Cover time!

[urgencytobleed]

I haven't posted any covers in awhile, so here are a few really good ones that I've discovered since... whenever the last time I posted any was. (I think it was that big 5-part covers extravaganza which was pretty close to when I first started posting, so awhile ago.)

• Amy Millan - I Will Follow You Into the Dark (Death Cab for Cutie) (buy the album)

This is a pretty straightforward cover, just a bit more countrified than the original. And I could probably listen to Amy sing anything, so that doesn't hurt either.

• Art in Manila - The Sweat Descends (Les Savy Fav) (buy the album)

I'm not sure why I like this so much. Maybe just because it's really catchy and has this driving pulse and vocalizing that reminds me of a hot day in the middle of summer. Or maybe because it was one of the first Art in Manila songs I heard. Or possibly it's the subtle change from "touch my tongue" to "fuck my tongue" that slips into the second chorus. Sneaky, Orenda, very sneaky...

• The Bird and the Bee - How Deep Is Your Love (Bee Gees) (buy the album)

Could the vocals be any more adorable, cute, sweet, (insert your adjective here)? I think not. Inara and Greg manage to turn this cheesy, dated tune into something completely endearing and sweet - but not too over-the-top.

• Carissa's Wierd - Isolation (Joy Division) (buy the album)

This is quite simple and lo-fi, but it doesn't really need much else. I adore Jenn Ghetto's voice as well, so the same rule of "I could listen to her sing the phone book" applies here, too.

• The Delgados - Mr Blue Sky (Electric Light Orchestra) (buy the album)

I was a bit disappointed to know that this was a cover and not an original because it's pretty epic. I noticed some of the things it's been tagged with on Last.fm: "even better than the real thing", "covers that outstrip the originals". I haven't heard the original but I think those pretty accurately get across how good it is. Also, handclaps! Awesome, right?

• Los Campesinos! - C Is the Heavenly Option (Heavenly) (buy the album)

I actually hunted down the original because I was so enamored by this and was kind of let down by it. Calvin Johnson's deep voice didn't seem to work very well with Amelia Fletcher's sweet, soft one. (Trivia: the reason Los Campesinos! covered this song is because they name check both of those artists in "The International Tweexcore Underground".) Anyway, I think Gareth and Aleksandra's voices go together much better and this song is so fucking cute!

• St. Vincent - These Days (Jackson Browne) (buy the album)

Annie Clark, I love you. This is another case of less is more. And also of being able to enjoy her reciting the phone book. There seems to be a lot of those today, hmm...

• Straylight Run - Peach, Plum, Pear (Joanna Newsom) (buy the album)

My sister can't stand Joanna's voice, but at least she can be exposed to her stellar songwriting skills through covers like this. It's super good and also it is not a song with Michelle doing lead vocals - finally, I know! So, if you think Joanna sounds like nails on a chalkboard or cats fighting or something, this is for you because if you can't appreciate the voice, you can definitely appreciate the writing at least.