Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Baby

Earlier today Ariel Pink announced the follow up to ‘Before Today’, the album which propelled him to the front of the blogosphere, as ‘Mature Themes’, out on August 20th. Accompanying it was the release of this cover of the late 70’s Donnie and Joe Emerson song ‘Baby’.

In keeping with the soulful vibe of the original, Dam Funk's vocals are hoarse and more intense but generally the cover doesn’t really add much, mainly because the Emerson’s version sounds like something Ariel Pink would write in the first place. It feels like more than a bit of prick tease though considering he recently told Spin that the band had ‘had time to let (their) hair down and try new things’, before trying to placate us with a cover. GIVE US THE NEW SONGS NOW PINK!

Jessy Parker

Echo Lake - Alisa

Until you get a feel for the song, there’s always that second you hold your breath when listening to a cover; will it ruin the original? And let’s face it you can’t re-write a classic, although there are the bands who have tried - failing miserably. So thank god Echo Lake chose a perhaps in-famous track to cover. However I take my hat off to Echo Lake for totally reinventing Ariel Pink’s “Alisa”.  First impressions were maybe the atmosphere was a bit of a mish mash, and the vocals didn’t quite click into the creative noise of the guitars, but once the tension built and the beat picked up, you get to the good stuff! Wispy guitar melodies, dreamy enchanting vocals, along with Echo Lakes tribal touch and overall shoegazing effect, gives the cover a whole new element. Not a tune to be listened to 10x over, however on a whim “Alisa” is a solid track with a lot of depth and a spooky persona.

By Ailsa Morris