New Found Glory – From The Screen To Your Stereo

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The breakthrough cover series by New Found Glory kicked off 25 years ago with From The Screen To Your Stereo. This compilation of pop-punk covers of famous songs from movies has been long-adored by fans of the band, and NFG has since put out two additional versions of the series as well. Part I is a fun listening experience that preceded New Found Glory’s self-titled record that would make the band a household name on MTV and radio stations alike. This cover album included seven tracks that clocked in at just under the 20-minute mark, and showcased a band figuring out their sound and Jordan Pundik’s evolving vocal range from Nothing Gold Can Stay. The reception to the movie covers EP was more appreciated over time as the band would occasionally add these covers (and others) to their live sets. From The Screen To Your Stereo was produced by New Found Glory and Jeremy Staska, and marks a memorable time in the ascent of one of this scene’s favorite pop-punk bands.

The EP launches off on the right foot with a speedy cover of “That Thing You Do!” that was written by Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne) and the band rallies around the breakneck drumming of Cyrus Bolooki, paired with the dual guitar-attack led by Chad Gilbert. Jordan’s vocal delivery sounds a bit strained at first, compared to his range shown on subsequent records, but the young frontman still has the confidence to power through the set. “Never Ending Story Theme Song” follows with some crunchy guitar riffs and New Found Glory begin to understand the power of restraint, as they hone in on what made the song itself such a fun track to cover, and pick their spots to add in cool punk rock breakdowns.

”I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” is the main track on the compilation that stays pretty true to the tempo of the original, with the exception of the second verse, and Pundik’s vocals appear to be stronger on this song. You can tell that he is gaining confidence in his delivery that would bleed into New Found Glory that released later on that same year via Drive-Thru Records. “The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough” was one of the first songs I downloaded from NFG back in the day, albeit via illegal circumstances, and it comes with a nice punch to the overall delivery of the Cynid Lauper-classic. It is a short song, especially once sped-up to New Found Glory standards, and it accelerates the EP quickly towards the finish line.

The most memorable song from the set comes in the form of “The Glory of Love” that has a sound fully entrenched in the classic New Found Glory style that still comes through the speakers on their most recent work. One of the final chourses features some gang vocals and hand claps, and if you listen closely enough, you can also hear a band member throw in a “new found” before saying one of the final “glory”‘s. It’s a charming addition to the already great song, and highlighted the personality of this band.

”(Everything I Do) I Do It For You” adds in some steady riffing from Gilbert as Pundik’s vocals steadily improve on songs like this that help out with his range. This track is largely played at the same tempo as the original, with a few exceptions at times, to keep things interesting. Gilbert does a nice job with the guitar solo towards the end of the track, and you can tell that New Found Glory were gaining confidence as a band at this point in the set. “My Heart Will Go On” is a bit out of the vocal range of Pundik at this point in the set, so it makes for a curious choice of the EP closer. Bolooki does a great job in showing off his chops behind the kit, but this is the only track that seems a bit of place. The vinyl version of From The Screen To Your Stereo included a raucous cover of Warrant’s “Heaven”, and we’re still waiting on the official word from Drive-Thru Records on the timing of the re-pressing. While we wait, lets give credit where credit is due, and appreciate this important moment in pop-punk history.

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