i like eist�rtzende neubaten better after they started writing ballads. in my opinion, this is one of their finest pseudo-velvet underground moments. some nice metallic spring percussion, humming and subtle string backing. it plods along quite nicely and builds tension until it explodes into full industropop greatness at the end. i have no idea what the lyrics are about as i don�t speak german, but the music has quite an uplifting effect. a bit like playing around with controlled fire in science class or something.
(yes, i know, it's a stupid comparison).
a norwegian language version of the song "if i thought you'd ever change your mind". the instrumental part is pretty similar to the original, only a bit more stripped.
it's the vocals that really shine here. the singer, rannveig kvello, isn't all that good a singer, but her voice has an interesting quality wich adds an incredible sense of quiet desperation to the lyrics (they are pretty different from the english language version. still pretty cheesy, but with far darker overtones than the original. they remind me of glenn close's bunny boiling character in fatal attraction)
not really a fantastic recording by any means, but there's something in it that seems to tickle nerve in me.
the chances of finding this are probably pretty slim, as far as i know it's only on vinyl and was probably only available in scandinavia.(i found it while pillaging a danish flea market. )
Come on! how come nobody's recommended this yet?
great repetitive, driving string backing, fantastic hiccup-monkey-like vocal hooks, faboulous performance.
essential.
(stereolab has an absolutely fantastic slow twangy version of this on the album spacey double spiral. very, very highly recommended.)
available on CD - comic strip
22 Dec 04 ·ronin: Relentless violin beat, depressing song, memorable, moves toward its inescapable conclusion...makes me think of a well loved coworker who died in '01. 01 Dec 05 ·sonore: the "stereolab version" wouldn't happen to be the Luna (feat. Laetitia Sadier of Stereolab)'s hidden track from the Penthouse LP would it?
Anyway, the Luna f. Laetitia version of Bonnie & Clyde is absolutely fantastic. : )
great version of this song from calypso-influenced soul singer billy stewart. the opening track from a pretty fun album named "billy stewart teaches old standards new tricks", wich i bought mainly because of its insane cover artwork. it consists of fun, sometimes inventive soul reinterpretations of various old chestnuts.
from billy stewart teaches old standards new tricks
30 Apr 04 ·konsu: Nice one! Not one of his best albums, but the best cut by far. He had some really nice minor hits in his time. "Sitting In The Park" always makes me swoon, and his version of "Summertime" has to be heard to be believed! 30 Apr 04 ·olli: yeah, i totally agree, his version of summertime is amazing. from what i heard, that was actually the track that brought him into recording, as he won a talent show with it in the forties. i'm currently hunting down some of his more "critically acclaimed" work. this lp (new tricks) was my first exposure to him, and i liked the glimpse i got from that enough to start looking for mp3's of his other work. now, to get that precious vinyl....
not really much into indie music, but this song struck a chord with me. comes across as a sort of retro-but-not-really-retro california rainy day sunflower melancholy lo-fi pop version of broadcast, if you can make any sense out of that.
short and sweet at 1:44.
