Chapter

TuesdayNovember 22, 2011

PAST DAZE

We suppose that some of the best covers are so great because they actually surpass the level of excellence set by the original. It may be due to the irony or contrast of an artist covering a song from a genre so far from what’s expected, or simply because they’ve reworked the track in such a way that they’ve made it their own. Either way, we hope you enjoy these selections as various artists put their personal touch on the original.

Cliff

The Soft Pack’s rendition of Parisian super group Phoenix’s ‘Fences’ is unexpected and flat out ironic. While ‘Fences’ isn’t the best track off WAP and I’d be remissed to say anyone could do it better. This is in large part due to my moral obligation to the band though. I’m admittedly bias. That being said, let’s focus on the good. This sounds more like a Velvet Underground original than a dance band cover. Matt Lamkin’s hollowed out vocals both drag and drive, while the quartet’s instrumental backing traps you in bass guitar led loop from which you may never escape. I may start smoking cigarettes and wearing sunglasses in bars.

The Soft Pack Covering ‘FENCES’ by Phoenix

There’s some debate over whether this is a “cover” or a “remix”, but for all intents and purposes, let’s just make it relevant. As most of my great memories were born from the single or combined presence of good music, great friends, hard liquor, and/or expensive drugs, it’s no surprise that the impression which this song has left in my heart and liver is an astoundingly deep one. Imagine lost and reckless me circa 2005, in the backseat of my friends car, packed with more friends than seat belts, driving around downtown LA, looking for some party which we never ended up finding. The lights were blurring from the cheap beer and my cheeks were sore from laughing so hard. It was one of those hazy nights where the fog had rolled from the coast and gotten trapped between skyscrapers. We’d drive through pockets of dense white fog, then pop out just in time to see the glow of a red light. That’s when the drugs kicked in and everything slowed down. Everyone stopped speaking and this song must’ve looped six times. Without saying a word, we headed home and everyone peeled themselves out of the car. Some of us fell out onto the sidewalk, where we stayed for awhile, eyes closed, trying to catch our breath.

Schneider TM & KPT Michigan covering ‘THE LIGHT 3000′ by The Smiths

Jamie

Nirvana covering the Lead Belly’s “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” is probably my favorite live performance of all time by Kurt Cobain. It really shows a lot of emotion near the end of the song as he begins to scream, and as he takes a breath at 4:48 after “shiver” you can see straight into his soul.

Nirvana covering ‘Where Did You Sleep Last Night’ by Lead Belly

Jimmy Fontaine

The original is one of my favorite songs from one of my favorite movies. Just keep razor blades away from me when im listening to this.

Morrissey covering ‘Moon River’ by Henry Mancini

Blixa is one of my favorite musicians from one of my favorite bands. I love that he covers this. I listen to this when i want to get the hell out of dodge or rent is due.

Blixa Cargeld covering ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ by Harold Arlen

Julie Shumaker

José González’s acoustic rendition of The Knife’s ‘Heartbeats’ is my favorite idea of an intense romance that culminates into a night of passion. Both versions in my opinion are as equally enjoyable and clever. ‘Heartbeats’ is from his debut album, Veneer, released in 2005.

José Gonzalez covering ‘Heartbeats’ by The Knife

Q

Gary Jules covering ‘Mad World’ by Tears for Fears

Gary Stars

I don’t know how I found this but I love it!

Andybroon2007 covering ‘Cemetery Gates’ by The Smith’s

This is just beyond awesome!

The Ukrainians covering ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’ by The Smiths

Sasha

This song was originally written in midi format by Nobuo Uematsu for Final Fantasy VIII and later covered by his progressive metal band The Black Mages. Ah, I always listened to this band living in Tokyo, running around the Imperial palace pretending I was in battle. The band’s sole existence is to play metal rehashes of our favorite Final Fantasy songs

The Black Mages covering ‘The Man with the Machine Gun’ by Nobuo Uematsu

Billy

The ability to adapt Cash’s voice to any lyrical note is what I find so astouding about Jessie Morris. It came with great sadness when I heard about the passing of the punk rock street performer. San Francisco’s Bart transpiration system will never be the same.

Jessie Morris covering ‘Six Pack’ by Black Flag (as if he were Johnny Cash)

Dustin

Certain bands became well-known as a result of their leading man/woman having a bad voice. Ian Curtis with Joy Division and Warhol’s choice to let model Nico sing in Velvet Undeground, much to the chagrin of Lou Reed, are perhaps the most glaring examples. Recently, Anika channeled Nico and released an album with the same monotone dronings. On this Portishead-produced record she covers The Kink’s ‘I Go To Sleep’ unexpectedly better than the original.

Anika covering “I Go To Sleep” by The Kinks

• Tweet
• Contributed By / Billy