Alt-rock veterans Local H are pretty far removed from yacht rock, but on their upcoming covers album Local H’s Awesome Quarantine Mix-Tape #3, they tackle one of the early staples of the genre: Looking Glass’s 1972 hit “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl).” As anyone who remembers Local H’s grunge-era hits could probably guess, it doesn’t sound much like the original.
Singer-guitarist Scott Lucas and drummer Ryan Harding dial the distortion up to 11, turning it almost into a loud-quiet-loud Pixies song. No surprise there; Lucas told us last year that his favorite cover ever was by the Pixies. They do keep a bit of the original yachty flavor, though, courtesy of the backing vocals. This song and the others on the album were expanded from Scott’s quarantined solo sessions (we posted a couple of them here and here).
“I was watching Ozark on Netflix and they had this episode that featured ‘Brandy,’ Lucas said about the new cover. “My girlfriend turned to me and said “You gotta cover this song!” So that’s what we did.”
Local H’s Awesome Quarantine Mix-Tape #3 will come out October 8. It’s the sequel to their two previous (non-quarantine) covers albums. The second of those featured a Lorde cover that ended up in the Top Ten our 2014 year-end list – and the first of those had a TV on the Radio cover in the Top Ten way back on our 2010 year-end list. What can I say, they do great covers! When the full album comes out, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if something lands on the 2021 list. Until then, listen to “Brandy” below.
Local H’s Awesome Quarantine Mix-Tape #3 – Tracklisting:
1. When Doves Cry (Acoustic) – Prince
2. Strangers – The Kinks
3. Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl) – Looking Glass
4. Here Comes The Rain Again – Eurythmics
5. Big Log – Robert Plant
6. Hackensack- Fountains Of Wayne
7. Ugly Sunday – Mark Lanegan
8. Dreaming – Blondie
9. When Doves Cry (Electric) – Prince
Check out many more covers by Local H here.
