The Beautiful Souths Golddiggas, Headnodders & Pholk Songs features their own inimitable take on classic pop songs. Includes versions of songs made famous by the Ramones, S Club 7 and John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John.
It’s often hard to discern where The Beautiful South’s sound comes from. Their own brand of darkly witty white-soul-cum-country sounds like many things. But what makes them tick? We find out with Golddiggas, Headnodders and Pholk Songs.
Cover albums are tricky. The band take a risk with “Don’t Stop Moving” and “You’re The One That I Want”, aware of the fans (often their own) who may not appreciate the radical reinterpretations offered here, slowing them down and treating them as near-jazz pieces. Similarly ELO, Blue Oyster Cult, Lush (!), and The Ramones (!!!) get the treatment. Some of it works- “Don’t Fear The Reaper” loses its riff but gains smoky Latin overtones–while some of the rearrangements may be considered a little arbitrary. The breadth of taste is to be applauded, as is the adventurous spirit, but this might be one that appeals more to the most loyal of fans. –Thom Allott
