Need a decent b-side? Call Calexico.
Generally, this is something that I’m very much in favour of. Rather than having some crappy throwaway b-side of a live a live track or a half-hearted remix, get another decent band in to record their version of the a-side – right? And who better to ask then Calexico. The recent b-side of Arcade Fire’s Intervention has them doing a pretty fine take on Neon Bible highlight Ocean of Noise. Then I remembered their cover of Goldfrapp’s Human which turned up as a b-side to the single of that name a few years back. It was actually credited as a remix, but when you have a dusty Americana-mariachi version of an electropop song, with Joey Burns singing the lyrics in Spanish, that counts as a cover in my book. Any more versions like this? I’d like to know…
Download: Calexico – Ocean of Noise (Arcade Fire cover)
Download: Calexico – Human (Goldfrapp cover)
1Matthew
wrote on 31 July 2007 at 14:01
If I had to name my current heroes, I think it would be Calexico. They just seem to be getting steadily better with each album.
2Nestor
wrote on 31 July 2007 at 14:29
Wow, that Arcade Fire cover is really quite something. It makes me really want to listen to both Calexico & The Arcade Fire… I probably should’ve given Neon Bible more of a chance
3Arildho
wrote on 31 July 2007 at 15:55
Pulp’s single Bad Cover Version had Nick Cave covering their 2006 hit “Disco 2000″ and Roisin Murphy (of Moloko) covering “Sorted For E’s & Wizz”.
4The Daily Growl
wrote on 1 August 2007 at 8:02
Ah, I meant other good covers by Calexico, but you’re right, that Nick Cave version is fine indeed.
5Roberto
wrote on 7 August 2007 at 16:10
I’ve been trying to hear this cover of Ocean of Noise for ages! Thanks.
Calexico have done great covers of “Corona” by The Minutemen, and of “Alone Again Or” by Love. By the way, on the Goldfrapp cover, it’s not Joey Burns singing…
6bridging the atlantic
wrote on 18 October 2007 at 19:18
their ‘ocean of noise’ cover is absolutely superb.
7Anonymous
wrote on 20 October 2008 at 23:43
Also, check out their superb version of Kris Kistopherson’s “Casey’s Last Ride” - better than the original.