Excellent New Takes on Posies Songs!
Alan Heaton | Doylestown, PA | 03/29/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This EP of covers of songs by The Posies is the latest release by Burning Sky Records - the label that released the fantastic 2-CD tribute to Jellyfish in 2007 - and if this EP is indicative of how good their upcoming 3-CD release is going to be then Posies and powerpop fans everywhere should rejoice!
Here are the EP tracks, and my thoughts on them (tracks with an asterisk are the EP-only tracks):
1.) Dream All Day - The Meadows (with Special Guests Jon Auer, Joe Skyward, and Brian Young)
"Dream All Day" from the "Frosting on the Beater" album is one of The Posies' most popular songs, and US band The Meadows does a great job with the track. What makes it really special is the participation of three Posies members - that's Jon Auer ripping the incredible guitar solo, Joe Skyward laying down the groove on bass, and Brian Young pounding the skins. It's an excellent cover of a great song, and a cool way to start off the EP.
2.) Solar Sister* - Cokeroque
Spanish band Cokeroque's cover of "Solar Sister" - another one of The Posies most popular tracks - sounds like the way it would sound if it were covered by Jellyfish and The Beatles. The guitar line sounds right out of Jellyfish's "Sebrina, Paste & Plato,"and there is some very McCartney-esque bass throughout from Pepe Esteban. This is a stellar cover of a tough song to make one's own.
3.) Somehow Everything - The Genuine Fakes
We stay in Europe and in the pure powerpop vein with track 3, with Swedish band The Genuine Fakes injecting new life into an already-strong song from the Posies' "Success" album and turning it into a powerpop classic. Soaring harmonies, chugging guitars, killer background vocals - this track has it all! If you don't like "Somehow Everything," I will be really surprised. I know that when The Posies' Jon Auer first heard The Genuine Fakes' version, he said, "This one is going to be on the album, right?" (It is)
4.) I Guess You're Right* - David Shaw & The Round Trip
Here the EP takes a turn to the rocking side. New York City band David Shaw & The Round Trip nicely handle one of The Posies' more rocking songs - this one from the "Every Kind of Light" album. To me it sounds a little like what it would sound like if Kiss covered The Posies, and this is not a bad thing at all - this is kind of a classic rock approach to the track, and it works. There's also some great guitar work by Rob Mayer and George Giannoulis.
5.) Precious Moments - Darling Cait
We stay in the US for Track 5, which is "Precious Moments" taken from the "Amazing Disgrace" album and covered by NY area artist Darling Cait. Things slow down a little as Darling Cait lends a sweet and poignant touch to the track, her lovely voice temporarily distracting you from the fact that this is a very sad song. Darling Cait's signature is that her accompaniment is solely made up of antique and modern child-sized and toy instruments - including a Monette RAJA trumpet specially lent for this song by none other than Wynton Marsalis! This is Darling Cait's debut release, and one can only think that she has many more "precious moments" ahead of her.
6.) Coming Right Along* - Jim Protector
We now take a trip across the world - in more ways than one - as Norwegian band Jim Protector does what can only be described as an astonishingly haunting take on "Coming Right Along," the closing track from "Frosting on the Beater" (the track was also featured in the movie "The Basketball Diaries"). This song emerges very slowly, like a phantom ocean liner breaking its way through the fog. However just as you start to figure the track out (just what is going on in the background, anyway?) the song builds to a resounding crescendo - heavenly male and female vocals intertwining - and then it's over. For many of you, this will be a real revelation - I personally think it's one of the more incredible covers I've ever heard.
7.) Will You Ever Ease Your Mind?* - Doubleman with Dominque Stringfellow
We close the EP by way of Paris with "Amazing Disgrace" album closer "Will You Ever Ease Your Mind?" as covered by Doubleman and Dominique Stringfellow (yes, Dominque is Ken Stringfellow's wife, and she adds some beautiful vocals here). The track is a perfect EP-closing cigarette after the intensity of "Coming Right Along." Manuel Cortell is one of the coolest rockers in France - he fronts Doubleman, and also plays guitar and sings in French actress Julie Delpy's ("Before Sunrise, "Broken Flowers," "Before Sunset") band. He and Dominque have taken a very Gainsbourgian, quintessentially French approach to the song - you would not be at all surprised to hear it wafting out of a café as you strolled through the streets of Paris.
There it is! As you can probably tell, I really am very excited about this EP, and about the Posies project, in general. The Posies wrote some truly great songs, and these are some wonderfully fresh takes on the originals - check it out!
"
Beautiful View of Precious Moments
Frank Royster | Charleston, SC USA | 04/08/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is truly a great E.P. The kickoff track "Dream All Day" has a very rockin' edge and also includes Posies member Jon Auer, & former Posies bassist Joe Skyward and former drummer;Brian Young (currently w/ Fountains of Wayne). They give the song a fresh paintjob, staying true to the feel of the original; yet adding a few tastey surprises to the arrangement!
"Solar Sister" blows you away from the first notes of bass and keys in the intro. Jellyfish would be proud. It is half-time (think=Beatles-"It's Getting Better") and features bells, Queen like harmony guitars and plush vocal arrangements Brian Wilson would approve of.
The Genuine Fakes nail "Somehow Everything". I mean it is such an exciting track that it just makes you salivate for more melodic rockers! It sounds real good on the interstate; cranked up loud and driving fast.
The "Precious Moments" track is simply beautiful. It is very easy to get lost in the landscape of the textured sounds of stand-up bass and classical orchastration. It is very soothing melody and yet very sad lyrics. One of my favorites for sure.
If this ep is any indication of what is to come from the 3 set full length, pop-rock fans from all over the world will be pleased as punch to add this disc to thier collection.
If you haven't heard of the Posies; this is a great way to get aqainted w/ one of powerpop's best bands of all time! A+++
I also will have a trck featured on the full-length this spring. This is one of the most exciting times for powerpop fans all over the world!! Help spread the word."
Track Listings (7) - Disc #1