Love Canon 'Cover Story' Album Review-(A Journey Through Music's Greatest Decade)

Love Canon 'Cover Story' Album Review-(A Journey Through Music's Greatest Decade)

Being a proud native of Virginia and the musical community here, I have had the pleasure of witnessing Love Canon stroke out many 80s classics; morphing them into the Bluegrass form and a birthing something completely new and original. For the first time Love Canon has released an album of nine covers, which feature notable collaborations from Jerry Douglas, Keller Williams, Eric Krasno and many other staples from the Bluegrass/Jam world. Vocalist and bandleader, Jesse Harper takes the front seat for this album but Jay Starling, Andy Thacker, Darrel Muller and Adam Larrabee, all add their unique sounds to the mix.

'Cover Story' opens up with Billy Joel's "Prelude (Angry Young Man)" into "Things Can Only Get Better." Both of these songs are very well done but perhaps are not the best example of what Love Canon can do but song three, "Kyrie Eleison" leans into the Pop stratosphere of the 80s and Love Canon perfectly blends bluegrass into this genre; seamlessly allowing you to remember the original song but also enjoying something new and fresh.

"Graceland" follows up and it is straightforward Boot kickin' Bluegrass. This is one of my favorite covers on this album. The Paul Simon classic is completely reworked but the spirit of the song remains. "Islands In The Stream" is one of those immediately recognizable and sing able songs, no matter what form it's played in. Jesse Harper's vocals truly stand out in this song, as well as, Adam Larrabees banjo picking.  "Solsbury Hill/Ice Caps of Pentatonia-Medley" is by far my favorite cover off of this album 'Cover Story.' I always enjoyed Love Canon covering these songs and have heard them play it on numerous occasions.

"Tempted" and "Driver 8" round out 'Cover Story' and I think this album does a great job of representing what Love Canon can bring to a live performance and also, their musicianship within the studio. The reworking and transmogrification of these classic 80s songs are one-of-a-kind and 'Cover Story' tells the story of not only the songs within but the evolution of the songs themselves and the growth of this great band Love Canon. Check out this album and more here www.lovecanonmusic.com and catch a live show performance sometime, you won't be disappointed.
 
80s Pop Purist