The Dinosaur in Brooklyn "Take on Me" Promise

Namely, whenever I discover a cover of A-ha's "Take on Me," it will be reported here. I've already gone on about my love of RAC's version of the song (so good!). It is undoubtedly, as RAC said, "by far the catchiest song of the 80's."

On that note, A.C. Newman has covered the timeless tune for (of all things) a Starbucks compilation album. I take back all my evil thoughts about Starbucks. If Starbucks is the reason this cover exists, than it's OK by me.

Being played by A.C. Newman (of New Pornographers fame), it unfolds in a more mellow and acoustic manner, ala Challengers. I really enjoy the keyboard bringing back the signature riff in a delightfully bright manner during the bridge. And unlike in RAC's version, A.C., while relying on an at-times-heavy reverb, there is no audible auto-tune. I like that.

Take it away, Carl!

Because as long as there is music, there will be "Take on Me."

An Introduction

Tonight I met my friends at Soho Park for some amazing burgers and onion rings. The talk involved how sad it is when good songs become cliches (spurred by Blondie's "One Way or Another" later followed by The Go-Go's "We Got the Beat") and what we listened to in middle school. In the fifth grade Ryan had much better taste than I. He listened to Ben Folds Five, I listened to the Spice Girls. I'm not ashamed.

My introduction to music outside the mainstream came rather late in my life. And it is 100% my fault. In high school I lived in a musical theater bubble. While my friends were seeing the New Pornographers, I was seeing Hairspray. But that all changed a few years ago. I was 19, fresh off my first year at NYU and increasingly frustrated with theater when I was introduced to the world of non-mainstream music. And I can say with no hint of exaggeration that it changed my life. The actual moment, a certain Sunday afternoon with Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, I will go into more detail about later.

I am now a musician myself, living in Williamsburg, the heart of hipsterdom. And let me tell you, life ain't easy among the tragically hip. I know what I like, and I don't pretend to be cool. So this is me, not trying to keep up, just trying to have some fun. Shall we?