A split 7″ to co-incide with NFG and Dashboard Confessional‘s US tour, this is certainly nothing more than two bands covering each other’s tracks for a bit of fun. Released only on limited edition vinyl, the chances are this little baby is now sold out and trading hands for mad dollar on eBay. As a collector’s item it’s pretty good, as a collection of music it’s one for enthusiasts but not the best work by either band.
Let’s start with Dashboard Confessional, who cover one of my favourite NFG tracks ‘Better Off Dead’. There’s a very lo-fi Postal Service vibe to the track with a slight hint of electronica. The song works pretty well actually, all the pace is removed and it’s just Chris singing gently to the backing tape. ‘All About Her’ follows a similar pattern. I think it’s testament to the original song that it works even though all the pace and energy is stripped from it. There’s a nice little backing vocal in there too by Suzie Zeldin of The Narrative. It adds some depth to proceedings. Again, not Chris’ best ever work, but it’s a fun and interesting take on two classic NFG songs.
New Found Glory then spice up two Dashboard classics in their own inimitable style. ‘The Swiss Army Romance’ starts off with three seconds of acoustic guitars before feedback…and then Jordan launches into the verses. Again, testament to how good the original song is because this also works pretty well. Not the best cover NFG have done, but it’s fun and works well as a singalong even at pace. ‘Saints and Sailors’ works even better with Chad yelling along in the background. I think it goes to prove just how good NFG have been – and become – in the last decade.
If you want nothing more than 10 minutes of good old fashioned fun, you’ll find it here.