Strange Week of Covers

So, I somehow ended up with a bunch of covers on my "Mildly Obsessed" playlist this week.  Not sure how this sort of stuff happens, but it appears to have something to do with what I listen to on Pandora...?

1. Chiddy Bang - Opposite of Adults [Opposite of Adults - Single]:  Ok, so this song is moderately terrible, and these guys are basically devoid of any perceivable talent (and my advance apologies for anyone who actually has to watch the aforelinked video).  That disclaimer aside, this song has a ridiculously hot sample from MGMT - Kids (get it?); so much so that I'm actually upset that I didn't think of it first!  I've literally been walking around for two days with this sample stuck in my head.  And you will too - I can almost guarantee it.  Small shout-out to Asher Roth and my previous post per their slam in verse 2... that was actually mildly amusing.
2. Natalie Walker - Colorblind [Urban Angel]:  Anybody else think that she looks like Kate Beckinsale in Underworld? I'm just sayin'!  The first (and previously) only song I had heard off this album was actually Quicksand, which is also an excellent track.  But when I went to buy said song, I noticed "Colorblind" on the album and thought "Could it be...?"  Yes, ladies and gentlemen, you guessed it: a really dope, mysterious, hauntingly-beautiful cover of the Counting Crows, a song made famous by - among other things - the scene from Cruel Intentions.  I think her breathy, almost desperate tone really sells the lyrics, perhaps even better than Duritz ever could...
3. The Postal Service - Nothing Better (Styrofoam Remix) [We Will Become Silhouettes - EP]:  Honestly, I don't even like the original version of this song all that much; his backing parts are too 8-bit and her's are over-done.  The whole song sounds insincere and it never rubbed me right: like the lyrics and music were written in complete isolation.  The Styrofoam Remix starts similarly to the original, even with hints of Euro-dance House beats in the background.  The entrance of the harmony in the synth line marks the start of something more organic though.  Then, at 0:50, the entire texture changes, picking up the beat and opening up the orchestration.  When she starts singing, the synth motif continues - helping to tie the song more tightly together.  Only in this version does the line "Don't you feed me lines about some idealistic future / Your heart won't heal right if you keep tearing out the sutures" ring true.
4. UPDATE:  Bonus Track:  Frou Frou - Breathe In (Jason Bentley Remix) [American Teen]:  To be fair, this isn't actually on my playlist, but I heard it this morning in the car and figured it's so good, it warranted a shout-out.  Unfortunately, I can't find a playable copy on the Interwebs, but know that if you like the original, this is worth your 99 cents plus tax.  Bentley's remixes are heavily ambient and add incredible space to the original tracks without over-producing the resultant product.  Three thumbs, way up.  (FYI: For a quick shot at this guy's life, check out the Wikipedia stub, though I have to say it's a bit dodgy at best...)

In an unrelated, but similar vein, what may possibly be the last track included on "Say Goodbye to Rover" is officially complete.  It is affectionately titled "Evacuate Your Poker Face (Just Fist Pump)" and I would be happy to provide it upon request.

Put on your glasses and keep your ears waxless. :-)