“Young Blood (Daytrotter Version)” by The Naked and Famous // Daytrotter Session (Echo Mountain 3.2.12)
Daytrotter continues sourcing out great performances for their Echo Mountain Recordings. This recent in-studio from The Naked and Famous included a take on their crowd favorite track, “Young Blood” which, while sticking fairly close to the original, comes off a little more jagged and dark, which is strange to add a slight sinister edge to such a jubilant track. At any rate, it’s a great jam worth a listen.
“Feel It All Around” by Washed Out // Daytrotter (Echo Mountain Recording 2.22.12)
It’s a slow leap day for music, so I thought I’d post another highlight from Washed Out’s recent trip to Daytrotter. This time with his stripped back take on what is possibly his most famous jam, “Feel It All Around”. Granted, here it’s nearly unrecognizable. Gone are the south beach chill vibes and underwater beats, and in their place is a gentle synth line, pretty piano, and clear dreamy vocals. Not a bad trade off, but truly, it’s almost a completely new track.
“You’ll See It” by Washed Out // Daytrotter (Echo Mountain Recording 2.22.12)
I hadn’t thought much about Washed Out recently, and then today Daytrotter drops this excellent three track collection of in-studio recordings. “You’ll See It” is a particular stand out as in it’s original form (from the Life of Leisure EP) it’s a pulsing electro-pop jam in every sense of the word, but here it’s a somber, piano ballad, and a beautiful one at that. An absolutely must listen.
“Hounds” by The Antlers // Daytrotter Big Orange Studios (11.23.11)
The Antlers’ recent visit to Daytrotter produced a gorgeous batch of in-studio cuts from their breathtaking album, Burst Apart. The stripped back production didn’t effect the outcome in the slightest, as evidenced by the damn near perfect take on album standout, “Hounds”. It’s one of my favorite songs of the year done for the great site, Daytrotter. Definitely worth a couple of dozens listens.
“Winter Beats (Bedroom Session)” by I Break Horses
This is a wonderful, stripped back, in-studio version of one of my favorite songs of the year. I Break Horses have been pretty much on a roll these past few months, releasing two great singles and a phenomenal album, and yet it’s still impressive seeing Maria Linden bring her songs to life in an in-studio session. Really great stuff.
“Brooklyn Girls” by WU LYF // BBC Radio 1 Session (2011)
WU LYF debuted a new song on BBC Radio 1 a few days back that was inspired by their recent trek to New York. It’s a pretty, stripped down ballad sung by bassist Tom McClung that shows a completely different side of the band. It’s a hell of a song and makes me wonder what the band’s future might entail. I love Go Tell Fire to the Mountain but I’m excited about the possibility of a slight stylistic shift. We shall see. In the meantime enjoy this new goodness.
“Parentheses” by The Antlers & Bear In Heaven // In-Studio Session
Well here goes a full on jam session between two of the most exciting bands out there right now. The Antlers invited Bear in Heaven into the studio to collaborate on a jam session of “Parentheses” and this sonic madness occurred. It’s a long one, but it’s interesting ear candy all the same.
“I Can’t Make You Love Me / Nick of Time” by Justin Vernon // Originally By Bonnie Raitt // In-Studio Performance
Well, wow. This is just something else. The studio version of this track is far and away the most popular post that I’ve ever made. So I hope that you all enjoy this half as much as you enjoyed that gorgeous take. It’s pretty easy to do so because it’s perfect. Justin Vernon deserves all of the Grammys and all of the moneys.
“Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)” by Arcade Fire // Acoustic & Live via WBEZ Sound Opinions
Arcade Fire performed a couple of in studio tracks for Sound Opinions, which resulted in some new arrangements. Including this synth-free take on live favorite, “Sprawl II”. This one sounds pretty similar, but the changes are still interesting. . Check out the strings-filled version of “We Used to Wait” at WBEZ.
“We Used to Wait” by Arcade Fire // Acoustic & Live via WBEZ Sound Opinions
Arcade Fire performed a couple of in studio tracks for Sound Opinions, which resulted in some new arrangements. Including this stripped back, strings filled take on “We Used to Wait”. Check out the synth-free version of “Sprawl II” at WBEZ.
“The World at Large” by Broken Social Scene // Originally by Modest Mouse
Broken Social Scene recently recorded an excellent in-studio performance of Modest Mouse’s “The World at Large”. It was recorded for the charity group, The Voice Project, which raises money and awareness for women in Uganda. Check out the Voice Project site for more info on the charity and also plenty more great covers by popular indie artists.
“Don’t You Want Me” by Rocky Votolato and Matt Pond PA // from the AV Undercover Series
Here’s a nice little stripped down version of The Human League’s infectious 1981 pop hit with Matt Pond handling the lady vocals and Rocky Votolato tackling the male lead. Surprisingly good stuff from a couple of guys that I haven’t listened to in a long time, but still enjoy all the same.
