+ And who doesn’t love seeing videos of famous rock stars be loving, awesome parents? Check out this video of Wilco’s Jeff Tweedyjamming with his sons!
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+ And kissing is banned at a heavy metal festival in Germany to protect against disease? I asked my metal friend what he thought about this. His response: No mercy in hellfire, baptized in flames, from black womb evil is born. I think that means, safety first!
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Daft Punk’s “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” has gotten a lot of attention in the past couple years thanks to Kanye West sampling it and the infamous YouTube video “Daft Hands” (and all of its subpar clones). However, as the rest of music listeners were buzzing about those things, I just kept thinking to myself: man, this would really be perfect if that one dude from Crash Test Dummies decided to folk up this synth beat a la their bafflingly infectious 90s single “Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm.” Luckily, somebody with influence over Benjamin Darvill loves me. He performs as solo act Son of Dave now, and here he takes apart Daft Punk’s electronic hit, and then rebuilds it with acoustic sounds, looped perfectly just to prove to everybody that, yeah, he’s still got it. —Chanelle Johnson
The Kooks, “Kids”
The Kooks sat in the studio and listened to MGMT’s original track as it played over the airwaves and then came up with this acoustic cover. I was skeptical about this track’s sound with only two acoustic guitars, but the stripped down feel seems to bring out the gloomy feel. The upbeat, more blissful tones are gone, resulting in a smooth and thoughtful cover. Luke Pritchard’s voice works really well. It might not sound too much different than the original, but the raw sound and emotion fit in with the darker feel of this acoustic version. These U.K. boys understand pop music, and this impromptu jam shows it. —Josh Middleton
The Vines, “Ms. Jackson”
This works surprisingly well as a rock number, but I wish the Hives would have sped things up a bit more. Having said that, their choice to take it slow highlights some redeeming qualities of the track. The chorus becomes a heartfelt cry for forgiveness, something I didn’t quite pick up on from Big Boi and Andre 3000. The Hives have some other Outkast covers out there that aren’t too shabby either, go find some good ones. —JM
Jason Mraz, “Three Little Birds”
I’ve had this tune stuck in my head thanks to a recent Panic at the Disco cover I heard; I won’t deny it. While that version is sweet, it also reminded me of Jason Mraz’s own tendency to play the Bob Marley hit live. Mraz has always had a strong voice and great stage presence. He demonstrates both for this number, but what’s really impressive is how much of the audience he gets to participate, up to and including their sloppy but enthusiastic whistling. This version tends to inspire me to do a little call and response of my own when it plays, but unlike Jason’s fans, the people I’m around in public tend to drown in haterade and shush joy music coming their way. Their loss. —CJ
Norah Jones, “Jesus, Etc.”
You might not take Norah Jones fans for indie/alt-country types, but the crowd obviously got the reference when Jones performed her pared-down cover of Wilco’s “Jesus, Etc.” Despite the recent death of ex-member Jay Bennett, Wilco are still going strong. Their seventh album “Wilco (The Album)” debuted June 30th at #4 to strong reviews. —James Risolo The album will be available in stores on August 4th. —JR
So, I was supposed to be on cnn.com/live again today, but due to some technical difficulties, it didn’t work out.These things happen, but it is kind of annoying that I trimmed my beard, put on a clean shirt, and showed up to work sober. Anywhoo, here’s the music I was planning to push today.
Levon sounds like classic Levon on this album, with his Southern Arkansas melodic growl, but the real beauty on this record is his studious blend of classic American musical styles. Just when you think he’s given a song the Appalachian treatment, a crazy funky New Orleans tuba bounces off the back of your head (in the good way). You can preview the album here, and buy it here.
And in case you’re about 40 years late to the party, and have never heard The Band, go get The Last Waltz as an introduction. Martin Scorsese filmed their final concert and the were joined by the likes of Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Neil Diamond, Dr. John, Muddy Waters, Joni Mitchell, Emmy Lou Harris, Ronnie Wood, Van Morrison, Ringo, Ronnie Hawkins, and your mom. How awesome was that party? Well, MGM had to spend thousands of dollars airbrushing a booger brick of cocaine out from under Neil Young’s nose, so yeah, it was a good time.
PS: to whomever represent’s The Band’s catalogue, you better get on some search engine optimization, or The Band could disappear from history in 30 years.
“Wilco (the album)” Wilco
I love Wilco—always have, always will. I probably would have given this album four stars before I even heard it, and fortunately, I would have been right. Anyone who has spent any time listening to Wilco knows how great they are, but if you haven’t this is a good album to start on.
EachofWilco’sprevioussixalbums have had their own sound corresponding with the bands stage of evolution, but for the first time, this album brings all those sounds together. There are a couple of songs that sound like they’ve been pulled from each previous album Wilco has done. While this may sound strange, in effect, Wilco has essentially created a completely original greatest hits album.
If you don’t consider yourself the world’s biggest and best Wilco fan (most Wilco fans think they are the one person that truly“gets it”) go buy this album and then watch the DVD I am Trying to Break Your Heart. However, if you do consider yourself the penultimate Wilco fan, please stop getting in semantic arguments over grammar in the comment section of all their album reviews. And it probably wouldn’t kill you to stop motionlessly staring at Jeff Tweedy like a he’s an original Warhol, and actually get up and dance at a show.
“It Was This or Football” Kid British
I guess it was a good thing I was bumped on CNN this morning, considering this album doesn’t actually come out today, which means I get to save my review for when it does come out and I don’t look like an feckin’ eedget—wait that’s Irish slang, not English, ah feck it.
Anyway, instead of writing about them, I’ll just embed a few of clips from singles these genre-bending Mancies have released.
Jay Bennett, best known for his work as a multi-instrumentalist and co-songwriter for Wilco from 1994-2001, died in his sleep Sunday night. His contributions to Wilco helped break the band into mainstream success and created a sonic landscape that redefined the sound of alt-country. Bennett also played in several other bands including Titanic Love Affair and released 5 solo albums.
Jay got a bad rap because he came off kind of douchey in the 2002 documentary “I am Trying to Break Your Heart,” during which he was fired from the band, but, the reality is films get edited to enhance story and drama, and no one can deny that Jay played a large role in some of Wilco’s best music.
Recently, Jay filed a breach of contract suit against front man Jeff Tweedy for royalties due from music and the film, which didn’t exactly get a lot of applause in the music world. But it turns out, Bennett probably had a very good reason to look for money that he felt he was owed.
On April 24th Bennett posted a myspace blog apologizing to fans for his recent absence and explaining that he was in excruciating pain and needed hip replacement surgery. But of course, because his hip injury apparently stemmed from a previous injury in his knee and because our healthcare system is a venomous demon that would rather piss on your wounds than help you, his surgery was not covered under his policy.
That was the last post from Jay. He died in his sleep from unknown causes. You can download his final solo album for free, here.
Jeff Tweedy released the following statement on Wilcoworld.net
We are all deeply saddened by this tragedy. We will miss Jay as we remember him — as a truly unique and gifted human being and one who made welcome and significant contributions to the band’s songs and evolution. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends in this very difficult time.
Fridays are about coasting and letting other people do all the work. In that spirit, here’s your weekly dose of covers:
“I Shall be Released” Wilco and Fleet Foxes
The best version of this song ever was performed by Bob Dylan, the Band, Neil Young, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Ronnie Wood, Neil Diamond, Paul Butterfield, Dr. John, Ronnie Hawkins, Van Morrison, Ringo Star, and Joni Mitchell at “The Last Waltz,” so coming in second ain’t too shabby.
You can watch our Blogotheque episode with an amazing Fleet Foxes performance here.
“Glory Days” Avett Brothers
This cover of “Glory Days” makes the best argument I’ve ever heard for adding a banjo, cello, and standup bass to the E Street Band.Granted, it’s not a very often-debated topic, but I’m sure it must have come up on a message board somewhere.
Justin Townes Earl got kicked out of his Dad’s (Steve Earl) band for “over indulgence,” which is kind of like getting kicked out of the Jimi Hendrix Experience for having a badass afro, but he’s cleaned up his act these days and puts on an amazing show. This Replacements cover shows some of his broader influences, plus Jason Isbell lends him a hand on guitar.
Speaking of Jason Isbell, his cover of Thin Lizzy’s “Jail Break” proves Southern rockers and Irishmen have more in common than just whiskey. For instance: this song.
“Holland 1945″ Kevin Devine, Manchester Orchestra & Brand New
If you don’t know this song, take your shitty record collection outside and beat yourself with it. Neutral Milk Hotel was one of the most stunningly and truly alternative bands of the 90’s, and this is hands down, the best song ever written about Anne Frank. It’s too bad front man Jeff Mangum took the J.D. Salinger way outof the industry, but I guess it’s still better than pulling a Cobain.
If you want to see the worst Neutral Milk Hotel cover ever, click here.
“Tyrone” My Morning Jacket
I couldn’t find video of MMJ’s cover of “Loving Cup” by the Stones, but quite frankly this Erykah Badu cover required more stones, and it and probably blew some tippin’ hippies minds at Bonnaroo.
