It’s pretty common knowledge that the only thing better than a new song by The Antlers is a cookies ‘n’ cream milkshake, and guess which one I’m going to write about today? (Hint: It’s not the milkshake.)
The Antlers recently went into the studio to record a brand new version of “Sylvia” from their album Hospice, which dropped earlier this year. The record is one of my favorites of 2009, so be sure to check it out if you haven’t already.
That said, non-fans probably won’t get much out of the new “Sylvia.” The production value is way slicker, to the song’s benefit, but the band has also scaled back much of the drama inherent on the original version. There’s no more kick-start into a loud, strummy chorus; instead, the piece overall is more about mood. The only real “loudness,” if you will, is Peter Silberman’s awesome vocalizing on the second chorus.
But if you’re a fan of the band, check it out. Let me know what you think in the comments; I’m still not quite sure what to make of it.
You can listen to the song over at NPR’s website, and, for comparison’s sake, here’s the original version:
The Antlers – “Sylvia” [MP3]
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