Here’s my list of …
THE TOP 10 COVERS, TRIBUTES OR MASH-UPS OF 2011 (#10-6)
10. TWO MATCHSTICKS-The Woodenbirds (EP)
Barsuk’s The Wooden Birds gave away an EP consisting of the title track off their new record, along with two covers: Hall & Oates “Maneater” and Kenny Rogers’ “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town.” And Ruby is a tough song not to make sound stupid. But they did a great job with it.
You can still get the whole EP free here.
9. MAYER HAWTHORNE-Impressions (EP)
White boy soul (Isley Brothers, The Festivals) with a little ELO and Chromeo tossed in. Much, much better than expected. But then, he’s on Stones Throw, so why the hell was I underestimating it in the first place?
Get it free here.
8. LENKA-Deep Blue (Arcade Fire cover)
I could do a whole post just on the Arcade Fire covers that came out this year. They’re becoming the muse for this generation. Lenka‘s stands out of the pack–and much of the pack was none-too-shabby, either. I haven’t heard her original stuff, but her arrangement, vocals, and sense of timing on this cut are superb.
7. PENGUINS KILL POLAR BEARS-This Is Love (PJ Harvey cover)
Most traces of this seem to have wiped off the internets, including the band’s bandcamp page. Weird, ’cause this was terrific. Maybe she sued them or something. Whatevs–you should cop it if you can find it.
6. PUMPED UP KICKS-Foster the People (ubiquitous)
I hated this song when I first heard it. After the 100th time my kids blasted it, I was hooked. But even more than the original, I loved the covers. So many covers! Kelsey Leffard did my favorite of all. And you can score her entire 5-song covers EP at Bandcamp for cheapsies. (Free.) It’s got the aforementioned tune, plus some Death Cab, Postal Service, and others.
Pumped Up Kicks-Kelsey Leffard
http://soundowl.com/embed/28u1
See also: Chris Cab’s version. Kinda ska-lite.
http://soundowl.com/embed/28u0
