Best Cover Song of the Year: Passion Pit does Cranberries

So I know that just this past weekend I was raving about the folk cover of MGMT’s “Kids” being one of the best things I had heard this year, but I have already found something to take it’s place.  A couple weeks ago Passion Pit released a deluxe edition of their stellar 2009 album, Manners and I foolishly paid no attention.  If any of you have  yet to purchase one of the catchiest pop records of the past decade, go ahead and take advantage of this deluxe reissue.   Along with the hook-laden tracks that made up the original record is a “stripped down” version of both “Sleepyhead” and “Moth’s Wings” and then a kick-ass version of the 90′s hit, “Dreams,” by the Cranberries.  Apparently “Dreams” has become a staple at their live shows as of recent.  The song was recently featured on NPR’s All Songs Considered and can be heard below.

Jay Brannan Releases In Living Cover

Singer/Songwriter Jay Brannan is releasing a new cover album this week.  The album includes 2 Brannan originals along with 7 cover songs.  The album is definitely enjoyable, but nothing to write home about.  It’s a very simple album, with nothing more than Jay’s guitar and his voice. The lead single from the album is his rendition of the 90′s hit “The Freshmen”, by The Verve Pipe.   I like it, but only because the song was great to begin with.  He brought nothing new or original to the song, other than his own voice.  One song that I do really enjoy is his cover of The Cranberries’ “Zombie.”  It’s fun to hear a slowed down acoustic version of that droning anthem.  Nothing groundbreaking here, and I’m sure I’ll completely forget about this album before July is over, but for now I’m enjoying its company on these hot summer days.

Jay Brannan – The Freshman (The Verve Pipe)

Jay Brannan – Zombie (The Cranberries)