20 years ago Polyvinyl Records released its first 7-inch, a split between Walker and Back Of Dave. The record was packaged with the latest copy of Polyvinyl Press, a fanzine run by two high school students in Champaign, Illinois. Since then, the label has released its fair share of iconic releases, be it American Football’s debut album, Japandroids’ Celebration Rock, and a large chunk of the Of Montreal discography. In celebration of the label’s 20 years it will release the Polyvinyl Plays Polyvinyl compilation on November 25, which sees artists covering songs by other bands on the label.
Today, The A.V. Club is streaming the first of the many covers found on Polyvinyl Plays Polyvinyl, which sees Owen take on Rainer Maria’s “Ears Ring.” It’s a fitting pairing given how much Mike Kinsella’s early career as Owen is tied to Rainer Maria. The band’s bassist-vocalist Caithlin De Marrais contributed to the first Owen album, and Kinsella opened three consecutive Rainer Maria tours in its wake. Here, Kinsella pulls apart the song’s distorted riffs and De Marrais’ punchy melodies to create a version that fits nicely into his hushed, acoustic style.
Pre-orders for Polyvinyl Plays Polyvinyl are available now, along with a poster, T-shirt, and skateboard produced in conjunction with Girl Skateboards.
Polyvinyl Plays Polyvinyl tracklist
1. Generationals – In Green (Volcano, I’m Still Excited!!)
2. Beach Slang – Younger Us (Japandroids)
3. The Dodos – Never Meant (American Football)
4. Aloha – Too Late to Die Young (Beach Slang)
5. Deerhoof – Hi (Xiu Xiu)
6. Fred Thomas – I Heard You Say (Vivian Girls)
7. Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin – Since You Stole My Heart (Saturday Looks Good To Me)
8. Radiation City – The Clod and the Pebble (Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin)
9. of Montreal – Find Yourself (Jacco Gardner)
10. Pillar Point – Heart It Races (Architecture In Helsinki)
11. Shugo Tokumaru – Gronlandic Edit (of Montreal)
12. Psychic Twin – While I’m Alive (STRFKR)
13. Mates of State – So Begins Our Alabee (of Montreal)
14. Wampire – Face to Face (Jacco Gardner)
15. Braid – Next of Kin (Alvvays)
16. Tancred – A Fever (Owen)
17. Owen – Ears Ring (Rainer Maria)
18. Rainer Maria – Big Man (Birthmark)
19. Xiu Xiu – Bubble (Dodos)
20. White Reaper – Exit Only (Deerhoof)