Ken Stringfellow is a founding member of one of my favorite Seattle/Bellingham bands, the Posies. Ken released his latest solo album Circuit Breaker, yesterday, on October 18, 2024, on the Kuroneko, record label. I was lucky enough to be able to listen to an advanced copy and I am telling you it is an amazing piece of work, from this talented singer, songwriter and music producer. My wife and I also met with Ken Stringfellow, at a Bellingham restaurant, before writing this review, and it proved to be a valuable piece of insight into the meaning and feelings behind Circuit Breaker.
During the late 1980s and 1990s, the Posies were one of the best bands to come out of the Seattle music scene. My initial introduction to the band was the Beatles-like, Dear 23 album; the band’s sophomore album. The album was one of, if not my favorite, album of the year, in 1990. Songs like, “Golden Blunders”, “Apology”, “You Avoid Parties”, “Mrs. Green”, “Everyone Moves Away”, and the absolute thrilling closer, “Flood of Sunshine”, were some of the best songs from that early era of what would be the 1990s ‘Seattle Music Scene’. The ability of Ken to write imaginative songs, full of witty lyrics and deep storylines, absolutely lifted the band, and this sophomore album to stellar fame; throughout the Pacific Northwest, and the world.
The Posies followed with an equally brilliant album Frosting on the Beater, which was a heavier, more grunge – influenced album. It had more catchy lyrics and stories to tell, and featured some brilliant songs as well; including: “Dream All Day’, “Solar Sister”, “Definite Door”, “Burn and Shine”, “Lights Out” and “Coming Right Along”, to name a few.
The Posies released 8 total studio albums and some EPs as well. Ken Stringfellow recorded 6 solo albums, and has contributed to, or produced music for more than at least 20-30 different bands and musicians, including REM.
Ken Stringfellow’s new album Circuit Breaker opens with, “Trust”. In order to start a new chapter, you need to build trust. And this song, which was released as the album’s first single, and music video; helps set the stage for the rest of the from the story for Circuit Breaker. “Trust” opens the album by emotionally telling the story of the shock and awe that Ken experienced from the release of a published story, which Ken believes was released to damage and even end his music career…and ruin his life.
“Trust” is the bare knuckles look and sound of what someone’s ill will and scorn can do to an unsuspecting victim. In the video and the song’s lyrics, you can hear Ken’s emotional cry for understanding, while at the same time, clinging to an unfaltering belief in the value, of one of humankind’s most precious feelings and abilities…trust.
Every moment of this song will rivet you to the sound and lyrics unfolding, as the story of this transgression evolves and takes its victim through desperate and horrible effects. Ken uses the symbolic image of drowning to reenact the feelings and emotional whirlwind he experienced when the story broke. Ken opens the song by singing, “Where’s life going? We don’t know. It flickered like a candle. I’m sandblasted, don’t it show?” Then, the most powerful lines of the song, delivered without regret, “You wanna rip my heart out with your hands” (along with the printed words on the screen, to avoid any confusion). Then, Ken’s commitment, “But I won’t turn away from trust. I wanna give up, but I won’t drink from that cup. Oh come and find me”. Reaching out for trust, when all had seemed to have abandon him. Then, the powerful closing lyrics, “Two minds open… reaching, touching, teaching, healing!” The love and trust of his wife, daughter, friends and family, which comforted him throughout this difficult time. Off to an amazing opening.
“If That’s What God Wants”, was the second single released off the album, along with a supporting music video. In this story, Ken further reflects upon his recovery from this gripping, life changing ordeal; which caused him so much pain. Ken “gets down on his knees and prays, for love”, asking God for love and guidance. This is a song of commitment and understanding, of the right way to move on, from something as tragic and life-changing as he had experienced. It is a wonderful song of discovery and passionate personal reconciliation, before moving on.
“Tears Tumblin’”, is a guitar driven rocker, with an Americana/folk rhythm and feel. Ken sings, “Better believe it. Life comes at us fast. We keep searching for shelter in the dead arms of the past. But there’s nothing but ghosts there. Lord when will I find my place?” More visions of Ken reaching out to try to find a way past the difficult situation he found himself surrounded by, after the article was published. Ken adds some warm advice we should all remember and learn from, “Tears tumblin’ down my face. Lord when will I be at peace? Why do we try to escape? And just end up stuck in one state? Are we gonna make it? To that Shangri-La. Just when I can’t take it, said, Hell you made it this far. Reach out for the light, babe. Be your own guiding star”. Yes, indeed.
The album’s title track, “Circuit Breaker”, is the powerful story of Ken’s voyage, as he says, “From deconstruction to reconstruction, from death to rebirth. It is about betrayal and how to move forward from it. It is about how to overcome any obstacle, no matter how high. Ultimately, it is an album about how we heal”. Absolutely, and the song opens with cool electric guitar riffs, as Ken sings, “A paradigm that shifted. Coasting on a quarter tank. I wouldn’t have known you existed. If I’d never drawn your blank. Big check writer. Now lost freedom fighter. Holding me back from my own tears. This incision’s not up for revision. We always had each other. No one had to suffer alone. Are we forever a failure to connect? Why didn’t we manage to protect”. The chorus or refrain is strong and heavier, as it should be. Like a return to the Posies. Ken sings, with angst, and I think longing, “I may not learn how to love you. But I’m gonna try”. Ken continues, “Buried in the memories. The fables of a graceless town .Your pride rejects my hand. As I reach out to try save you from drowning. Sworn oaths taken now godless forsaken. Red lights rise in the rearview. Signaling your eyes’ goodbye”. A difficult song of memories and wishes for a different outcome to life, from people who Ken thought were his closest friends and collaborators..
“There”, is a soft acoustic guitar, piano and vocals track, full of a folk/country beat and sound. Ken sings about warm memories, that helped him recover, “There was a tree I climbed in ’73. And from there I could see tomorrow. The difficulty of trying to move past a betrayal, from someone who once shared experiences, which you would prefer to remember fondly, but no longer can.
“The Power Out Song (Prettier Than It Looks)”, has an almost rainfall/shimmering guitar sound, that reminds me of something I liked from a more recent, U2 album. Then Ken settles into an almost Gordon Lightfoot pace and delivery. Ken sings, ‘Fortune will strike the boldness from you. Prettier than it looks. Find the strength to turn those pages. The kind you read in books. Everyone’s in denial lately. Prettier than it looks. Don’t confuse being nice with kindness. When the power’s out. Are we still in this? When the shit goes down”. Then, the volume picks up and the pace increases as Ken sings, “In spite of arguments against it. I walk with my heart defenseless”. And you would swear you are listening to a Posies album refrain again. The moral; beware of kindness that might be fleeting. As he sings, “If loves to die before it’s started. Take my hand let’s dance towards darkness. When the power’s out I’ll be here with you. When the lights go down I’m here”. Always be there for those you hold dear.
“Ghost Me”, is about completely turning off communication with someone who once meant a great deal to you, but now, no longer does. It always happens with no explanation…or warning. Ken sings, to soft drums and guitar, “What a surprise. You’re just as you denied. I saw the signs. Part of your grand design. If you ghost me, I won’t be there when you come running back”. Then, Ken sings, “Every song leaves me shattered. Were you sincere? I fear you only flattered. How naive to think what you see is what someone can give. I forgive, but I cannot unsee, and I won’t forget. So tragic that all I was to you is just a laugh. Your enemy is by your side as you walk your chosen path. I can be strong I can let go move on. All that I need I carry inside of me. I won’t be there. If you go that way. I’ll know that you never cared. If you ghost me I won’t be there”. A very difficult song that examines the emotional end to a ‘friendship’, or collaboration that once benefitted both, or all.
“Don’t Mind the Rain”, is a slow country song, complete with the twang, of the pedal steel. Ken sings, “Don’t mind the rain. Keep pushing hard against the grain. There’s beauty in defeat. It’s all the same. From what you’ve lost to what you’ll take. From what you’ll leave, for what you’ll wait. Turning from and coming back again. From what you call your chosen fate. To what you choose to emulate. The hand that helped you up from the floor. Is someone who fell there before. Your heart, born to love, will love again. Fear is just a mountain, a mountain unclimbed. For what you know and what you love, may suffer from a breach of trust”. There are many good lessons and words shared throughout this album and they stand out well on this song.
“Our Paradise”, has an optimistic sound, complete with horns and ‘dancing’ piano. Ken sings, “Once in a life you finally find your nightingale. Once in a while you find your reason to smile. Paradise, I wanted to be your paradise. I want you to see our paradise. Once in a cosmic twist of time the stars align. Winter to spring she brings the flowers to life. I want to believe in paradise. Does she realize she shakes my world awake? Once we are one this union won’t come undone. Call me believer in miracles under the sun!” A powerful and emotional celebration of the relationship Ken has with his wife Dominique. Her support, during this difficult time must have been critical.
Well…with all the good, and the emotional story being laid out before us, throughout the nine songs that preceded, Ken has delivered advice and has taken us through what he learned from the experience. Now on the “Waiting”, he takes us deeper into the pain and darkness he experienced. Ken said, “With the light, there is darkness. The light is there to reveal the darkness”. And on “Waiting”, featuring Lydia Lunch; that darkness is revealed. Lydia Lunch, is the famous, post punk lead singer from the band Teenage Jesus and the Jerks. She lays out the dark story with her deep, dark, voice. She speaks the words, “I’ve been waiting for you. Now, it was worth it. I won’t even ask what took you so long. Because in some ethereal magical unpronounceable way; you were always right here. Where you belong. I…understand how you’ve had to shuffle the deck. Get lost deep inside a kind of gambler’s paradise. With minor temptations and flirtations . Or a breeding ground. Of both the best and the worst. Of what was on offer. But I play for keeps. Just like you. I’m a high-stake drifter. And I’ve been waiting for you. Then, Ken sings, “I went towards the light. A long-dead star in a house of mirrors and stained glass. The answer to my prayers. A High Stakes Drifter. We’re all gonna die, why not share the ride? Otherwise. We’re just Waiting”. The song is a powerful way to grip the emotional feeling of the depths of sadness and feelings, that Ken must have gone through during this ordeal. You can easily see why Ken references one of Clint Eastwood’s famous movies, from 1973, within this song.
And so, the High Plains Drifter, eventually does, “Ride High”. The perfect closer. You can imagine Ken, riding off into the sunset. Well, Ken has some business to take care of first. Powerful drums and electric guitar roar, coming at you, full speed. Ken sings, “Ever since I crawled out. I could never call out. Never gave my voice to pain. That I could never name. I sensed all the vibrations. Dragons slain and chastened. Follow smoke you’ll find the flame. To kill the source of shame. Don’t fight its destiny. You ride high”. Ken sings, “Spare me your “obsequience”. I don’t need your kind of friend. I’ll tell you why or when. You’re crying ‘cause you’re blocked. You never really thought through. You’re running out of fools to blame. How you cheapen even fame. You lick your fate. Off an idiot’s dealer plates. You bleed from your eyes. I taste your lies. Here’s a kiss goodbye. Don’t fight its destiny. You ride high yeah!” A powerful goodbye to all who have betrayed Ken, and especially those who were closest and whom Ken had trusted the most. If anyone else, reading this review, remembers Freddy Mercury’s commentary on betrayal; “Death on Two Legs”; they’ll think that Ken could have gone a lot further.
On Circuit Breaker, Ken Stringfellow, comes to terms with all the people who were at one time good friends or collaborators, and who left him out to ‘dry’ or stood witness against him, during this media published dilemma. He describes how all of us must face these circumstances head-on and refuse to surrender to the excruciating pain they inflict. Ken, describes for us a way to survive and rise above these desperate times, and to ‘take the high road’ back to what may seem, a ‘normal’ life. The most important moral of the story is not to be defeated. To rise above your enemies and look them in the eye with maybe regret, and with a smile. Reminding them that they have not defeated or ruined your life. They have only made it stronger.
My wife and I met Ken in Bellingham, just before I completed this review. We had time to discuss the power of this album and the meaning of the stories within. Ken asked me, “Mark, do you know why singers sing? Or musicians make music?” Before I could really give an adequate answer, he said, “Because of the pain. The pain inside must be released”. That is what Circuit Breaker will always mean to me. Ken’s opportunity to express his feelings and emotions toward this episode of his life. I believe he is now looking beyond it. But as he said, he needed to take this journey, with this solo album, for himself, and for others. So that others, can appreciate and learn from the experience and hopefully to prevent, or give counsel to anyone else going through the experience of betrayal.
That said. This is an excellent album of music, with lyrics provided to remind us to be careful with the lives and feelings of others.
Performances on Circuit Breaker include: Ken Stringfellow on lead vocals, guitar piano, and songwriting. Lydia Lunch sings, ‘She’ on the song, “Waiting”. Aden Stringfellow, Bop Bop on “The Power Out Song”. Suzi Quatro, plays bass on “Ghost Me”. She was recorded by Mike Curtis at CDS studios. Bruce Thomas, plays bass on “Our Paradise”. He was recorded by Nick Beere at Mooncalf Studio. Steve Gale plays drums on “Trust”, “If That’s What God Wants”, “Tears Tumblin’”, “Circuit Breaker”, “There”, “Ghost Me”, “Pay You Back In Time”, “Don’t Mind the Rain”, “Waiting”, and “Ride High”. Pete Thomas, plays drums on “Our Paradise”, with additional drums by Steve Gale. Johnny Concannon, plays drums on “The Power Out Song”/ Andrew Joslyn, plays strings on “There”. Country Dave Harmonson, plays pedal steel on “Don’t Mind the Rain”. Facundo Alvarez, plays conga on “Our Paradise”. The 504 Horns, perform on Our Paradise”. Jason Parfait plays tenor-bari sax. And Ian Smith, plays trumpet. Their session was recorded by Jason Parfait.
Circuit Breaker was recorded and mixed by Ken Stringfellow at MARS and Circuit Makers except as noted above. The album was mastered by Bob Weston at Chicago Mastering Service. All songs were written by Ken Stringfellow/SOFT Rebellion Songs, BMI except, “Waiting” by Ken Stringfellow/SOFT Rebellion Songs, BMI and Lydia Lunch/Widowspeak, administered by Kassner Publishing.
Art direction by Dominique Stringfellow. Graphic design by Pascal Blua. Photography by Ken and Dominique Stringfellow.
Album Track List:
- Trust
- If That’s What God Wants
- Tears Tumblin’
- Circuit Breaker
- There
- The Power Out Song (Prettier Than It Looks)
- Ghost Me
- Don’t Mind the Rain
- Our Paradise
- Waiting (Featuring Lydia Lunch)
- Ride High
Band Website and Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/kenstringfellowmusic
https://www.instagram.com/kenstringfellow
https://twitter.com/kenstringfellow?lang=en
https://www.facebook.com/kstringfellowmusic
https://kenstringfellow.bandcamp.com/album/circuit-breaker
https://www.discogs.com/artist/325120-Ken-Stringfellow
https://www.airgigs.com/user/KenStringfellow
YouTube and Music Video Links:
https://www.youtube.com/user/stringfe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ikPsNjsuJw
Dominique Stringfellow: “we respect these women and do not intend to speak negatively about them.”
Also Dominique Stringfellow (X): “do you want me to post here the unsolicited nudes…?”