Eclectically Challenged

It’s about time I featured something a little bit different so Steep Hills Of Vicodin Tears by the slightly strangely titled A Winged Victory For The Sullen has arrived in my inbox at just the right time. I’ve never featured a classical song before, but there’s something about this piece that is entrancing. I’m not sure whether it’s the way it builds so delicately, the fact that is a stunning unadulterated piece of music or simply the fact that writing this at 20 to 11 at night has made me bias to something so relaxing; whatever the reason I just cannot stop listening to it and hope that even if, like me, classical is not what you’d usually listen to you’ll give this a chance because it’s worth it for four minutes of absolute, haunting bliss.
A Winged Victory For The Sullen – Steep Hills Of Vicodin Tears by erasedtapes

I can’t deny that this is a song that will divide opinion. It’s a brave artist that takes on Nick Drake but that is exactly what AIVA has done with surprising success for her version of Pink Moon. What makes this work is that she has managed to do something many artists fail at by truly making it her own interpretation, turning it into a blissful, ambient track that contrasts the raw, folksy feel of the original. She’s moved away from the simplicity inherent in the fact that this is a song with very few lyrics, and managed to create a piece of music that is as atmospheric as you feel a song entitled Pink Moon should be. I’m well aware that for many Nick Drake is an artist who shouldn’t be covered full stop, but before dismissing this completely try and listen to it as if it were an original track before making judgement. Failing that, you have to admit that for someone who only managed to produce three albums and died over 35 years ago to still be a source of inspiration for an artist is quite special and, in that sense, this serves as a fitting, if belated, tribute.
AIVA – Pink Moon (Nick Drake cover) by Dirty Hit