Familiar yet totally different, but in a good way

Whether a band is just starting out, or if they have been in the game for some time now, covers are always a great way to draw in an audience. Adding their flavor to some classics and crowd favorites, Guards release their newest album More Cover Songs.

This New York City three-piece group composed of members Richie Follin, Loren Humphrey, and Kaylie Church, brings to life songs from the past at times making it better than the original. The group found its start in 2010, and quickly gained the attention of the 3 Syllables Records. Their debut album In Guards We Trust was released in 2013. More Cover Songs marks the band’s third studio album, coming after their second album Modern Hymns released in 2019.

The record starts strong with the ever-popular The Cure song “Just like Heaven.” The track still carries the fan’s favorite ’80s tone, but with a gritty modern twist. The percussion comes through muffled and distorted, instead of the crispy clean of the original. Replacing the new wave ’80s synth enters in an almost grunge tone guitar playing the famous lead melody. All-in-all the cover does not disappoint any The Cure fan.

Dipping into the retro realm of Doo Wop, Guards create a modern rendition of the Everly Brothers classic, “All I Have to Do is Dream.” The song still features a wonderfully airy vocal that soothes and calms just like the original. Replacing the simple driving percussion of the original is a subtle mixture of drum elements and a synth soundscape that, for a lack of a better term, seems to sparkle in the background.

The cover that has gone through the biggest change has to be the Feist cover “My Moon, My Man.” Replacing the delicate Feist vocals is a choppy, high-pitch vocal that hits on every beat. Gone is the early 2000s singer-songwriter piano line, as it is replaced with a sharp “in your face” drum, and deliciously heavy guitar rushing in with dirty guitar solos. These new additions give the song a much more sensual vibe, making this version refreshing from the original.

Finding its way to this album is The Animals classic “We Gotta Get Out of This Place.” Where the Feist cover was a wonderfully modern and refreshing twist, this cover is just about the same as the original. The cover does not take on a new persona, other than the sound of the vocals, the bass, drums and other instruments seem to be just like the original. Even the reverb effect across the track adds in the ’60s style vinyl feel to emulate the original. Though it remains relatively the same, it is still a fun track to enjoy.

Everyone enjoys a cover song now and then. There is a comfort with them that allows any listener to jam and sing along. Guards new album More Cover Songs offers sing-along jams for listeners of all shapes and sizes.