Jul 292011
 

Michael Jackson covers are a dime a dozen. In the past few months, we’ve already had a cello cover of “Smooth Criminal” (and what could really beat a cello cover by two dueling cellists), a funky cover of “Human Nature” by Bad Rabbits, and an equally amazing country/folk cover of “Billie Jean” by rising duo The Civil Wars. But the world didn’t know what it was missing until California R&B singer Aloe Blacc released his live video cover of “Billie Jean” with a full string section. He manages to channel and capture the spirit of the late great King of Pop and make one of the best and most interesting (and soulful) MJ covers so far this year. Continue reading »

Jul 282011
 

Under the Radar shines a light on lesser-known cover artists. If you’re not listening to these folks, you should. Catch up on past installments here.

It’s late July and summer’s hitting with a vengeance. It’s hot, it’s sticky, and some days the last thing you want to do is move. Well, today’s featured band will get you off your ass no matter what the thermostat reads. It’s Mexican salsa-dance cover duo Tropikal Forever, who bring a wild south-of-the-border sound perfect for embracing the sweatiest side of the season. Continue reading »

Jul 282011
 

For a few years in the early ‘90s, Oxford quartet Ride looked like they were about to break big. One of them did – Andy Bell, who left to join Oasis – but, after their 1995 break-up, the rest were left with one top-ten chart appearance (1992’s “Leave Them All Behind”) and a whole bunch of bad feelings about what might have been. Though they were situated right in the shoegaze-to-Britpop transition, the world moved on and mostly forgot about Ride. Continue reading »

Jul 282011
 

Two weeks ago we brought you a Serbian a capella group covering Rammstein. Now a Danish a cappella group has put together a ’90s dance medley. Is this some sort of new trend? European a cappella groups expertly covering forgotten hits from the ’90s? If they’re as good as these two, we say “bring it on!” The most striking thing about Local Vocal’s medley of ’90s club hits is that they managed to pick some of the most annoying songs from that time period. You probably never wanted to hear “Scatman” or “I Like to Move it” again, but somehow they have been worked into this arrangement without making your ears bleed. In fact, you might be fooled into thinking those songs weren’t actually so bad. Continue reading »

Jul 282011
 

The loss of Amy Winehouse has startled and saddened music lovers all across the world. As the renegade of rock and soul her influence permeates into every genre and her brazen vulnerability into everyone’s hearts. Never has a singer sung with such admittance and transparency. In each song Amy confessed to what was so obviously on her sleeve. Addiction, heartbreak, self-inflicted abuse, and the resistance to rehab. Continue reading »