Last time Paul Anka put out a covers album, we sorta went bonkers over it. Ankaman’s croon and those horny arrangements reimagining Soundgarden/Oasis/R.E.M./Nirvana/The Cure as swing tunes somehow added up to perfect road-trip music. In fact, you should get it.
Last time the tracklist had our demographic in mind, making it easy to appreciate the ironic shmaltz. Second time around, though, it’s mostly just schmaltz (Bryan Adams, Daniel Powter, etc.) Still, Paul’s new platter isn’t without glorious moments of swingin’ lipsmacking silliness. Consider his take on “Mr. Brightside” as our case in chief on that one. Actually, the lyrics are perfect for what Anka’s going for; “Destiny is calling me” soars over show-tune horn charts built for Vegas — which makes sense if you think about it. But don’t think about it. Just download and make your friends giggle.
Classic Songs My Way is out 8/28 on Decca. Check the tracklist:
01 “Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper)
02 “Get Here” (Oleta Adams)
03 “Mr. Brightside” (The Killers)
04 “Waiting For A Girl Like You” (Foreigner)
05 “Ordinary World” (Duran Duran)
06 “Heaven” (Bryan Adams)
07 “Bad Day” (Daniel Powter)
08 “I Go To Extremes” (Billy Joel)
09 “Both Sides Now” (Joni MItchell)
10 “(You Are My) Destiny” (Paul Anka w/ Michael Buble)
11 “Walking In Memphis” (Marc Cohn)
12 “Against The Wind” (Bob Seger)
13 “My Way” (Anka duet)
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Ummmm, no thanks.
whats that ref=stereogum business all about in the amazon link? do you make money every time someone buys it via that link, or when they look at it?
Awesome, now I know what I’m getting my mom for Christmas. I think the last Paul Anka covers thing is her favorite album of the decade.
Interesting. personally, I think its funny. I like hearing this stuff but I don?t think it will find a heavy rotation in my iPod. Seeing how this isn?t 1940 and all. But I dig the killers so goodtimes.
um…so guys – I started a thoughtful, homegrown internet radio station…it’s kicking ass.
come hang out, stereogum/squarepusher picks run wild.
My best.
Seth
-Paul Anka is a god.
I generally like his sort of music. This concept is kind of… meh, though. I don’t know. It’s really hit or miss. LOL @ The Killers.
Evan, I believe they make a little money if you buy through that link. I don’t believe they make any money by your looking at it.
I think Paul Anka is under-rated. I don’t listen to him often, but when I do I’m not sad that I did.
This just sounds kinda wrong. There isn’t enough of a vocal melody in the verse to fit into a swing song, so it ends up sounding monotonous and irritating.
This second album was DEFINITELY put together with my mom in mind. I’m excited to hear what “Walking in Memphis” is gonna sound like,though.
ps: I wanna make that Daniel Powter guy’s day worse by punching him in the face. I fucking loathe that song.
Are you sure this isn’t Richard Cheese singing?
The Craze in Studio from Michael and Vimeo.
They should have just had Paul Anka cover everybody on “This is next” and released that instead.
Paul Anka?
Did the guys finally get shirts?
Because that’s just…the fucking…way…it is.
hahaha, that is awesome! kind of reminds me of will ferrel as Robert Gulet
“POPPA!”
é…ficou meio estranho…
lg15radio.com -something to do while you surf SG.
Interesting cover idea! Good on you Paul!