Friday, August 13, 2010

Cover Your Tracks: The Concretes, "Miss You"

The Rolling Stones' 1978 disco smash "Miss You" does not really give off any sense of longing or pining for a loved one: it's a randy booty call, with cases of wine and Puerto Rican girls. This cover by the Swedish indie-pop band The Concretes, from a 2003 tribute album, showcases that band's mastery of 60s-inspired arrangements and delicate, homespun melancholy. Taking Mick and Keith's afterhours party vibe and focusing on the "missing" in the song title, singer Victoria Bergsman uses her wounded voice and makes the song's "wait so long..." the new chewy center. Bergsman left the band and now records as Taken By Trees; pretty much everything by the Concretes (other than their tepid debut album, 2000's Boyoubetterunow) is excellent, and is highly recommended to fans of Camera Obscura, the Cardigans, Belle & Sebastian, the Radio Dept., and Peter Bjorn & John. The Concretes have a new album coming out in November.

The Concretes cover the Rolling Stones' "Miss You":

1 comment:

  1. I was skeptical about this one but upon listening it really works. I thought it would be another cat power disaster.

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