 Various Artists Disappointing self-tribute record in which current Rough Trade artists cover older Rough Trade artists. First glaring strike against it is the absence of any Smiths songs, despite the title of the disc being itself a Smiths title … beyond that, just not much imagination in matching artists with songs. A few work well (Elizabeth Fraser covering Robert Wyatt's cover of Chic's "At Last I Am Free" is the best; Hidden Cameras' version of "Dunes" by The Clean is gorgeous), but too many are just lamer versions of songs that were fragile enough to begin with. Like, I love Galaxie 500, but is there any reason to cover them? Much less have two equally forgettable bands (The Tyde? British Sea Power?) take 'em on? And I can see some appeal in doing The Strokes, but the two covers here (Royal City's countryish "Is This It" and Detroit Cobras' Patti Smith-ish "Last Nite") don't manage to do much with the songs. Couldn't they have convinced Morrissey to cover "Last Nite"? That might well have stopped the world for a couple of days. So, missed opportunities is the theme here. The Strokes themselves are sadly not present, when all any of us really want from them is to cover something. Belle & Sebastian is on hand, though it's with a Young Marble Giants song … not doing themselves, Young Marble Giants, or the listener any favors. Adam Green of Moldy Peaches turns in a much lousier YMG cover. Jeffrey Lewis ruins Television Personalities' wonderful "Part-Time Punks" … apparently it doesn't take much to get signed to Rough Trade these days. And the disc grinds to a complete standstill – twice – with irritating freakouts from Oneida (attempting "Jazz is the Teacher, Funk is the Preacher" by James Blood Ulmer … bad idea) and Alisdair Roberts (doing "I Had a Little Boat" by Ivor Cutler, and not knowing when to stop). It's like trying to throw a wild party in your dorm and having a raving homeless guy burst in and take a big crap on the floor. Twice. The Veils offer a really nice, Cocteau-ish version of Mazzy Star's "Ride It On," though it only begs the question as to where the hell is Hope Sandoval? I'd have liked to hear her cover "Fade Into You." The comp was cheap … though still not worth it. I keep trying to believe in indie rock, but for once I'd like to see indie rock return the favor.
Review by Ted Bed |