This wonderful cover by Alanis Morrisette is a send up of The Black Eyed Peas ‘My Humps’ and it is outstanding! If you have seen the original video then you should recognize that Alanis is mocking Fergy all through the video. Her cracking up at the end is worth the watch as well.
Wikipedia defines a cover or cover version as
In popular music, a cover version, or simply cover, is a new rendition (performance or recording) of a previously recorded song.
The term “cover version” originally implied a rival version of a tune recorded by an artist subsequent to an “original version.” Popular musicians (and especially modern listeners) have now begun to use the word “cover” to refer to any remake of a song.
Musicians now play what they call “cover versions” of songs as a tribute to the original performer or group. Using familiar material is an important method in learning various styles of music. Artists may also perform “covers” of a favorite artist’s hit tunes for the simple pleasure of playing a familiar song. A cover band plays such “cover versions” exclusively.
Now, me, I like a cover version where the artist adds something unique or interesting to the song. Jonathan Coulton’s cover of Baby Got Back was so sublime and wonderful that listening to the original lost its appeal. Then, when someone set it to the original music video it was like turning the knob to 11.
Contrast that with some no name band that covered “I Fought The Law And The Law Won” which I was unfortunate enough to hear yesterday. Nothing new to the song; with the exception of a little bit of instrumentation change. Not a new angle, different key, time signature, nothing. I’m sure it is a current group that thinks they are being edgy but it isn’t working. Perhaps they should brush up on their french fry making skills.
Lots of artists that I love have covered songs that they love but they bring something new to the song - listen to Sarah McLachlan’s cover of “Wear Your Love Like Heaven” or Kate Bush’s cover of “Lord of the Reedy River” (both originally by Donovan). They are both so very different that when I went back and listened to the originals they didn’t ring as the same songs until I had listened closely. One of my favorite bands to listen to is Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, which do punk covers of old radio favorites. That is good music! Definitely bringing something new to the table.
Don’t get me wrong; I love listening to people that take other stuff and make it their own. I like playing music myself and it is a blast to sit and listen to my friend Doug play something in any environment.
Just don’t release a cover song that sounds like every other cover of that song including the original and expect me to think you are edgy and different, ’cause it ain’t gonna work.
(I still haven’t made up my mind about the new Shaw Blades “Influence” album, which is Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades covering the influential songs from their youth, I guess. They do it well, but it still feels like a couple of guys jamming in their living room; not much changing in the songs or style on the bits I’ve heard. I like it though, so I guess I’m more of a hypocrite than I thought.)
A year or so ago I stumbled across this video, then promptly lost the URL. Now, here it is in its glory:
“Everyone Else Has Had More Sex Than Me”, a song by TISM (This Is Serious Mum) animated by Bernard Derriman.
Please note that the song is rather catchy and might not be safe for where you work. Makes me laugh though; I feel for the rabbit.
Not only is this my new favorite album, it may just go onto my top ten album of all time list - it is that good. Recommended to me by a friend, I dropped by CD Baby and listened to the tracks online. This is the way to sell music online, people. I was able to listen to the entire CD and get a feel for it and whether or not I liked the style before plunking down my money.
Now, about the music - it is fabulous. The disc starts off with a wonderful track, Too Bad You. It has a great story but even better is the music; it is soft, then strong, catchy and then it throws them all back at you again. It has a great hook and a real joy to listen to.
Mocking Bird, the second track, is slower but still keeps the great storytelling mixed with great music. There are great little musical explorations throughout, most of which don’t make themselves evident until you listen with headphones. In fact, I missed the scratching completely until the sixth or seventh listen - not that it is hard to miss, but it fit so well with the rest of the song that until I listened a bit more critically I didn’t notice.
Dirty Wings is a more traditional Americana style ballad, which isn’t meant as a distraction by any means. I really enjoyed the guitars under the chorus; the variety keeps it interesting after several listens.
Captain Madness is just fun to listen to. Megan’s voice weaves itself in and out of the other instruments and insinuates itself inside your ear in such a way that you just don’t want it to end. She has great range and control and uses both aspects to integrate with the music.
A couple of quick notes here; first, I’m a big fan of Kate Bush. She uses her voice as an instrument to expand the music to places that most performers can’t go. Megan does this on Captain Madness to a large degree and on the other songs in varying degrees. Listen closely and you can hear her using her voice and the words as a percussion instrument or a string.
Second, at times a song would start and I’d go “Who is this? Jewel?” I’m not comparing Megan to Jewel but there are a couple of phrases here and there that are very evocative of Jewel.
This is the quality of album that I wish Gwen Stefani would have put out instead of the boring dance remix thing she released. Lose Me, Give Life, and Nearly Almost Always Nearly Almost Anything are a little more like Dirty Wings in that it is a traditional rock ballad style. Gorgeous singing, wonderful guitar contribute to make these really enjoyable.
Forget is another voice as an instrument song and what an instrument it is. Holding off falls in the same vein; I see a pattern here, don’t you?
The problem with reviewing a great album is how do you single out one great song over another. This is one disc you can put in your machine, hit play and leave for a while without feeling bored.
I really like It’s All My Fault (But I’m Not Sorry) though, not to detract from the other songs but it is just fun. The staccato almost rap on the chorus is fun to listen to and then it slows down into a light ballad before jumping back up.
I haven’t mentioned much about the lyrical qualities of the songs and for that, I apologize. I haven’t really had time to sit down and read the lyrics in detail while listening so much of my enjoyment comes from the superficial understanding in passing. Hopefully I’ll get to digest the content soon, since what I’ve got so far I really enjoy.
This is a great album. No arguments. Hopefully, she’ll make it big and tour outside the northern California area, but honestly, I’d be willing to make the drive to see her play live. There are only a hand full of artists that I’d do that for, she is that good on the disc.