For nearly four decades,
Kate Pierson has been one of the vocalists with America's leading new wave party band,
the B-52s, but in 2015 she revealed a new side of her musical personality with her long-awaited solo debut. On
Guitars and Microphones,
Pierson still delivers a dance-friendly sound on tunes like "Time Wave Zero," "Bring Your Arms," and "Crush Me with Your Love," but she also reveals an unexpectedly contemplative side on numbers like "Mister Sister" (the story of a young boy who,
Pierson says, is "on the gender journey spectrum"), "Pulls You Under" (about a friend in trouble), and "Bottoms Up" (concerning the difficulties of addiction). Produced in part by
Sia (who also co-wrote all but one song),
Guitars and Microphones shows
Pierson's voice is as strong as ever, and these often personal, always heartfelt songs reveal a new and powerful facet of her musical personality. ~ Mark Deming