EP Review: The Checkered Hearts — Joystick
The two musicians involved in this modest project were clearly having a good time. Singers and multi-instrumentalists Hillary Burton and Lisa Mychols are, I think we can assume, persons of a certain age, and this EP is a cheery look back at some of the music than informed tier own sensibilities. “The Cars’ “My Best Friend’s Girl” is deftly stripped of its new wave sheen and delivered as a catchy pop tune with a subtle hint of ‘60s garage with a whiff of riot grrl. The Housemartins’ “Happy Hour” gets similar treatment with delightful results. Phil Seymour’s immortal pop gem “Previous to Me” is given a straight reading, with lovely vocal harmonies.
Kirsty MacColl’s “They Don’t Know” is transformed from its Spectorian original into something that, as it happens, would have fit more neatly into the Stiff Records aesthetic. It certainly doesn’t improve on the original – nothing could – but it’s a nice treatment. Far edgier is a cover of The Knack’s “Good Girls Don’t.” The duo manages to sing those lower-register parts. And yes, they sing that lyric line. Makes me wonder if the EP’s title is a double-entendre.
A bonus track (“So Long, Maybe”) breaks the all-covers mold, and finds Mychols and Burton exploring a spiky Veruca Salt vibe. Perhaps this EP is more than a buswomens’ holiday. Maybe it’s a teaser/trial balloon for an upcoming full-length collection of originals? If so, count me in.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4000-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he is co-teaching a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 40 Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.