Ask (Brothertiger Cover) - The Smiths

“Ask” by Brothertiger // Originally by The Smiths

I somehow missed this when posted early last month, but allow me to rectify that with a post in the present. Brothertiger have gone and put their shimmering stamp on The Smiths’ classic “Ask. Luckily, Brothertiger hasn’t strayed far from the original, instead just doing what they do best (dreamy synths, layered vocals, glo-fi production), while adhering to the brilliant melody and hook of the original. A must listen for fans of the original or fans of Brothertiger in general. A wonderful take on the classic. 

(download) “Ask” by Brothertiger (The Smiths cover) (via Bandcamp)

The Holiday Crowd - Never Speak Of It Again

“Never Speak of it Again” by The Holiday Crowd // Over the Bluffs (2012)

There’s no getting around it, The Holiday Crowd is clearly inspired by The Smiths. I’ll leave it at that. They’ve got a knack for recreating that sound of moody-yet-dreamy love-lost while keeping the sounds upbeat and jangly and loaded with melodies. There are plenty of other bands that are much worse choices to draw heavy inspiration from, it’s just really out in front. This is an album that could have been made in 1986 and it’s actually kind of refreshing to hear it played so unabashedly tight to the time. The C86 sound has been a fairly popular touchstone in recent years with lo-fi indie bands embracing the sound wholeheartedly, but rarely has it sounded so purely from that time. Definitely worth checking out if you’re a fan of The Smiths (or Morrissey), Orange Juice, or Belle & Sebastian. 

(stream) Over the Bluffs EP by The Holiday Crowd (via Soundcloud)

pacificUV - Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want

“Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want” by pacificUV // Chrysalis (2011) // Originally by The Smiths

I’ll go ahead and say that i’m a very big fan of The Smiths. Some of their work is tattooed on my body, i discovered countless other artists through their work, “Strangeways, Here We Come” is one of my desert island discs … so yeah, I have a bit of a soft spot for the work of The Smiths. That being said, I’m not usually the biggest fan of cover versions of their songs. Not because I have issues with covers of my favorite artists, but mostly because Morrissey and Marr have such distinct sounds in their work that covers tend to mimic too closely or shift the sound completely away into an unrecognizable path. Sometimes though, a nice balance is struck. pacificUV, i feel, have struck that balance. I wasn’t sure at first, but by the time that shimmering guitar came and cut through all of the Jesus and Mary Chain like slow-motion-reverb-cool, i felt something really special. This is a pretty stellar cover. I’m definitely a fan. Big time. You can download all of “Chrysalis” for free over at Bandcamp! 

(download) pacificUV - Chrysalis (via Bandcamp)

Death Of A Disco Dancer [Demo]

“Death of a Disco Dancer (Demo)” by The Smiths // from the collection, Unreleased Demos & Instrumentals (Vinyl Bootleg)

Speaking of Strangeways, Here We Come - Why not keep up the old jams by posting one of the tracks from that brilliant album (in demo form)? For a very long time, Strangeways was my favorite album to break out during long car rides. Road trips just felt better with these songs pouring out of the speakers. Odd how the sounds made by four guys from Manchester can make driving through the deserts of the American southwest sound somehow more sparse and intimate. It works. At any rate, I’m still in that older jam vibe and hope to stay here for a while. Hope you don’t mind me taking the weekend off of the new.

Emily Browning - Asleep

emily browning - ASLEEP (Originally by The Smiths)

One of my favorite songs in the whole wide world is in Zack Snyder’s “Sucker Punch” and it’s being covered by the film’s lovely lead actress, Emily Browning. It’s not going to blow walls down or anything, but it’s a nice little version with some big cinematic, orchestral flourishes, so naturally I’m gonna post it.

PS. First person to mention that fucking “Perks of Being a Wallflower” book gets kicked in the chops… okay, if you must, go ahead and mention it but seriously, it was ours before it was in that damn book.

Dum Dum Girls - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

dum dum girls - THERE IS A LIGHT THAT NEVER GOES OUT (The Smiths Cover)

It’s Dum Dum Girls covering one of the more popular songs by one of the best bands in history, The Smiths. It’s fucking excellent. It’s amped up the dark urgency and lost a bit of playfulness, but it’s a beast unto itself. I’m not going to say its better than the original because that would be fucking absurd, but it’s absolutely 110% worth your time. Press play.

(band site)

The Smiths - Death Of A Disco Dancer [Demo]

the smiths - DEATH OF A DISCO DANCER (DEMO)

So there’s a vinyl bootleg (bootleggers with drive) of a bunch of great, high quality unreleased demos and instrumentals floating about (hint: ?) that is certifiably fucking awesome. On it are a slew of great jams in early stages of completion but even in these stripped down versions, they are still incredible works of musicianship. I especially liked the oddly lounge-y sound of this tracks early moments and the build really comes through in a big way in this early demo. It’s the Smiths. It a new collection. It needs to be noted. This is me noting it.

The Smiths - A Rush and a Push and the Land is Ours

the smiths - A RUSH AND A PUSH AND THE LAND IS OURS

Since i’ve been posting older material this evening, i suppose now is as good a time as any to post some Smiths from my favorite of their albums, “Strangeways, Here We Come”. Why is it sacrilege in some circles to have this be a favorite over the others? They’re all pretty goddamned brilliant. It’s not like picking “Pablo Honey” as your favorite Radiohead album (i mean that in the dramatic shift in quality department). Oh well. Here’s a great song for a cold night.

Morrissey - Let the Right One Slip in (Long Mix)

morrissey - LET THE RIGHT ONE SLIP IN

Yep, John Ajvide Lindqvist named his vampire novel after a Morrissey b-side. True story, apparently. This is that song. It’s also featured on the new re-mastering deluxe edition of “Bona Drag”.

Morrissey - Ouija Board, Ouija Board (2010 Digital Remastered)

morrissey - OUIJA BOARD

no reason for not hearing Morrissey tonight.

Morrissey - Suedehead

morrissey - SUEDEHEAD

The new Bona Drag Reissue is pretty spectacular. Definitely worth picking up if you’re into shit that’s awesome.

(mp3) Suedehead (right click to download)