10 “Kick Ass” (bnease’s words not mine) Cross-Genre Cover Songs
September 29, 2011 4 comments
Bell – Are You That Somebody? (Aaliyah Cover)
I really hope all you youngins know Aaliyah’s version of this song, I hold it very dear to my heart because the only step routine I’ve ever been taught went to the tune of this track. Anyways, when I first heard Bell’s cover of “Are You That Somebody?” I was a little bit confused and a lot of bit tired so I decided to share it with your boy @bnease. After getting his nod of approval and engaging myself in a few more listens, my opinion changed from confusion to fascination.
Lead singer, Olga Bell (Russian born/Alaskan raised/Brooklyn dweller) showcases her vocal abilities and manages to add her own quirky styling to go along, rise above, and compete with the funky synths. The electro production of the Bell cover demonstrates an awesome genre jump from Aaliyah’s hip hop/R&B Timbaland produced jam. This type of crossover is not uncommon in covers, however they do not always achieve, as The Black Kevin Arnold is forcing me to write, “Kick Ass” status. That being said, he and I will each present 5 covers (in no particular order) that we feel execute a successful genre transformation. My cover songs are in purple and TBKA’s are in blue…because he’s a boy.
Hit the jump for the wackness
Local Natives – “Warning Sign” (Talking Heads Cover)
This was an easy first pick for me. Why? A current favorite of mine covering an all time favorite. I typically do not approve of Talking Heads covers and I am generally disappointed when I listen to a band whose style is compared to theirs. Local Natives solidified my love for them when they had their way with “Warning Sign” and actually did a Talking Heads song justice. Local Natives’ energy, chemistry and vocal abilities are undeniable in the cover and it is almost unrecognizable from the original, minus the guitar riff. The funny thing is I can’t fit either of these bands into one genre but there is a definite change in nearly every aspect of the cover so some form of genre switch has to exist.
Limp Bizkit – Faith (George Michael Cover)
What makes Limp Bizkit’s cover of “Faith” so dope is that they completely thugged that shit out. They took an easygoing pop song and turned it into something completely wicked. By the time Fred Durst screams, “Get the fuck up!” I’m usually cleaning up the pieces of whatever I just broke off the floor.
Coeur de Pirate – “Wicked Games” (The Weeknd Cover)
Coeur de Pirate has one of the most gorgeously sexual voices out right now. I personally think it’s hypnotizing, I’ve even found myself listening to her songs that are in French and vibing along like I know what she’s saying. Her stripped down cover had me at “fucking,” trust me I’m sure you’ll feel the same. I’m actually not a big Weeknd fan (GASP!) but I stand by this cover. I think Coeur de Pirate’s version takes the original from R&B to some lofi indie and I really wish she would make more music for my non French speaking self.
Deftones – No Ordinary Love (Sade Cover)
Sade’s version of this smooth R&B love song makes me want to burn some incense and write poetry. The Deftone’s version makes me want to contemplate taking my life. The gargled yells on the metal-ballad cover screams agony. I love that.
Lissie – “Pursuit of Happiness” (Kid Cudi cover)
This cover was actually the first song I heard by the folk rock songstress Lissie. Females doing sing songy versions of hip hop songs can be a hit, miss, or obnoxious (cough Karmin BARF). I think Lissie’s “Pursit of Happiness” hits the spot, she brings just the right amount of attitude in her delivery and the instrumentals, although decently simple, work out perfectly with the feel of the song. Lissie definitely chose the right Cudi track to cover, the arrangement does great things with her vocals and it also gives her an edge you may not expect from the sweet blonde folky.
Colin Munroe – I Want Those Flashing Lights (Kanye West Cover)
Mr. Munroe sung his little Canadian heart out on Kanye’s “Flashing Lights,” making the Hip-Hop song his own in the process. Everyone from fans, music bloggers to even Kanye West himself fell in love with Colin’s soulful rendition. ‘Ye even featured the cover on his website.That’s how you know it’s dope. Colin’s version > Yeezy’s version.
Grizzly Bear – “Boy From School” (Hot Chip Cover)
Oh Grizzly Bear, with their harmonizing abilities they can make pretty much any song into a dreamy lullaby. This is precisely what they do with “Boy From School,” they suck any sense of the electro-disco beat in the original song and mold it into a stunning folk piece. I think the best part of Grizzly Bear’s genre flip in the cover is the emotion that seeps out of their voices really makes you focus on the lyrics and see the song in a different light.
Marilyn Manson – Sweet Dreams (Eurythmics Cover)
Both Marilyn Manson and Annie Lennox scare the shit out of me, but I’d give the slight edge to Manson. He took the original version, slowed it down and replaced the synths with some powerful ass guitars. Every time I think of Manson’s cover, it reminds me of the House on Haunted Hill remake and how his song was the scariest part of the movie. To this day it still creeps me out.
Amy Winehouse – “Valerie” (The Zutons Cover)
This cover demonstrates the situation in which a cover becomes more famous than the original. Amy Winehouse brought this song to the attention of the world and then people slowly began to find out The Zutons were behind the track. The Zutons’ original version is a nice piece of indie rock music, I like the singer’s voice and their version as a whole but every time I hear it I just want to listen to Amy’s after. Mark Ronson didn’t give the track a dramatic makeover by any means, but what he does do is provide the perfect platform for Amy’s soulful voice to entrance the masses.
Alien Ant Farm – Smooth Criminal (Micahel Jackson Cover)
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the definition of a perfect cover. When it first came out in 2001, I remember being blown away at how good it was. I’m not going to say the AAF cover is better than the original, but it’s damn near close. They turned a late ‘80s funk classic into an alternative rock song for misfits. Not only that, but it’s Michael Jackson. This is seriously as good as they come.
