Song of the Day - Hot Chip: "Transmission" (Joy Division Cover)

I usually don't like it when bands cover classic songs for any kind of commercial release. It's understandable that a band/artist would perform a cover during a concert, paying homage to your influences is only natural, but releasing said cover for sale is almost like admitting that your version is better than the original. I know that isn't normally the intent, but artists have to know once the song has the chance to penetrate the masses comparisons are sure to follow.

Of course, there are some exceptions. For example, charity benefit compilations always get a pass. If the purpose of an album release is to generate maximum sales for a good cause, then filling it with 15 covers from some of the most recognizable indie artists is a good way to accomplish that goal. I mean, who wouldn't be interesting in hearing what Franz Ferdinand's take on Blondie's "Call Me" sounds like?. The folks behind the War Child organization piqued my interest with nuggets like that by releasing Heroes, their latest compilation aimed at benefiting child refugees of war.

Artists like Beck, Duffy, TV on the Radio, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and the Hold Steady pepper this record with personal cover selections from their musical heroes, such as Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, David Bowie, The Ramones, and Bruce Springsteen. While many of the tracks are good (for example, Elbow's cover of the U2's "Running to Stand Still), nothing on the album comes close to the awesomeness that is Hot Chip's cover of the Joy Division classic "Transmission".

Rather than attempting to match the emotion and ferocity of the original (which would've been a train wreck, btw), Hot Chip decided to turn the song on its head and strip it down to a simple bass line, steel drums and keyboards. Toss in Alexis Taylor's playful sound vocal and the song becomes transformed to an electro dream-pop gem. But without that killer bass line this song would be nothing. In any event, it's one of the better covers I've heard from any band in a long wile.

Hot Chip - "Transmision" (from War Child Heroes)

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Video of the Week - Hot Chip: "Ready for the Floor"

The first Video of the Week of 2008 comes courtesy of London's Hot Chip and it totally has me excited for the release of their new album Made in the Dark (out February 5th). If you are already familiar with this band, you know that their music is nothing but a big heaping bowl of fun. If not, then go buy The Warning and listen to it NOW. Don't worry, I'll wait around until you are done.

Ready? Good. Now you can watch this video and put some faces to all that wonderful music. The first thing you'll notice is that Hot Chip could not look any dorkier than they do in this video. It's not an act. When you see these guys live (as I had the pleasure to do last year) it looks like the high school math team putting on a talent show. Except these nerds are way more talented than you (or I) are and they could not possibly be enjoying themselves more. It makes them more endearing and more "cool" than most hipster bands I've seen. I wish more bands looked as happy to do their job as these guys.

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