Covers

Covers / MP3 / Music — 10 Comments
8
Sep 09

Paramore – Use Somebody (Kings of Leon Cover)

Paramore Use Somebody (Kings of Leon Cover) covers

I’ve noticed that my favorite covers of the year have been Kings of Leon covers. The lovely Natasha Khan — better known as Bat For Lashes — covered the song that is riding the alternative rock wave that comes around every 5-10 years in radio. Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody” is so ridiculously popular, it has spent the last month and a half in the top tier of the American Singles charts; right after kicking ass all over European and Aussie charts, that is. It is definitely good to be the Kings of Leon right now.

Alt, pop-punk, new(-ish) kids Paramore have decided to take a crack at the chart-topper at BBC’s Live Lounge. The group has been making quite a name for itself over these last few months, releasing 2 or 3 successful singles, as well as writing a track for Twilight. They have also toured with No Doubt (I saw them live one once, but twice this year).

They’re a fun band, but I probably give them too much credit because I am just loving their cover of “Use Somebody.” Their cute, fiery front-girl Hayley Williams sounds reserved (compared to the roaring vocals I heard over the summer), and does a great impression of KoL’s Caleb Followill and his signature raspy voice. Listen to it here:

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18
Aug 09

From – Fight For Your Right (Beastie Boys Cover)

From Fight For Your Right (Beastie Boys Cover) covers
The world was a troubled place before October 1986. It brightened up a little right when the immortal words, “Kick It!” exploded through every boom box on the street, followed by the cheesiest and possibly the greatest fusion of rock and rap production of all time.

Even though “Fight For Your Right”’s conception wasn’t so innocent and mostly a joke, it doesn’t take away from what the Beastie Boys and Rick Rubin had created. I will always remember “Fight For Your Right” as one of the greatest party songs ever.

I was delighted when the Harvard-educated, ex-fashion designer and producer/singer/songwriter/front-woman Roni Brunn from From linked me up to her cover of “Fight For Your Right” — en français, bien sûr. In her words:

It’s both intimidating and fun to take on the Beastie Boys, so we made sure our version is very different from the original. It’s in French, for one. We replaced the Deep Purple-style guitar riff with a New Order sound, layered a fuzzed out synth on the 4/4 beat of an 808 kick drum, threw in samples of a Peruvian flute and a cello, and invited an all-girl choir to join in for the chorus.

From – Fight For Your Right (Beastie Boys Cover) | mp3

Previously: From – Dream With You ♥♥♥

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15
Aug 09

Atlas Sound – Walk A Thin Line (Fleetwood Mac Cover)

Atlas Sound Walk A Thin Line (Fleetwood Mac Cover) covers
I’m not an entirely huge Fleetwood Mac fan, but I am a fan of the covers some of my favorite bands put out. Remember Vampire Weekend’s cover of “Everywhere”?

Now Atlas Sound has posted a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Walk A Thin Line” on his Deerhunter blog. Originally off Fleetwood Mac’s Tusk LP, “Walk A Thin Line” has been broken down to a haunting acoustic rendition. It always gets me how Atlas Sound can do so much with so little.

The cover is moved along by steady, monotonous guitar strumming but Atlas Sound’s spot-on harmonies give the track an emotional punch that, given time, can come to knock you out. Listen to it here: Continue reading →

Covers / MP3 / Music — 11 Comments
6
Aug 09

Radiohead – Wonderwall (Oasis Cover)

Radiohead Wonderwall (Oasis Cover) covers
Those of us that grew up in the brief era when Oasis was the shit and Wonderwall plagued the airwaves, might find this brief parody a little offensive. Especially when Thom Yorke seems to forget the lyrics and begins to mumble almost incomprehensibly.

But hey, it’s Radiohead, so I guess it makes it ok. They might be one of a very select few bands that can get away with covering, and simultaneously ‘taking a piss’ (as our English friends would say) on such a 90’s classic. Much thanks to WAWSTSF for unearthing it for us. Continue reading →

Covers / MP3 / Music / Music Videos / Videos — 5 Comments
21
Jul 09

Harlem Shakes – Strictly Game, Music Video / Y Control (Yeah Yeah Yeahs Cover)

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What a concept for a video. I’m really impressed by the creativity and originality. The second time around you watch it it’s even cooler. A concept so simple, yet (correct me if I’m wrong) never really been done before. Badass.

Also, Harlem Shakes’ keyboardist, Kendrick Strauch, got his Karen O on and covered the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ “Y Control” from their critically acclaimed debut, Fever To Tell. The cover is simple, dreamy and smooth. Towards the end, Strauch’s “Y Control” turns into a shimmery, disco-flavored ballad. All the polish doesn’t ever reach the heights Karen O and the YYYs take “Y Control” to. But can anyone? Probably not.

Download it here Continue reading →

Covers / Listen / MP3 / Music — 2 Comments
17
Jul 09

Ciao My Shining Star: The Songs of Mark Mulcahy

Ciao My Shining Star: The Songs of Mark Mulcahy covers
Dozens of your favorite music artists have banded together to help Mark Mulcahy (former Miracle Legion front man) continue to make music while raising his 3-year-old twins, after the tragic death of his wife. Artists like Thom Yorke, Michael Stipe, and The National are contributing covers of songs written by Mulcahy in the compilation Ciao My Shining Star: The Songs of Mark Mulcahy which is out 9/29. Stereogum reports that “An additional 20 tracks from folks like A.C. Newman, Buffalo Tom and Laura Veirs will be released digitally. Also expect concerts to coincide with the release. One will take place in London, one in New York.”

Read on for the tracklist Continue reading →

Covers / Listen / MP3 / Music — 11 Comments
1
Jul 09

La Roux – Tigerlily/Farewell To The Fairground (White Lies Cover)

La Roux Tigerlily/Farewell To The Fairground (White Lies Cover) covers
La Roux is often overshadowed by the more accessible and likable Little Boots, and to be honest, neither of her new singles (In For The Kill, Not Your Toy, Bulletproof) have had any staying power on my iPod — not like their debut single “Quicksand.” Now that La Roux’s debut album has been splattered all over the internet, I’ve had a chance to poke my head in search of a song of “Quicksand” caliber. After a handful of listens, “Tigerlily” seems to be a good candidate. It’s by no means better than “Quicksand,” but it is a lot more interesting than US single “In For The Kill.” Edit: it might just be better than “Quicksand”

“Tigerlily” introduces La Roux’s seductive, sexy side to fantastic result. Elly Jackson’s confined vocals become feral and luring throughout the song; and at one point a remarkably menacing, timely and relevant “Thriller”-esque soliloquy floods the track.

“Tigerlily” precedes “Quicksand” on the eponymous album, marking for one of the year’s most thrilling one, two KO’s, putting it in the company of Little Boots’ “Remedy”-”Meddle,” Passion Pit’s “Little Secrets”-”Moth’s Wings,” Animal Collective’s “Daily Routine”-”Bluish,” and Phoenix’s “Lisztomania”-”1901.” Listen to “Tigerlily” here Continue reading →

Covers / MP3 / Music — 11 Comments
26
Jun 09

Alicia Keys – Human Nature (Michael Jackson Tribute)

Alicia Keys Human Nature (Michael Jackson Tribute) covers
Yesterday news of the passing of the King of Pop came flooding through the newsfeeds. In a world full of people of different colors, languages, ideas, and ideals, we are united in a state of mourning and remembrance of this undeniable icon. Not only was Michael Jackson a pioneer and a legend in music, but a beloved humanitarian that taught the world to come together. United we were in his prime, and united we are now.

In recent years, many of our favorite musicians have paid tribute to the King of Pop with covers. Some covers are more famous than others, and I don’t think I’ve seen Alicia Keys’ rendition of “Human Nature” make the rounds much, so here it is in its orchestral glory. Continue reading →

Covers / Listen / MP3 / Music — 3 Comments
23
Jun 09

Discovery – So Insane/I Want You Back (Jackson 5 Cover)

Discovery So Insane/I Want You Back (Jackson 5 Cover) covers
“So Insane” is another track off Discovery’s metronomic album, LP that has a so-insane hook, “oh baby you got me going so insane and I just don’t know what’s going down” that, along with “Orange Shirt,” this song will go down as one of LP’s highlights. Discovery, one big part Vampire Weekend and an even bigger part Ra Ra Riot, stick to their formula of breaking down the walls the indie and pop communities built between them.

Throughout the song’s 3 short minutes, you can hear finger snaps from the house of T-Pain (not to mention the Auto-Tune!), Crystal Castles glitch-breaks, and synth reminiscent of Hot Chip. However, like all of the Discovery tune’s I’ve heard, “So Insane” sounds unmistakeably fresh. Listen to “So Insane” here. Continue reading →

Covers / MP3 / Music — 9 Comments
16
Jun 09

Mason Proper – Get Innocuous/Love Lockdown (LCD Soundsystem/Kanye West Cover)

Mason Proper Get Innocuous/Love Lockdown (LCD Soundsystem/Kanye West Cover) covers
Link Fixed
Mason Proper is a tiny indie band from Michigan and if it wasn’t for their simultaneous cover of LCD Soundsystem’s “Get Innocuous” and Kanye West’s “Love Lockdown,” I probably would have never paid any attention to them at all. Mixing these two songs together is mindbogglingly fantastic! I really didn’t see a combination like this coming.

This cover may have been recorded in 2008, but it’s definitely a powerful contender for my favorite cover of 2009. Big, big props to Mason Proper for cookin’ this up. Listen to “Get Innocuous/Love Lockdown” here Continue reading →

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