Shovels & Rope, the duo of Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent, have always been about what they can create in their own insular world: they produce their own records from their home studio in South Carolina, tour as a twosome and play every instrument themselves. Which is why their newest album, Busted Jukebox Volume 1, is a surprise for many reasons. The LP is a collection of covers, recorded with many of their friends and peers from Shakey Graves to Butch Walker, in locations as varied as Perth, Australia, and New Orleans.
Comprising 10 tracks, Busted Jukebox Vol. 1 isn’t confined to one particular genre — they recruited the Milk Carton Kids for a version of Guns N’ Roses’ proto-metal ballad “Patience,” Preservation Hall Jazz Band for Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day” and Walker for…
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…his own “Bullet Belt,” rooting each version in their signature wash-bucket harmonies. It’s a thrilling experience to hear the extra texture among Hearst and Trent’s voices — the dribble of keys and parade of horns on “Perfect Day,” or the oozy choral of Lucius on “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace Love and Understanding,” the Nick Lowe track made iconic by Elvis Costello.
“Michael and Cary Ann know we’ll do whatever they ask us to. Musically speaking,” the Milk Carton Kids’ Joey Ryan tells Rolling Stone Country. “After being friends for years, it was great to discover that our four voices — which are so different from each other — work together so nicely.” Indeed, they blend into something a little more George Harrison-meets-Crosby, Stills & Nash than GN’R, with Shovels & Rope barreling through those sky-high Axl Rose notes on the last lines with a bit of tongue and cheek.
1. “Unknown Legend” (Neil Young) – with Shakey Graves
2. “Bullet Belt” (Butch Walker) – with Butch Walker
3. “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding” (Nick Lowe) – with Lucius
4. “Patience” (Guns N’ Roses) – with The Milk Carton Kids
5. “Boys Can Never Tell” (J Roddy Walston & The Business) – with J Roddy Walston
6. “Nothing Takes the Place of You” (Toussaint McCall) – with JD McPherson
7. “Last” (Nine Inch Nails) – with Caroline Rose
8. “Strangers” (The Kinks) – with In-laws
9. “Perfect Day” (Lou Reed) – with Preservation Hall Jazz Band
10. “Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight” (Emmylou Harris)