Stéphane Schück is well on his way to becoming indie rock’s great Transatlantic facilitator. Much as he did on the Salt Collective’s 2023 debut, Life, the Paris-based songwriter/guitarist has assembled his version of a power-pop dream team. The new A Brief History Of Blindness (Propeller Sound) sees the return of second-timers Pat Sansone (Wilco, Autumn Defense), Matthew Caws (Nada Surf), Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey (dB’s), Mitch Easter (Let’s Active) and singer/actor Faith Jones. And Schück has thickened the collaborative broth with contributions from Jason Falkner, Aimee Mann, Lynn Blakey (Let’s Active, Tres Chicas), Kimberley Rew (Katrina And The Waves, Soft Boys), Django Haskins (Old Ceremony), Mike Mills (R.E.M.) and Andy Partridge (XTC). Perhaps most impressive is the colossal songwriting chemistry between Partridge and Stamey. (More, please.)
Whereas Life was recorded remotely with contributions from multiple continents, A Brief History Of Blindness features a core band interacting together in real time. Most of the music was tracked by Stamey at Easter’s Fidelitorium studio in Kernersville, N.C., with Rob Ladd (Connells) on drums, Gene Holder (dB’s) on bass, Schück and Easter on guitars, and Wes Lachot on keys. That high-energy foundation was enhanced with other recording work in Paris and at various home studios. Schück walks us through each song.
1) “A Brief History Of Blindness”
“It’s the only track on the album with a rhythm section recorded in Paris with the original core of Salt. Lynn Blakey did a superb job on the melody and lyrics. It’s a song about the way we think we see the world.”
2) “Waiting For The End Of Time”
“Being associated with Chris Stamey and Andy Partridge is an absolute dream come true. From the very beginning of this composition, we felt the song was more rock than pop, and Jason Falkner seemed perfect to sing it. You just have to listen to the song to see that.”
2) “Cloud To Cloud”
“A collaboration with Matthew Caws that fills me with joy. There were many different versions of this song until we were satisfied with its structure. Matthew brings a sense of melancholic serenity that touches me deeply. What a sky—and what a song.”
3) “You Swallowed The Sun”
“This is a pure collaboration between Chris and Andy, two heroes of our universe. You can really feel their own musical universes merging on this track. I really hope they collaborate again. We’re all waiting for it.”
4) “The Waiting Game”
“This song started with a very simple guitar riff—just a few notes and a bend. There’s strong cinematic feel to it. We offered it to Aimee Mann, and when she accepted, I knew it would take on that dimension. It’s almost like the soundtrack to a movie that anyone can imagine.”
5) “In The Shadow Of The Moon”
“As I was writing this, I immediately felt a kind of vibration coming from Athens, Ga. At first, it was an acoustic piece. But then it evolved, and Lynn took it far. Her duet with Mike Mills gives it an energy that really made us want to get up and dance.”
6) “So Sad (Don’t Let Go)”
“A song about young people’s mental health and the love we have for them. Chris wrote the great string arrangement, which goes perfectly with Matthew’s vocals. I really like the guitar solo, which sounds like psychological help.”
7) “Ex Post Facto Kids”
“So proud to have Mitch Easter singing on this track—it was a joy to record in his studio. We used lots of different guitars on this one. I love its immediate energy and the rapid chord progression. Mitch brings incredible intensity.”
8) “How We Breathe”
“Another great collaboration with Lynn. There are also some great guitars played by Kimberley, and the whole thing sounds joyful, with a mix of riffs. The choruses bring a touch of melancholy before returning to the energy of the verses. I love this kind of structure.”
9) “The Quickening Sky”
“A very atmospheric track. In one of my first demos, it was more than 12 minutes long. Django Haskins sings it to perfection. It may be one of the most stripped-down tracks on the album, but I think we managed to capture a good feeling. The part where Faith Jones improvises is superb.”
10) “All The Rage”
“There are two different feelings on this track—a fairly rock part and a more Broadway feel. I really like how these two feelings complement each other, respond to each other and ultimately merge. The duet between Chris and Aimee is a highlight of the album.”
