Pasted Beyond Recognition: The Songs of Del Amitri – A Witty Spin on a Tribute Album
Let’s cut to the chase. Pasted Beyond Recognition: The Songs of Del Amitri isn’t your run-of-the-mill tribute album. Released in 2016 by SBH Scotland, this quirky collection throws together genres like pop, rock, folk, world, and country into one big musical stew. And honestly? It kinda works. Producer Andy Brook (who also mastered the thing) clearly had fun letting various artists take a crack at reimagining Del Amitri classics. Some tracks hit harder than others, but overall, it's a wild ride worth listening to.
Now, I gotta say, two songs stuck out for me—mostly because they made me go “huh” in different ways. First up is "Nothing Ever Happens (Redux)." You’d think redoing an iconic track would be risky business, but whoever tackled this version nailed that bittersweet vibe without overcooking it. It's got all the moody introspection of the original, yet there’s something fresh about how stripped-back and raw it feels. Like, if the original was wearing leather pants, this one’s rocking comfy jeans with holes in them. It’s not trying too hard, which makes it oddly endearing.
Then we’ve got "Roll To Me," and oh boy, does this cover bring the sass. Whoever sang this must’ve been channelling their inner karaoke diva because it’s brimming with attitude. The vocals are smoother than butter on toast, and the arrangement adds just enough oomph to keep things interesting. Listening to it felt like finding money in an old jacket—you know you love it, even though you weren’t expecting much. These two tracks alone make the album worth a spin.
Of course, not every song lands perfectly. A few tracks feel like someone accidentally pasted the wrong file into the mixtape, hence the clever title (wink wink). But hey, that’s part of the charm! This isn’t supposed to be perfect—it’s meant to celebrate Del Amitri through a kaleidoscope of styles and voices.
As I sat there listening to Pasted Beyond Recognition, I couldn’t help but wonder: what would Del Amitri themselves think of this project? Would they laugh? Cry? Or maybe just shrug and grab another cuppa tea? Either way, it’s clear these songs still resonate decades later, whether they’re done up fancy or left delightfully messy.
So yeah, give this album a shot if you’re a fan of covers that don’t take themselves too seriously. Just don’t blame me if “Nothing Ever Happens” gets stuck in your head for days. Oh, and here’s some food for thought: maybe life really is like this album—messy, unpredictable, and occasionally brilliant when you least expect it. Cheers to that!
