Stroked Through The Covers

I’ve wanted to do a post on music for sometime now. You know, zonuts style. [It's the only music blog I track, I know these guys and I (generally) like what they like.]

Sadly, though, I have no clue what to say. Since I started working, I neither have the time nor the patience to try out new artists/genres/albums. I could honestly survive with an album each of The Beatles, Pearl Jam and Dire Straits. It’s all been very humdrum.

So, here’s my first tentative step into the New Music Scene – the one they’re all so kicked about. It’s half a stride actually, with my back foot firmly inside the popping crease.

I’ve always been fascinated by cover versions. The first truly memorable cover I remember was Joe Cocker yelling away at the beginning of The Wonder Years. It still is the only version I can listen to – the original sounds wimpy in comparison. It has character (Good character. Unlike Delhi.), it adds something new while keeping the stuff that works. And it reminds me of Winnie Cooper (Danica McKellar, author of ‘Math Doesn’t Suck: How to Survive Middle-School Math Without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail’). Ah, well.

So, here’s my list. Five covers that I find myself listening to a whole lot:

a) The Miserable Rich – Over & Over (Hot Chip Cover): I have heard the Hot Chip original only once; it didn’t do much for me. Then I heard this dark chamber pop version. It starts slowly. The violins are beautiful. And then, the joy of repetition. Over and over and over and over. K-I-S-S-I-N-G-S-E-X-I-N-G-…

[Listen]

b) Richard Thompson – Oops! I Did It Again (er, yup. Her.): He’s sent from above. He’s not that innocent. And he totally cracks this. It’s hilarious, but only because he’s so earnest. The guitars are lovely. I really need to listen to his other stuff.

[Listen]

c) The Vines – Miss Jackson (Outkast Cover): A bunch of wailing Aussies. Not my favourite people right now, but I’ll try to retain my stoic professionalism.

Bloody Whingeing Losers! Let’s move on.

[Listen]

d) Lily Allen – Oh My God (Kaiser Chiefs Cover): What’s there no to like about her. She’s pretty(ish), has a lovely British voice. It’s a great song. She took the Internet by storm, apparently (I wouldn’t know, I was busy listening to Abbey Road!). Wait for the little sax bit.

[Listen]

e) Coldplay (feat. Buena Vista Social Club) – Clocks: This makes me want to pour myself a stiff Old Monk with Thums Up, smoke a cigar, ride a motorcycle without a helmet and watch women with large hips sashay around the room in a bright green dress. In a nice sort of way.

[Listen]

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