Guards EP (3 Syllables)
4/5
By: Theo Krekis
When a man sits next to you on the bus stinking of all manner of bodily excretions and White Lightning, slurring incoherent obscenities at the world, there’s not a lot which can detract your thoughts from the matter. I’m very thankful then that I had Guards’ debut EP to hand for such a recent occasion. No, I didn’t throw it at him, or suggest he read the sleeve notes to keep himself occupied on something other than the sauce. I did need my headphones, and my iPod. But with their help, the experience was a breeze.
Wherever I’m listening to it, I always get excited by a band’s debut EP. I feel there’s less of a need with this shortened format to have to excuse some of the less thought out, no brainer tracks that often populate an act’s first album. Any new band with a few good songs should be able to deliver a cracking EP. It’s also a format that does give just enough time to really shine, to present a slice of the sound that should entice on in to buying the full length when it finally reaches the shelves. Guards’ EP has for me done just that.
With the classic calm verse/heavy chorus structure utilised perfectly in ‘Resolution of One’, gorgeously melancholic vocal harmonies shared with Caroline Polacheck in ‘Tropy Queen’, epic, church-like organs beloved of Neon Bible on ‘Sail It Slow’ and the closing similarly grandiose acoustic number ‘I See it Coming’ (complete with Sleigh Bells), there’s little about this extended player not to love.
Next time you find yourself in a less than desirable situation, be that involving unsavoury public transport companions or otherwise, I suggest plugging yourself in and allowing Guards to take you away.
GUARDS - Resolution of One by 3 Syllables Records
Artists in this article: Guards
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