Before we get too far into 2013, I feel obligated to share a project many of us overlooked a few months ago. After all, what readers of The Vinyl District are not also Weezer fans? Their Blue Album did get a grand reissue on vinyl in 2012, right around the time of Engine Room Recordings‘ fourth collection of covers, this time in remembrance of Weezer’s sophomore album.
With their signature “world” sound that has gotten the band so much attention, Dinosaur Feathers opens this release with their rendition of “Tired of Sex,” setting the tone for this legitimate tribute to Pinkerton. Keeping the garage-y feel but adding some horns to the mix does the track well (read, it’s the perfect cover where the original shines through, yet is very unique to the coverer.)
A standout for me comes four songs in, when Rob Cantor (of Tally Hall) shares his touching version of “Why Bother?” Even shorter than the original two-minute-long song – with a little less rock and a lot more pop – Cantor’s candor (like how I just did that?) is undeniably adorable, making this track more special than even its archetype.
There are several gems to discover on this Weezer tribute album, and fortunate for us, SonicScoop got a behind-the-scenes look during the recording of many of these tracks. We have them to thank for this beautiful glimpse into Tim Noyes’ (Aunt Martha) session while covering “Butterfly.” “I love songs that don’t need anything more than voice and guitar to make a point, and “Butterfly” is just that.” True dat.
It appears that the folks at Engine Room Recordings have impressed me again. Home to The Canon Logic, American Babies, and the Guilt By Association compilations, good things have been brewing up out of this NYC label for the past several years. I even heard some crazy rumor of a second tribute album being made. Bet you won’t guess of which artist!
