On paper, it's a bad idea. One of America's pioneering shoegaze bands tackles a bunch of punchy Beatles songs? Not sure what you're pitching there with that one. But still, On the Bed, the new one from Medicine is a whole lot of fun. One listen to the fuzzed-out take on "Tell Me Why" won me over to whatever weird mission this band's on with this album.
Jim Goodall, Brad Laner, and Julia Monreal make up Medicine now and, at least for Laner and Goodall, this has been quite a long trip; was it really 30 years ago when they were breaking through to new ears with their track on the soundtrack to The Crow? They are still willing to take risks, favoring a noisy kind of experimentation that makes their music similar to that of peers from the first few waves of shoegaze. Still, "The Night Before" here in 2024 is a churning delight. Recognizable but warped, the Beatles cover proves there's still juice left in this outfit, especially when they head in new directions. And, of course, the angles of "She Said, She Said" seem ideal for a band like this. The thing revs up and careens into the heart of the sun as Julia's layered vocals wash over a listener. It's a surprisingly effective cover at an all-too familiar number.
And while the record ventures into haunting territory with a run at Paul McCartney's "Junk", it is a clattering cover of Ringo Starr's "Photograph" that serves up what may be the best number on On the Bed. Abrasive and yet still wildly catchy and recognizable, Medicine go all out on this one. For a band who seemed at one time to be more interested in their effects pedals than anything else, it's really wonderful to hear their skills married to such catchy material. I admit that this album didn't seem like it would work, but it does, and very well indeed.
On the Bed by Medicine is out now. Details below.
[Photo: Medicine]