This week, Xiu Xiu, Rosebuds and Okkervil River provide some inspired new covers. Plus, if its adorable, its on the list this week.
1. Xiu Xiu feat. Michael Gira “Under Pressure” (Queen Cover)
My favorite thing in the world is when something that could come off as sacriligeous comes off AWESOME.
Everyone is stoked about the new original Xiu Xiu stuff coming out, but this revisiting of the Queen/David Bowie death match earns its own kudos.
MP3 here via Deaf Indie Elephants
2. Okkervil River, “Big Black Car” (Big Star cover)
As New York Magazine said: England’s “Black Cab Sessions” Web show provides musicians the opportunity to perform in the backseat of a black car, the ideal venue for Okkervil to play this song about being in a black car.
While (a little too) literal, still a lovely song.
MP3 here via Black Cab Sessions
3. The Rosebuds, “Push It”
Push it is one of my all time favorite songs (there, I said it).
I almost did not want to hear this cover because I mean, what could Ivan and Kelly do
MP3 here via Pitchfork
4. Eux Autres: “Molly”
Do you like Essex Green? Charm school? Rilo Kiley? Ladybug Transistor? Camera Obscura? Eames Era? Does “My favorite Dress” make you feel all fuzzy inside? Then, here is a song for you.
MP3 here via You Ain’t No Picasso
5. White Hinterland “Dreaming of the Plum Trees”
White Hinterland is the new Nellie McKaye. Clever almost to a fault, quirky almost to a point where its pushing it, yet it still somehow works.
MP3 here via Stereogum
6. Yael Naim, “New Soul”
This is the song for Mac’s Airbook commercial.
Expect it ingrained in your brain forever on.
Which considering what Apple did for Feist, may not necessarily be a bad thing.
MP3 here via DJMonsterMO
7. Thermals will be karaokeing this (Nouvelle Vague, Built to Spill, themselves…)
Now, if there is one reason to pack it up to New York in the middle of the week, then that would be Thermals’ impending karaoke show (Of Montreal’s already being the stuff of blog legend). They just released a list of songs they’ll be playing, and its a doozy.
I am especially thrilled about their inclusion of “Ever fallen in love” which Nouvelle Vague (itself a Buzzcocks cover), in my opinion a karaoke classic just waiting to happen.
MP3s here via Brooklyn Vegan
