(Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin)
Via Chromewaves, I found this Web site called Buffet Libre, which recently posted Rewind: The '80s Covers Project, a four-hour (!) mix of '80s cover tunes -- downloadable for free.
The collection has mash-ups (Yes vs. Howard Jones) and remixes (Madonna, Def Leppard, Pet Shop Boys), although it covers a surprisingly diverse array of genres -- from folk-pop to electro, hip-hop to straightforward rock. Notable artists contributing include Dragonette, Mark Mallman, Cloud Room, Oh Snap!! and Electric Soft Parade, although the best part about this collection are the new bands I've discovered. (See below.)
Rewind also has ties to Missouri: Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin contributes a fantastic cover of XTC's "Another Satellite," while the RAC (featuring the Pragmatic's Karl Kling) covers A-Ha's "Take On Me."
The folks behind Buffet Libre were kind enough to let me post a ton of MP3s from the collection for download and stream, although the full compilation can be downloaded at the site. (Every time I listen, I fall in love with a new song.) I also suggest heading to the Web site to find out more about the bands and why they chose the songs they did; the Q&As on the site are entertaining. (AND: The Web site also has a ton more music to download for free.)
After the jump, find covers of songs by Prince, Big Black, XTC, Eddie Murphy, Hall & Oates and more!
Band: Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin MP3:"Another Satellite" (XTC cover) Sounds Like: Spooky pop music with churning clouds of space-synths and appropriately eerie reverb. RIYL: Gary Numan, XTC (duh), Of Montreal Band: The RAC (featuring Karl Kling) MP3: "Take On Me" (A-Ha) Sounds Like: Cuddly electro with the RAC's trademark heart-warming beats and keyboards. RIYL: Tokyo Police Club, Postal Service (Oh Snap!! -- yes, those are Reebok Pumps)
Band: Oh Snap!!
MP3: "Party All the Time" (Eddie Murphy)
Sounds Like: Saying "awesomeness" is unprofessional, but this hip-hop jam is crazy-good: It's a revved-up, electro-warmed booty-bumper.
RIYL: Flosstradamus, Girl Talk, The Cool Kids
Band: The Paper Scissors
MP3: "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)" (Hall & Oates)
Sounds Like: Busy-bee electro with a strong background in funk and bustling percussion, like Fujiya and Miyagi and Animal Collective getting funky with Talking Heads.
RIYL: Those bands I just mentioned, along with Beck
Band: Northern Portrait
MP3: "Some People" (Cliff Richards)
Sounds LIke: I have no idea what the original sounds like, but this is a dreamy, reverb-vocal song that will make fans of Lloyd Cole and the Go-Betweens very happy.
RIYL: Death Cab for Cutie, the Smiths, Lloyd Cole
(The Cloud Room)
(Lismore)
Band: Lismore
MP3: "Wot" (Captain Sensible)
Sounds LIke: Minimalist female-fronted new-wave fit for seedy, seductive danceclubs.
RIYL: Ladytron, New Young Pony Club, Romeo Void
Band: Cannonball Jane
MP3: "Crush On You" (The Jets)
Sounds LIke: A sophisticated, electroclash/Italo-disco version of the song.
RIYL: Ladytron, Luscious Jackson
