Earlier today NPR posted a live set by Yellow Ostrich. They noted that though little-known, these guys are going places. Darn tootin’. Well, really, this one guy is. Alex Schaaf provides most of the direction for Yellow Ostrich, and we’re pretty sure he’s the only one playing on these covers. Sure doesn’t sound like it though.
Last year Schaaf unleashed a torrent of intimate indie-minded covers, reworking blog favorites like “Zebra” (Beach House), “King of Spain” (The Tallest Man on Earth), “’81” (Joanna Newsom), and a ton more. He’s since tacked a few more onto the list, most recently releasing a warped mostly-a cappella take on Sharon Van Etten’s “Love More.” Each tune offers moments of pure pleasure. Check out the joyful tambourine on “Androgynous” or the “ooh ah ah”s that replace “Fake Empire”’s beloved horn breakdown.
We’ve collected the eight freebies below. If you’re still not satisfied, grab a ninth – his version of Jon Brion’s “Strings That Tie To You” – at Bandcamp for the now-standard price of whatever.
MP3: Yellow Ostrich – Androgynous (The Replacements cover)
MP3: Yellow Ostrich – Don’t Haunt this Place (The Rural Alberta Advantage cover)
MP3: Yellow Ostrich – Fake Empire (The National cover)
MP3: Yellow Ostrich – King of Spain (The Tallest Man on Earth cover)
MP3: Yellow Ostrich – Love More (Sharon Van Etten cover)
MP3: Yellow Ostrich – Tightrope (Yeasayer cover)
MP3: Yellow Ostrich – Zebra (Beach House cover)
MP3: Yellow Ostrich – ’81 (Joanna Newsom cover)
Check out more Yellow Ostrich on his website or MySpace.
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