Good Cover Version: CHVRCHES Does Bauhaus

Pulp gave the world the song "Bad Cover Version." But seeing as I'm a sonic optimist, I'm of the belief that there's more likely than not more good cover versions floating around than bad ones. Good Cover Version celebrates the good, and leaves all that bad and ugly stuff alone.

By now y'all know how much I adore that precocious trio of synthpop lovin' Scots known to the world as CHVRCHES. Naturally, I couldn't resist checking out their version of the absolutely iconic Bauhaus classic "Bela Lugosi's Dead." I wasn't sure how it would translate, but having given it a few listens, I have to say it's grown on me quite a bit. It sounds like a completely different song, CHVRCHES giving it their 80s synth vibe and cutting it down under four minutes in length. Lauren Mayberry's voice does manage to sound a bit funereal at times, and something a little gothic can be found lurking here. It was a risky move to cover this song, and you're either going to love it or hate it, but I'm a fan of the end result. I still prefer the original, of course, it's just one of those songs that can't be bettered by anyone other than its creator. But I like CHVRCHES, and I like Bela Lugosi. And there we are.  







[posted 3.21.14]