Just a bunch of ab fab covers, thanks to Radio One
In honor of their big 40 year birthday bacchanalia, first BBC Radio One staged that Beatles coverfest back in July, and this week they’ve released an ace double-disc collection chock full of Heather’s Favorite Things – more cover songs! Radio One, Established 1967 pulls 40 hits (one from each year) and pairs them with often unlikely artists. Most of these are ones I’ve never heard before — Hard-Fi covering Britney Spears’ Toxic? The Fray take on R.E.M., Lily Allen does her best sassy Chrissie Hynde, Keane rhymes with Queen & David Bowie under pressure, Kasabian play the Specials. It’s fresh and fun for the most part; even if there are some horrific failures, I appreciate the relative inventiveness in the choices here –
Band On The Run (Paul McCartney/Wings cover) – Foo Fighters
This starts out pretty mellow and faithful to the original — all Laurel Canyon sunsets and lots of weed. But stay tuned to a 1:16 mark that made me yelp a little in delight when the Foos kick in with all their ferocious glory. I cannot wait to drive somewhere, fast, listening to this. LOVE IT.
You Sexy Thing (Hot Chocolate cover) – Stereophonics
As if Kelly Jones didn’t already strike me as enough of a wee sexy bastard, hearing the playful charm and come-on camp of this cover, where he sounds for all the world like he’s channeling his inner Rod Stewart, does it for me.
All That She Wants (Ace of Base cover) – The Kooks
The original version of this song evokes a reaction in me that is akin to stabbing a razor blade into my eye. Hate it, hate the Swedish ’90s pop of Ace of Base and have been subjected to this story-song of our unmoored heroine (trying to . . . get pregnant on a one-night stand?) way too many times. The Kooks, however, do elicit a few begrudging props from me for trying to salvage it, and doing so in a winsome way. But ugh — too little, too late. This song is beyond salvation.
Name: Heather Browne
Foos and Sterephonics! Thanks for making a slow Thursday a little more enjoyable.
Steve — October 4, 2007 @ 6:36 pm
you rock. I’ve been dying to hear that Foo’s version of Band On The run since I found out they recorded it
-tom — October 4, 2007 @ 7:51 pm
o yeah! Foo’s Band On The Run kicks butt!
But what is this “weed” that you speak of?
Brian — October 4, 2007 @ 10:38 pm
Heather, this stuff has been UNESCAPABLE over here for weeks. It’s been the most self-congratulatory mawkfest and I’ll be glad when it’s over.
Be thankful you just get the edited highlights on that CD!
And yes, the Foos do indeed rock hard.
x
Beth — October 5, 2007 @ 9:56 am
Beth, I guess familiarity breeds contempt as they say –
thanks for the perspective….really, who ever heard of the British music media OVERDOING something ever?! Shocking.
heather — October 5, 2007 @ 10:21 am
The Streets do a killer version of “Your Song” on there, too. Groove Armada’s “Crazy for You” and Mika’s “Can’t Stand Losing You” are winners as well.
Dainon. — October 5, 2007 @ 11:25 am
Christmas sure came early this year… a new Foo album, a half dozen new b-sides, the Arcade Fire and McPaulie covers… and I finally tracked down Dave’s vocal turns for Scream and Tony Iommi on eBay. Rock God Bless America.
Keith — October 5, 2007 @ 9:08 pm
i think the highlight is the gossip’s dance party friendly version of carless whisper. actually, it reminds me a lot of bonnie tyler’s holding out for a hero from the footloose soundtrack. ha!
conductor — October 6, 2007 @ 10:13 am