5 Cover Albums That Make Old Songs Feel New Again
There are several arguments that will probably remain unsettled for rest of our lives. Are pancakes better than french toast? Is the movie ever better than the book? Is frozen pizza better than pizza out of a brick oven? The answer is no, fresh pizza is always better. But when it comes to the merit of music covers, the answer is a bit hazier.
Regardless of how you feel about covers, there are a few indie artists who decided to venture into “cover territory” and release albums or EPs that bring unique perspectives to classic tunes we know and love. While I will not argue these covers are better than the originals, here are some bands that did a wonderful job of making the familiar feel new again.
1. Fun Machine by Lake Street Dive
Hailed as one of the most impressive vocalists on the scene today, Rachel Price fronts this groovy rock outfit from Boston, Mass. While Lake Street Drive is very established and has risen to prominence through multiple album releases, their career really took off with the EP Fun Machine released in 2012. Imbued with classical vocal stylings, Lake Street Dive brings a fresh take to well-known hits such as George Michael's “Faith” and Hall & Oats' “Rich Girl.” But in the end, nothing comes close in originality to their downtempo jazz cover of “I Want You Back.”
2. Homage by Bootstraps
After introducing himself to the indie scene with his debut self-titled album, Bootstraps was embraced as an atmospheric artist who creates moving songs with a resonant voice. His second album, Homage, was welcomed with open arms, as Bootstraps’ applied his signature melancholic style to a number of new and old songs. From The Cure’s “Pictures of You,” to The Weeknd’s “Earned It,” to Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me,” Bootstraps weaves several vastly different genres into one cohesive, beautiful album.
3. Yesterday by Imaginary Future
Similar to Crocs, skim milk, and banana holders, there are some things out there people don’t believe should exist. Beatles covers certainly make this list. This being said, this small collection of tunes is heartfelt, genuine, and a truly delightful addition to any acoustic playlist. Through an intentioned combination of soft guitar and tight harmonies, this EP is perfect for your next lazy afternoon.
4. 1989 by Ryan Adams
Ever since Taylor Swift made the decision to remove her songs from the Spotify catalog, fans have been pining for her change of heart. Luckily, Ryan Adams filled the void with his reimagining of Swift’s entire 2014 album, 1989. Adams bends genres by introducing moody electric guitar and straight-forward rock elements to reinvigorate the source material. It was well received by fans and critics alike, and if you’ve scoffed at the thought of listening to Taylor in the past, this is the perfect way to dip your toes into her songwriting without admitting defeat.
5. Cabin Covers by Chamberlin
I’ll admit, this cover album is as straightforward as they come. All recorded from a cabin in the forests of Vermont, these covers bring a folksy feel to contemporary hits of the late 2000’s. They have a mature sound that reverberates through the entire EP, but every cover does the original justice and has maintained popularity to this day since its original release in 2011.
