minipopcube: VA Romantic and Square Is Hip and Aware – A Matinee Tribute to the Smiths (2004)

Jun 30, 2011

VA Romantic and Square Is Hip and Aware – A Matinee Tribute to the Smiths (2004)

A daring and impressive tribute to legendary mid-80s English band The Smiths. Arguably one of the finest pop groups of all time, The Smiths released an impeccable collection of records between their debut in 1983 and their swansong in 1987. Among their many fans are several top artists from California-based indie Matinée Recordings, so the label invited twelve of them to pay respect to the brilliance of The Smiths and mark the 20th anniversary of their first album with this sincere tribute. Borrowing a title from the run-out groove of the "William, It Was Really Nothing" single, "Romantic and Square is Hip and Aware" provides solid interpretations of Smiths classics by current Matinée artists from England, Australia, Brazil, Sweden and the United States. The contributors include The Pines, with a jangly version of the hit "Ask"; Pale Sunday, providing a magnificent bossa-nova/shoegaze reworking of "I Know It's Over"; The Lucksmiths, who approach the mighty "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" as a duet and come out smelling of roses; Slipslide, with an expertly crafted cover of "Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want"; Pipas, adding a dance beat to the early classic "This Night Has Opened My Eyes"; Lovejoy, contributing an admirable cover of "Girlfriend In A Coma"; Would-Be-Goods, with an unforgettable version of "Back To The Old House"; The Young Tradition, putting their polish on an untraditional version of "Sheila Take A Bow"; Simpático, with a convincing rendition of "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore"; The Guild League, glam-ing up the already glam hit "Panic"; The Liberty Ship, attacking the rollicking "Sweet and Tender Hooligan" in fine fashion; and The Snowdrops, with a splendid live recording of "Bigmouth Strikes Again". Created with immense reverence for the band, "Romantic and Square is Hip and Aware" is a passionate tribute to the most influential pop band of the past 20 years.