“Don’t Let Me Fall Behind” is a perky pop ditty by indie rockers Jukebox the Ghost, though the upbeat piano and catchy hook belie more melancholy subject matter. The video is a wonderful accompaniment, exploring the yearning for a former love. One of the best visual flourishes dappled throughout is a film projecting onto falling sheets of paper, creating the image of pieces of memories cascading to the floor. – Daniel Edward
What Cover Song Do You Feel Is Better Than The Original? May 4, 2011
TNT
I would have to say “Crimson and Clover” covered by Joan Jett and The Blackhearts. Originally by Tommy James and the Shondells, I feel that Jett’s version blows the original out of the water; the drums and guitar really make this cover work. I’ve never been a fan of Donna Lewis’s “I Love You, Always Forever,” but when I heard the track covered by Jukebox the Ghost, my mind was changed. This version doesn’t make me embarrassed to listen.
I would have to say “Crimson and Clover” covered by Joan Jett and The Blackhearts. Originally by Tommy James and the Shondells, I feel that Jett’s version blows the original out of the water; the drums and guitar really make this cover work. I’ve never been a fan of Donna Lewis’s “I Love You, Always Forever,” but when I heard the track covered by Jukebox the Ghost, my mind was changed. This version doesn’t make me embarrassed to listen.
Angela
Hands down, the first thing I thought of was “War Pigs” as covered by the Dresden Dolls, originally by Black Sabbath. The drumming Brian does on that song makes me stare in awe every single time. They are a two piece band and still do the song justice with a full sound and enough energy to make this one, kick-ass cover. I generally hate covers, but this one is my absolute favorite.
Hoverbee
I can think of many cover songs that are far better than the originals. In fact, I feel that’s the mark of a great cover. In my opinion, it’s silly to cover a song that’s already awesome, although many bands do. I really enjoy it when a band takes a song and makes it so much better than it was (which is usually not the case with covers). Some examples are as follows: Nirvana‘s cover of Shocking Blue’s “Love Buzz,” Joan Jett and The Blackheart‘s cover of Arrow’s “I Love Rock ‘n Roll,” and The White Stripe‘s cover of Dusty Springfield’s “I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself.”
Mark
It’s hard to say, because I know of an amazing cover that’s right on the tip of my tongue, but of course when it comes time to write about it, I can’t remember the song or who covered it. So for now, my pick is Gary Numan’s 1979 tune “Metal”, covered by his worthy successor to dark themes and electronics, Nine Inch Nails. Numan’s original version was part The Pleasure Principle, an album set to a self-composed Sci-Fi story taking place in a gritty, violent and increasingly dangerous world over run by technology and paranoia. What makes NIN’s cover so amazing is that it not only expanded upon the original musically, but that it actually sounds more like a song that defines the universe Numan intended to create than the original. The NIN version is a journey into madness and paranoia, which gets exceedingly worse with every second clocked, as the clanging of metal increases with creepy out-of-tune guitars, repetitive grunts and droning dead air. I would almost say that this version better illustrates Numan’s vision for his nightmarish dystopian future.
Stigz
I am on the fence, but I think it’s a tie between Jimi Hendrix‘s cover of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” and Refused‘s version of Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy.”
Daniel-Edward
Even though the original song is great, No Doubt‘s cover of “It’s My Life” by Talk Talk is one of my favorite, and I would say better than the original. I also like Kim Wilde‘s cover of “Keep Me Hanging On,” originally by The Supremes.
Top 5 New Artists/Songs March 30, 2010
There’s always new music to be talked about here at NVMP and this week a few of us wanted to share some of the new music we can’t get enough of. Whether it be new bands or new songs from some of the greats, you should listen in. I’ve provided you with the band links, so click away and listen my friends. Tell us what your new favorite bands or songs are. Go ahead, I dare you. – TNT
Tina’s Top 5
5. Jukebox the Ghost – song suggestion “Schizophrenia” – This is a new one from the D.C. natives, addicting keys with a vocal styling to make you lose your mind. This whole song is just infectious, love it.
4. Ed Zealous – song suggestion “Talk With Your Hands”
3. April Smith and the Great Picture Show – song suggestion “Movie Loves A Screen” – Such a great beat the lyrics could give you cavities. This band (and song) makes me get up and dance, perhaps a little jitterbuggin’.
2. Black Taxi – song suggestion – “Head on a Pike” – This song kicks ass. You NEED to check it out. NOW! GO! CLICK!
1. Local Natives – song suggestion “Airplanes” – Love the crescendos, every element in this song shines through so majestically. This is the best song I’ve heard in a while; it’s simple, it’s catchy, it’s in my head 24/7.
Dan’s Top 5
5. “Fembot” by Robyn – She’s not a new discovery, but her latest song making its way around the internet is fantastic. Fans of her last album will love it.
4. The Go Find – song suggestion “City Dreamer” – Heard it over Pandora one afternoon and loved it. Haven’t listened their other music, but I can’t get enough of this song.
3. RJD2 – song suggestion “Games You Can Win (featuring Kenna)” – It’s not surprising Kenna works with RJD2 since they both blend many genres to create something that defies them all. RJD2’s music is mostly beats and instrumentals, but he does feature some guest vocalists on some tracks of The Colossus. This is my favorite song off the album.
2. Sam Sparro – song suggestion “Black & Gold” – My boyfriend made this song suggestion to me, and then I needed the entire album. Sam Sparro has an alternative funk vibe that makes for some easy and enjoyable listening.
1. Alphabeat – song suggestion “Boyfriend” – After I heard “Boyfriend” I was hooked on Alphabeat. Their sound is an upbeat electronica throwback to early 90s pop and I cannot get enough of it. The video for “Boyfriend” is adorable.
Klone’s Top 5
5. Bear McCreary – Composer of the music for SyFy shows “Battlestar Galactica” and “Caprica”, his adaptation of “All Along The Watchtower” for the Season 3 BSG
finale was simply amazing. This is definitely a tv/film score composer to keep an eye on over the next few years.
4. The Temper Trap – song suggestion “Sweet Disposition” – It’s a sweet, pop song with a male vocalist singing the entire thing in falsetto.
3. Alice in Chains – song suggestion “Take Her Out” – Off their latest album Black Gives Way to Blue, the first since the passing of original front man Layne Staley, this track sounds like a classic Alice In Chains tune, and was the first to really get my attention when I bought the CD home and listened to it for the first time.
2. Stone Temple Pilots – song suggestion “Between The Lines” – They’re broken up, they’re together, Weiland’s in Rehab, he’s out, they’re together, they’re broken up…they’re together again. This song is so good, you’d never know any of that ever happened…and I’m taking that as a good sign.
1. Muse – song suggestion “Undisclosed Desires” – This song is an ultimate and extreme throw-back to the likes of Depeche Mode and Joy Division/New Order…the new wave movement of the 80s, but done in that uniquely modern way that is becoming second nature to Muse. Epic seems to be built into the group’s song-writing mantra, even when borrowing influences from musical movements of decades past. This song could help you drink yourself into a deep depression, or get you to disrobe while tearing up the dance floor at a nightclub. Pick your poison…or pleasure…and Muse will be your perfect soundtrack.
