The future

Back in the mid-90s, tribute collections were all the rage. George Plasketes even wrote a discography of some of the better ones up to 1995.

Then in the early 2000s we had the film soundtrack. It seemed like every soundtrack was full of covers.

Now, another 5 years later, it's the television soundtrack. First of all, I find it interesting that television shows are better at introducing you to new bands than films or even radio. But now they add the interesting covers as well. Today alone I heard a strange cover on some commercial, and then the most recent E.R. ended with a very nice (maybe even better than the Posies' version -- or maybe not ;) ) cover of "Ooooh Child".

Who would have thought that television would be the future?

My list

Here is my ongoing list of the songs I am going to cover one of these days:

1) Down in the Park by Gary Numan
2) Dan Loves Patti by Yum Yum
3) Nocturnal Blonde by The Ophelias
4) Passive Restraints by Clutch
5) Candy by Magnetic Fields
6) Dreams of the Everyday Housewife by Glen Campbell

to be continued.

You don't have to be gay ...

I don't just love covers, I love songs and albums that refer to other bands. If you check out the Pansy Division site and click the "audio" link, there are mp3s of their songs, including an unreleased cover of "Son of Preacher Man" by Dusty Springfield and their amazing cover of Wall of Voodoo's "Can't Make Love". At the end there are also covers of their songs done by other bands, including an amazing cover of "Bunnies" and a song by Pre Basso Continuo called "You Don't Have to be Gay to like Pansy Division (But it Helps)". Great advice! I love Pansy Division!

P.S. Speaking of Pansy Division, Clay Aiken is releasing a covers album. A man covering Dolly Parton? What's next? Check out Sarah's blog comments for some great suggestions.

Where to begin?

I guess finding covers goes in spurts. Or then again I used to have all the time in the world, more record stores, and more money. But today was a banner day, when Maia introduced me to Jonathan Coulton. She showed me his country-fied (sort of -- he mentions banjos but I didn't hear much) version of "Baby Got Back" which of course I loved, but then I found his version of Rick Springfield's "Don't Talk to Strangers" and I was hooked.

Then later I was reading blogs when I came across 100 Records. First things first -- why do "conservatives" (I use the quotes because they are currently "liberally" spending our money and starting wars, but I digress.) a) have to talk about how much they hate "liberals" so much? I mean buttons, links, etc. Honestly. I hate Republicans but I never (okay, rarely) blog about it and certainly wouldn't put up an anti-anything button on my blog. I even hate the "ad-free blog" buttons! or b) hate Hillary so much? Honestly, we non-Republicans don't love her. She's not our poster child or anything, but you seem to think she is.

*Anyway*, on 100 Records I found some more bitchin' (yes, the '80s are back. Deal with it.) covers! There are currently links to a band called Nouvelle Vague's really slow, interesting cover of "I Melt With You" by Modern English, and The Melvins' version of The Cars' "Candy-O". Genius!

So many covers, so little time.

P.S. Dragzter does "Kids in America", for my potential future website update. Don't hold your breath.

Best cover band ever

Such range -- I love Ash as a recorded cover band. Have you ever heard any of their versions of pop music? They do an amazing cover of Abba's "Does Your Mother Know" on an okay Abba covers compilation (not available on Amazon for some reason) and also one of my favorite Ween covers, "What Deaner Was Talkin' About". Check them out!