Top Indie Covers of Radiohead

I’m probably one of the biggest Radiohead nuts you’ll ever meet. I’ll argue with you that Amnesiac is the greatest Radiohead album and that OK Computer is majorly overrated (albeit still a good Radiohead album). I’ll argue that Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood may be two of the greatest musicians alive today. I’ll argue that the way Radiohead treated Miley Cyrus at the Grammy’s was badass. I will, however, agree with most of you that Pablo Honey is Radiohead’s weakest album (hurrah!).

Apparently, my fellow editor Lloyd declared this week “CHILL OUT WEEK” without bothering to tell me (I hate you), so I’ll be filling in the other half of spacetoasters for a mega week of cool chill indie songs. I should be studying too, but I love you guys too much. So to keep up with the tone of the week, I’ve decided to post some of my favorite Radiohead covers by a variety of artists.

1. Anni Rossi - Creep

I didn’t know this cover existed until yesterday, when I began scouring the net for covers I may have missed, and it really blew me away. Anni Rossi may not be very well-known, but she’ll instantly pluck her way into your heart on her viola (yeah, it’s a viola not a violin). Her unique infantile voice brings a nice emotional tone to this otherwise sentimental song.

Anni Rossi - Creep (Radiohead Cover).mp3 (Yousendit) (Mediafire)

2. Vampire Weekend - Exit Music (For a Film)

I don’t think there’s a soul out there (indie or not) that doesn’t appreciate the sound of Vampire Weekend. Their interpretation of Exit Music is phenomenol, grasping the euphoric and confusingly twisty tones of Radiohead. The build-up is near perfection.

Vampire Weekend - Exit Music (For a Film) (Radiohead Cover).mp3 (Yousendit) (Mediafire)

3. Roosevelt Dime - High and Dry

I haven’t heard much about this band, but they sound like a fusion of Fleet Foxes and The Elected. This mandolin driven cover brings a unbelievably American tone to the song. It seems to transport me back to a different time in American history. Mandolin fans, check it out. If not… well, still listen to it.

Roosevelt Dime - High And Dry (Radiohead Cover).mp3 (Yousendit) (Mediafire)

4. Calico Horse - Idioteque

Calico Horse’s cover is slow and chill. There’s only her voice, an acoustic guitar, and a tambourine. The song only makes me think one thing: “God damn, where’s my campfire?”

Calico Horse - Idioteque (Radiohead Cover).mp3 (Yousendit) (Mediafire)

5. John Mayer - Kid A

Don’t be scared of this mainstream name, his version of Kid A is amazing. And for all those people that are John Mayer haters, he’s perhaps one of the most talented guitarists I’ve ever seen (people who have been to his concerts know exactly what I’m talking about). He’s not just about wonderlands and daughters…

John Mayer- Kid A (Radiohead Cover).mp3 (Yousendit) (Mediafire)

Bonus (because Top 6 sounds ridiculous):

Vienna Teng - Idioteque

I’m really fond of Vienna Teng really because she came from Saratoga High School, which neighbored my high school back in the day. Her take on Idioteque isn’t anything noteworthy, but being a version that includes only vocals, piano, drums and an eggshaker (which she often shakes herself when playing the piano during live shows) is worth it.

Vienna Teng - Idioteque (Radiohead Cover).mp3 (Yousendit) (Mediafire)

- Albert