Modovar

"The Covers EP" (EP, 2012)

Self Release

Modovar are Glen Wisbey, Christopher Beecham and Chris Taubert from Essex in England. Essex - the spawning ground for some of the seminal electronic bands from the 1980s, including a certain Depeche Mode, Yazoo, and Nitzer Ebb to name but three. And it is with those acts who created their sound in the electro/synthpop sphere that Modovar share much DNA. That's all fine and potentially bodes well. 
It then takes some balls, ego or deluded foolishness to make your debut release a three-track EP of covers of Yazoo and Roxy Music. The songs are Situation, Same Old Scene and Midnight. Skeptics probably think they'd have a field day ripping this apart. And that's where they'd be well and truly wrong. 'Cause Modovar have the balls, and they can back it up. 

Accepting that a good deal of the outcome of the finished article lies in the quality of the source material, that still leaves plenty of scope for an ill-advised screw-up of monumental proportions. However, not only does this demonstrate a respectful homage to all three songs, but actually makes for a very smart, attention-grabbing calling card. All three closely mirror their respective Yazoo and Roxy Music originals, utilising divergent yet appropriate sounds, respectable production values and featuring Beecham's strikingly soulful (and borderline androgynous) voice. No-one listening to this who likes what they hear will be able to contain their anticipation for Modovar's debut album The Sea Of Unspoken Words due later this year. What's more, it's free to download from the band's website. 7/10

Rob Dyer (March 2012)

Official Modovar website: www.modovar.com