The Volebeats

Matching alt-country with a Sixties jangle-pop sensibility, Detroit's Volebeats mix unlikely covers with original rarities to create a forlorn and lonesome lo-fi gem of an album that rings of steel and echoes with reverb. The fiercely independent ensemble attacks Slayer's "Die by the Sword" and the York Brothers' raunchy "Hamtramck Mama" -- a Depression-era stomp banned in the Volebeats' hometown back in 1939. A caring de-Abbafication of "Knowing Me Knowing You" strips away the sheen to restore the subtle beauty the song might have had as a ruff demo. And the oddball covers don't stop there: an attenuated lap steel version of Funkadelic's mournful instrumental "Maggot Brain" segues into Serge Gainsbourg's "Manon" for a tragic, trembling coup de grace. And the album's six echo-twang originals are every bit as inspired. - Rolling Stone

Sometimes making the intangible tangible (i.e. trying to describe sonic vibrations using the printed word) can be exceedingly difficult, especially when it's something as downright simple and beautiful as the jangly country-rock of Detroit's Volebeats. Yes, the band does a few twangy covers of acts as disparate as Abba, Slayer and Funkadelic on Country Favorites, but essentially its sound is nothing new --- Big Star, The Byrds, R.E.M.'s more countryish numbers --- but damn do they do it well. There's something beyond words to the haunting, lonely melodies on this disc, something metaphysical even, that won't let you take it out of your stereo. - Paste Magazine

When I discovered that this odds and sods collection from Detroit's Volebeats contained countrified covers from such disparate artists -- ABBA, Funkadelic, Serge Gainsbourg and Slayer -- a single thought immediately entered my mind: This is a bad, BAD idea. Much to my surprise, the music was darn tasty, and while I'll still slag off a novelty cover at the first hint of the thing self-important social commentators call "post-modern irony," the sincerity and professionalism of the Country Favourites disc was enough to temper my jaded soul. Twelve tracks can be found on this album, and aside from the covers, there are some great originals that could very well have been hatched from Byrds' eggs laid during the Sweetheart of the Rodeo sessions. Heartfelt lyrics and a strong dose of "awww, shucks" sincerity are iced with gooey layers of sweet, chiming guitars, tasteful drum patterns and just the right amount of twang as to not cause one to vomit. The filthy shores of Lake Michigan seems a most unlikely place to find a band like the Volebeats, but nothing here seems to indicate anything less than a 100% dedication to flying the flag of country music north of the 49th. My only knock against this band is that they're buddies with Ryan Adams (aka Satan), but hey, nobody's perfect. - Spill Magazine