EP Review: Guards – s/t
Guards is predominantly the solo project of Richie Follins, ex Willowz. It’s not all his own work as he has enlisted a few friends to help out here and there; Chairlift’s Caroline Polachek, MGMT’s James Richardson and Richie’s sister Madeleine from CULTS all lend a hand. This EP is Guards first release, already available for free (nutter!) on Bandcamp, the EP is also being released as a limited 12” on Heavyweight vinyl by small Welsh label 3 Syllables.
Guards sound is basically a forlorn, 60s tinged take on the dream pop of Best Coast played without restraint; it’s both musically and vocally heavier but never deserts it’s pop sensiblites. Consisting of 7 tracks the EP kicks off with the catchy ‘Resolution Of One’ which is probably the most accessible track here. It has a laid back verse but as the chorus comes in it the vocals and instruments ramp up into an exhilarating crescendo. This isn’t the usual quiet/loud favoured by the Pixies though, it’s much more subtle. The splendid ‘Trophy Queen’ features backing vocals (mainly oo-oos) from Polachek while ‘Sail It Slow’ which features Cults, has a darker edge to the music; the keyboards sound like a John Carpenter composition, but it’s a little repetitive. My favourite track though is ‘Don’t Wake The Dead’ which is played fast and has an echoey, distant feel to it that makes it sound like it’s being performed in a room down the hall, odd I know, but it works! I really like this, and it’s not often you get an an EP with 7 tracks – bargain! 8/10
Mark Cousens
Links
www.guards.bandcamp.com
www.3syllablesrecords.com
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