Album Review: Various Artists - 'Triple J's Like A Version Volume 8'

15 December 2012 | 11:09 am | Staff Writer
Originally Appeared In

Covers made into new originals.

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Triple J doesn’t really do too many good things these days, but 'Like A Version' is an exception. Touring acts from around the globe pop into the Triple J offices and perform live cover versions of whatever songs they please, which results in an enjoyable listen and some very unique and original takes on the classics.

Now on Volume 8, the 'Like A Version' package has a new record of tunes accompanied by some visuals on a DVD disc. As with all compilations of this kind there are hits and misses, the first obvious moment of genuine brilliance is Boy And Bear's minimalist strings cover of 'Walking On A Dream' originally written by Empire Of The Sun. The best covers are the ones that have clear elements of the first version mixed with the unique styles of the performing artist, and this track is the first true example of this that nearly betters the original.

Following this example are City And Colour’s folk like take on Kimbra's 'Settle Down' and the stand-out of the entire compilation, Missy Higgins piano version of Gotye's 'Hearts A Mess'. Jinja Safari offer an interesting take on R. Kelly's 'Ignition (Remix)' laced with sitars and percussion while Josh Pyke finger picks his way through a folky version of The Jezabels 'Endless Summer.' 

Matt Corby
shows that he has come a seriously long way from his Australian Idol days with his subtle version of The Black Key's 'Lonely Boy' and Jebediah remind us all of the great days of music that the came up in with Custard's 'Apartment.'

The recording quality is always premium on releases like this and it can easily be forgotten that these are live performances. The DVD is a little un-interesting as it really is just a select number of songs played in the studio edited together without much flair, but really, you are coming here for the music.

There really aren't too many misses when looking over the playlist with most artists doing well to steer away from a standard replication of the songs chosen making 'Like A Version' Volume 8 a worthwhile use of the airwaves.

Track listing CD:

  1. Bluejuice - "Video Games" (Original performed by Lana Del Rey)
  2. Hilltop Hoods - "So What’cha Want" (Original performed by Beastie Boys)
  3. Boy And Bear - "Walking On A Dream" (Original performed by Empire of the Sun)
  4. City and Colour - "Settle Down" (Original performed by Kimbra)
  5. Missy Higgins - "Hearts A Mess" (Original performed by Gotye)
  6. Electric Guest - "Ritual Union" (Original performed by Little Dragon)
  7. Austra - "None Of Dem" (Original performed by Robyn)
  8. Husky - "Need You Tonight" (Original performed by INXS)
  9. Jinja Safari - "Ignition (Remix)" (Original performed by R. Kelly)
  10. Josh Pyke - "Endless Summer" (Original performed by The Jezebels)
  11. The Herd (Australian band) feat. Radical Son, Nooky & Sky'High - "A Change Is Gonna Come" (Original performed by Sam Cooke)
  12. Matt Corby - "Lonely Boy" (Original performed by The Black Keys)
  13. Julia Stone - "Feeding Line" (Original performed by Boy & Bear)
  14. Deep Sea Arcade - "Let Forever Be" (Original performed by The Chemical Brothers)
  15. Jebediah - "Apartment" (Original performed by Custard)
  16. Ladyhawke - "White Rabbit" (Original performed by Jefferson Airplane)
  17. Bon Iver - "Coming Down" (Original performed by Anais Mitchell)
  18. Active Child - "Sweet Dreams" (Original performed by Eurythmics)
  19. Cosmo Jarvis - Spinnin Around" (Original performed by Kylie Minogue)
  20. Thundamentals - "Brother" (Original performed by Matt Corby)
  21. The Medics - "Blowin’ in the Wind" (Original performed by Bob Dylan)


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Track listing DVD :

  1. Thundamentals - "Brother" (Original performed by Matt Corby)
  2. Bluejuice - "Video Games" (Original performed by Lana Del Rey)
  3. Matt Corby - "Lonely Boy" (Original performed by The Black Keys)
  4. Missy Higgins - "Hearts A Mess" (Original performed by Gotye)
  5. Ballpark Music - "Do You Realize??" (Original performed by The Flaming Lips)
  6. Hilltop Hoods - "So What’cha Want" (Original performed by Beastie Boys)
  7. City and Colour - "Settle Down" (Original performed by Kimbra)
  8. Austra - "None of Dem" (Original performed by Robyn)
  9. The Herd feat. Radical Son, Nooky & Sky'High - "A Change Is Gonna Come" (Original performed by Sam Cooke)
  10. Bon Iver - "Coming Down" (Original performed by Anais Mitchell)
  11. Julia Stone - "Feeding Line" (Original performed by Boy & Bear)
  12. Jinja Safari - "Ignition (Remix)" (Original performed by R. Kelly)
  13. The Maccabees - "Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon" (Original performed by Neil Diamond)
  14. Lanie Lane - "Gold On The Ceiling" (Original performed by The Black Keys)