Tuesday 31 May 2011

Song Of The Day 31/05/2011: The Motifs - Sheena Is A Punk Rocker

Today's SOTD is a ridiculous indiepop cover of one of the most well-known American early punk songs. The original, on the Ramones' third record 'Rocket To Russia', is a classic, showing the Ramones' surf tendencies in a traditional rock'n'roll context. The Ramones were fundamentally a pop band, and this is very much a pop song, albeit harder and more spirited than much of the other stuff around at the time, so in theory this song was ripe for an indiepop cover.

This version is from a compilation of various modern indiepop bands covering Ramones songs, which is well worth a listen. Some of the bands turn the songs into wistful indiepop charm, like this one, while some bands branch out from their indiepop roots and try to rock out themselves. I don't know much about the Motifs, apart from the song they put on the first Hangover Lounge EP, but they sound like fairly standard Australian twee-pop. I'm not sure I could stomach a full album, but they're perfect for a single cutesy tongue-in-cheek cover.

The Motifs - Sheena Is A Punk Rocker

2 comments:

  1. There's nothing "fairly standard" about The Motifs. I know I'm not alone in regarding Alexis Hall as one of the world's greatest songwriters. Even at 25 songs, their Away album is non-stop pop magic.

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  2. Fair enough. I haven't heard a full album by them, will seek one out.

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