By shelz.
Afternoon folks. It’s your weekly take on all that is sonically stolen across a myriad of genres. This week we’re going to take a look at all of these covers that have been popping up. No they aren’t all new, but most, if not all, will be new to you.
The crop we have today is some seriously ambitious stuff; covers of U2, Rihanna, T.I. and an Unkle re-work of their own song with a great guest lyricist. There’s also some other random stuff that I have come across in my travels this week to close things out. We are track heavy today, focusing on indie rockers, singer-songwriters and a dash of Trip-Hop so let’s get to it. First up is Paramore.
You know Hayley Williams from B.o.B’s “Airplanes” if you don’t recognize her as the front woman for Paramore. She and her crew have released an acoustic album and one of the songs they tackled was U2’s “Sunday Bloody Sunday.” I don’t know kiddos. Covering the dudes from Dublin took some balls, but what they have in aspiration they lack in application.
Paramore – “Sunday Bloody Sunday”
Sunday Bloody Sunday (Acoustic) [Musicrebirth.blogspot.com]
Next up is The Pretty Reckless. Who you ask? If you ever flip over to the CW, you may recognize the lead singer, Taylor Momsen as Jenny Humphrey from Gossip Girl. Anyway, during an interview recently, Momsen took some shots at Rihanna and her new hardcore look. Then she turned around and covered Rihanna’s section from “Love The Way You Lie.” Momsen takes the despair of the lyrics a few notches up and gives it some emotion Rihanna just couldn’t muster. Take a listen.
The Pretty Reckless – “Love the Way You Lie”
The Pretty Reckless – Islands x Love The Way You Lie (Unplugged)
Moving on we have Anya Marina and her cover of T.I.’s “Whatever You Like.” This is a few years old, but I’m dropping it on you anyhow. I like this because it’s not cheesy nor does she do this with the tongue and cheek aspect many non-rappers use when covering Hip Hop. She’s invested and her styling is fun.
Anya Marina – “Whatever You Like”
Anya Marina – Whatever You Like (T.I. Cover)(2)
Now we have Kat Graham. Don’t ask me who she is, I have no clue. She decided to cover Paula Abdul. *head tilt* Seriously, who covers Paula Abdul? Anyway, she picks “Cold Hearted Snake” and refuses to update it. Then on top of that, the production isn’t half as slick as the original. Plus anyone who was around back then knows the only thing that saved this song the first time around was the video which was a dope homage to Bob Fosse. I know you didn’t think Beyonce was the first to do that.
Kat Graham – “Cold Hearted Snake”
Cold Hearted Snake (Paula Abdul Cove
Next is Swedish dance sensation Robyn. She’s in the process of releasing the second installment of her trilogy, Body Talk. During her promotion downtime she swung over to iheartradio and unleashed her cover of Alicia Keys’ “Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart.” I don’t really like this. She sounds like she’s struggling, but one of you may dig it so here you go.
Robyn – “Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart”
Robyn – Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart (Alicia Keys Cover)
Then there is Unkle who have re-worked their song, “The Runaway.” They relegated Elle J’s somber styling to the chorus and gave the verses to Lupe to man handle. I liked the original, but it was a bit dark. Lupe peps it up a bit, gives a head bobbing effect to the electro track that wasn’t there the first time around. This is dope. Ain’t it?
UNKLE feat. Lupe Fiasco – “The Runaway – Lupe’s Revenge”
UNKLE – The Runaway_ Lupe’s Revenge f_ Lupe Fiasco [Radio Rip] www.gowherehiphop.com
Last but not least we have some in-house talent. Our former album review diva has reluctantly handed over her own cover of Christina Auguilera’s “Save Me From Myself.” This really makes you wonder how some famous singers get famous because I could knock down a heavy list of folks I believe would lose in a singers duel to this young lady. Drums please…
Fawn Renee – “Save Me From Myself”
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