Various Artists
Guilt By Association Vol. 2 / Engine Room Recordings / BUY
While we here at the Rind feel pretty firmly that one need not feel guilty for liking cheesy pop songs (seriously, you should see some of our playlists), the idea behind this second volume of covers from Engine Room is a great one – indie artists cover their favorite songs that others might deem “un-indie” and therefore “uncool.”
We’re going to ignore the subjectivity of all that and get to the songs. Move over Marilyn Manson, because Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond) delivers a totally creepy version of the Soft Cell classic “Tainted Love,” making it sound more like a spy theme than a new wave song. Check it out here. Speaking of new wave, Rafter’s take on the OMD hit “If You Leave” is sparse in a good way, while Cassettes Won’t Listen offers an electro-poptastic version of INXS’ “Need You Tonight.” Jukebox The Ghost performs a spirited rendition of Ace of Base’s “It’s a Beautiful Life,” which will remind you why you loved the song in the first place, while Lowry’s “Africa” is as adorable as Toto’s is epic. Matt Pond PA’s approach to the My Chemical Romance song “I’m Not Okay” is a surprising high point as well (only surprising given the original artist – I mean, come on – they really are uncool).
We could probably go on about every track on Guilt By Association Vol. 2, including Takka Takka’s version of “In The Air Tonight,” Kaki King’s look at JT’s “I Think She Knows” and more, but why not just take our word for it and buy the record? Indulging in guilty pleasures never felt so good.
Track List:
01 My Brightest Diamond: “Tainted Love” [Gloria Jones/Soft Cell]
02 The Bloodsugars: “Self-Control” [Laura Branigan]
03 Robbers on High Street: “Cool It Now” [New Edition]
04 Frightened Rabbit: “Set You Free” [N-Trance]
05 Matt Pond PA: “I’m Not Okay” [My Chemical Romance]
06 Takka Takka: “In the Air Tonight” [Phil Collins]
07 Kaki King: “I Think She Knows” [Justin Timberlake]
08 Francis and the Lights: “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” [Kanye West]
09 Lowry: “Africa” [Toto]
10 The Forms: “We Didn’t Start the Fire” [Billy Joel]
11 Rafter: “If You Leave” [OMD]
12 Cassettes Won’t Listen: “Need You Tonight” [INXS]
13 Jukebox the Ghost: “It’s a Beautiful Life” [Ace of Base]
14 Max Vernon: “I Kissed a Girl” [Katy Perry]
