“Time of the Season” by The Zombies was first released on the 1968 album Odessey and Oracle. Penned by Rod Argent (their keyboard player) this tune took on an anthemic feeling with its psychedelic keys, alluring bassline, and rhythmic finesse. In Finneas’s most recent performance on Triple J, the artist explained his fondness for the tune: Continue reading »
Twin Shadow recently asked himself…”What if “Birds of a Feather” had a winter treatment?”
The end result is a cozy retro version, which is a combination of pulsing, fresh synthesizer lines, with deep and affecting vocals. The introductory drumbeat is quick-paced and upbeat. Then guitars enter: strummy and enlivening. The double hit of the kick drum combines with the snowflake glitter of the chimes—the instrumentation results in an unexpected musical synergy. Continue reading »
It’s no secret that the 1995 Radiohead song “Fake Plastic Trees” is brimming with emotions, but what if one of the world’s most famous producers, who helped reshape the current sound of pop alongside sister Billie Eilish, tackled it on the BBC’s renowned Live Lounge? As the purple and blue lights set the mood, we get a wash of guitar, and see Finneas sitting, relaxed at the piano…The artist was wearing clear statement sunglasses that remind us a bit of Elton John’s…But less on fashion and more about the sound.
Finneas has rendered “Fake Plastic Trees” into a raw and soulful yet pared-down song. Vocally, he used a clear chest voice which leaped up into an emotional and light falsetto. Listeners have called the cover “refreshing, smooth, beautiful” and “a well-suited choice.”
Finneas also performed his original song “Lotus Eater”. The artist has also announced a new tour since the release of his album For Crying Out Loud.
Check out the cover of “Fake Plastic Trees” here:
For more great Radiohead covers, check out this page.
The Gaslight Anthem is an American punk-rock/indie-rock band from New Jersey comprised of Alex Rosamilia (guitar), Brian Fallon (vox, guitar), Alex Levine (bass), and Benny Horowitz (drums). And recently? The four-piece group decided to take Billie Eilish’s early ballad “Ocean Eyes” and turn it on its head. The idea reportedly came from when lead singer/guitarist Brian Fallon’s daughter turned her dad onto the song. And the rest? History! Continue reading »
There’s a great Prince quote from back in the day that perfectly encapsulates why he was so special: “I never wanted to fit in with my music, whatever the trend was, I usually went in the opposite direction.” And while Prince was a singularly spectacular and unprecedented talent, it is reassuring to know that that a bit of that same spirit and philosophy lives on, within arguably the biggest pop star of right now, Billie Eilish. Which is to say, the further she travels in the other direction, the better she gets.
That extends to her choices in cover songs which can be kind of offbeat. For Global Citizen’s recent One World: Together At Home concert event she and her brother-slash-musical partner Finneas chose to perform a song that, while born out of tragedy, was built to uplift, Bobby Hebb’s eternal classic from 1966, “Sunny.” Continue reading »