It's the day for mopey cover albums. This one is The Finally LP from Sun Kil Moon's Mark Kozelek. The album is really an amassing of previously released odds and ends in a handy dandy single album format. The record consists of eight cover songs and two instrumental Kozelek originals (the aptly named "The Piano Song" and "Gaping Mouth").
Several of the songs included are covers of extremely obscure tracks. Had anyone actually heard Kath Bloom's "Finally", Jarond Gibbs' "Bedtime Lullaby", or Dom Leone's "My Friend Bob" prior to this? Unlikely. Nor is it likely that these rather uninspired covers are going to make you want to seek out the originals.
The album's version of Stephen Sondheim's "Send In the Clowns" should not be listened to while operating heavy machinery.
The Finally LP does have some tracks worth getting your hands on however. The versions of Will "Bonnie 'Prince' Billy" Oldham's "New Partner" and Low's "Lazy" are right in Kozelek's wheelhouse. He doesn't miss, making both sound like he could have penned them himself.
Kozelek also takes a hold of a pair of previously uptempo rockers and puts his stamp on them. The Husker Du classic "Celebrated Summer" and AC/DC's "If You Want Blood (You Got It)" both go from high octane hard rock anthems to mellow, sombre requiems.
As is to be expected from an album that's pieced together from scraps, The Finally LP is hit and miss. If you are willing to take the time to pick through it you will find some gems worth adding to your playlist.
Best tracks: "Celebrated Summer", "New Partner"
Track listing for The Finally LP:
- The Piano Song
- Finally
- New Partner
- Send In The Clowns
- Lazy
- Bedtime Lullaby
- Celebrated Summer
- My Friend Bob
- If You Want Blood (You Got It)
- Gaping Mouth
6.0
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