Kate Pierson Echoes B-52’s on Solo Debut

Kate Pierson
Guitars and Microphones
(Lazy Meadow Music)
In A Word: Effervescent

The motley group of collaborators on the credits for Guitars and Microphones, Kate Pierson’s solo debut – including composer/producers Sia Furler and Dallas Austin and Strokes guitarist Nick Valensi – might give you pause, but the moment you hear the erstwhile B-52’s singer tearing into the declaration of independence/anti-VIP “Throw Down The Roses,” all fears are assuaged: only Kate Pierson could be responsible for that sound.

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It’s a filled-in, slightly smoothed over version of the B-52’s kitschy mix of surf, girl group and dance party sounds, but Pierson’s voice still cuts through. It’s an alluring klaxon, filled with intimations of fun and adventure. The subject matter is a bit more grown up: “Crush Me With Your Love” is a sweeping love song, and “Mister Sister” is a self-described transgendered anthem that has received some pushback from the LGBT community. Still, “Bottoms Up” and “Bring Your Arms” deftly mix hedonist impulses with adult perspectives. By the end of the album, the only question you might have is: what took her so long?

Did you know Pierson operates a Bed-and-Breakfast just outside of Woodstock, NY? Check out Kate’s Lazy Meadow here.

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Steven Mirkin

Steven Mirkin is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer. His work has appeared in the New York Rocker, Rolling Stone, Spin, Entertainment Weekly, the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Village Voice, Billboard, Variety, the Hollywood Reporter, Salon.com, and many others. He contributed to the Rolling Stone Encyclopedia, The Trouser Press Guide to 90s Rock, and the Rolling Stone Jazz and Blues Record Guide. Given the current economy, he is available to write for any outlet that pays on time and whose checks won't bounce.

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