Review by Shannon Shumaker
Devinyl Splits No. 3 is the third installment in Kevin Devine’s year-long split series, featuring Kevin Devine and Tigers Jaw taking on two covers from The Cure. The thing that makes this third split so strong is the difference in sounds between Devine and Tigers Jaw, as well as their different takes on classic songs by The Cure.
Tigers Jaw open up the split with their rendition of “In Between Days,” which still holds that same poppy and upbeat feeling that The Cure delivers, but also has a slightly grungier and more punk sound. The song itself sounds very much like you’d expect a Tigers Jaw cover to sound, but with vocal stylings and pronunciations still similar to The Cure. It’s in the flawless vocal harmonies that Tigers Jaw really shine, though, as that’s something that is lacking in the original track. Tigers Jaw’s cover of “In Between Days” is a perfect example of a band putting their own spin on a cover and making it sound nearly better all while still paying tribute to the elements that made the song worth covering in the first place.
Kevin Devine supplements a slower, less poppy version of “Lovesong,” and following Tigers Jaw’s upbeat cover, it takes a moment to get used to the change of pace, but once you do, you’ll love what he does with this track. Devine’s version of “Lovesong” is a nearly somber, mellow take on the song, and while there is definitely more energy in Tigers Jaw’s track, this song is strong emotionally. This cover of this song is unlike many I’ve heard before, and as it grows and progresses, it just seems to get stronger and stronger, especially when the memorable chorus comes in. Devine’s voice is just soothing and easy to listen to on this track.
It’s hard to compare the two songs on this split, as the difference in sound is pretty vast, but together, Tigers Jaw and Kevin Devine provide two very unique renditions of two timeless songs by The Cure. Tigers Jaw’s energetic take on “In Between Days” and Kevin Devine’s emotional version of “Lovesong” sound great side by side, and are sure to leave fans wondering what Devine has up his sleeve for his next installment in this split series.
Rating: 4.5/5
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