Remastered Beatles Race Up the UK Charts

So, this week's UK album charts were just released, and it's a Beatles bonanza. There is no scientific polling to back it up, but these numbers are an interesting look at how fans rank the Fab Four's catalog. Four of the remastered albums made the Top 10, and all but three of their albums are in the Top 50. Here's a quick look. It will be interesting to see if we Yanks differ from the Brits when the American charts are out later this week.

UK Album Chart (numbers represent rank)
5. Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band
6. Abbey Road
9. Revolver
10. Rubber Soul
21. The Beatles (White Album)
29. Help!
31. Past Masters
33. Magical Mystery Tour
37. A Hard Day's Night
38. Please Please Me
49. Let It Be
51. With the Beatles
56. Beatles for Sale
89. Yellow Submarine

Also, the two new complete box sets (stereo and mono) also charted as No. 24 and No. 57, respectfully. One thing is for sure. Not that many seem interested in hearing Lennon bark on "Hey Bulldog".

The Beatles: A Covers Countdown

Yesterday's work on "And Your Bird Can Sing" inspired me to really think about my favorite covers of Fab Four tunes. Here are my Top 10 tunes... with a few caveats. Since just about every band on the planet has performed their songs on stage, I only chose studio recordings. Further, I picked performers I truly admire. Finally, no title or performer could appear on the list more than one time.

I wanted to honorably mention a few that just missed the list. I'm a big fan of Frank Sinatra and, in his later years, he did record "Something". He thought it was one of the most beautifully penned pieces of all time. Beatles' fans gasped, however, when he added the word "Jack" to George Harrison's lyrics. "You stick around, Jack, she might show..." Personally, I think it's acceptable to add your own stamp to a cover, at least within reason. Still, it just missed the list. Earth, Wind & Fire had a huge hit with 'Got to get You Into My Life", and I loved blaring it from the car stereo when I was a teen. The production was so clean, and the horns were so crisp. As I write this, I wish I had put it on the list. I also like the Pixies doing "Wild Honey Pie", but the addition of Kim Deal to the list made me reconsider. Of course, I could have added Daniel Johnston or William Shatner, but they seemed out of place on such a short list. What covers do you enjoy?

1. Siouxsie & the Banshees - Dear Prudence (mp3)
2. Todd Rundgren - Rain (mp3)
3. Andy Partridge - Strawberry Fields Forever (mp3)
4. Johnny Cash - In My Life (mp3)
5. The Jam - And Your Bird Can Sing (mp3)
6. Elvis Costello - You've Got to Hide Your Love Away (mp3)
7. David Bowie - Across the Universe (mp3)
8. The Breeders - Happiness Is a Warm Gun (mp3)
9. The Feelies - Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except for Me and My Monkey (mp3)
10. Booker T & the M.G.'s - Something (mp3)

Just a few more notes: The Booker T song is taken from 'McLemore Avenue', a complete album of Abbey Road songs recorded for Stax. The album and record cover are absolute classics. Todd Rundgren has worn the Fab Four's influence on his sleeve throughout his career. "Rain" is taken from the album 'Faithful'. Side one of the record is all covers, including a nice rendition of "Strawberry Fields Forever". If the old mop-top stuff is your speed, check out Utopia's 'Deface the Music'. Rundgren lifts every note from the Lennon/McCartney early years and, yet, his theft is really enjoyable. I chose Siouxsie No. 1 because her cover shows the most vision. She made the song all hers without butchering it in the process.

Cover Me Impressed: 'And Your Bird Can Sing'

A few days have passed since The Beatles reissues hit the shelves. I have to admit I almost got caught up in the hype, but I think the moment has passed. I own all of the old 1987 CD versions of the records, as well as the 'Anthology' series, 'Let It Be... Naked', 'Live at the BBC' and just about everything else that has come out along the way. Can someone give me an honest assessment of the remastered versions? Will I really be blown away by the sound? I mean, c'mon, I have owned all of these records on just about every format possible. Do I really need to do it all over again? It's not like there are bonus tracks. They are the same albums!! I don't particularly care about CD-size photos or the "making of" videos. So, don't tell me about those incidentals. I just care about the music. Is it worth it?

My two favorite Beatles albums, like many of you out there, are 'Rubber Soul' and 'Revolver'. The copy of 'Revolver' I had when I was 9 years old was the inferior American version out on Capitol without "I'm Only Sleeping" and "And Your Bird Can Sing". Even though 30 years have passed and I have had these two songs for more than two decades, they are among my favorites because they still seem like rare bonus tracks to me. Ridiculous, I know, but I still get that excited feeling when I hear them. Perhaps, in part, it's because John Lennon was on fire. These are my top covers of one of those "rare bonus tracks". Ha!

The Beatles - And Your Bird Can Sing (mp3)
The Jam - And Your Bird Can Sing (mp3)
Guadalcanal Diary - And Your Bird Can Sing (mp3)
Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs - And Your Bird Can Sing (mp3)

Big Country Chronicles: 'Where... Rose Is Sown'

About one month after the release of Big Country's second full-length LP, 'Steeltown', the label released this followup single to "East of Eden". It was Nov. 16, 1984. Although lyrically the song is quite serious, I thought the music was upbeat in tone for the first time since "Fields of Fire" and "In A Big Country". During my teen years I preferred the extended version of "Where the Rose Is Sown". In my adult years, I have enjoyed the album version more because the song mixes so well into the next tune, "Come Back to Me". For me, the songs are forever linked. I almost never listen to one without the other.

I remember feeling pure joy when I picked up the 12"single for the first time and saw there were TWO B-side songs, as well as a 7" version of "Where the Rose Is Sown". I quickly learned "Bass Dance" was only about 100 seconds long and kind of a throwaway. My apologies to Tony Butler. "Belief in the Small Man" isn't the best B-side in the Big Country catalog, but I have liked it enough to include it in my Big Country mixes over the years. It is definitely not a throwaway. If you get the chance, take a look at the music video below for "Where the Rose Is Sown". Quietly, the band's videos were getting much better.

Big Country - Where the Rose Is Sown (Extended Version) (mp3)
Big Country - Where the Rose Is Sown (Album Version) (mp3)
Big Country - Bass Dance (mp3)
Big Country - Belief in the Small Man (mp3)

See Also:
Big Country Chronicles: 'East of Eden'
Big Country Chronicles: 'Wonderland'
Big Country Chronicles: 'Chance'
Big Country Chronicles: 'In A Big Country'
Big Country Chronicles: 'Fields of Fire'
Big Country Chronicles: 'Harvest Home'

12 Inches of Love: OMD Edition

In my world, circa 1984 and 1985, I thought Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark were one of the biggest bands on the planet. In some parts of the world, that was almost true. Here in America, however, OMD did not make an appearance on Billboard's Top 40 until the end of '85... at least five years into their discography. In fact, OMD had only four Top 40 hits, and I contend at least two of them were well after the band had peaked. Certainly, earlier songs like "Locomotion" and "Tesla Girls" deserved to be hits before, say, "Dreaming". Let's take a listen to OMD's four American hits and judge accordingly: "So in Love", taken from the 1985 album "Crush", illustrated OMD's move from new wave to beautiful synth pop (that began on the 1984 album 'Junk Culture') was permanent. The single peaked at No. 26 and spent seven weeks in the Top 40. "So in Love" was not my favorite single from the album -- I liked "Secret" better -- but the airplay was well deserved. OMD - So in Love (Special American Dance Remix) (mp3) "If You Leave" was recorded for the John Hughes film 'Pretty in Pink'. Duh. The song was used in a scene that has always made me squirm. Andrew McCarthy's proclamation of love is one of the most forced and uncomfortable lines in film, but I digress. What I like most about "So in Love" hitting the charts six months earlier than this smash hit was that the hits that followed "If You Leave" always felt like songs that "made it" on the coattails of this one. It was as if OMD finally made the club, and now they could rest on their laurels. Having said that, the extended mix of "If You Leave" is one of my favorite 12-inch singles of all time. It's simple and not full of gimmicks that can weigh down a remix. The song hit the Top 40 on April 5, 1986, and stayed there for 13 weeks. It peaked at No. 4. OMD - If You Leave (Extended Version) (mp3) OMD didn't waste any time following up their biggest hit. 'The Pacific Age' was released later in 1986 and spawned one Top 40 hit. "(Forever) Live and Die" was pure pop in an adult alternative sort of way. Like on 'Crush', it was not my favorite single from the album. That goes to "We Love You". I rarely pull this one out, but I did like it back in the day. The song broke into the Top 40 on Nov. 1, 1986, stayed for seven weeks and peaked at a respectable No. 19. OMD - (Forever) Live and Die (Extended Mix) (mp3) OMD's last moments on the Billboard singles chart came in 1988 when it released a new song on its "Best Of" record. I hate when a band releases a new song on a compilation, but that is an argument for another time. Let me just say that as far as best of records go, this one actually was one of the best. The new song, "Dreaming", never did much for me, and I'm not even that big of a fan of the 12-inch single. I'm a completist, however. So, here it is. OMD carried on throughout the rest of the '80s and even into the '90s, but it was with revolving personnel and a different sound. I had long given up on them by then. OMD - Dreaming (Club Mix) (mp3)

First Listen: Air

You may recall two months ago Air released the viral single "Do the Joy" from their upcoming album 'Love 2'. I was so excited... until I heard it. Here's what I said on July 8:

Uh-oh. I just heard the first single from Air's 'Love 2', and it was not quite what I was expecting. As you know from my preview a couple of weeks ago, I have been looking forward to this moment for a long time. I have enjoyed the mature sound of the last couple of albums much more than the '10,000 Hz Legend' and, to a lesser extent, 'Moon Safari' songs from their youth. I made the assumption (wrongly, it appears), the French duo would continue to move in that direction. Perhaps it's a midlife crisis.

Well, the first official single from 'Love 2' is out now, and the song sounds much more like an evolutionary step to follow the mellow and mature albums 'Pocket Symphony' and 'Talkie Walkie'. What a relief! I'm looking forward to the Oct. 6 release again. Check out the new music video, and sample the tune below.

Air - Sing Sang Sung (mp3)

First Listen: The Swell Season

You can't help but root for Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova... otherwise known as The Swell Season. They encompass everything that is good about indie music. The Oscar winners for Best Original Song -- "Falling Slowly" from the 2007 film 'Once' -- not only gave us one of the best films of that year, but they also gave me my favorite Oscar moment of all time. It has taken a couple of years, but the charming duo is about to release the followup to the gold-certified soundtrack. Thanks to IFC, we can hear the opening song from 'Strict Joy', out Oct. 27 on ANTI-. I think you will agree it has been worth the wait.

The Swell Season - Low Rising (mp3)

Cover Me Impressed: 'So Sad About Us'

I'm a huge fan of the sounds of '66. The Who are a perfect example. I don't consider myself a Who fanatic because I never got into the rock opera material (or anything that came after it). The Who's mod years, however, have been a favorite of mine since I was a lad. There is a Pete Townshend-penned song from the album 'A Quick One' that I particularly like, and I must not be alone because a couple of my favorite bands have covered it.

"So Sad About Us" was never a single. In fact, Townshend originally wrote it for The Merseybeats. This one is pure pop. No windmill guitar solos here. Lots of "la-la-las" and simple chords. Beautiful. Fast forward to 1978 for the UK's second mod wave. The Jam were at the forefront of the movement, and the band was obviously enamored with early Who. They covered several Who songs during this period, including "Disguises" and this one. The Jam's "So Sad About Us" was the B-side of the hit "Down in the Tube Station at Night". I'm taking the song from the import version of 'Extras'.

In 1992, "So Sad About Us" found its way to wax again with 'Safari', a four-song EP by The Breeders. I highly recommend this one to all Breeders fans. It has been out of print for quite a while, but it is worth the hunt. This was a year before The Breeders exploded with 'Last Splash'. I have followed The Breeders from its inception to today, and I say without hesitation this EP is the band at the top of its game. I'm happy "So Sad About Us" is a part of it.

The Who - So Sad About Us (mp3)
The Jam - So Sad About Us (mp3)
The Breeders - So Sad About Us (mp3)

Duran Duran News: 'Rio' Reissue and More

Duran Duran's 1982 tour de force will be remastered and expanded later this month as a two-disc set. Disc one is the UK version of the May '82 release but will also include the American album remixes that were released in November of that year. Disc two contains the Manchester Square demos, all 'Rio' B-sides and remixes. This includes the band's famous "Night Versions". This was Duran Duran's fancy way of saying extended versions since they were meant to be played at dance clubs during the wee hours. There will also be a vinyl reissue, and the digital download will have two additional tracks. If you're lucky enough to live in the UK, 'Rio: Collector's Edition' will be available next week. We Americans have to wait until Sept. 22. I have let it be known many times I think reissues can be a ripoff, but the tracklist for this one begs for a purchase... even if you already have the album. It's tough to round up all of these extras. I know.

Duran Duran - Hungry Like the Wolf (Night Version) (mp3)

On the same day 'Rio: Collector's Edition' is released, Duran Duran will also put out 'Live at Hammersmith '82' as a double-disc DVD and CD. 'Rio'-era videos and other live performances will also be included on the DVDs. Check out the stellar tracklist, and note old-timey fan favorite "Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)". I can't wait to see that one on screen.

DVD
1. Rio
2. Hungry Like The Wolf
3. Night Boat
4. New Religion
5. Save A Prayer
6. Planet Earth
7. Friends Of Mine
8. Careless Memories
9. Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)
10. Girls On Film

Extras
Music Videos:
1. My Own Way
2. Hungry Like The Wolf
3. Save A Prayer
4. Lonely In Your Nightmare
5. Rio
6. The Chauffeur

Top Of The Pops Performances:
1. Hungry Like The Wolf (May 13, 1982)
2. Rio (Nov. 18, 1982)

CD
1. Rio
2. Hungry Like The Wolf
3. Night Boat
4. New Religion
5. Save A Prayer
6. Planet Earth
7. Friends Of Mine
8. Careless Memories
9. Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)
10. Girls On Film

Big Country Chronicles: 'East of Eden'

One month prior to the release of Big Country's second full-length LP, 'Steeltown', the band hit the airwaves with its first single. The date was Sept. 21, 1984, and all indications were the album and this song would be a smash. It was... at least across the pond.

In a trend that began after the "In A Big Country" single, we fickle Americans were finished with these Scots. Big Country was already in the process of being labeled "one-hit wonders" and "cult figures". 'Steeltown' peaked at No. 70 here while it debuted at No. 1 in the UK. Every single, including this one, made it to at least No. 30 over there. MTV maniac that I was, I never once saw a 'Steeltown' video on the channel.

I love 'Steeltown' at least as much as 'The Crossing', but I have to admit I don't spin it as much as their debut. The B-sides on this 12" single were the album version of "East of Eden" and "Prairie Rose". I can't believe this stellar song didn't make the album. This Roxy Music cover from 1974 is my favorite Big Country B-side. I especially like the line "I hear your voice and it keeps me from sleeping" at the end of the song. Fans know this lyric from the 'Steeltown' song "Tall Ships Go". Up next are my two favorite singles from the Big Country catalog.

Big Country - East of Eden (extended version) (mp3)
Big Country - Prairie Rose (mp3)
Big Country - East of Eden (album version) (mp3)

See Also:
Big Country Chronicles: 'Wonderland'
Big Country Chronicles: 'Chance'
Big Country Chronicles: 'In A Big Country'
Big Country Chronicles: 'Fields of Fire'
Big Country Chronicles: 'Harvest Home'

First Listen: Bad Lieutenant, The Clean, More

Joy Division and New Order alum Bernard Sumner returns with Bad Lieutenant. It sound quite a bit like what New Order would sound like if New Order was still around... and for good reason. Stephen Morris of Joy Division and New Order is on drums. Phil Cunningham and Jake Evans of New Order are on guitars. In fact, only bassist Alex James didn't clock time in New Order. He was too busy playing in Blur. Give this song a listen before you buy 'Never Cry Another Tear' digitally on Oct. 6 or physically on Nov. 10.

Bad Lieutenant - Sink or Swim (mp3)

Three months ago I posted the first song from New Zealand's The Clean since 2001. I loved "In the Dreamlife You Need a Rubber Soul" so much it made my favorite songs of the first half of 2009. Well, the album the song comes from, 'Mister Pop', finally comes out next Tuesday. To celebrate, the band's label, Merge, has given us a second song. It's another jangly jewel. Expect to see The Clean on my Best of 2009 list come December.

The Clean - Tensile (mp3)

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart have been releasing singles from their debut album like absolute fiends. This week they released "Come Saturday" with a new B-side, but that's not the big news. On Sept. 22, there will be a four-song EP of brand-spanking new material. Here is one of the songs, and it's an inspired piece of work.

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Higher Than the Stars (mp3)

New-Release Tuesday

There are two big new ones out today in my world, one by Liam Finn and the other by Apples in Stereo. I have written about both ad nauseum. So, I'll direct you here and here so you can read up and download samples.

Another happy little release today is by the two Johns... otherwise known as They Might Be Giants. This is not one of their quirky rockers. Instead, it's another one of their children's albums. 'Here Comes the Science' follows 'Here Come the ABCs' (2005) and 'Here Come the 123s' (2008). This one is not so much for the pre-K crowd. I'm thinking this record works well with about a second or third grader. The songs are fun and catchy, as usual, but these are a little more educational. My favorite part is that they rerecorded "Why Does the Sun Shine?" and followed it up with the song "Why Does the Sun Really Shine?" because they got the science all wrong the first time around. That won't happen this time. Eric Siegel of the New York Hall of Science was a consultant on all of the songs. Don't worry, TMBG fans. The boys are putting the final touches on more adult fare that should be out soon.

They Might Be Giants (By Danny Weinkauf) - I Am a Paleontologist (mp3)