Imagine a dinner party hosted by the Beatles with a guest list that includes XTC, Squeeze, the Zombies, Aimee Mann, the Kinks, and Elvis Costello. This gives you a metaphoric taste of Andy Stone’s music: melodic, hook-driven, narrative lyrics, and a sound both contemporary and retro. Andy Stone layers melodic hooks, lush harmonies, and intricate arrangements with introspective lyrics that evoke Andy Partridge and Elvis Costello. It’s a refreshing blend of retro and contemporary. Over the years, Stone has worked with a number of major label artists. Danny Malone (Diving For Pearls/Band of Angels (with Cars guitarist Elliot Easton) produced and sang on his debut, In The Coffee Shop, When. Drummer Brad Elvis (The Elvis Brothers/The Romantics) played on his last record, This Giant Awoke, which was produced by Mike Hagler (Wilco/Neko Case). Stone’s latest record, Blender, was produced and recorded by fellow Rhode Islander, Emerson Torrey. The former guitarist for Providence rock heroes The Schemers and The Raindogs, Torrey sharpened the rock and roll edge of Stone’s Britpop sensibilities. The result is a blend(er) of styles and sounds, sonic moments, and earworms. Echoes of Pink Floyd converge into a spacey intro for You Alone, My Universe; harmony guitars weave prehensile patterns in The Love You Lost and Our Mutual Friend; layers of percussion provide details of textured sparkle. Beatlesque melodies swirl amongst new wave hooks. Honky tonk pianos counter frenetic Farfisas. String sections conjure baroque drama. But the common thread is the high quality of the songs. Stone has learned from the best -- Lennon and McCartney, Difford and Tilbrook, Andy Partridge, Elvis Costello, Ray Davies -- and yet sounds like none of them/all of them. Here's what reviewers are saying: "Stone is an excellent songwriter, with clear hooks and strong lyrics ...the melodies are adventurous and compelling" Power Popaholic "We don't have the Beatles, but we have Andy Stone" Adam Curry, Original MTV VJ "Indelible melodies, clever rhymes, and gorgeous layered vocals" Broken Hearted Toy