American Laundromat Records: Please Please Please – A Tribute To The Smiths (Colored Vinyl) Vinyl 2LP American Laundromat Records

Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard These Songs Before. Please Please Please originally appeared as a double CD in 2011, and due to high demand is now available as a double vinyl set in limited quantities. I didn’t recognize any of these bands, but was eager to check it out as the prospect of hearing Morrissey’s songs sung by someone other than Morrissey was enticing. Then, as I listened, I realized I knew some of these acts: Sixpence None The Richer, who turn in a cover of Strangeways coda “I Won’t Share You,” and Katy Goodman aka Kickball Katy of La Sera and Vivian Girls, who turns in a xanned-out rendition of Meat Is Murder uptempo highlight “What She Said.” Chikita Violenta’s cut marries two things I love: “Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others” and drum & bass (didn’t see that one coming). The highlights are the ones with girls singing (is it because it sounds so good to hear a girl exuding the same sort of misery & longing as Moz, or because I just can’t bear to hear another dude spitting these bars?); Sara Lov nails the vibe on sad AF “Well I Wonder,” also check Trespassers William doing “There Is A Light,” Tanya Donnelly’s (she of Throwing Muses) “Shoplifters Of The World,” Elk City’s “I Know It’s Over” and Girl In A Coma (influenced by The Smiths much?) doing “Rubber Ring.” A good entry point for someone who wants to enjoy The Smiths’ splendidly maudlin catalog of dreary songs but just can’t get into Mozzer’s voice (i.e. me 15 years ago; I got over it). American Laundromat totally nailed the sleeve art; this fits nicely on the shelf with the rest of your Smiths records. Powder blue colored vinyl housed in gatefold sleeve, digital download included, one-time pressing of 500 copies and then it’s gone.

• powder blue colored vinyl, one-time pressing
• double vinyl pressing
• previously CD-only, remastered for vinyl
• dual gatefold sleeve
• 500 copies pressed
• digital download included
• music label: American Laundromat Records 2017

reviewed by Salford Lad 07/2017