I quickly fell in love with the two songs that are actually from Covers 2, Nowhere Man and Sloop John B, but lets get back to the first album of covers.
These lads, I'll call them lads, because they are British and well..it seems fitting. Their thing is retro pop. The first album is full of Beatles covers that are done so well that sometimes you aren't really sure you aren't listening to an alternate take of one of the Fab Four's hits.
The album opens with Paperback Writer and they go on to cover Help!, You Can't Do That and...be still my heart Something. The Pre-amps version of George Harrison's iconic tune is nothing less than swoon-worthy, trust this Harrison fan on this one.
There are some really shining moments on non-Fab tracks too. The best being Mr. Blue Sky which keeps all the soaring orchestrations of ELO's original. I'm pretty sure Baby Groot would get up and dance along too.
Their nod to The Hollie's Carrie Anne is nothing short of perfection, as well.
Why so good?
These guys are more than just a covers band or a tribute band, though their sound definitely is spot on with The Beatles and The Beach Boys. These guys have the knack with harmonies, and I think guitarist Kelvin Banks has the same lovely cheekbones George Harrison had. (He's also just as easy on the eyes)
So you might call these covers a taste of nostalgia, but The Pre-Amps give the songs some freshness that might give younger listeners a pause, because these songs were originally written and recorded when making music involved more talent and less production skills.
One listen to Covers and you will know The Pre-Amps have talent in spades.
