Metz
M.E. 7’’
Sub Pop
2019
Rating: 7.5 wrong tires out of 10
On my list of things I never expected to hear, Metz covering Sparklhorse has to be near the top of the list, assuming such a list actually existed and I didn’t just make it up for the purposes of this dumb sentence. Apparently when a Canadian punk band tackles one of Mark Linkous’ rare upbeat tracks (“Pig”), you kinda almost get a Nirvana song. That actually makes sense when you think about it: Nirvana is exactly what you would expect when you combine noisy angst and weirdo introspection. The two other songs on this release are also covers – “I’m A Bug,” originally by Halo of Flies, which is no more interesting here than the original version; and the title track ”M.E.,” which most folks will know from the Gary Numan original, presented here in a scuzzier, more distorted format. Two out of three keepers – not bad for a grip of cover songs…I’ll take it.
Let it be noted: this is only a seven inch if you buy the Metz compilation “Automat,” as it is included as a bonus with that release (unclear if this inclusion was part of a limited edition release, or all releases). But Sub Pop also had the good smarts to also put out the seven inch as a stand alone digital single…I guess for those folks who are avid cover song collectors? Or dumbasses like me who only heard “Automat” via a definitely super legal download found randomly online that did not include these tracks.
The Number Ones
Another Side Of The Number Ones 7’’
Sorry State
2018
Rating: 9 Costa Rican hoodies out of 10
I’m always excited to hear some quality power pop, especially if it’s a new band and not a dug-up relic from 1979 (no offense to those relics, it's some of my favorite music of all time). It’s especially exciting is to find out this was released by a label in the same town as you! Sorry State* mostly tends towards hardcore and heavy/weird punk, some of it good. a lot of weird, but generally not the catchiest music that would remotely be confused for pop; so I was pretty shocked to see they had released this four-song seven inch from Dublin’s the Number Ones. If, like me, you find yourself perpetually mad that Gentleman Jesse hasn’t released a new record since 2012, let this quick burst of nearly identical hooks soothe your savage soul. In fact, when I first heard the opening track “Lie To Me,” knowing nothing of the band, I jumped online to see if this was actually a new project from Jesse himself. You could make some Exploding Hearts comparisons too, particularly on “You’re So Happy I Could Cry.” Those are two comparisons I don’t make lightly, two acts that figure very heavily into my music fandom of the last couple of decades. My only complaint here is the record is only four songs long…please god let a full-length be in the works.
*They also have a brick and mortar record store in downtown Raleigh that is fantastic – tons of variety, great prices, and has taken way too much of my money.
Superchunk
Break The Glass 7’’
Merge
2017
Rating: 7 confused oranges out of 10
I know Mac loves them, and hell even I like them fine, but it’s really weird to hear Superchunk cover a Corrosion Of Conformity song. The song in question is “Mad World,” from CoC’s 1985 record “Animosity.” Surprisingly, this rendition by Superchunk is fairly faithful to the original. Granted, the 1985 version of CoC skewed slightly more punk/hardcore than the metal band they are known as today, but it’s still very different from Superchunk’s catchy punk-tinged pop. Even if I don’t find myself yearning to hear this cover that often, I appreciate them branching out with a different type of cover than what you would expect from them for the b-side of this record.
The title track here is from their most recent (really great) record “What A Time To Be Alive” that I need to get around to writing up, as if my take on anything Superchunk releases isn’t going to be full-on fanboy gushing.
