Nouvelle Vague :: A Date with Depeche Mode

French bossa nova band Nouvelle Vague are getting ready to release a covers album A Date with Depeche Mode on October the 30th. In it they cover 13 tracks from these synthpop legends from the ones you'd expect to hear ("Enjoy the Silence", "Personal Jesus") to more obscure tracks like ("Ice Machine", "Leave in Silence"). The first taste we've gotten so far from the album is for "Enjoy the Silence" and "Never Let Me Down Again". Loving both of the covers! I will definitely be playing these out at home. Super chill and soothing renditions.

Check out those two tracks below, then be sure to mark your calenders for that Oct 30th release date.

The Silent League :: We Go Forward

The Silent League are a NYC collective originally formed in 2004 by former Mercury Rev keyboardist Justin Russo that features a rotating line-up from from many other big name bands like Interpol, Beirut, Mercury Rev, Arcade Fire, Maps & The Leisure Society. Inspired by remixes of tunes from their third album 'But You’ve Always Been The Caretaker' (2010), 'We Go Forward' is a new collection of classic Silent League tracks from each of their albums, freshly remixed by a variety of friends and collaborators like Memory Tapes, Neon Indian, Maps and others. It also includes a cover of Broken Social Scene’s "Texico Bitches" recorded with members of Maps and The Leisure Society, as well as a cover of The Chameleons classic track "Tears".  The Broken Social Scene cover is being given away as a free mp3. Great cover I think you'll dig. Look into the rest of that release if you like this one.

Here's a great quote Russo sent along with the press release.

“We don’t really care about maintaining a place in the industry. There is enough noise in the world and everyone has other work to busy themselves with”, says Russo. “We try to keep it new, detached. We make music when we think we have something to say that isn’t already being said”.


MP3: Texico Bitches (Broken Social Scene Cover) - The Silent League

We Go Forward Tracklisting::
1. Let It Roll (9OP Remix)
2. Texico Bitches (Broken Social Scene Cover)
3. Resignation Studies (Summer Strings Remix)
4. Character Assassination (Matt Henderson Remix)
5. Kings and Queens (Mark Underdown Remix)
6. Yours Truly, 2095 (Memory Tapes Remix)
7. Tears (Maps Vs TSL)
8. There is a Caretaker in the Woods (Kelly Pratt Remix)
9. Here's A Star (Neon Indian Remix)
10. The Catbird Seat (ARMS Remix)
11. Resignation Studies (Jeff Mercel Remix)
12. Victim of Aeroplanes (Anthony Molina Remix)

The Last Royals :: OMD Cover

I must admit I have a weak spot for OMD particularly their track "If You Leave". I remember having their greatest hits CD back around the time of my High School Prom circa '1992' (I know, I'm old!). I had that CD in my car all that day as I was driving around and even on my way to the big show. "If You Leave" was one of my fave tracks which I remember playing over and over. Anyways when I got this cover from Brooklyn, NYC duo The Last Royals for the track it brought all those memories right back. Amazing what music can do. One of the reasons I love it so. If you like this cover they have a couple more 80's covers including EMF's fantastic "Unbeliveable" and Sinead O Conner/Prince's "Nothing Compares 2 You" that you can get on their site here for free in exchange for your email. Sounds like a deal to me. While your there check out some of their original music as well. Good stuff.

As a bonus here's the original OMD video for "If You Leave" for all you young-ins out there too young to remember. Oh what a magical time it was. New Wave at it's finest circa '1986' and featured in the John Hughes classic movie 'Pretty in Pink'.



MP3: If You Leave (OMD Cover) - The Last Royals

Goodbye Horses Covers

"Goodbye Horses" by female singer Q Lazzarus is an epic tune that came out in 1988. Since then it has been featured in several films and TV series most famously for Silence of the Lambs, but also Clerks 2, Grand Theft Auto IV, Nip/Tuck, Family Guy amongst others.

The song was written and produced by William Garvey and according to him, "the song is about transcendence over those who see the world as only earthy and finite. The horses represent the five senses from Hindu philosophy (The Bhagavad Gita) and the ability to lift one’s perception above these physical limitations and to see beyond this limited Earthly perspective."

A couple of weeks ago and within the same week I came across two covers of "Goodbye Horses". The first cover is by The Airborne Toxic Event from L.A. which began performing it live at their concerts last year. This one out of the two has the same lightness in instrumentation and vocal tone as the original. The second is by the new band, Flight from Mississippi on their just released first EP which is much heavier and noisier all around.

I enjoy both, but I still think that the original is my favorite because it's just that good! Now it's your turn to decide...


MP3: Goodbye Horses - Q Lazzarus


MP3: Goodbye Horses - The Airborne Toxic Event


MP3: Goodbye Horses - Flight

Morning Benders/Vampire Weekend Cover Fleetwood Mac

I once made up this study that people listening to Fleetwood Mac are incapable of being in a bad mood. This probably isn't true but it's one of the better rumors that I have started...

Indie darlings The Morning Benders (who we posted about here) and Vampire Weekend did respectable covers of two Fleetwood Mac hits. As a fan of all three, thought it would be worth sharing. The Morning Benders cover of "Dreams" probably won't back up my study while Vampire Weekends take on "Everywhere" is nothing short of adorable.


MP3: Dreams - The Morning Benders


MP3: Everywhere- Vampire Weekend

Kindness

Berlin's Kindness is not much for press, only Adam Bainbridge the sole member of Kindness works with the band. So there's not much info out there about them, except their great music, artwork, and videos which are all created by Bainbridge as well. I say keep it that way, if being that focused keeps Kindness making music this good!

Stay tuned for a release from record label MOSHI MOSHI some time in October, until then enjoy this video and mp3's!

MP3: Gee up- Kindness (YSI)

MP3: Swinging Party - Kindness  (YSI)

MP3: Gabriel - Kindness (YSI)

NYC / Marcus Rombo / Adrian Lux / Fan Death

I'm back from NYC!! That was a fun/tiring experience... I didn't realize how much you walk when you're in NY. My legs/feet were sore as hell for like the first 3 days I was there. Wish I would have taken more comfy shoes. Us Miamians are a car culture. We drive around 15 mins just looking for a closer parking spot when we go anywhere. Must keep them in great shape which is a side benefit to living there I would imagine.

I must say the subway system is pretty sweet! You can pretty much get anywhere for like $20 a week with that Metro Card. Rents more expensive, but without a car payment and insurance and stuff I think like that it all kinda evens out. If it wasn't so cold for so much of the year I think I would totally live there. There's so much to do and see. It would take me months to see everything.

My favorite area was the Bedford Area in Brooklyn which was near to were we were staying. It was full of young hip professionals dressed impeccably wherever you turned. On my last day I was hanging out with my girlfriend and we went to this vintage shop called Beacon's Closet which was pretty amazing. Only thing is we ran into it last minute before we had to head to the airport, so we kinda had to rush, but they had great stuff. All for like $15 a piece. A little more expensive than Red, White and Blue or Salvation Army, but worth it because you don't have to go through all the crap to find the gems. All the best stuff is hand picked for you. Everyone there (including staff) were these uber cool hipsters. Plus they played a great psychedelic 60's soundtrack while you shopped. That was nice way to end our vacation.

Here's a few pics. There's way more that we took. If you wanna see them they're on my Facebook.

I'm a bit behind with the new music and all, but I'll be catching up in the next few days.

In the meantime here is a sweet remix that Marcus Rombo sent us that he did for Adrian Lux's 'Can't Sleep'. As everything I've heard from Rombo it's top notch quality stuff. Here it is in full 320 bit rate.

MP3: Can't Sleep (Marcus Rombo Pop Remix) - Adrian Lux (YSI)

In addition here is a sweet cover Fan Death did of Q Lazzarus' classic Goodbye Horses. I love the original of this and this cover is almost as good!

MP3: Goodbye Horses (Q Lazzarus Cover) - Fan Death (YSI)

War Child 'Heroes'

War Child which is a non profit organization that helps kids in war ravaged areas will be putting out an album of covers called 'Heroes'. It features famous music icons such as Bob Dylan, Roxy Music, Blondie, The Clash, David Bowie, U2 etc to pick a new artist they like to remake one of their tracks with profits going to help the foundation and it's mission.

Seems it's release date has been postponed to mid February from November of last year because many big names wanted to get involved with the project.

In the album Hot Chip covers Joy Division's Transmission. Think they did a pretty good job, although the quality of this track isn't the greatest (128) at least you can get an idea. Then go buy the thing when it comes out. It's for a good cause! Thanks to Stereogum for the track.

MP3: Transmission (Joy Division Cover) - Hot Chip (YSI)

Here's the rest of the tracklisting...

1- Beck (Bob Dylan: Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat) :: info ::
2 - Scissor Sisters (Roxy Music: Do The Strand) :: info ::
3 - Lily Allen (The Clash: Straight To Hell) :: info ::
4 - Duffy (Paul McCartney: Live And Let Die) :: info ::
5 - Elbow (U2: Running To Stand Still) :: info ::
6 - TV On The Radio (David Bowie: Heroes) :: info ::
7 - Hot Chip (Joy Division: Transmission) :: info ::
8 - The Kooks (The Kinks: Victoria) :: info ::
9 - Estelle (Stevie Wonder: Superstition) :: info ::
10 - Rufus Wainwright (Brian Wilson: Wonderful/ Song For Children) :: info ::
11 - Peaches (Iggy Pop: Search And Destroy) :: info ::
12 - The Hold Steady (Bruce Springsteen: Atlantic City) :: info ::
13 - The Like (Elvis Costello: You Belong To Me) :: info ::
14 - Yeah Yeah Yeahs (The Ramones: Sheena Is A Punk Rocker) :: info ::
15 - Franz Ferdinand (Blondie: Call Me) :: info ::

Hmmm.... some interesting ones. Can't wait!

Cover Me

Got a couple cool covers that I wanted to share with you...

First off James Figurine has been posting a free cover track every month on his website. Last month he posted a cover of Depeche Mode's classic 'Everything Counts' and this month he posted a cover of 90's Brit-Pop band The Sundays track 'Can't Be Sure'.

Been awhile since I listened to the The Sundays and hearing this cover made me want to go back and revisit them. I was really into The Sundays debut album 'Reading, Writing and Arithmetic' in the early 90's. 'Here's Where the Story Ends' has to be one of the most gorgeous pop songs ever! Harriet Wheeler's voice on that track is angelic and the guitar strumming is top notch. At one point the British papers were declaring them the next Smiths. If you've never heard The Sundays I highly recommend you go back and check out that amazing debut.

Here is that cover plus the original version by The Sundays and their video for 'Here's Where the Story Ends.'

MP3: Can't Be Sure (The Sundays Cover) - James Figurine (YSI)
MP3: Can't Be Sure - The Sundays (YSI)



Don't think I've ever written about Devotchka. I'm not the biggest fan of their music (although they are talented musicians). Then I came across this amazing cover they did for Siouxsie & the Banshees classic 'The Last Beat of My Heart'. This track made me stop in my tracks. Amazingly beautiful cover of a classic Siouxsie track.

Here's that great cover plus the Siouxsie & the Banshees 'Live' version they released on their second Singles compilation 'Twice Upon a Time'. Can't remember how many times I listened to this growing up. A great intro album for this amazing band.

MP3: The Last Beat of My Heart (Siouxsie & the Banshees Cover) - Devotchka (YSI)
MP3: The Last Beat of My Heart (Live) - Siouxsie & the Banshees (YSI)

We've Got You Covered

I realized I haven't posted one of these in a while. Cover songs always intrigue me because it is interesting to see what two different artists can do with the same song (sometimes the results are not too great).

I have already featured a track from his jazzy-dance band Mondo Grosso, but nothing about the artist himself, Shinichi Osawa. By himself, he is a rising producer/artist with resume full of edits for Kitsune (Boys Noize, Christopher Just and Digitalism) and in Japan, the term is "megastar". And somehow I can see that.
He just released an album in Japan called "The One" and promoted it by playing it at mobbed Apple stores around the country. He also DJ's at The Womb in Tokyo which was voted "best nightclub in the world"?!? (How did they figure that out?) Add that to my places to visit when I go in April.

Anyways, here I present his album opener, a cover of The Chemical Brothers' Star Guitar. It is a simple cover but done just right. Also I have include another track off itfeaturing Princess Superstar. Like the kids say, "It's a banger." I expect this be played at whatever New Year's party I'm at right around 12:25am (after all the Cuban kids have called the parents and abuelos, so we can dance). Shinichi Osawa is about to explode...

MP3: Star Guitar Featuring Au Revoire Simone (Chemical Brothers cover) (YSI)
MP3: Detonator Featuring Princess Superstar (YSI)

We've Got You Covered Across the Universe

When does Across the Universe come out in the theaters? I remember seeing the trailer for it a while back but nothing else. Some info about the soundtrack came out. The track listing has much of the cast doing the singing. (mind you, Joe Cocker and Bono are part of the cast.) And a couple of tracks by The Secret Machines.

Anyways, here we have Fiona Apple covering Across the Universe for the Pleasantville soundtrack. As well as the original. (Shame on you if you don't already have it.)

MP3: The Beatles - Across the Universe (YSI)
MP3: Fiona Apple - Across the Universe (YSI)

I have high expectations for the film. I hope I am not let down.

We've Got You Covered: Robert Palmer

Robert Palmer left the world a fantastic catalog of music before he passed away in 2003. This blue-eyed soul singer aged gracefully in the pop world over 3 decades. From his jazz and reggae period (he lived in the Bahamas in the mid 70's) to his synth-friendly nu wave albums in the 80's. He was known for his near-perfect pitch and heartfelt delivery.

His album Clues was produced by Gary Numan and Chris Frantz (drummer for the Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club) and produced the track Johnny and Mary. Radio friendly, this track gave him a newer younger audience and paved the way for his late 80's success on MTV with Addicted to Love and The Power Station.

Along with the original, we have a version from Placebo and a stream from The Notwist.

MP3: Robert Palmer - Johnny and Mary
MP3: Placebo - Johnny and Mary

Stream: The Notwist - Johnny and Mary

Let Me Hear Your Body Talk

This FRIDAY we are going to GET PHYSICAL @ The Lab part of the Off the Radar party extravaganza!

I am sorry, I have neglected dance music in the last few posts. I hope this makes up for it.

Covering Olivia's 80's ode to leg warmers and spandex are The Black Ghosts on Southern Fried Records. We also got their newish single there also. There is a Playgroup remix of it that starts off of with the 2 Hype Brothers and a Dog's doo-doo brown beat before breaking into the electro goodness of The Black Ghosts. The sirens in the chorus are signaling that the dancefloor is about to blow up!

Here is a 30 minute mix by The Black Ghosts courtesty of Southern Fried

Stream Here: 30 minute Mix (Direct download below with track listing)


MP3: The Black Ghosts - Let's Get Physical
MP3: The Black Ghosts - Anyway You Choose To Give It
MP3: The Black Ghosts - Anyway You Choose To Give It (Playgroup Remix)

The Black Ghosts 30min Mix

TRACKLISTING
(Emperor Machine, Electrelane, Brian Eno, Zongamin, The Whip! AND WHAT!)

Harco Pront “Night”
Emperor Machine “Rimramramrim”
Clinic “The Second Line”
Soul Savers “Rumble Fish” (Simian Mix)
Supercollider “Darn Cold Way Of Loving”
Electrelane “The Valleys”
The Jonzun Crew” “Space Is The Place”
Good Books “Leni (Crystal Castles Mix)
Heaven And Earth “Feel The Spirit”
The Firebirds “Soul Sonata”
Blowfly “Sesame Street”
Silver Apples “Lovefingers”
Gianfranco Reverberi “Nel Cimitero Di Tucson”
Metronomy “Trick Or Treatz”
Milton Hamilton “My Love Supreme”
101 Strings “Karma Sitar”
Can “Vitamin C” (Ghost 1 And Ghost 4 Edit)”
Zongamin “Spiral”
Brian Eno “Sky Saw”
Frankie Valli “Beggin” (Pilooski Edit)
The Whip “Muzzle #1″ (The Black Ghosts Mix)
Beck “Sexx Laws” (The Wiseguys Mix)
The Black Ghosts “Anyway You Choose To Give It” (Fake Blood Mix)
The Dykeenies “New Ideas” (The Black Ghosts Mix)

The Guillemots are seabirds in the auk family.

I cannot stop playing this song. It is not new but I think it is sufficiently off the radar. I like it so much I might even hear it more than once a day and considering how much music we go through here at OTR, that is a lot. I am referring to Trains to Brazil by The Guillemots.

The Guillemots were formed in 2004 in London. Their name is pronounced gillimotts, like the sea bird and not the pseudo-French way. Not only have the birds been an inspiration for the band's name but also for some of the music as well. The Cliffs EP released in 2006 is a reference to the sea side cliffs that guillimots take shelter in. Numerous songs also have references to bird species or other aviary themes .

Narrowly losing the 2006 Mercury Music Prize to the Arctic Monkeys has not slowed them down.

MP3: Trains to Brazil
MP3: Annie, Let's Not Wait (new single re-released this year)

And since I told you we had you covered today, here are a couple of covers performed by The Guillemots

MP3: Never Went to Church (The Streets Cover)
MP3: Take Me Out (Live Lounge Version - Franz Ferdinand Cover) - great interpretation of the song

We've Got You Covered Slow Week Edition

VS.

It has been a slow week. The rains have started in South Florida (saw hail for the first time yesterday), the humidity is kicking, the sun is hot, the days are long but the ocean is getting warmer!

I found this Radiohead cover this morning. I am hesitant to post covers of certain respected artists because there are few bands that can recreate/interpret songs as well as the original (or even anywhere close...). Since I am putting up a Radiohead cover, why not stick with the iconic British bands and post a couple of Beatles covers too?

Beatles covers are all over the place just not all necessarily good. And now with all Beatles musical Across the Universe being released in theaters this fall (September it seems), I think we are going to see an explosion of other bands being covered.

I think everyone knows enough about the original artists in this post and most definitely should have the original in their music collection, so let me talk about the artists covering the songs.

Flash Hawk Parlor Ensemble is a an instrumental funk band that includes a member of The Decemberists in their roster. Interesting is how they formed. Chris Funk, guitarist of The Decemberists moved to a Mississippi neighborhood in Portland, OR to quickly discovered that his neighbors were a little bit more than just talented. A few house parties later, someone decided to record their jams which included some original instrumentals and a few cover songs. It seems this project is just a one off but we will wait and see. Go to their MySpace to check out an incredible stripped down version Massive Attack's Teardrop.

The Kaiser Chiefs pull off this version of The Beatles pretty well. It was recorded for the BBC at Abbey Road studios for the 40th Anniversary of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by the same engineers that recorded the original.

MP3: Flash Hawk Parlor Ensemble - Amnesiac/Morning Bell (Radiohead Cover)
MP3: Kaiser Chiefs - Getting Better (Beatles Cover)

We've Got You Covered...

VS.

This is the start of a (hopefully) recurring theme here at Off the Radar where we post songs by artists you like covered by artists you like even more!

Without further ado...

Originals
MP3: Gorillaz - Feel Good, Inc.
MP3:The Magnetic Fields - Born On A Train

Covers
MP3:The Editors - Feel Good, Inc.
MP3:Arcade Fire - Born On A Train

And now we have a survey. Which version did you like better?

Feel Good, Inc?
	Original (The Gorillaz)
	Cover (The Editors)
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Born On A Train?
	Original (The Magnetic Fields)
	Cover (Arcade Fire)
Free polls from Pollhost.com