Richie Follin is the leader of the Brooklyn pop-rock band Guards. Listening to the group, it's hard not to mention the singer's older sister, Madeline Follin of Cults, as their shared upbringing and influences are obvious.
Beyond literal lineage, Cults and Guards share an aesthetic of buzzy and revitalized old-school pop. In perfect little-brother form, though, Guards is a bit edgier — a little grungier and more eclectic in a way that people with cool older siblings often are.
This month brings In Guards We Trust, Follin's first full album under the Guards moniker; it showcases a sound that's been fleshed out and cleaned up since the release of an EP in 2009. The first single, "Ready to Go," has a bright quality that was absent in 2009. "Coming True" recalls Richie Follin's minimalist, retro calling card, but with a maturity that comes from three-plus years between releases and significant time spent touring as a guitarist with Cults.
Here, Guards' members discuss their sound and play a few tracks from the album.
This World Cafe session was originally published on February 5, 2013. (Link)
Tracklisting
(( )) for interlude music
HOUR 1
David Bowie “Young Americans” Young Americans
David Bowie “The Stars (Are Out Tonight)” The Next Day
Wilco “Art of Almost” The Whole Love
((Silversun Pickups “Here We Are (Chancer)” Neck of the Woods))
Guards “Not Supposed To” Recorded Live for the World Cafe
Guards “Ready To Go” Recorded Live for the World Cafe
Guards “Silver Lining” Recorded Live for the World Cafe
((Phosphorescent “Los Angeles” Here’s To Taking It Easy))
Lord Huron “Time To Run” Lonesome Dreams
My Bloody Valentine “If This And Yes” m b v
The Pixies “Here Comes Your Man” Doolittle
Edwyn Collins “A Girl Like You” Gorgeous George
Thao and the Get Down Stay Down “Holy Roller” We the Common
((Modest Mouse “Float On” Good News For People Who Love Bad News))
HOUR 2
The Lone Bellow “You Never Need Nobody” The Lone Bellow
Jesse Dee “On My Mind, In My Heart” On My Mind/In My Heart
Jesse Dee “No Matter Where I Am” On My Mind/In My Heart
Jackie Wilson “Lonely Teardrops” Sweetest Feelin': The Very Best of Jackie Wilson
Nick Lowe “True Love Travels On a Gravel Road” The Impossible Bird
Kopecky Family Band “Heartbeat” Kids Raising Kids
((Jackson Browne “Off Of Wonderland” Time The Conquerer))
Dawes “From a Window Seat” Stories Don’t End
Buffalo Springfield “Bluebird” Retrospective: The Best of Buffalo Springfield
Fitz & the Tantrums “Out of My League” More Than Just a Dream
Ryan Adams “Answering Bell” Gold
((AC Newman “You Could Get Lost Out Here” Recorded Live for the World Cafe))
M. Ward “Rave On” Hold Time
Mumford & Sons “Babel” Babel
The Last Bison “Switzerland” Inheritance EP
Marti Jones “Lonely Is As Lonely Does” Unsophisticated Time
The dB’s “Amplifier” Repercussion