Have I mentioned blah blah blah?
Anyway, in its stead, please enjoy (and you'll thank me, I warrant) once and future power pop goddesses The Bangles and the concluding track from their absolutely wonderful 2010 album Sweetheart of the Sun -- a transplendent remake of the Todd Rundgren/Nazz classic "Open My Eyes."
If memory serves, this hasn't been covered as often as you might expect -- I seem to recall a pretty good live version by The Wondermints on some compilation or other, but that's about it. Back in my feckless youth, I always wanted to play it onstage with somebody, but it was not to be, alas; closest I ever got was a thrown-together club version (with my '80s skinny tie band) of Todd's other genre-defining tune, "Couldn't I Just Tell You."
In any case, I think this update is actually better than the original, thanks to the gals still spine-tingling harmonies and a characteristically flawless production by the great Matthew Sweet. I must confess, however, that I miss original bassist Michael Steele (not the former RNC chairman); I always thought she was the cutest Bangle. Something to do with that aubergine hair, I suspect.
15 comments:
always nice to hear a cover of a todd song.
Michael was also the sexiest Bangle by far.
ROTP(lumber)
I do have a version by The Move. As for being better than the original? I can't get on board with that, and not just because I'm a Todd freak. What's missing with The Bangles version, both literally and figuratively, is balls. It's a really good version, but the verses almost swing. IMHO
I'd forgotten the Move version, which is actually pretty good too, albeit they get some of the chord changes wrong if memory serves.
And I'll stipulate that Thom Mooney of the Nazz was/is a better drummer than Debbie Petersen. On the other hand, if you've heard the Nazz' "Under the Ice," you know that Thom Mooney was/is a better drummer than just about everybody.
:-)
I do have a medley of "Under The Ice/Open My Eyes" by the Move. Really.
Very pretty, but I have to agree with Sal, there's a certain bloodlessness to this version -- it's a little too perfect, not enough oomph.
But pretty.
I have a Move version too, on an unofficial collection of BBC performances; it's a really good performance, if not a great recording.
I wanted to cover this in the first band I was in. As soon as I put in on the turntable for the rest of the band to hear (all of them for the first time), the first thing that came out of their mouths was "we should cover "I Can't Explain"" and we never went back to "Open My Eyes"...
The Bangles version is a good cover, but not better than the original.
The problem is the vocals don't go with the backing track. It sounds like they were wearing headphones at a safe volume and singing along.
No complaints from me, but then I am a certified fanboy for the Bangles. I still say their best work was the first EP and LP, before Prince and the big record company got a hold of them. But since they reformed they have returned to their Byrds/power pop sound and I for one love 'em for it.
buzzbabyjesus said...
The problem is the vocals don't go with the backing track. It sounds like they were wearing headphones at a safe volume and singing along.
That's how I hear it, too. The vocals aren't edgy enough. The singing is lovely, but the arrangement kicks ass and the vocals don't. It's like mixing Moby Grape with Crosby, Stills & Nash.
First off - Sweetheart of the Sun came out in 2011, just a few short months ago.
Secondly I saw the Bangles live at the Stone Pony in Oct and they played Open my Eyes and absolutely nailed it.
2 of my bucket list of acts to see live have been Prince and the Bangles. Saw them both in 2011 and both were awesome.
I found this one on youtube some time back. As has been posted, this one doesn't come close to the Nazz version. I also like the Wondermint version better.
I wish the Nazz had been a bigger hit. Todd could have used the other guys in the 70s to keep him from himself.
HAve to agree with the board, music is better than the vocal performance. Ms. Hoff can and has done better. But the track SO rocks!
Micheal also sang some great, great harmonies. The Bangle, not the bald retired R.
Trey
When Todd was touring with The NEw Cars they did this one, and it was f'ing great. Prarie brought great energy to it with his drumming, Kasim is always solid singing harmonies with Todd, and Eliot Easton...well...he's always on. Glad I got to see this one live and juiced up
I had been listening to all of the versions by the Move that I could find since I heard the cleanest BBC version I had ever heard on a podcast recently. That was on Andrew Sandoval's COME TO THE SUNSHINE. You can find it online.
He crossfaded the tracks so you can't save it as a complete 'clean' track (mainly the intro is affected). It definitely rocks harder than the original or the Bangles version (which is close the original in style, etc.).
Someone posted on Steve Hoffman Forums asking where Andrew got it and he didn't reply. That was when the show was first broadcast. Maybe that track is from from a BBC transcription disc or tape. I have heard a longer version that may have been records off the air.
Must have it!!! AAAGGHHH!! Cleanest/best fidelity I have heard it in. They just need to release a multi-disc set of the Move BBC performances while some of us are still around. Listening to what I have and sorting through what I have duplicated makes me long for a nice box set!!
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