photo by Nicola Acker

It's no surprise that the latest LP from Sub Poppers, Beach House has been hoisted on a pedestal by the online music community. Teen Dream is a record with almost no flaws; from feel to sequencing to the strides the band made without losing the soul of what made the project great to begin with, the Baltimore outfit delivered when the critical eye was locked in and poised to critique.

Every time I listen, I become fixated with 10 Mile Stereo, a track that starts with the potential of the open road, but one that slowly builds momentum with each slow turn of the engine. The energy of the track keeps building until you want to surge forward without fear or repercussion. The band plays to that unbridled emotion perfectly, letting you run wild until they ease off the gas and let the song, and the listener song coast to the finish.

Hearing that Josh from Little Girls wanted to put his spin on the track was obviously exciting. The cover fits perfectly into his trademark dark, muddy sounds that took a bedroom project from obscurity to Pitchfork (and our Best-of list), but still holds the core of the original close, with affection and respect. It's not as optimistic or invigorating - Josh's distorted vocals give the song a different feel than the purity and power of Victoria's voice - but the haunted, almost tormented feel makes it just as enjoyable.

MP3:: Little Girls - 10 Mile Stereo

MP3:: Beach House - 10 Mile Stereo
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/littlelittlegirls
LABEL:: http://paperbagrecords.com/

Labels: beach house, between the covers, Little Girls, Music, paper bag

I'm not sure how many people know Canadian legend Stompin' Tom outside of that "Good Ole Hockey Game" track, but few know he's one of this countries best song writers. His catalog is chock-o-block full of gems, but one that has always hit home with me is his telling of the collapse of the Second Narrows Bridge in BC.

Apparently, The Bridge Came Tumbling Down had the same impact on Brian Sumner of The Sumner Brothers:

I remember the first time I heard that song. My girlfriend and I picked it up at a record show. That night we were playing a board game and had the record on and about half way through that song I had to get up and go sit on the end of the bed right in front of the record player. I couldn't believe how good it was, even for Stompin Tom. Her and I wrote out the words right then and there and I learned it that night and it's one we'll probably play forever.

He was also nice enough to send it over a live version of the track for us to post. The honesty and admiration the duo offers is impressive, and the heartfelt emotion Brian feels (and any Vancouver resident should feel) each and every time he hears the song or crosses the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge permeates his verses. Honestly, this is a gem from a great Canadian man, played by a great Canadian band about a Canadian disaster. If that doesn't fit the MO of herohill, not sure what does.

Note - I can't even find a live version of the original on youtube, hype or any of the interwebs. If you have one I can add to the post, please pass it along.

MP3:: The Sumner Brothers - The Bridge Came Tumbling Down (Stompin' Tom)
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/thesumnerbrothers

Labels: between the covers, Canada, Music, Stompin Tom, The Sumner Brothers

Although he didn’t realize it when his label submitted a cover track to us, Jay Brannan is teetering on a slippery slope. Sure, we appreciate the fact he’s busting out a cover of one of Canada’s most well known female artists but man, he probably had no idea that Shane’s wife is one of Jann Arden’s biggest fans and any song would be judged critically.

I’m not one for covers, but the inevitable drama makes it impossible for us NOT to dust off an ole segment we call, Between the Covers. So sit back, relax and see how this NY singer fares against one of Canada's most recognized singers.


Jann Arden – Good Mother
Honestly, I’ve never really listened to Jann Arden much, so I tapped Petra for the back story. Apparently, this is one of her all-time favorite songs so I am not really looking to knock it down. Honestly though, you’d have to be a complete asshole to tear down a song with the message this one delivers. She enjoys the upbeat melody and apparently live, Jann also rocks the some bells. All and all, young Mr. Brannan has a tough task ahead of him to win her over.

Jay Brannan- Good Mother
Jay is one of those artists that truly blossomed thanks to the internet. In the blink of an eye, he went from recording tracks on youtube and selling them to fans via myspace to a record deal with Nettwerk. Not a bad jump if you ask me. Normally I avoid covers like the plague, but honestly, these songs aren't ones that people really want to hear and obviously mean something to Brannan.

The nicely titled In Living Cover features seven covers and two Brannan originals. He tackles tracks by Ani, Jann, The Cranberries, Joni and Dylan, which is pretty bold but that pretty well sums up Brannan’s life. His take on Good Mother is slower, letting his finger picking and voice do the majority of the work and plays well with the style his fans expect from him.

Verdict? Well, Petra would be surly if I said Jay's take was better and no offense to Mr. Brannan, but I'd rather him be pissed than her. Either way, he does a nice job on a touching song and from what I've heard of the cover LP, it's definitely worth a listen.

MP3:: Jay Brannan - Good Mother
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/jaybrannan
BUY:: http://www.jaybrannan.com

Labels: between the covers, Music