Volebeats – Bittersweet

Any band that starts out a record with a country version of a Barry White song is okay in my book.

Of course, great ideas aren’t always executed well, but the Volebeats’ take on White’s “I’m Gonna Love You Just A Little More, Baby” is such a restructured revelation that it completely steals the song away from its original incarnation — no mean feat when you’re talking about someone as stylishly distinctive as Mr. White. The concept may be hilarious, but the musical result is gorgeous, and endlessly listenable — the true measure of a good cover song.

What follows are five originals written by four different members of this Detroit sextet, which speaks well for the dispersion of talent within the band. best of the bunch is Bill Peterson’s “Same Old You”, quite simply one of the best songs I’ve heard all year, high, lonesome, mournful and beautiful. But they’re all good, and they all fit into a mid-tempo groove that makes this EP one of the most consistent and cohesive releases of the year. A short but deliciously sweet sampler from a band that’s quickly moving to the forefront of alternative-country music.