As I was moaning about fairly recently, it’s becoming increasingly uncommon that I hear new music from genuinely new artists that leaves a lasting impression on me, largely because I’m becoming a stuffy old poop who dearly wishes you’d get the hell off his lawn. In any case, a little while back, my colleague Kurt posted the video for “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye (featuring additional vocals by New Zealand pop siren Kimbra), and I found it to be a haunting slice of emotive pop the likes of which haven’t been heard on the radio for ages. Here it is now….
Last night, meanwhile, I stumbled upon this cover of the same song, played by a band that goes by the very silly name of Walk Off the Earth. I haven’t got the slightest clue who they are. Hell, I barely know who Gotye is. That all said, watch the clip below as FIVE (5) band members all play ONE (1) guitar SIMULTANEOUSLY and replicate Gotye’s melancholy duet flawlessly. I found it truly impressive and now almost prefer it over the original.
Glad you like Gotye. It's good stuff.
Posted by: Bowery Boogie | January 20, 2012 at 12:41 PM
Two things:
1) I wish I hadn't seen his feet.
2) He sounds distressingly like Sting when singing in a high register.
Posted by: Shelly | January 20, 2012 at 03:45 PM
Yeah, there's certainly a bit of Sting in there. And his feet don't bother me. It's his midriff I could have happily gone without seeing.
Posted by: Alex in NYC | January 20, 2012 at 06:23 PM
They've admitted they faked the five-people-on-one-guitar thing now. When you know that it's faked, it's so obvious it's faintly embarrassing.
Posted by: Yep | January 21, 2012 at 03:53 PM
Shit, really?
Posted by: Alex in NYC | January 21, 2012 at 05:55 PM
"Yes sir yes sir three bags full" - which incidentally is the riff Gotye ripped on this ;)
Posted by: Soundgardener | January 22, 2012 at 04:21 PM
There's a bit of "Senses Working Overtime" in there.
Posted by: Alex in NYC | January 22, 2012 at 04:26 PM