of Birmingham (England)'s finest. You could argue that there's some late era TV On the Radio, but I think the best comparison would be a more optimistic/energetic version of Slowdive.
Ultimately, the comparisons are neither here nor there, because "Move Me" is a song all it's own, and a fine representation of what we have to look forward to from Dean and the Stereo Specter machine down the road.
"Move Me" was written and recorded by Stereo Specter (Jordan Dean). All part except drums were performed by Jordan Dean.
Drums were recorded by Garrett Dean.
Background vocals were provided by EZA.
"Move Me" was mixed by Allen Parker.
Jordan Dean plans on releasing a new song every two months as Stereo Specter for the forseeable future.
