Guards - Guards EP
- Written by Kenneth McMurtrie
Guards, despite the name, is pretty much a one man band in the shape of Richie Follin (also one quarter of Willowz) and this is his seven track debut EP performing under this moniker.
Coming on like quite the lo-fi troubadour, first song 'Resolution Of One' sets a resounding tone for the remaining half dozen songs to follow. Caroline Polachek (of Chairlift fame) turns up to duet on the dreamy 'Trophy Queen', a drugged up final song at the prom if ever there was one. Follin's sister's duo Cults back him up on 'Sail It Slow', a spaced out death dirge with one foot hovering over the grave.
Early Of Montreal are brought to mind on the upbeat and playful 'Don't Wake The Dead' and there's a bit of Bongwater in that guitar solo or I'm a Dutchman. The minute long wind out at the end is a thing of beauty and this is the track that will have you reaching to press the repeat button. 'Crystal Truth' is a soaring piece of blue-eyed soul whilst 'Long Time' is playground sweet and final track 'I See It Coming' is surely only warning of something good on the way (hopefully a full length release - if this was put together as off the cuff as rumoured then anything young Richie actually takes his time over is likely to be a killer).
