Stereogum: "Hear Sponge Take On Morrissey For New Album Of 1994 Covers" (September 17, 2024)

Back in 1994, Detroit alt-rock band Sponge released their debut album Rotting Piñata, which yielded the hits “Plowed” and “Molly (Sixteen Candles).” They’re celebrating the 30th anniversary of that breakthrough with 1994, a covers album exclusively focused on songs from the titular year. The tracklist includes tunes by Sonic Youth, Alice In Chains, Mazzy Star, Stone Temple Pilots, Jawbox, Urge Overkill, and both Oasis and Blur. And for today’s lead single, Sponge offer a revved-up take on Morrissey’s “The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get.”

Sponge’s Vinnie Dombroski offers:
The band considered many great songs for the album but the Morrissey song was a STAND OUT and perhaps not an obvious choice for Sponge. That’s what makes it even cooler. With the tempo double timed from the original at the suggestion of producer Tim Patalan, the new version sounds like something off of Sponge’s 1999 New Pop Sunday album.




 
Apart from the tempo being slightly faster, this is pretty much the same as the original. I don't understand the point of covers, unless an artist really makes a track their own. Why bother?
 
Apart from the tempo being slightly faster, this is pretty much the same as the original. I don't understand the point of covers, unless an artist really makes a track their own. Why bother?

Fun, something to do, it's better than digging graves for money.
 
Apart from the tempo being slightly faster, this is pretty much the same as the original. I don't understand the point of covers, unless an artist really makes a track their own. Why bother?
I'd argue the tempo change does enough to make it their own. Musically I like it but the "90s alt" vocal stylings make it unbearable for repeated listens.
 
Honestly, it's a nice bit of positive Morrissey content which is getting rare by the minute. Just enjoy it.
 
I'd argue the tempo change does enough to make it their own. Musically I like it but the "90s alt" vocal stylings make it unbearable for repeated listens.
Pretty interesting. It sounds a lot like their song Sixteen Candles. The video is unwatchable however with that lady writhing on the pole.
 
nice. i liked the vocal inflections and the double time made the jolly tongue wagging of the track come out a bit more.
 
A fine cover! Let's not debate, again, the fundamental nature, flaws, glories, and questionable need for covers. The Smiths and Morrissey have offered many of their own.
 
Less of a sponge, more of a rusty spanner.
 

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