Saturday, January 27, 2024

Cover #67: Car Seat Headrest covers "Scatterbrain" by Radiohead

   As much as I love Radiohead's Kid A and Amnesiac, I find myself reaching for Hail To The Thief more often.  In some ways, it pairs well with OK Computer, with a wide palette of sounds, moods, and subject matters.  Though "Scatterbrain" is not the last song on the album, it feels like the closer and even shares some sonic similarities with "The Tourist" on OK Computer.

   Why does any of this matter?  Well, to cover Radiohead well, you really have to understand that mood permeates everything-  it soaks through the lyrics and music like a tres leche dish, which can be a tiger pit for anyone who just wants to casually do a Radiohead cover.  Car Seat Headrest nails this cover, with the plaintive vocals hovering over a gentle keyboard that replaces the 3-note guitar articulation of the original.  CSH leaves out the drums and bass, which is a bold move but it works.  Radiohead can never be equaled, but in special circumstances they can be covered well.

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