Single-band Covers-only albums?

PopTodd · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2011 12:38 pm

As we near the end of 2011, and that Yep album perches near (possibly at) the top of my year-end list, it got me thinking about albums - NON-COMPILATION ALBUMS - that a single band has filled up with cover songs.
Not talking about multi-band tribute records or other compilations, but instances where one band has decided to do a bunch of tunes that they did not write, and that were not written for them.
What are some of the good ones out there? The ones that are worth picking up?
A few that come to mind for me:

All Hank Williams covers. And a pretty good listen.

I've talked this one up before and I still stand by my recommendation. Just a great rock band playing the hell out of the songs that they love.

Never heard that GnR one, so I can't recommend it, but I know that it exist.
Others that are worth hearing?

Z · **Joined:** Sat Oct 23, 2004 1:38 pm **Posts:** 7979

i'm not sure it's worth picking up, but mandy moore's coverage is way better than it has any right to be.

Stone · **Joined:** Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:27 am **Posts:** 1562

Flying Rabbit · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2011 1:01 pm

Skankin' Pickle's "Green Album" ft. covers of Devo, Gorilla Biscuits, Oingo Boingo, Bad Manners, Bad Brains, etc.

Tracks
- gas in my car
- gates of steel
- cup flipper
- start today
- rest of the world
- don't care
- my hair
- pay to cum
- ties that bind
- special brew
- make a change
- sleep
- violent love

PopTodd · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2011 1:42 pm

Almost forgot this one:

All Portugese-language, Brazilian takes on Bowie songs.
Haven't heard the whole thing, but what I have heard allows me to recommed this one wholeheartedly!

Stone · **Joined:** Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:27 am **Posts:** 1562

Finch Platte · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2011 2:19 pm

Ivy's Guestroom. I'm sending a couple of things your way, I'll include this.

Schlesinger is from Fountains Of Wayne.

Quote:

Ivy made an interesting move when they released the all-covers album Guestroom in fall 2002. It's an eclectic collection of songs -- an intriguing but differing mix of genre and time. But Ivy makes things work brilliantly; smart songwriting with ever-changing moods has always marked Ivy's artsy, melodic measure. So basically, Guestroom is an added bonus for new and old fans alike. Most anyone will appreciate Dominique Durand's wispy, warm vocals and the intricate musicianship of Adam Schlesinger and Andy Chase. Cult classics such as the Cure's "Let's Go to Bed" and House of Love's "I Don't Know Why I Love You" are divine picks from Ivy, particularly the latter track. Simple acoustics and lite synth beats dice up the songs' original pop pounce for a dark, muted presence. "Say Goodbye," which is a Papas Fritas favorite among fans, rolls down new wave memory lane; however, the hipness of the Go-Betweens' "Streets of Your Town" brilliantly captures Ivy's musical heart. Guestroom may highlight some of the band's cherished cuts from the decadent days of the 1980s, but there are some hidden treasures. Durand's enchanting singing style on the Ronettes' chart hit "Be My Baby" is tailored for a nearly eerie, lullaby sweep. The Parisian-born Durand gives props to fellow Frenchman Serge Gainsbourg on the idyllic love song "L'Anamour." On Guestroom, Ivy has given these songs a modern touch without compromising their undeniable, candied sound -- a pleasant listen at best.

MontyTheMongoose · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2011 3:23 pm

Z Wrote:

i'm not sure it's worth picking up, but mandy moore's coverage is way better than it has any right to be.

Two references to Coverage within 48 hours, plus a revived Ryan Adams thread?

Can a pregnancy announcement be far off...?

Radcliffe · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2011 4:01 pm

I like it when a band attempts this sort of thing. Not all of them work, but if a band can show their influences while maintaining their own identity it's often pretty cool.

Some good ones, off the top of my head:

David Bowie Pin Ups
Cobra Verde Copycat Killers
Die Toten Hosen Learning English Vol. 1
Nikki Corvette Wild Record Party
The Dirtbombs Ultra Glide in Black
The Hot Rats Turn Ons
Freddy Lynxx & the Corner Gang Full Cover
Patti Smith Twelve
Webb Wilder & the Nashvegans Town and Country
The Wildhearts Stop Us If You've Heard This One Before Vol. 1

PopTodd · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2011 4:06 pm

Radcliffe Wrote:

I like it when a band attempts this sort of thing. Not all of them work, but if a band can show their influences while maintaining their own identity it's often pretty cool.

That's why I like that Def Leppard one so much.

shiv · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2011 4:36 pm

Tokyo Police Club had one they released a few months ago called 10X10X10. I didn't like it much but some of you here probably would.

PopTodd · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2011 4:49 pm

Nilsson - Nilsson Sings Newman

duckyboy · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2011 4:52 pm

Cat Power-Covers Record
Cat Power-Jukebox*
Vetiver-Thing of the Past

Ok, one original on that

PopTodd · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2011 4:54 pm

I forgot about this one:

And this one:

Two of the best.

TheTheory · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2011 5:02 pm

Does Emmylou Harris' Wrecking Ball count? I think it is mostly covers... and her rendition of Neil Young's "Wrecking Ball" is heart-crushing.

duckyboy · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2011 5:04 pm

I've never heard this but:

Z · **Joined:** Sat Oct 23, 2004 1:38 pm **Posts:** 7979

ty segall's EP of t. rex covers is pretty good. "buick mackane" sounds awesome, especially.

PopTodd · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2011 5:09 pm

TheTheory Wrote:

Does Emmylou Harris' Wrecking Ball count? I think it is mostly covers... and her rendition of Neil Young's "Wrecking Ball" is heart-crushing.

Yeah, I would think so.

nobody · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2011 5:19 pm

The new Dirt Bombs is all covers as well and quite good.

Stone · **Joined:** Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:27 am **Posts:** 1562

Okay, there are a few clunkers on this, but I like most of it, and especially the cover of "The Passenger."

The Dreaded Marco · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2011 5:25 pm

Grant Lee Phillips - Nineteeneighties is quite good.

FT · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2011 5:57 pm

I'm a big fan of the Mark Kozelek album where he covered a bunch of old AC/DC songs in his unique style. It's called What's Next to the Moon.

Stone · **Joined:** Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:27 am **Posts:** 1562

Somehow, this works for me.

Quote:

DAVID PAJO (SLINT, PAPA M, etc. etc.) recorded a bunch of Misfits covers back in 2004--through a Radio Shack mic duct taped to a cymbal stand into a ‘70s handheld cassette recorder. Forgotten by Pajo, the tape circulated amongst friends and across the country where it caught the ears of Black Tent Press, who asked if they could release it.

bort · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2011 7:00 pm

I'd like to hear that Ivy record, mostly for the Papas Fritas cover. I second Mark Kozelek.

Yail Bloor · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2011 7:10 pm

First thing that came to mind...

There is one original and some of the covers are...a little Cracker-ed Up but I think it's a tremendous fucking album.

Single-band Covers-only albums?

Who is online