“Maybe Steve Perry can just love more deeply than I can.”
I love Clem Snide so much, and it just keeps getting stronger. You may have noticed my minor affinity for covers, and frontman Eef Barzelay can delight me with his straightforward, completely earnest renditions that find veins of truth in the most unexpected of places. So here even the #1 ironic-karaoke band Journey sounds almost wistful. It gets even better when his two bandmates come in whistling at the end, and no one cracks a smile.
Faithfully (Journey) – Clem Snide
Perhaps you remember the Clem Snide cover of Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful,” but my all-time favorite version he does is that of the Velvet Underground’s “I’ll Be Your Mirror.” Instead of Nico’s halting alienation, Eef’s sweet earnestness makes me believe good truths, laced through with that elegant and knowing cello.
I’ll Be Your Mirror (Velvet Underground) – Clem Snide
I also never get tired of listening to their original song “Born A Man” – Eef’s a super smart songwriter, like an SAT study party soundtrack. The new Clem Snide album Meat of Life came out in February.
Head over to the A.V. Club site and watch the other excellent sessions – I dig the Frightened Rabbit cover of The Lemonheads, Justin Townes Earle covering Bruce, and even “Game of Pricks” filtered through Owen Pallett’s violin.
Name: Heather Browne
that cover was the first thing i ever heard by clem snide, and i’ve been looking for it for years. thanks for postin git again!
eric — July 8, 2010 @ 2:23 pm
eric, i can try to rip this to mp3 tonight, if you like.
browneheather — July 8, 2010 @ 2:30 pm
Oooh! Can you rip the Journey cover? That would be great.
Your pal, Jim — July 8, 2010 @ 8:15 pm
done! i can totally see someone using this in a wedding.
browneheather — July 8, 2010 @ 8:48 pm
Wow, thanks! You’re the best!
Your pal, Jim — July 8, 2010 @ 9:09 pm
Would you be able to rip the “Game of Pricks” cover?
Alicia — July 10, 2010 @ 1:44 pm
That frightened rabbit one was my favorite.
Travis Dillinger — July 13, 2010 @ 3:56 pm
Steve Perry is just the best… his songs are amezing, this is a nother beautiful song… thanks!
Indira Sánchez — August 8, 2010 @ 6:20 pm