In 2001, then 20-year old Alicia Keys became a household name when her sultry “Fallin'” became a number 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Keys’ stunning voice and piano work had America falling in love with her as soon as she hit the scene. Recently, New Orleans alt-rockers Mutemath took to Triple J to do an interesting cover of the decade-old hit.
When a cover includes an unlikely pairing of artist and song, covers fans get excited. Will you get a version in the style of the cover band, a tribute to the original, an ironic, possibly unlistenable cover? MuteMath find the sweet spot between remaining faithful to the original and to themselves, but in the end create something that really sounds new. The R & B influence fades into the background a bit and the blues take the forefront as the band’s usual guitarist, Todd Gummerman, lays down the licks on the keyboard. Singer Paul Meany reaches deep for his soulful vocals, and the resulting combination sounds almost like it took a cue from The Beatles’ “I Want You (She’s So Heavy).” The immediacy of the lyrics come through in the newly repackaged song and is worth a look and a listen.
Check out more from MuteMath at their website.