Considering this is an acoustic cover of an idolised electro-pop song and taking into account the bitterness surrounding José González overshadowing The Knife, it’s fairly easy to see why this single has attracted much criticism. But when stripped of the preconceptions that this is the bastardisation of electronic music to appease daytime radio and Terry Wogan listeners, what remains at its core is a hushed, vivid love song.
Unsurprisingly, some would say, considering Iron & Wine’s previous work has shown himself to be masterful in orchestrating the most beautiful melodies with just his voice and tenderly plucked guitar. The cassette hiss replacing the crispness of the original may frustrate some, but within the cover’s parameters it oddly works.
But where’s the life, I hear you scream. How can you sing Ben Gibbard’s words of being away from the one, whose eyes align with yours perfectly when you kiss, in the laissez-faire Southern tones of Sam Beam? Well in truth, I don’t believe The Postal Service to be exempt from covers and I certainly think there’s much to be said for Beam’s voice over Gibbard’s - instead of having the beeps and bass of the intro lodged in your subconscious, just try and avoid humming “Puzzle pieces from the clay” in your best buttery drawl. But essentially, like with José González's cover of ‘Heartbeats’, there’s a palpable respect paid to the lyrics and tone of the original which saves it becoming gratuitous.
Looking more than likely to chart higher than The Postal Service’s original, the merits of this single, however, are questionable at best. But since it’s so innocuously honest, ignore the general public’s buying tendencies and enjoy this cover for what it is.
Good effort on his part,
but I'm not a fan, personally.
Agreed
I like The Knife, I like José Gonzalez, I like the cover of Heartbeats.
In contrast, I like The Postal Service, I like Iron & Wine, I don't like this.
Meh, it's probably just me...
Actually
this just made me listen to it again for the first time in a while. And I did quite like it.
Make of that what you will...
I really like
this cover, i really like the original, i dont think the cover adds anything to the song, but it doesn't detract from it either.
this comment is pointless.
I like this cover...
...still prefer the original though.
And Ben Gibbard's not exactly a stranger to covering songs, doing so, both with Death Cab and the Postal Service.
Some people are getting far too fickle...
is it not a bit random
that this is getting released so late on in the songs existance? or is it all on the back of jose gonzalez? but aye, it's a good song. but the original is much better.
never mind
i just read mikes article on the subject. hope it does well for him. i like iron and wine.
I like iron & wine a lot
and I also like Postal Service but I haven't heard this and have no intention of hearing it. I can imagine what it will be like. Not worth bothering with.
try it, you might like it
...if you like both artists? just a thought
so overated
this band/man. and this song.
its been released already anyway
as a postal service b-side.....
and i think there is another cover version of one of their other songs by another band. So as such it is a bit pointless.
but its still a good song. Sam beams reading of waiting for a superman is wonderful....but then i seem to like any cover version of the flaming lips ....beck doing do you realize at the albert hall stands out in the mind. BBut weirdly i dont really like the flaming lips that much..hmm
its not pointless
it was on an advert. MONEY!!! wooo. just sit back and be content that when your oasis postered flat mate buys the single, you'd already downloaded it like, 2 years ago. thats what we indie snobs thrive on.
amen
brother