Jangly psych-folk lifer Robyn Hitchcock has been known for his Bob Dylan covers, but the veteran tunesmith's latest album includes cover songs from a wider range of artists, in addition to some of his own original material. The Man Upstairs will be out on August 26 through Yep Roc Records.
The album was produced by Joe Boyd (Pink Floyd, Nick Drake) over a week at London, UK's Snap Studio last October. It includes covers of songs by Roxy Music ("To Turn You On"), the Doors ("The Crystal Ship"), the Psychedelic Furs ("The Ghost in You"), Grant-Lee Phillips ("Don't Look Down") and I Was a King ("Ferries").
There are also some original songs, and Hitchcock's guitar and vocals are supported by what a press release calls "simple, autumnal backing." The singer said in a statement, "I've always wanted to make a folk record produced by Joe Boyd, and now I have: thank you, universe!"
The cover artwork was painted by Gillian Welch. The tracklist is below; scroll past that to hear the version of the Psychedelic Furs' "The Ghost in You."
The Man Upstairs:
1. The Ghost in You
2. San Francisco Patrol
3. To Turn You On
4. Trouble in Your Blood
5. Somebody to Break Your Heart
6. Don't Look Down
7. Ferries
8. Comme Toujours
9. The Crystal Ship
10. Recalling the Truth
The album was produced by Joe Boyd (Pink Floyd, Nick Drake) over a week at London, UK's Snap Studio last October. It includes covers of songs by Roxy Music ("To Turn You On"), the Doors ("The Crystal Ship"), the Psychedelic Furs ("The Ghost in You"), Grant-Lee Phillips ("Don't Look Down") and I Was a King ("Ferries").
There are also some original songs, and Hitchcock's guitar and vocals are supported by what a press release calls "simple, autumnal backing." The singer said in a statement, "I've always wanted to make a folk record produced by Joe Boyd, and now I have: thank you, universe!"
The cover artwork was painted by Gillian Welch. The tracklist is below; scroll past that to hear the version of the Psychedelic Furs' "The Ghost in You."
The Man Upstairs:
1. The Ghost in You
2. San Francisco Patrol
3. To Turn You On
4. Trouble in Your Blood
5. Somebody to Break Your Heart
6. Don't Look Down
7. Ferries
8. Comme Toujours
9. The Crystal Ship
10. Recalling the Truth