Sixteen Horsepower - "The Partisan". A google search for sixteen horsepower informs me that it equals 11,931.1979 watts. Which is interesting, albeit not pertinent. This is a soft-but-shrieking version of the Leonard Cohen classic, sent to me by Matthew. Sixteen Horsepower are at their best when David Eugene Edwards is bellowing from a flaming field, so it's not till the song's smouldering bridge that this track really shines. Before that it's too shrill somehow, too bare. We need the flutter of acoustic guitar, the flutter of french, with the crashes and electric howls set far in the distance. While Leonard's lull is gone, Sixteen Horsepower make this song much more clearly about war - about raw death. The snarls of guitar are like bomb tremors, the hard consonants like artillery fire. All eyes are black. And as soft as the song is, it's trying very hard to shake you, to unsettle the patted earth over graves. Frightening, intense, Chiron's folk music. (From the French release of Low Estate.) [buy]
Candypants - "I Want a Pony". As promised, a song for any newcomers who have joined us from Metafilter. It's sassy sugarpop transposed from the early 60s into the late 90s. Lisa Jenio's sour voice is at once a plaint and a challenge - demanding and flirtatious. Drums and synths hammer things into a sparkly confetti box-fight, while Jenio stamps her foot in time. "I want a pony / I want a pony / I want a pony / now." It's when your cute girlfriend turns out to be a disaster, and an equestrian. Courtesy of Aurélien. (Also, Candypants' website is on Geocities, which is cool.) [buy]
Posted by Sean at July 13, 2004 3:24 AM
The french singer backing Edward is Bertrand Cantat (former ?) leader of the french rock group 'Noir Désir' (black desire).
This group has been leading rock music in France since their 2nd album (1989).
A very alternative voice, fueled with energy.
Because of this and Cantat's girlfriend (Marie Trintignant) talent, the whole country was shoked after he beat her to death (he's in jail for 8 years).
BTW, those who are curious about ND's work, check http://www.noirdez.com/ .
That Candypants track is brilliant. Thanks (as always) for maintaining this site.
Posted by the management at July 13, 2004 12:19 PMThe Sixteen Horsepower track is on my list of "cover songs that would have been a lot better if they hadn't included the French verses."
But that Candypants track is AWESOME!
Posted by Eppy at July 13, 2004 2:07 PMIn this version, in my humble opinion, the indie yelp is way out of place. The LC version seems to be about the resignation and disillusionment that the situation creates, not the desperation and chaos of the situation, which is what 16HP seem to be going for. It's my very favorite song Leonard Cohen sings (though not written by him), and one of my favorite songs of all time, so naturally I'm quite biased.
Posted by la1itree at July 13, 2004 3:28 PMWeird! I was going to post that cover today. Once again, I've been beaten to the punch by someone cooler.
Posted by Liza at July 13, 2004 3:53 PMthat candypants track reminds me of a song by the british band Angelica called 'why did you let my kitten die?'...well worth checking out...great song
Posted by thom at July 14, 2004 11:55 AMHa, it's now cool to have a Geocities-hosted site? Internet2001 stands truly slackjawed.
Posted by Walkathon at July 14, 2004 12:09 PMComplete w/ animated rainbow bars, no less!
Posted by la1itree at July 14, 2004 2:21 PMYou should listen to D.E. Edwards other band Woven Hand do a cover of "Ain't No Sunshine." It's fairly brilliant if you ask me. They recorded two versions of it, one on their self-titled release and another on Blush Music. I personally think the first version is better. Sounds Familyre put out both records in the US i believe. (www.soundsfamilyre.com)
thanks for the 16hp love.
I really adore this song, and since I also speak French, the combination of french and english lyrics makes the song only better. The french part is ALMOST the exact thing David sings, but not quite. For example, in the english version, they hide at an old woman's place, while in the french version, it's an old man, and lots more examples. Enjoy!
Posted by Janneke at July 30, 2004 9:45 AM
