Customer Reviews

Shangri La

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First off, let me confess I have a soft spot for the EP format-I think the 20 minute roller coaster ride avoids the tedium that albums can bring. That said, this little EP is exemplary-the "concept" works much more like Eno's oblique strategies than the dreaded prog concept album in that it pushes the band into trying new and fascinating things rather than confining it, all while taking a tour through musical history worthy of the Wondermints.
The EP starts with a great power-pop original matching Richard Baluyut's typically playful lyrics with a great driving melody. Next up it tackles the Kinks' Shangri-La. I had thought that meat-eating, sport-loving emo-tinged American indie rockers would miss the spirit of Ray Davies' fey Anglo-specific irony by a mile, but by the time Richard carefully enunciates "seven shillings a week" you realise that Versus has nailed the song and even outclassed the original. No, really-Richard's vocal brings out the Noel Coward-esque aspect of the lyrics that Ray himself didn't on the Kinks' version, whilst ditching the Salvation Army band backing for guitar dynamics that never overbear the lyrics or melody.
Next up the band tackle the Shangri-Las' Out In the Streets, stripping the backing to a skeletal beat sounding like a lopsided Glitter Band track played at half-speed, and highlighting call-and response between James Baluyut's long-distance-phonecall vocals and Richard's soulful lead. By cutting out the girl-group camp factor, the spooky result actually enhances the melodrama of the song.
Lastly, the band tackles ELO's Shangri-La. Fontaine Toups' smooth but affecting female vocal atop the intricate layers of guitars manages to reinvent ELO's world-weary Beatles-tinged elegance for a new millennium.

I am a fairly new fan of Versus, but I picked up quickly on their blend of pop sensibilities and '90's style of guitar play- kind of like Sonic Youth or Yo La Tengo, but with melodies...but the best compliment I can give them is that Versus only sound like Versus. I've yet to see a Versus show, but if (and when) I do, they could trot out, play the 4 songs on this EP, promptly pack up and leave, and I'd thank them for it. Funny that 3 songs entitled "Shangri-la," and one cover of the ('60's girl group) Shangri-las, could do that to a person, but Versus did it completely perfectly here. They bring out a terrific original, then stamp their style on covers of the Kinks, the Shangri-la's, and ELO. Get this while you can. Ward (Paige's husband)