The Velvet Underground continues to be a popular source of material for cover songs (as recently noted here and here). However, this may be the first time that The Velvet Underground and Lou Reed have been covered at the Grand Ole Opry. Elizabeth Cook, like any country artist worth her weight in cowboy boots, can flat out rock when she wants to, only to shift gears and deliver a soft, sincere song, like “Pale Blue Eyes,” without being too saccharine. Continue reading »
Known primarily as a key member of the band Metric, Emily Haines’ solo work includes Knives Don’t Have Your Back, a beautiful, haunting and eerie album released in 2006. Often sparse, just Haines and her piano, atmospheric sounds and additional instruments wander in and out. There is a coherent, consistent vibe throughout the record. Continue reading »
Listening to Courtney Barnett’s narrative style of solo work (prime example: “Avant Gardener”), it’s clear a Lou Reed influence is at play. So perhaps it’s no surprise that, when teaming up with folk veteran Billy Bragg, the two would turn to The Velvet Underground. Barnett opened for Bragg on his recent Australian tour. They took time together to record “Sunday Morning” for RocKwiz, the Australian TV show.
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Me First and the Gimme Gimmes have got the diva thing down. This collection of punk-ish rockers from various bands (NOFX, Foo Fighters, Lagwagon and Swingin’ Utters) started thier covers-only band back in the ‘90s. They have a new album of hits from popular divas reworked to fit the Gimme’s fast-paced, guitar thrashing style. Continue reading »
Does it make sense that music school graduates who cut their teeth in jazz bands and are now in a band led by a guitarist who cites John Fahey as a major influence would cover Black Sabbath? Slothrust is that band, and their cover of “Electric Funeral” is faithful to the original while delivering the song with more energy and intensity than Black Sabbath did in 1970.
Fans of Slothrust may be used to their varied influences and assorted output. They also cover The Turtles’ “Happy Together” and have a video inspired by Britney Spears’ struggles with stardom. Set aside all the strangeness and Slothrust becomes a tight rock and roll band with droll vocals and just the right amount of guitar heroics. Watch them take on Black Sabbath below.
Find out more about Slothrust at their website.
Pharrell William’s “Happy” is one of those instantly catchy, ultimately forgettable pop songs that somehow find their into your head and get stuck there, even if you don’t listen to Top 40. The song is well written and produced, it has hooks and, as much as you might try and resist, it kind of makes you feel…happy. Continue reading »