|
Post by Return of the Thin Olive Duke on Jan 30, 2016 3:17:32 GMT -5
I'll make a case for this one. I never liked Michael Jackson, and this was the first version I ever heard. It takes what makes the original good and just goes nuts with it; and it's far more tight and controlled than any nu-metal or post-grunge song was.
Likewise, this cover takes one of Radiohead's classics and finds a more fitting place for it.
The original "Werewolf/No Werewolf" is in the public domain, so I used this cover in the closing credits to my short.
|
|
|
Post by Meth Lab Shenanigans on Feb 1, 2016 11:49:00 GMT -5
Eh... disagreed about "Smooth Criminal." Relatively tight and controlled, sure, but in comparison to the original it's like using a sledgehammer where a pair of tweezers would work better. Kills everything that was weird and menacing about the original and turns it into a frat bro jam. I do enjoy the Mark Ronson "Just" cover, though, thus making me the first Radiohead fan in history not to go purple with outrage when another band dares to touch one of their tracks. Hooray!
|
|
|
Post by Hugs and Hisses on Feb 2, 2016 9:56:17 GMT -5
I swear I listen to singers other than Mark Lanegan, but Post-Lupin, vis a vis the White Stripes version of "St. James Infirmary" have you heard the Gutter Twins version? It's the best version I've heard because a) SEXY and b) DRAMA and c) SEXY DRAMA:
|
|
moimoi
AV Clubber
Posts: 5,004
|
Post by moimoi on Feb 2, 2016 22:59:25 GMT -5
For the record, I like the original, but this version dials down Drake's whiny wimpiness and turns the song into a louche come-on as can only be delivered by Alex Turner.
|
|
LazBro
Prolific Poster
Posts: 10,019
|
Post by LazBro on Feb 3, 2016 14:50:44 GMT -5
Post-hardcore band A Lot Like Birds covering Third Eye Blind's "Losing a Whole Year."
-- It's louder, rockier and just a little more my speed. -- This is a hidden track on the band's debut album. One of the reasons I like it so well is how completely it differs from their normal sound. As a cover it's not weird in general, but it's weird for them in context of the greater album.
|
|
moimoi
AV Clubber
Posts: 5,004
|
Post by moimoi on Feb 3, 2016 22:05:11 GMT -5
Richard Hawley uses the VU classic as framework upon which to shred.
|
|
LazBro
Prolific Poster
Posts: 10,019
|
Post by LazBro on Feb 4, 2016 1:00:47 GMT -5
SUPER EXTRA SPECIAL BLASPHEMY EDITION: BLACK SABBATH 4. Charles Bradley, Black Sabbath's "Changes" I'd seen/heard this one before, of course, but thank you for the reminder that it exists. The song is powerful and video captivating.
|
|
|
Post by Pops Freshenmeyer on Feb 5, 2016 23:22:06 GMT -5
I was a big fan of this one on Undercover:
|
|
moimoi
AV Clubber
Posts: 5,004
|
Post by moimoi on Feb 6, 2016 0:48:18 GMT -5
Here's one I've enjoyed recently. It manages to keep the song ethereal, but updates it in a fun way.
Kevin Barnes is famous for his masterful covers, which are usually pretty faithful to the originals. This one is slower and sparser, with only one frail voice instead of two harmonizing. It gives the song more vulnerability.
|
|
moimoi
AV Clubber
Posts: 5,004
|
Post by moimoi on Feb 6, 2016 23:23:54 GMT -5
This version is hotter and sassier, without the self-indulgent macho posturing. Need I say more?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2016 0:36:51 GMT -5
moimoi, you reminded me of one of my favorite covers!
|
|
moimoi
AV Clubber
Posts: 5,004
|
Post by moimoi on Feb 7, 2016 0:39:11 GMT -5
moimoi , you reminded me of one of my favorite covers! Oooooooo, that's a good one!
|
|
repulsionist
TI Forumite
actively disinterested
Posts: 3,557
|
Post by repulsionist on Feb 8, 2016 16:10:05 GMT -5
Hellacopters done done this many-a-time over. Here is:
You, you get the picture here. Their covers collected in their Cream of the Crap volumes.
|
|
|
Post by Hugs and Hisses on Feb 12, 2016 12:44:00 GMT -5
There was a request to put this over here after I linked to it on the bad covers thread; I swear I'm not trying to turn this into The Gutter Twins Corner or anything. It's just that this cover kills. I'm not even sure there's one original anyone can point to on the "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" part, but I think this version destroys the Unplugged Nirvana version that's so popular.
-- Excellent mash-up with Massive Attack's "Live With Me" so you get bonus cover song! -- The dark swirly layers of sound illustrate the spookiness of the lyrics and makes the song more alluringly dangerous -- I can't resist Dulli yowling "Shiver me, baby" (particularly in contrast to Langean mumbling "Shiver me now" into the floor on the previous verse -- it's never not funny to me)
And in non-Dulli/Lanegan news, I've been dancing around posting this here since the thread went up. This is Peeping Tom's cover of "Desperate Situation". The original is great, and sexy, and fun; I mean, no one's going to do Marvin Gaye better than Marvin Gaye. But I like that in this version, Patton sounds like he might actually be a little desperate. And it's got such energy and pizzazz. Pizzazz is good, right?
|
|
|
Post by Hugs and Hisses on Feb 12, 2016 13:07:10 GMT -5
This isn't just one of my favorite covers of all time, it's probably one of my favorite songs of all time. I love Richie Havens - he imbued all his music with such warmth. This is delightful and so perfect for a Friday afternoon!
|
|
|
Post by Some Kind of Munster on Feb 12, 2016 14:29:05 GMT -5
Speaking of Charles Bradley and Nirvana covers, here's his version of "Stay Away" from an otherwise not spectacular tribute album
|
|
repulsionist
TI Forumite
actively disinterested
Posts: 3,557
|
Post by repulsionist on Feb 15, 2016 18:04:20 GMT -5
Ride
Shockabilly and Bongwater
|
|
repulsionist
TI Forumite
actively disinterested
Posts: 3,557
|
Post by repulsionist on Feb 16, 2016 18:08:34 GMT -5
Duin' the Du.
secret subtext for 80s alt bands = cover "Eight Miles High" to ensure your dreaminess.
BONUS 80s
|
|
repulsionist
TI Forumite
actively disinterested
Posts: 3,557
|
Post by repulsionist on Feb 17, 2016 16:41:17 GMT -5
Spiritualized covers Laurie Anderson
|
|
moimoi
AV Clubber
Posts: 5,004
|
Post by moimoi on Feb 26, 2016 1:07:20 GMT -5
I know I may encounter opposition, but I find the two covers below weirdly atmospheric, in ways that enhance a weak Stone Roses song and an ill-fitting Michael Jackson song respectively:
|
|
|
Post by Sanziana on Mar 3, 2016 9:20:46 GMT -5
I mentioned this elsewhere I think, but London Grammar has some pretty lovely covers:
PJ Harvey covers Nick Cave
And Bat for Lashes Tom Waits.
These last 2 are not exactly improving on the originals, but they are quite beautiful.
|
|
LazBro
Prolific Poster
Posts: 10,019
|
Post by LazBro on Mar 11, 2016 10:09:09 GMT -5
I'm in love with this cover of "Nights in White Satin" by Oceans of Slumber, a female-fronted doom-death metal band from Houston. Even as a huge metal fan, I find most metal covers to be overwrought, silly or just kinda lame. This cover manages to bring the heavy while retaining the emotion and power of the song, no doubt due in large part to vocalist Cammie Gilbert's stunning voice.
|
|
|
Post by The Sensational She-Hulk on Mar 15, 2016 8:59:46 GMT -5
@patrickbatman, I really like that Lucinda Williams cover of "Which Will" a lot - it's one of those Nick Drake songs that doesn't get enough love to start with, and this is quite lovely. It's so light and ethereal and quiet.
|
|
moimoi
AV Clubber
Posts: 5,004
|
Post by moimoi on Mar 19, 2016 0:50:42 GMT -5
Not sure it's an improvement, but it is kind of neato:
|
|
|
Post by Consolidated Headmelter on Mar 20, 2016 16:37:09 GMT -5
Not sure it's an improvement, but it is kind of neato: It definitely improves on the original! If I ever get the chance to make an alt-historical movie set in the 1930s (and I know you all pray I do) this cover will feature prominently. Probably in the climactic zeppelin-fleet battle.
|
|
moimoi
AV Clubber
Posts: 5,004
|
Post by moimoi on Mar 28, 2016 14:14:54 GMT -5
Love the original(s), but the bass and squiggly synth work do add something, along with Alexis Taylor's inimitable croon.
|
|
monodrone
Prolific Poster
Come To Brazil
Posts: 2,551
|
Post by monodrone on May 3, 2016 9:36:28 GMT -5
3. John Mayer, Radiohead's "Kid A" --Just ignore that it's John Mayer if possible and judge it purely sonically I've been away for a while and only just got round to looking at this dang thread. I'm blissfully unaware of John Mayer outside of his appearance to play the guitar solo in Beat It for Fall Out Boy because none of Fall Out Boy is good enough at guitar to play it themselves. I will not be including that cover in this thread. Anyway, that Kid A cover is really good and I'm glad I've heard it so thanks for that. -Pop Punk will never die.
|
|
|
Post by Jean Luc de Lemur on May 6, 2016 18:57:56 GMT -5
Not sure it's an improvement, but it is kind of neato: I think it depends on how we define “original.” The earliest recording of “Blue Monday” is fascinating but clearly a work in progress:
|
|
moimoi
AV Clubber
Posts: 5,004
|
Post by moimoi on May 7, 2016 22:51:58 GMT -5
This here is one of my favorite covers of all time. Rossen's version is more deliberate and warmer-sounding than the clear, earnest delivery of the Judee Sill original. Really makes me wish he had more of a solo career - his arrangements are genius.
|
|
moimoi
AV Clubber
Posts: 5,004
|
Post by moimoi on May 20, 2016 15:17:38 GMT -5
Male duets are a rare and wonderful thing, especially with two of my favorite piano-playing singer/songwriters. Rufus starts out a little rough, but the harmonies come together and create something really unexpected. As a duet, it brings out gay undertones of the song and turns an exercise in camp (to which Mssrs. Wainwright and Folds are no strangers) into a rather revealing and heartfelt ballad.
|
|