Jun 292020
 

Saving for a Custom Vanjenn champion the blue album

Adam Schlesinger died on April 1st from COVID-19 complications. Not even three months later, “collaborators, tourmates, friends, and fans” put together Saving for a Custom Van, an extensive tribute album spanning songs from his varied career. Schlesinger is best known for being a founding member of Fountains of Wayne, but he also was in the more indie band Ivy and the supergroup Tinted Windows (with members from Hanson, Cheap Trick, and The Smashing Pumpkins). He also wrote songs for a variety of movies (Music & Lyrics, That Thing You Do!, Josie and the Pussycats), television shows (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), and Broadway (the postponed show, The Bedwetter) that also make an appearance on this tribute album.

The resulting collage of covers is heartfelt and plays like a personal mix tape of sorts. This makes it hard to pass any judgment. Overall, it is a powerful homage that also educates listeners on the history of Schelsinger’s work. In the sad context of the album, lyrics stand out as especially poignant, from the sad irony of “All Kinds of Time” to the evergreen “Troubled Times.”

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Nov 072012
 

Harry, I’m going to let you in on a little secret: every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don’t plan it; don’t wait for it; just let it happen. It could be a new shirt in a men’s store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot, black, coffee.

There are few things truer than Agent Dale Cooper’s secret to being happy. Today, we are making it easy for you to give yourself that little gift with Field Mouse‘s rendition of the Twin Peaks theme, “Falling” by Julee Cruise. Continue reading »

May 062011
 

This Week on Bandcamp rounds up our favorite covers to hit the site in the past seven days.

Welcome to the latest Bandcamp roundup! After last week’s Wiz Khalifa double-header, we’re back to the usual five songs/five artists format. Two ‘80s cuts by Prince and Cyndi Lauper pair with two more recent tracks by Deerhunter and Queens of the Stone Age. And then there’s a cover of the Twilight guy, which…well, you’ll see. Continue reading »