Polyvinyl Plays Polyvinyl is a 20-track collection of new recordings in honor of the 20th anniversary of Polyvinyl Record Company. Still independently owned and operated, based in the U.S. Midwest (Champaign, Illinois), and using a 50-50 profit sharing model with its artists, it seems a landmark worth celebrating. The album consists of covers of Polyvinyl acts by other Polyvinyl acts, past and present, and it's as intriguing and fun as it sounds like it may be. The set includes performances by bands ranging from
Xiu Xiu to
Owen and from
Of Montreal to
Beach Slang, some of whom are also covered. A few of the less surprising matchups include
Psychic Twin's like-minded interpretation of the
STRFKR groover "While I'm Alive" and
the Dodos' affectionate version of
American Football's "Never Meant." Though, it should be noted that none of the covers here are paint-by-numbers.
The Dodos themselves are covered in one of the bolder renditions as experimental outfit
Xiu Xiu takes on the understated "Bubble" with electronic drums, synths, noise, and an anxious half-whisper. In contrast, one of the sweeter entries is also the biggest mouthful as
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin covers
Saturday Looks Good to Me. They update the sax-bolstered girl-group tribute "Since You Stole My Heart," picking up the tempo while showcasing the corsage-evoking tune.
Saturday Looks Good to Me leader
Fred Thomas also represents with a kaleidoscopic version of
Vivian Girls' "I Heard You Say." The only musicians covered twice here are
Jacco Gardner and
Of Montreal. While the former doesn't perform on the album,
Of Montreal offers one of
Gardner's songs ("Find Yourself"). Another noteworthy track is
Deerhoof's take on
Xiu Xiu's "Hi" -- in the style of
White Reaper. Full of clever arrangements and compelling source material, it's a set that speaks to the high-quality roster at Polyvinyl. ~ Marcy Donelson