Covers

Kids - MGMT
Yesterday I came across a really lovely cover of Kids (originally by MGMT) by Ben Lee, formerly of Noise Addict. I don't normally get covers, on the whole I prefer the original. But this one, although not as catchy, vibrant and spectacular as the MGMT version, is quieter, more melodic and more elegant in every way. Gone are the screaming children, synth and bass. Come is the soft-spoken Ben Lee, acoustic-esque guitar picking and ever-so-subtle vocal layering. I often find myself craving some MGMT, but more often than not don't feel up to the raucous, hyperactivity of the originals and this is a brilliant alternative.

Kids (MGMT Cover) - Ben Lee

Harvest - Blitzen Trapper
The next one is not great quality as it's a live recording, but I love it purely because the band (Blitzen Trapper) just sound so happy and when I listen to it, it always makes me laugh, or at least smile. It seems to be an impromptu cover of Neil Young's Harvest, so impromptu in fact that as the song goes on, the lead singer cannot help but laugh, and it is this unhelpable laughter that makes it such a spontaneously wonderful song.

Hobo's Lullaby - Deer Tick
Hobo's Lullaby is one of those songs that pretty much everyone seems to know. My sister, for one, used to sing it on the school bus with her friends many years ago. It was originally written by Goebel Reeves, and has since been covered by all manner of singers, including Johnny Cash, Woody Guthrie and Emmylou Harris. However, by far my favourite version is by Deer Tick. John Joseph McCauley III's grating, beautiful voice suits the song down to a tee. It is simple in the best of ways - the guitar accompaniment and quiet vocal harmonies in the background bring an almost melancholic, yet somewhat joyful and peaceful tone to the song.

Hobo's Lullaby (Goebel Reeves Cover) - Deer Tick

The Wolves - Ellie Goulding
Last but definitely not least, as the saying goes, is a bewitching and stunning cover of Bon Iver's The Wolves, by Ellie Goulding. Goulding seems to be a rising star at the moment, and whilst her own music is good, I prefer her covers (notably this one and the cover she did of Passion Pit's Sleepy Head). I would say that Bon Iver's original is impossible to better, but this cover comes scarily close. It is a track laid utterly bare, so that it is only Goulding's delicate, haunting vocals that one hears. However, it is this stark and unembellished quality that makes the song so fantastic. The layering and subsequent harmonies of her unadulterated, echoing voice give the song an incredible power and ability to both captivate and move the listener.

The Wolves (Bon Iver Cover) - Ellie Goulding

I know this is only four covers, and I know you'll probably all be ranting and raving about how there are so many other good ones out there, but these are just a few I like. And if you know of some that are worthy, send me them so I can have a listen too.