Indie Darling John Vanderslice’s Evocative New Take On Bowie’s Diamond Dogs
David Bowie was a maverick amongst the sound and scope of rock music. His radical approach electrified the early 1970s rock scene with songs that braided psychedelic sensibilities and abstract lyricism, and to this day, his achievements have maintained one of the biggest followings in rock history. As New York Times wrote on his passing, David Bowie "transcended music, art and fashion...earned admiration and emulation across the musical spectrum — from rockers, balladeers, punks, hip-hop acts, creators of pop spectacles and even classical composers..."
David Bowie's radical approach electrified the early 1970s rock scene with songs that braided psychedelic sensibilities and abstract lyricism, and to this day, his achievements have maintained one of the biggest followings in rock history.
Vanderslice approaches Bowie’s Diamond Dogs with the infectious melodies and the trademark ardor that have continuously deemed him one of indie and experimental rock’s elite. Rather than merely covering Bowie’s album Pitchfork says “Vanderslice takes the hits and turns them on their heads.”
John Vanderslice Plays David Bowie’s Diamond Dogs is the first album of our “Plays Series” wherein a single innovative and accomplished recording artist or band interprets iconic works of the past.
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To Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Moment When One Band Forever Reinvented Pop Music, Indie Musicians Discover and Translate Two Iconic Beatles' Albums
Looking Through You: A 50th Anniversary Tribute to The Beatles’ Rubber Soul boasts the cutting edge of today’s music scene: Bombadil, The David Mayfield Parade, So Many Wizards, The Pride of Erie PA, Admirals, Woodpigeon, Cereus Bright, Tyler Lyle, The Blackwater Fever, Swear and Shake, Blessed Feathers, The Daydream Club, The Love Language, Olin & The Moon, Nemes, Kid In The Attic, and The Kirkendall Gang.
Tomorrow Never Knows: A 50th Anniversary Tribute to the Beatles' Revolver also features the finest indie rock has to offer: Jake Mann and the Upper Hand, The Owls, Shawn Mullins, Glider, Bjorn Baillie and Simon Baillie, Nellie McKay, Everest, Headlights, Lost In the Trees, Tapes ’n Tapes, Borges & The Broken Singles, Jennifer O’Connor, Brian Wright, and The M’s. As a special treat, famed Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick—who recorded the original Revolver sessions—lovingly records Nellie McKay’s inventive new take on “Yellow Submarine” for this project.
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25th Anniversary Tribute To The Album That Gave Birth To Alt Country
No Depression? Sounds like the tagline to an ad for a new wonder drug. But the potently titled 1990 debut album by Uncle Tupelo, had nothing to do with an instant chemical solution, rather a cure… a rip-roaring parade of country punk. This supercharged young trio – with guitarist Jay Farrar (Son Volt) and bassist Jeff Tweedy (Wilco) joined by Mike Heidorn on drums. The primeval power of their premiere record would go on to christen a wave of restless, ragged country-fired rock. Lee Zimmerman in Blurt Magazine writes "There are any number of landmark albums that critics are quick to label as essential, but given the fact No Depression jumpstarted an entire genre, none deserve that label more."
On The Brighter Side: A 25th Anniversary Tribute To Uncle Tupelo’s No Depression a select few of the best artists in Alt Country and Indie Rock bring their talents together to re-imagine the album a quarter century later: The Last Bison, Bodies of Water, Big Sky Blue, Wooden Sky, Peculiar Pretzelmen, Elliott BROOD, Crow Moses, Leeroy Stagger, Smoking Popes, David Stuart, Mikaela Davis, Cheap Girls, and Beta Radio.
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Tease Torment Tantalize: A 30th Anniversary Tribute To The Smiths
"Unlike most tributes that hit the streets these days, Tease Torment Tantalize dares to take liberties with the material, often veering sharply from Morrissey’s somber soliloquies while moving into other realms far removed from the Smiths’ gilded tomes. It’s an intriguing experiment at the very least, but given the imaginative treatments offered here, it’s also a new experience entirely.
While that might prove intimidating to some – for listeners, if not for the artists – the album starts out with an especially appealing opener, courtesy of Kevin Devine’s take on “Reel Around the Fountain”. The song seems to soar thanks to Devine’s delicate arrangement, offering hope that the remainder of the album will shear away the angst and emphasize setting a tone that might be more affable and appealing." - Lee Zimmerman, Pop Matters
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"Our cup runneth over with the glorious all-female lineup..."
"Our cup runneth over with the glorious all-female lineup featured on Empress of the Blues, a tribute to blues legend Bessie Smith featuring Tift Merritt, Jesca Hoop, Haley Bonar, Jenny Owen Youngs, Abigal Washburn, and many more, released in October. (We wrote about the inimitable Smith and her storied history in jazz and blues music earlier.) This tribute puts a modern spin on Smith’s standards, and gives each performer featured a chance to reimagine the spirit of each song. One of the grandest departures from the original is Simone White’s cover of “Backwater Blues,” which she transformed into a moody electronic rumination. It’s a testament to Smith’s vision and timelessness that her music stands up on its own half a century after her death, and a testament to her genius that these songs shine through any number of interpretations." - Bitch Magazine
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