Beautiful Beach Boys-style harmonies mixed with classical/pop arrangements and heartfelt, often strange lyrics makes The Zombies Odyssey and Oracle album one of my favorite “psych” albums of the 60s. So naturally, I am weary of anyone trying to cover one of its songs. The Tough Alliance, however, do a pretty nice job of adding their own dub/electro/tropical sensibilities to the “Hung Up On A Dream”. It will never compare to the original, but it’s still a nice listen. (via Mod Blog)

The Tough Alliance – Hung Up On A Dream (Zombies Cover)

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Covering Joy Division’s classic “Transmission” is no easy task and most bands just don’t have the guts, but don’t tell that to Hot Chip. Their spooky, minimalist interpretation is definitely ballsy in that “let’s not just try to emulate the original” kind of way.

Stream it on Stereogum.

The song can be found on War Child: Heroes, a new compilation featuring current artists covering iconic music of the past. Read more about it here.

I can always count on Philly’s electro/hip-hop foursome GANG to surprise and delight and this holiday season is no exception. The group has recorded their take on the ol’ Christmas classic “Little Drummer Boy”. I won’t spoil it, but let’s just say that Santa Klaus would’ve been proud!

Visit the band’s MySpace page for more.

…And Merry Christmas to all!

GANG – Little Drummer Boy

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I have written about Sweden’s folksy First Aid Kit before and they continue to impress me with their unbelievable vocal harmonies. For the holiday, the sisters Soderberg have recorded a stunning fireside version of the classic, somber tune “Blue Christmas”. That being said, listening to their voices I don’t know how anyone could be sad:

First Aid Kit’s debut EP Drunken Trees is available for download now at Klicktrack. Highly recommended!

This is the second post in as many days about Fleet Foxes (see the other post) and why not? They are definitely Sub Pop’s best new signing (next to No Age). However, this post is more about the two girls who cover the band’s ominous “Tiger Mountain Peasant Song” in the woods.

The girls in question are new Swedish band First Aid Kit (aka super young sisters Klara and Johanna Söderberg), whom we have posted about previously and who are signed to The Knife’s Rabid Records. Their voices are truly amazing.

(via Music For Robots)

First Aid Kit’s debut EP Drunken Trees is available now on Rabid. Fleet Foxes’ records are available from Sub Pop.

When The Cardigans released First Band on the Moon in ‘96 it was a semi-worthy follow-up to their amazing and insanely underrated album Life. The one song that stood out like a dwarf in a basketball game was the hipster-chic track (for the time) “Lovefool,” which went on to be a modest hit. It had that 60’s style and charm with a hint of new disco. But was it the song or just the style that was so compelling? Well, The Morning Benders acoustic version of the song from their newly released FREE covers album, Bedroom Covers, answers that one with a softer and down-to-earth “yes.” Have a listen.

Download the rest of the album here.

The Morning Benders – Lovefool (Cardigans Cover)

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What’s better than Deerhunter’s newest album, Microcastle? Oh, I don’t know, maybe Deerhunter covering Jay Reatard’s “Oh, It’s Such a Shame” from his last album Blood Visions? Yes!

As we mentioned previously, the two have teamed up to cover each other’s songs on Jay’s latest Matador 7″. The Deerhunter version does the brooding original justice, with some added, even darker flavor. The extra 2 minutes of freak out makes it feel like it could easily fit on their newest record…and that’s certainly nothing to be ashamed about.

Pick up the the limited edition Jay Reatard/Deerhunter split 7″, which also features Jay covering Deerhunter’s “Fluorescent Grey,” from Matador.

Deerhunter – Oh, It’s Such a Shame (Jay Reatard Cover)

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Trading in emotion for sleekness, Anoraak’s cover of The Romantics’ 1983 new-wave hit, “Talking in Your Sleep,” is a dead-panned robo-pop excursion with popcorn-synths and stellar production. It comes off way more creepy than the original and much more French, but you find that kinda intriguing don’t you? Yep, thought so.

The track is part of a massive 80’s covers project by awesome Spanish label Buffetlibre. Anoraak’s debut EP will be released in September on the up-and-coming, uber-sci-fi electro label Valerie.

Anoraak – Talking in Your Sleep (Romantics Cover)

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Since I am loving the new Deerhunter album and have been a big fan of Jay Reatard’s since his 2006 post-punk assault Blood Visions, news that Jay and Deerhunter will be teaming up for the next installment in Jay’s Matador 7″ series, has got me psyched! The A-side is Jay covering Deerhunter’s “Flourescent Grey,” and the B-side is Deerhunter covering Jay’s “Oh, It’s Such A Shame.” Pretty awesome…almost as awesome as the fitting, yet completely disturbing and funny cover photo.

Pre-order the 7″ from Matador on July 14th (the same day as Jay returns to Philly), it’s sure to become a collector’s item!