Chris Von Sneidern: “Big White Lies” (1994)
Chris Von Sneidern–ever heard of him? I’m guessing unless you’re a personal friend of mine your answer is “who?”
Chris flies under the radar, unless your radar is calibrated to Hopelessly Uncommercial Beatles-influenced Power Pop, as mine was in the 1990’s, when I discovered Von Sneidern, Jellyfish, The Pooh Sticks, Teenage Fanclub, Shoes and many others of this ilk.
This guy really was a talent, though. Just listen to the harmonies on “Big White Lies”–Von Sneidern truly knew how to sprinkle the sugar on a song. They even made a film about him–Why Isn’t Chris Von Sneidern Famous? It’s out of print, as is its soundtrack CD. Fitting. I used to whinge and moan about music like this deserving a wider audience. But as Elvis Costello said: I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused.
I just know that one day there’ll be a party, probably a private party, probably at my house. And I’ll be the DJ. And lots of sweet 90’s power pop harmonies will be cranking really loud. And I won’t care how many people attend, or if I’m the only one there. And for four minutes Chris Von Sneidern will be famous enough.
