Not all new music is really new, as many artists cover songs. Sometimes these are songs by their favorite artists, eg as a tribute to such a musical hero for a special reason, or they simply feel that a song deserves to be dusted and polished to reacquaint fans with great songs from the past. Other times, bands cover songs as a parody. Regardless of intent, some of those cover versions are so good or so much fun, we’d like to put a spotlight on them. Chosen from a wide range, here are – in random order – ten of our favorite covers from last month – links to the pages where you can add them to your wantlist included.
One last look back at 2022 before we move on to all the new stuff 2023 has to offer. December saw the release of Wicked Opossum Records’ Starstruck compilation (a tribute to The Kinks), Lee Baggett made his Lagniappe Sessions from last September officially available (Def Leppard, English Beat, Van Halen), and Dave Grohl & Greg Kurstin held their third annual Hanukkah Sessions (Randy Newman, Rush, Janis Ian and more) but apart from countless Christmas songs it was fairly quiet in the cover area. Still, we effortlessly found a dozen great ones.
Season of the Witch || Cover: The William Loveday Intention || Original: Donovan
Wild Billy Childish is unstoppable, and here’s the next single, out today on Spinout Nuggets. Side B In Full Eclipse is a father/son co-write where the former had some crazy words to which the latter linked a crazy tune. The A-side is an intense new version of a song from Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan’s 3rd studio album Sunshine Superman (1966), with Dave Tattersall on lead guitar.
Sparky’s Dream || Cover: Dutch Criminal Record || Original: Teenage Fanclub
A Tribute To Creation Records put together by the people behind Crafting Room Recordings, that can only turn out well. It’s a beautiful collection of songs from Jesus and Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine, Ride, House of Love and others covered by emerging artists such as Stephen’s Shore, Mercvrial, Leavers and The Black Fever. One of the highlights is UK indie outfit Dutch Criminal Record’s take on this Teenage Fanclub favorite from Grand Prix, which came out in 1995 on the legendary label. Proceeds from the sale of the vinyl LP will go to The Wave Project Charity.
Point That Thing Somewhere Else || Cover: The Courtneys || Original: The Clean
At the beginning of this month we heard the sad news that Hamish Kilgour, co-founder of New Zealand indie rock band the Clean, passed away. The musician was rightly showered with praise. Canadian fuzz-pop trio The Courtneys put online their cover of the closing track of the Boodle Boodle Boodle EP (1981), which they also regularly play live.
Accidente || Cover: Fievre || Original: The Primitives
On the B-side of their new single En La Playa, Argentinian punk band Fievre do a creditable cover of Crash, the opening track of The Primitives’ debut album (1988) – a worthy successor to their earlier rendition of the Muffs’ Not Like Me that we wrote about in the early days of this blog.
We Don’t Get Along || Cover: Victima del Vaciamiento || Original: Go-Go’s
And here’s another punk rock outfit from Argentina. Víctima del Vaciamiento released their entertaining new full-length album Here Again two weeks ago on Jit Jot Records, closing it with an exciting cover of one of the stand-outs from the 1982 Vacation LP.
True Love Will Find You in the End || Cover: The Human Fund || Original: Daniel Johnston
The work of the late great Daniel Johnston is widely appreciated by musicians, and has therefore been covered extensively, and his music continues to inspire. Connecticut garage punk duo The Human Fund – David Taylor Coffey (guitar, vocals) and Zach Fontanez (drums, vocals) – rev up one of his most-loved songs.
Molly’s Lips || Cover: Dave Strong || Original: The Vaselines
Another song from 1988 that has stood the test of time is The Vaselines’ Molly’s Lips, also recorded by Nirvana. In the hands of Dave Strong (guitar, vocals), together with Terry McNulty (bass) and Luke Williams (drums), it grows even more into a punk rock anthem. Out digitally via Laptop Punk Records.
Light Up My Room || Cover: The Re-Adjusters || Original: Barenaked Ladies
In The Case of the Missing Hit, episode 158 of the Reply All podcast, the name Barenaked Ladies came up regularly, but somehow I never hear their music again. However, this cover by Californian ska 9-piece The Re-Adjusters on their Together Again EP leaves you wanting more.
I Want You To Want Me || Cover: The Dark Brothers || Original: Cheap Trick
American alt country veterans The Dark Brothers are back with a new, self-titled album, out via Pyrrhic Victory Recordings. Cheap Trick’s 1977 classic gets an acoustic makeover that would work well on any movie soundtrack.
500 Miles || Cover: Micah P Hinson || Original: Hedy West
The song title probably brings to mind The Proclaimers’ 80s hit I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) at first, but this is a completely different song, of which a version by The Hooters was a hit almost simultaneously. We’re talking about a 1963 track where American folksinger Hedy West accompanies herself on the 5 string banjo, which of course fits much better on Micah P. Hinson’s new album I Lie To You (Ponderosa Music & Art).
Heart Full Of Love || Cover: Aaron Frazer || Original: The Invincibles
In 2 weeks, The Indications’ singing drummer Aaron Frazer will release his 5-track EP Live from Easy Eye Sound (via Dead Oceans), another nice collaboration with Dan Auerbach. The set opens with a cover of the 1970 version of a classic love song by Los Angeles soul group The Invincibles, a beautiful thought and sound to end this year.
Check out our Dusted playlist on Spotify for more cool cover songs.