FROM UNDER THE COVERS (1)

An awful lot of bands (and singer/songwriters) are fond of recording songs made famous by other people. Most of the times, there is a distinct failure to improve on the original version, or even more sadly, the cover version is pretty much indistinguishable from the original version.

Of course, it’s all subjective. You could be a huge fan of someone and regard any attempt at a cover version as sacrilege. But I prefer to try and be open-minded about it.

I’ll willingly admit to being a fan of the Pet Shop Boys. They have consistently put out fantastic records over the best part of 2 decades – and have often been at the cutting-edge of change, whether on vinyl or CD or in the visual aspects of being a pop star.

But there’s a few great versions of their songs that have been recorded….including these two versions of ‘Rent’.

The Triffids were from Australia. They formed in 1979 but were unheralded outside their native land for quite a few years. A handful of singles and EPs pre-dated their first LP in 1983. They soon moved to Europe, and throughout the 80s released critically lauded record after critically lauded record without ever gaining any commercial success. The band broke up in 1989 and the music industry was a sadder place. It got even sadder in 1999 when the band’s lead singer and creative force, David McComb, died just three years after undergoing a heart transplant.

Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine burst onto the scene at the end of the 80s, and for maybe four years could do no wrong. Their first three records sold well and concert tours sold-out pretty quickly. But as the band’s lyrics got a bit darker and the tunes less radio-friendly, the fans, and to a certain extent the critical acclaim, faded away. Jim Bob and Fruitbat finally called it a day in 1997. As when The Triffids broke up, the music business was a far sadder place.

Rent – The Triffids

Rent – Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine

THERE WERE TWO COMMENTS LEFT FOR THIS POST

Native Guide said…

Worth mentioning for those who don’t know that the entire Triffids back catalogue is in the process of being remastered and reissued by Domino Records.

‘Born Sandy Devotional’ was first in June – worth buying for the improvements in the sound quality alone on the ‘regular’ tracks but there are another 9, mostly not previously issued before.  January should hopefully bring a double disc of ‘Calenture’ plus an expanded and remixed ‘In The Pines’.

JC said…

Many thanks native guide. I hope everyone reading this goes out and makes these essential purchases.