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December 20, 2006

Message To Matisyahu

Don't cover the Police. Yeah, you're reggae (and a Hasidic reformed Phishhead, too -- impressive!). But even if this classic-rock staple comes from an album that is itself a spin on the genre, it just sounds better when it's not so jammin'! Feel our pain; listen here. That's probably enough for you, so there's no need to watch this clip of the tune, from his CD/DVD No Place To Be.

As bad as 'Yahu Serious's take is, we couldn't even make it through all of Slamo's. We've said it about the Smiths, too: No one covers a Police song better than a Policeman. Unless there's a lute involved; then nobody wins! Eee yoh ohhh.

Posted at 4:12 PM
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12 Comments

Meh. Agreed.

The funny thing is that his voice isn't all that different from Sting's.

Posted by: schmod at 12/20/06 7:20 PM | Reply
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his voice, so close to sting's. but its not it. how many artists can cover sting well???

Posted by: Michael at 12/21/06 4:55 AM | Reply
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Well, I do think Matisyahu is doing an OK job here. It really is a solid cover, nothing more, nothing less - and quite a predictable and rational choice.

Posted by: Lihi at 12/21/06 6:03 AM | Reply
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Yea, it's OK, and it will probably get some play and sell a few copies of the DVD...which is the point.

Could somebody post a link to mp3s of the Youth Dub album?

Posted by: landrew at 12/21/06 9:09 AM | Reply
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actually, he's a little pitchy here and there, but his Sting impersonation is DEAD ON, especially in the verses. It's actually quite eerie. I mean, earie. I mean eiriee.

Posted by: jed2 at 12/21/06 10:47 AM | Reply
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Jed, you were right the first time, it's EERIE.

Posted by: fixlepix at 12/21/06 5:15 PM | Reply
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Jed, you were right the first time, it's EERIE. I kinda like this version of this song, I mean its not horrible.

Posted by: fixlepix at 12/21/06 5:15 PM | Reply
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Jed, you were right the first time, it's EERIE. I kinda like this version of this song, I mean its not horrible.

Posted by: fixlepix at 12/21/06 5:15 PM | Reply
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Please visit http://www.matisyahu.co.uk to get a British perspective on matisyahu.
Shalom.

Posted by: UK at 01/29/07 8:43 AM | Reply
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As much as I love Matisyahu I must agree, as I stated on my Matisyahu blog: http://the-little-things-in-life.blogspot.com, his version of the song is no that good.

But I still like him

Thanks

Posted by: Matisyahu's fan at 02/08/07 8:07 AM | Reply
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MATIS ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

STING WAS OVER JOYED TO HAVE HIM COVER!

Posted by: pamela donahue at 09/08/07 4:21 AM | Reply
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