All My Friends is a song that really needs no introduction. In my opinion it’s one of the greatest songs – scratch that – anthems written/produced/performed so far in the 21^st Century. James Murphy and LCD Soundsystem created a true masterpiece in this track. There are so many elements that draw me to this song: They layers that constantly build throughout, lyrics that hit you like a ton of bricks and the bass-line/piano combination that take your eardrums hostage for almost eight minutes. Not to mention that similarly to what I wrote about “Naïve Melody” this song can make me feel like a bag of shit or a ray of sunshine. It takes you back to happier times surrounded with the people you love or reminds you how lonely you really might be. These are the feelings real music evokes, people. Let’s fucking rock:

Franz Ferdinand:

I want to like it, I really do, and I’m sure a lot of you probably will. I just can’t get into this version. Two of the pieces from the original that I enjoyed the most, bass & piano, are bled out by synth, raunchy guitar and Alex Kapranos’ vocals. With these two driving forces being so prevalent in the original, it’s extremely hard to get over their absence. I will give the band credit, it’s a valiant effort, but as I rambled previously “All My Friends” is not a song to be toyed with, and I feel Franz fell short in this case. CUBED.

John Cale (of The Velvet Underground):

Let me be clear, I’m not an avid Velvet Underground fan, but I really enjoyed John Cale’s version. I also have to admit I’d like to see what Lou Reed would come up with a crack at it, but let’s come back to earth for a minute. (But really, Lou Reed!) All joking aside, I feel like this is a great example the perfect cover. It takes common elements from the original to make the listener safe & comfortable, while simultaneously beating them senseless with artistry and new elements to discover; that marriage is what makes this track so great. Complete removal of the piano and replacing it with some gritty electric guitar is bold, and I dig it.  The spacy odyssey-esque effects at the beginning and the bongos at the end? Hell yes. It’s also crazy how similar John sounds to James Murphy in this track. Or does James sound like John? Where am I going with this? CRUSHED.

Baths:

Baths cover LCD Soundsystem

If you’re not familiar with AV Club’s Underground series you really must check it out, but the premise is artists that stop through their studio have to choose from a list of 25 predetermined songs. After the artist/group records the song, it’s crossed off the list and unavailable to any other band. Baths (Will Weisenfeld), unfortunately, bit off way more than he could chew. As I have continued to mention there are too many layers and elements to this song that deconstructing it, as Will attempts here, is setting yourself up for utter failure. Faceplant. LCD 1, Baths -. CUBED

Can’t wait for the reunion tour.