I don’t know what part of my upbringing made me love 1960s inspired pop songs so much, but I certainly do. Hear Tennis‘ take on Brenda Lee’s “Is It True?”. Free download w/e-mail at the band’s site(via Cos). These guys killed it at The Earl last March btw.
Liverpool native Delta Maid offers us a charming take on one of my favorite Strokes’ songs of this spring. Her enchanting voice and the track’s slowed tempo gives you a chance to actually think about what Mr. Casablancas and company are actually singing about. Delta Maid – Under Cover of Darkness – Strokes Cover by Delta Maid
Also check out the tap-worthy original, “On My Own” below: Delta Maid – Of My Own (Single Edit) by Delta Maid
Hear more Delta Maid here.
I’m still most partial to Tom Thumb’s moving rendition of the real Boss’ “Atlantic City”, but Benjamin Francis Leftwich’s take is admiral as well. BFL shines with ghostly vocals on the spectral interpretation of this classic. Stream below and get it here for the small price of an e-mail address.
Benjamin Francis Leftwich – Atlantic City by dirty hit
Also, take a listen to slow burner “Pictures” below and pick up the EP here:
BFL just got out of the lab and will release his debut album Last Smoke Before The Snow Storm in late June. Look for the 1st single “Box of Stones” out on June 6th.
Another solid cover via The Knocks from their cover/remix EP, Same Old Songs. On their take on The Supremes’ “You Can’t Hurry Love” they let bubbling songstress Alex Winston handle vocal duties. This one is a much better example of what I expect from the Knocks. I’m pretty much a sucker for anything featuring the lovely Ms. Winston though.
The Knocks ft Alex Winston – You Can’ Hurry Love (The Supremes cover)
Also check out an acoustic version of “Dancing With the DJ”.
The Knocks – Dancing With The DJ (Acoustic Campfire Version)
If you’re at SXSW this week, make sure you catch Alex and The Knocks at these gigs!
Speaking of bands with the word “royal” in it, The Last Royals have been churning solid material lately. Their lead single “Crystal Vases” is as catchy as indie rock comes, full of jangly guitar amid a melancholy tale of being left behind by a lover. Crystal Vases by TheLastRoyals
You might recognize their addictive cover below from your middle school dance circa 1990. Nothing Compares 2 U by TheLastRoyals
Its been a minute since we’ve heard from the Knocks, but rest assured they’ve been busy. Their latest project is an EP of Motown/Oldies covers and remixes called Same Old Songs. The first release is relatively tame cover of the Temptations “Ain’t Too Proud Too Beg”. The mildly synthy cut sung by Jpatt of The Knocks is naturally catchy given the source material, but only bubbles at what could potentially be a breakout for the duo. If they decide to turn up the last minute of the cover with The Knock’s trademark dance spin on a remix, sign me up for more.
The Knocks – Ain’t Too Proud To Beg (The Temptations cover)
The next release is supposed to feature JayeL Audio favorite Alex Winston, so you know thats gonna be amazing….
Need transported directly back to 1998? This cover/remix by hip-hoppers The Five One will get you half way there. The DC area quartet give this ’90s classic a couple of verses and a tempo that has a beach feel. I’m ready for summer, how about you?
The Five One – Closing Time (Semisonic Cover/Remix)
Hear more from the Five One at their Facebook page.
I’ve never considered Rihanna much of a singer, but more of an entertainer who makes irresistible pop songs. “Only Girl (In The World)” is about as inescapable as pop hits go, so its only right that someone would cover it. Good thing the first cover (that I’ve heard anyways) comes from Ellie Goulding‘s angelic pipes.
Ellie Goulding “Only Girl” (BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge) by arjanwrites
The posting around here hasn’t been as active as I would like it to be, at least I’m increasing my mixtape output. Three in one month isn’t too shabby, right? The latest mixtape is a little more reserved than October’s effort, but its still filled with quality hip-hop, dance, folk and indie. Cee-Lo Green continues to impress with two features (“Bright Lights Big City”, “Old Fashioned”) from his highly anticipated album, Lady Killer. Lovely imports, Lykke Li and Duffy return from brief breaks and pick up where they left off with upbeat jams. I have been enamored with two covers this month: one from Mumford and Sons, who take on Old Crow Medicine Show’s forgotten gem “Wagon Wheel” and another from Shakira, which might not best the original, but will hopefully turn more listeners on to Mercury Award winners, the xx. Lastly, Kanye (with some help from new BFF Justin Vernon) and Lupe show the entire industry how to utilize an indie record and turn it into hip-hop gold. Let me know how many times you have “Lost In The World” and “The Show Goes On” on repeat.
JayeL Audio 11-02-10: DOWNLOAD (.rar)
1. Lupe Fiasco – The Show Goes On
2. Lykke Li – Get Some
3. The Go! Team – T.O.R.N.A.D.O.
4. Cee-Lo Green – Bright Lights, Big City
5. Robyn – Indestructible
6. Duffy – Well, Well, Well ft The Root
7. Josh Ritter – Long Shadows
8. Kanye West – Lost In The World ft Bon Iver
9. Foster the People – Pumped Up Kicks
10. Shakira – Islands (the xx cover)
11. Lord Huron – Mighty
12. Foals – Blue Blood
13. Fyfe Dangerfield – Call the Shots (Live on BBC 2)
14. The Thermals – I Don’t Believe You
15. California Wives – Blood Red Youth
16. The Wombats – Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves)
17. Florrie – Give Me Your Love (Fred Falke Club Edit)
18. Stepdad – My Leather, My Fur, My Nails
19. Mumford and Sons – Wagon Wheel (Old Crow Medicine Show cover)
20. Freelance Whales – Enzymes
21. Cee-Lo Green – Old Fashioned
Artwork by LJG, of course. Leave comments on your favorite tracks below.
I was pretty disappointed with John Legend’s performance at Hang Out Fest this summer, but its probably because:
A) He wasn’t performing with the Legendary Roots Crew (even though they were across the beach from each other)
B) He didn’t perform an Arcade Fire track
Props to PMA.
