Band: Man Overboard/Zac Eisenstein
Release: Acoustic Covers (EP)
Release Date: Out Now
Man Overboard are no strangers to releasing new material, having produced more than a handful of EPs and albums in their short four year career. After releasing their self titled studio album in 2011, most of their spare time has been spent touring the world. In anticipation for their upcoming brand new album, the band thought they would release a small but perfectly formed two track acoustic EP to keep fans happy in the meantime.
Vocalist Zac Eisenstein recorded ‘Acoustic Covers’ at his home back in New Jersey. It’s no frills/back-to-basics recording really brings a new, raw element to the songs. ‘Jellyhead’ by Crush is originally an upbeat female driven tune, full of 80’s techno beats. With nothing but a simple acoustic guitar, the quite emotional lyrics which were once distracted by 80s beats are laid bare for all to hear. The song resonates a beautiful sadness which was hidden before now.
The raw emotion continues throughout the second cover of ‘Misery’ by Soul Asylum. The original gritty voice of Dave Pirnir is imitated by Zac’s distinctive pop punk vocals, which sound even more poignant when sung so simply. There is a ghostly echo to his voice which makes the track feel quite haunting.
There are no fancy frills to this EP and there doesn’t need to be. It’s just Zac, his guitar and his own special take on these two songs. It’s stripped back pop punk, showing off a different but equally as brilliant side to the Man Overboard rocker. Whether this quite dark EP is a clue for what to expect from the new album, we can only guess. All we know for certain is that Man Overboard have once more, successfully helped to fill the pop punk shaped hole in our lives until the new album arrives.
6/10
Reviewer: Claire Rollins
