Taken By Trees - My Boys

Guess what? More Swedes. I suppose it's a mostly Swedish Friday here at One Man in a Small Room productions. Behold: Taken By Trees/Victoria Bergsman (ex-Concretes/"Young Folks") cover of P4K's #9 song of the Aughts, Animal Collective's "My Girls" (the gender-balanced "My Boys"). There's been a lot of chatter about this version on the interwebs for some time now, and, admittedly, covering a song that is so obviously an instant classic is a tall order.

Ms. Bergsman's reading is a little more jaunty (good call Stereogum) and compact than the original, and, while it's certainly pleasant, it hardly improves upon Noah Lennox's all but definitive reading. In fact, it seems to further the notion that Animal Collective are nothing if not un-coverable. Upon hearing Ms. Bergsman's treatment I couldn't help but think "Why?". Some things just can't be improved, bettered, bested. More than likely, it's intended to be something of an encomium, but, even so, of the songs I've heard from her forthcoming Dan Lissvik-produced album, East of Eden (out 9/8 via Beggars Group/Rough Trade), "My Boys" is my least favorite. Interesting side note: Noah Lennox actually appears on Eden track "Anna".

If nothing else, you've got to admire Ms. Bergsman's courage, and this cover hardly dims my already chronicled anticipation for this album's release. In fact, I'll go out on a very short limb and say that 1) East of Eden will be my favorite album ever recorded in Pakistan and 2) In two weeks everyone will be talking about this record. Download "Watch the Waves" here.