Medicine
Scarred For Life
Drawing Room Records
Scarred For Life is an album of covers of 1970βs songs by American noise pop band, Medicine . One look at the front sleeve and the K-Tel-like logo gives you an idea of the origins of the album. No doubt frontman guitarist/keyboardist Brad Laner, like a lot of us children of the 1970s, grew up on those wonderfulΒ K-Tel compilations, and this is his tribute.
Of course, fans of Medicine will understand that these covers are the bandβs take on the song and usually do not sound anything like the original. The one exception is Bob Welchβs βSentimental Ladyβ that begins quite like the original, but then quickly slides into a noisy grungy version. It works, for the most part.
The same canβt be said for The Monkeesβ βListen To The Bandβ, which turns a remarkable song into noise. Perhaps if I did not know the source material, it would come off better, however Medicine could have taken this song in a million directions but ended up with a safer approach to it. Whereas Scritti Polittiβs βThe Sweetest Girlβ is the opposite. Medicine takes the song and makes itΒ sounds like Squeeze fed through an over-modulated sound board. Here it works, and they make the song entirely their own. It is a clear highlight of the album.
Some of the covers work, some donβt. The overall impression left is a very uneven album. While I applaud their intention, I am not so sure they were able to completely pull it off. Laner is a remarkably talented artist, and the band is tight and play extremely well together. The album is expertly-produced and has a great sound, but overall, Scarred For Life is uneven and could have been much more interesting than it is.
ArtistΒ Links
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: MEDICINE – SCARRED FOR LIFE
Aaron Badgley