This limited edition split 12" (the first 100 of the 1,000-print run have groovy two-toned vinyl) is a mini cultural exchange. San Francisco-based Jonah Matranga (Onelinedrawing, Far) goes opposite the UK's Frank Turner (Million Dead) to create acoustic covers of their favorite songs penned by the other's countrymen – Matranga with Billy Bragg's "A New England" and Babybird's "All I Want," and Turner with The Lemonheads' "Outdoor Type" and the traditional "You Are My Sunshine."

The best track by far is Matranga's "A New England," who appropriates Bragg's original tune wholly for himself. By singing in his natural style and changing the lyrics ever so slightly to fit an American vernacular, Matranga shifts the perspective to that of the lovelorn foreigner returned home, the California yankee back from a disillusioning spell in King Arthur's court, thereby heightening the sense of isolation, futility and loss. Unfortunately, his Babybird (alias Stephen Jones) cover too often slips beyond his vocal reach and proves a grating disappointment. Turner's "The Outdoor Type" doesn't add or subtract anything at all to or from the original, but his "You Are My Sunshine" retains the lesser-heard second, third and fourth verses that steer this song into more self-pitying, foreboding territory.

While Turner's obvious knack for acoustic folk makes it a challenge to mentally reconcile his work here with his punk output in Million Dead, it's encouraging to see how versatile both he and Matranga can be when tapping into the softer sides of their personalities. Here, then, is proof that an Anglo-American alliance can occasionally yield some good. Apparently the secret lies in leaving politicians out of things. – Eric J. Iannelli (2006, The Daily Copper)