Weird, i just released an EP today with my cover of State Trooper! I love how you can hear Suicide's influence on Springsteen in this song. Suicide really influenced my sounds too so that's probably why I enjoy covering ST so much. https://open.spotify.com/track/6rVgHSP354xJeQVpIkfyoC?si=fbe97571242b4bf3
I didn’t know this song but really enjoyed listening to all these versions. I think my favourite is King Hannah because of the clarity of the vocals. I’m rather shocked by this because I couldn’t get on with their album at all despite everyone raving about it.
Anyway, great to have you back, Mallie. Multiple Mondays are always fun. And you’ve prompted me to listen to Nebraska so that’s another win!
Yes 'twas a good football weekend, for some of us. I'll never understand why I care so much but I can't help it 😜
Overall this was a great set of songs, possibly rivaling the 'Girl U Want' Edition. When Steve Earle and Cowboy Junkies don't make the final cut, thats saying something.
Got some major Halloween vibes here from some of these. Something about a guy fleeing the scene of a murder brings that out I guess.
To the countdown:
5) Halloween, Alaska. Rankings schmankings, I actually do like this one a lot. That bloopy synth line is hypnotic and it has a nice slow build to that shoegaz-y dramatic finish. Its the least similar to the original imho which can be a dangerous game but they make it work.
4) Alison Mosshart -- I really like this one. I think it takes a similar concept to the Halloween Alaska version but makes it darker and more sinister. That industrial synth line is both hypnotic and kinda creepy. This definitely belongs in a Halloween mix.
3) Bruce Springsteen !?!?
I don't know how this happened either but I ran the numbers through my special scoring tabulator three times.
This tune is so good at conveying EXACTLY the feeling that Bruce is shooting for. That paranoia. That desperation. I could totally imagine it soundtracking a scene in a film. The driver checking his mirror constantly, sweating, praying that cop behind him is just a coincidence.
Maybe its a little short, and never changes much? It feels like a long buildup to something but we dont get the payoff.
2) King Hannah. This feels blasphemous, but this one is like all the good things about Bruce's version and then adds that long jammy outro. I never met a long jammy outro I didnt like. FREEBIRD!
1) Ryan Adams: Oh my. Ive never gotten into Ryan Adams all that much but what a cool concept here. Its like if the narrator from the original was Hunter S Thompson who's tripping balls while also fleeing the scene of a murder. That fuzzy distortion thing really levels up the paranoid vibe of the song. He's freaking the f* out and can not lucidly express his thoughts the way Bruce's narrator does. It's a version fit for a horror movie.
And, he's BACK!!! I've missed your hot takes on these covers playlists, my friend! I love all of the versions I shared, so no matter how you rank them, I still think they're five killer songs.
I may have an affinity for Halloween, Alaska as they sent me the CD this cover calls home when I was getting discs sent to me to review!
Thank you. It has been a hectic last few weeks with work stuff and I haven't been doing much at all on Substack, other than some mindless scrolling :)
I like this "game", and doing my list like this because it makes me think about why I like what I like, and what qualities I value more or less. I sometimes come back to these when I'm listening to something new and "processing" it.
Weird, i just released an EP today with my cover of State Trooper! I love how you can hear Suicide's influence on Springsteen in this song. Suicide really influenced my sounds too so that's probably why I enjoy covering ST so much. https://open.spotify.com/track/6rVgHSP354xJeQVpIkfyoC?si=fbe97571242b4bf3
Can't wait to check it out. It's one of my favorite songs and I love a wide variety of its covers.
I didn’t know this song but really enjoyed listening to all these versions. I think my favourite is King Hannah because of the clarity of the vocals. I’m rather shocked by this because I couldn’t get on with their album at all despite everyone raving about it.
Anyway, great to have you back, Mallie. Multiple Mondays are always fun. And you’ve prompted me to listen to Nebraska so that’s another win!
Hooray. I'll be truly back next week. I've missed my Lou discussions!
Nebraska is one hell of an album!
Yes 'twas a good football weekend, for some of us. I'll never understand why I care so much but I can't help it 😜
Overall this was a great set of songs, possibly rivaling the 'Girl U Want' Edition. When Steve Earle and Cowboy Junkies don't make the final cut, thats saying something.
Got some major Halloween vibes here from some of these. Something about a guy fleeing the scene of a murder brings that out I guess.
To the countdown:
5) Halloween, Alaska. Rankings schmankings, I actually do like this one a lot. That bloopy synth line is hypnotic and it has a nice slow build to that shoegaz-y dramatic finish. Its the least similar to the original imho which can be a dangerous game but they make it work.
4) Alison Mosshart -- I really like this one. I think it takes a similar concept to the Halloween Alaska version but makes it darker and more sinister. That industrial synth line is both hypnotic and kinda creepy. This definitely belongs in a Halloween mix.
3) Bruce Springsteen !?!?
I don't know how this happened either but I ran the numbers through my special scoring tabulator three times.
This tune is so good at conveying EXACTLY the feeling that Bruce is shooting for. That paranoia. That desperation. I could totally imagine it soundtracking a scene in a film. The driver checking his mirror constantly, sweating, praying that cop behind him is just a coincidence.
Maybe its a little short, and never changes much? It feels like a long buildup to something but we dont get the payoff.
2) King Hannah. This feels blasphemous, but this one is like all the good things about Bruce's version and then adds that long jammy outro. I never met a long jammy outro I didnt like. FREEBIRD!
1) Ryan Adams: Oh my. Ive never gotten into Ryan Adams all that much but what a cool concept here. Its like if the narrator from the original was Hunter S Thompson who's tripping balls while also fleeing the scene of a murder. That fuzzy distortion thing really levels up the paranoid vibe of the song. He's freaking the f* out and can not lucidly express his thoughts the way Bruce's narrator does. It's a version fit for a horror movie.
And, he's BACK!!! I've missed your hot takes on these covers playlists, my friend! I love all of the versions I shared, so no matter how you rank them, I still think they're five killer songs.
I may have an affinity for Halloween, Alaska as they sent me the CD this cover calls home when I was getting discs sent to me to review!
Thank you. It has been a hectic last few weeks with work stuff and I haven't been doing much at all on Substack, other than some mindless scrolling :)
I like this "game", and doing my list like this because it makes me think about why I like what I like, and what qualities I value more or less. I sometimes come back to these when I'm listening to something new and "processing" it.
Interesting. Did not know that, but you’re right. Now it’s stuck. LOL. I love how sinister they are!