Lots of artists you enjoy are covering lots of other artists you enjoy for another tribute album organized by and benefitting War Child, the “network of independent organisations, working across the world to help children affected by war.” The pairings are mostly logical — the Hold Steady covering the Boss, TV On The Radio covering Bowie, Beck on Dylan, Rufus on Brian Wilson, etc. — and should provide weeks of blog fun. War Child writes:
We asked 15 ultimate icons to select a favourite song from their classic back catalogue and to nominate the new act they most trust to create a unique interpretation of that hand-picked track. This album is the result: 15 exclusive and breath-taking cover versions.
They’re calling it Heroes after TVOTR’s song choice and also because that’s a good name for a noble charity album. Here’s your full tracklist:
01. Beck (Bob Dylan: “Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat”)
02. The Kooks (The Kinks: “Victoria”)
03. The Hold Steady (Bruce Springsteen: “Atlantic City”)
04. Hot Chip (Joy Division: “Transmission”)
05. Lily Allen (The Clash: “Straight To Hell”)
06. Yeah Yeah Yeahs (The Ramones: “Sheena Is A Punk Rocker”)
07. Franz Ferdinand (Blondie: “Call Me”)
08. Duffy (Paul McCartney: “Live And Let Die”)
09. Estelle (Stevie Wonder: “Superstition”)
10. Rufus Wainwright (Brian Wilson: “Wonderful/ Song For Children”)
11. Scissor Sisters (Roxy Music: “Do The Strand”)
12. Peaches (Iggy Pop and The Stooges: “Search And Destroy”)
13. Adam Cohen (Leonard Cohen: “Take This Waltz”)
14. Elbow (U2: “Running To Stand Still”)
15. The Like (Elvis Costello: “You Belong To Me”)
16. TV On The Radio (David Bowie: “Heroes”)
Heroes is out in the UK via Palrophone and the rest of the world via EMI on 2/16. Track-by-track background and buy links available at warchild.org.uk.
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I wonder how that Hot Chip track will be? Covering Joy Division….it will surely be interesting
Yeah, Hot Chip seems a bit too happy go lucky to be covering Joy Division, but I suppose if the Killers can do it…nonetheless, this looks interesting. The idea of Peaches covering “Search and Destroy” kinda makes me cringe, but still, I’ll be interested to hear this.
Joe Strummer just rolled over
Poor Joe. The man who got me into music.. I guess we can.. hope.. for the best.
(I love how most of my friends know “Straight to Hell” as “ZOMG THE PINEAPPLE EXPRESS SONG!!!1111″ .. then fifteen seconds later it’s: “WTF IS THIS SHIT?” .. srsly?)
Furthermore: WTF Elbow? I actually enjoy your music.. why are you covering U2? Cover yourselves or Doves, please..
upon repeated listens, I’ve deduced that 3/5 Elbow actually IS Doves, or I’m a cracker… which, in fact, I am. I, too, am rather excited that one of the world’s most consistently ossum bands continues their streak by taking on a U2 song that they can knock out of the park… or drink under the table, maybe…
“Furthermore: WTF Elbow? I actually enjoy your music.. why are you covering U2? Cover yourselves or Doves, please..”
They’re covering that U2 song because U2 asked them to, as did all of the original artists whose songs are being covered. I refer you back to this part:
“We asked 15 ultimate icons to select a favourite song from their classic back catalogue and to nominate the new act they most trust to create a unique interpretation of that hand-picked track.”
Sooo..does that mean pretty much New Order gave the OK for a Joy Division song? Kind of odd; also, it would make more sense for Hot Chip to be covering New Order anyways.
Also, Leonard Cohen’s son Adam is tryin on Daddy’s shoes with “Take this Waltz”. Via P4k.
I’m looking forward to Elbow’s U2 cover. I’ve been really getting into ‘The Seldom Seen Kid lately’. They are a really underrated band. Also I love the Kinks’ ‘Victoria’ though I doubt the Kooks will really do it justice. But who knows? And hey, its for a good cause.
Running to Stand Still is a really beautiful song– kind of excited to hear this one.
And such positive, uplifting subject matter….
atlantic city is a wonderful choice.
any word on a street date?
I’m really excited for Elbow’s cover, if only because “Running To Stand Still” is one of U2′s best songs (they’ve sucked as of late, but in the 80s, they were fantastic). The loser in me is also sort of excited for “Live and Let Die” although I hate Duffy, so let’s see what she does with one of my guilty pleasures!
All in all, not the worst thing I’ve ever seen, I suppose.
Yeah, these covers are definitely intriguing…particularly the Hot Chip and Peaches tracks~!
hey, The Like are back from wherever. brill.
Good for The Kooks, finally they get to cover one of their AND my fav songs! Can’t wait to hear all this craziness; I would kill for a good cover anytime and this is a whole list of interesting covers!!
Well done!
dark was the night PWNS this
I’m gonna wanna hear TVotR, FF, Beck and the YYY’s tracks.
Why isn’t KOL on this list?! Ha oh well this still sounds like it’s going to be amazing for the most part. Speaking of, is anyone else going to buy “Talihina Sky” on 11/1? It’s my favorite band doc..everrrrrr:)
Watch the trailer!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=y42_cd6Bgjc