Tune du Jour: “Rock ‘n’ Roll Girl” – The Beat
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Rachel Gordon and The Very Idea vs. Boris the Sprinkler vs. The Muffs
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Pretty much played the vinyl off of their self-titled debut album.
The Original
The Beat:
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Rachel Gordon and The Very Idea vs. Boris the Sprinkler vs. The Muffs
Rachel Gordon and The Very Idea:
Boris the Sprinkler:
The Muffs:
SPACE
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. It is your solemn responsibility to decide which cover song prevails. In other words … Which Side Are You On!??!
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
cover me impressed 
Man, did I ever play the vinyl off of this album! Rock n Roll Girl, Different Kind of Girl, Work-A-Day World, etc. … an album full of fun, zippy, new wave songs. Outstanding!
This one wasn’t a fair fight … at least not in my book.
Rachel Gordon and The Very Idea do a fantastic version. In any other situation they would have had my vote, no questions asked.
Boris the Sprinkler’s high energy, borderline metal version just didn’t do anything for me.
And then there’s The Muffs … What a great band! Always loved Kim Shattuck’s growling, full of attitude vocals. That woman kicked ass!!! Their cover rivals the original in greatness. Would have been bestowed as the exulted “Definitive Version” if only there had been other covers of the song worthy of inclusion.
One of the great power pop nuggets. Just a total earworm. I think The Kids used to cover this one. Rachel Gordon & The Very Idea do it with more pop and less power. Thin, weak production doesn’t help as the band sounds like they are trying hard but stifled and the vocals unexceptional. Boris The Sprinkler (kin to the spider?) bring more bass and a much meatier take with insistent riffage fueling the drive. Never been a fan of professional wrestling but this makes me want to run about the ring flinging all comers over the ropes. The Muffs? They crush pitches like this like a steroid-fueled Barry Bonds out of the park, the state and the troposphere. A fucking plus!
I listened to each twice. Boris is a distant third place. Very close call between the first and third contestants. I voted Muffs.