Strand Of Oaks – “Pink Rabbits” (The National Cover)
![](https://static.stereogum.com/uploads/2014/09/Strand-Of-Oaks.png)
Strand Of Oaks’ Tim Showalter recently put out the harrowing album HEAL, and now he’s got a very personal cover to share. “Pink Rabbits” was the penultimate track on the National’s 2013 album Trouble Will Find Me, and as he told Magnet earlier this year, it provided the soundtrack to some rough times in his own life. His version rebuilds the track with stumbling drum machines and slurring organs. It’s a really powerful cover, which isn’t a surprise if you read Showalter’s comments about the song below.
The most important song for me in recent memory. A lot of music is great but not important. Listening to “Pink Rabbits” became mandatory for me. I would associate this song with my lost month or months last fall. I unfortunately discovered that drinking potato vodka alone with the only the National to keep you company can be dangerous. I would find myself talking with angels and other crazy shit when this song was on repeat. Then I realized I don’t have to get fucked up to love this record. This song saved me and destroyed me simultaneously.
(via Magnet)