Have you seen the amazing new video for Placebo’s cover of Talk Talk’s "Life's What You Make It"? Before the UK band bring their 20th anniversary tour to Australia in September, they’re celebrating their 20th anniversary with an extraordinary music clip. It’s got us thinking about the five best covers of Talk Talk, one of the most enigmatic and impressive bands the UK produced in the 1980s. Take a trip through the maudlin beauty of Mark Hollis via these excellent interpretations.
Placebo – Life’s What You Make It
Released last year as part of a special EP, Placebo’s "Life’s What You Make It" has taken on a whole new life in their video dedicated to the workers in a Ghanian rubbish dump. After listening to Brian Molko’s gothic take on the song, learn more about the incredible video here.
White Lies – Give It Up
Coupled with frontman Harry McVeigh’s Depeche Mode timbre, London three-piece White Lies have given a music box style fragility to their take on "Give It Up". There’s such a spooky resonance here you can almost imagine it was recorded in a haunted Victorian manor. Recorded for the two disc Spirit Of Talk Talk release, it’s worth seeking out.
Richard Reed Parry (Arcade Fire) – I Believe In You
Before Arcade Fire unleash their new album Everything Now, here’s a trip down a more stripped back path courtesy of the band’s ginger multi-instrumentalist Richard Reed Parry. With little more than some reverb and a piano, Parry ekes out the warm emotions of "I Believe In You" like it’s a lost Peter Gabriel classic.
No Doubt – It’s My Life
When commenting on Placebo’s cover of "Life’s What You Make It", frontman Brian Molko admitted fears they could never top No Doubt’s cover of "It’s My Life". Recorded for their greatest hits collection after originally recording (and shelving) their take on INXS’ "Don’t Change", Gwen Stefani’s pop pleas formed the basis for an impressive return to the charts for the ‘90s ska funsters.
The Lovetones – The Party’s Over
We couldn’t make a list without including an Aussie outfit on the bill. The Lovetones, a fantastic psychedelic rock band from Sydney, formed out of the ashes of Drop City and have worked alongside Brian Jonestown Massacre. Although they swap out their usual vibrant, charismatic sound for "The Party’s Over", it retains The Lovetones’ layered wash of sound.
- SM