Song of the Day Number 196

Owen Pallett - “Hard To Explain” (The Strokes cover)

Owen Pallett’s string-laden take on The Strokes’ classic 2001 single “Hard To Explain” is definitely one of the standout tracks on Stereogum’s Is This It 10th anniversary tribute album. While tribute albums have always been pretty hit or miss, I find myself returning to a number of songs from this particular album from time to time. These songs really lend themselves to experimentation, as long as the original meaning of the song isn’t obscured too much. Pallett’s gentle voice and lush strings bring out a hidden beauty in the song that the rough-hewn garage rock original does not possess. I never thought I would let myself get so lost in a Strokes song.

The full album, which features covers by other artists including Real Estate and The Morning Benders can be downloaded for free HERE.