When Michael Reisenauer, head Pale Young Gentleman, sent out this M.I.A. cover at the start of the year, he said the band chose to cover it because, “it samples “Straight to Hell” by The Clash, which Mike and I have been singing since he bought Combat Rock in the 8th grade”. Which is all well and good but doesn’t really explain why they didn’t just cover “Straight To Hell” in the first place.

But I’m not complaining because if they had, I wouldn’t be able to toss this up in honour of Oscar night. M.I.A. is up for an Academy Award tonight, though not for this song, although it was excellently utilized in the heavily-favoured Slumdog Millionaire. Instead, she’s a co-nominee for “Best Original Song” for another Slumdog song, “O Saya”, which she’ll also be performing. Perhaps from a giant bed? I don’t understand that at all, personally, but okay.

I’m all in favour of Slumdog cleaning up tonight, for the record. Yes it’s (mostly) a feel-good fantasy story, but I thoroughly enjoyed it on pretty much every level, which is not something I can say about many/most films. And I really didn’t get the appeal of Pineapple Express, the film/trailer for which originally gave “Paper Planes” it’s second life after the release of Kala two years ago. But then again, I wasn’t stoned. And while I’m just babbling aimlessly, I’m just sick to death of Seth Rogen. Zack & Miri was an awful film. I will never, ever, ever be able to accept his as a romantic lead. Sorry.

Anyway back on point, the Pale Young Gentlemen cover does a nice job of reimagining M.I.A.’s hyper-kineticness as a downcast bit of folk-pop. Kind of entirely contrary to the spirit of the original song, but I think it works. And you can just hear the grin on the drummer’s face as he hit’s that snare in the chorus.

Built To Spill have also apparently been adding “Paper Planes” to their live repertoire.

MP3: Pale Young Gentlemen – “Paper Planes”
Video: M.I.A. – “Paper Planes”
Video: Built To Spill – “Paper Planes” (live)

Christina HensleyWhen I was writing up the self-titled debut from Madison, Wisconsin’s Pale Young Gentlemen last year, I took the easy way out in name-checking some of the more obvious stylistic reference points (DeVotchKa, Decemberists, Beirut) but the band has to take equal responsibility in that – they made it easy. And to be fair, I still gave the record a thumbs up – just because it was a bit obvious, it didn’t make it any less of an accomplished and enjoyable debut.

But they’re not letting me get away with any such shortcuts with the follow-up, Black Forest (Tra La La), released last month. Though the same elements are at work, or even moreso in the case of their expanded string section, Black Forest has a much greater sense of purpose and determination about it. The debut seemed quite content to spend the evening at the cabaret getting debauched in grand fashion, not that there’s anything wrong with that, but while the sophomore effort starts off in that same setting with the grandiose “Coal/Ivory”, it then opts to step outside and go for a walk, exploring the dark nooks and crannies of existence.

As such, it’s a less immediate and raucous affair. On the first few listens, I was asking myself, “didn’t this band used to be fun?”, but repeated listens served the record well. Michael Reisenauer’s croon is as dramatic as ever and the orchestrated backdrops even richer than before, but the overall delivery is much more nuanced and less reliant on the big, sweeping gestures. That may not play as well to those in the cheap seats, but for those up front and paying attention, it’s much more rewarding.

Fingertips, The Bat Segundo Show and Culture Bully all have interviews with Reisenauer about the new record.

MP3: Pale Young Gentlemen – “Coal/Ivory”
MP3: Pale Young Gentlemen – “The Crook Of My Good Arm”
MySpace: Pale Young Gentlemen

Drowned In Sound solicits a mix tape from Emmy The Great. She also gives Clash a list of the meats currently comprising up her cultural stew. Her debut First Love is out in the UK on February 2.

Laura Marling is the subject of interviews at Clash and For Folk’s Sake. I feel compelled to mention that the LP versions of Alas, I Cannot Swim are worth seeking out, not only because it’s a nice heavy pressing but because it also comes with a bonus live CD that features the backing band that played with her on the recent “Fe Fie Fo Fum” North American tour, and as such, sounds absolutely splendid. I don’t know if there’s any other (legal) way to get Verses From The Union Chapel, but it’s worth having. And the players that largely comprised said band, Mumford & Sons, are also interviewed at For Folk’s Sake.

Colin Meloy describes the new Decemberists record, Hazards Of Love, to Rolling Stone. Key takeaways? Musical theatre, rock opera, more of the same.

Jonathan Meiburg annotates Rook, track by track, for Drowned In Sound.

The Broken West stop in for a session at Daytrotter. Stereogum asks frontman Ross Flournoy about his day job.

eye features M83 while Limewire, The Georgia Straight and NOW interview School Of Seven Bells. Both are in town tonight for a show at the Opera House.

Laundromatinee welcomes Margot & The Nuclear So And So’s to their studios for a video session.