Peace Train - 10,000 Maniacs

Peace Train - 10,000 Maniacs

3:28

In My Tribe, 1987

Written by Cat Stevens

Natalie Merchant's voice is as always a wonderful instrument, but this cover, while pleasant enough, is inessential.  The band doesn't radically transform the song or give it a new energy, though they do a fine job echoing it.  More interesting is the controversy: while it was initially included on the band's third album, it was removed from all future pressings after Stevens' less than full-blown disavowal of the fatwa against Salman Rushdie.  It was, however, included on their set of rarities.

Scorpio Rising - 10,000 Maniacs

Scorpio Rising - 10,000 Maniacs
3:14
The Wishing Chair, 1985
Written by Natalie Merchant and John Lombardo

This week is all about 1985!

This band's success is entirely, 100% due to Natalie Merchant's voice.  The jangling guitars and high, thin rhythm section are competent enough, but nothing that a thousand other alt-rock bands can do.  Merchant's voice is a powerful instrument, though, and on tracks like this — punchy and aggressive, raw-sounding, with abstruse lyrics that come in short phrases —the band really shines.