Bad Rabbits-1979 (Smashing Pumpkins cover) review by John M. Ellison IV

Some of you are probably thinking “R&B Covers of rock songs? Great! First it was rap-rock and now R&B rock!” Yeah…this isn’t necessarily a new phenomenon. I mean for example, Neo-Soul artist Maxwell performed a funkier version of the Nine Inch Nails staple “Closer” or Maxwell’s version titled “Gotta Get Closer.” If you don’t believe that this exists, just Youtube it and set your face to “stunned.”

Well, in this case I’m going to focus on Boston, MA band that’s style mixes rock with tinges of 90’s R&B that the band dubbed “New ‘Crack’ Swing.”

You’re probably thinking “Wait, a cover of “1979” by a band who sounds like Teddy Riley on a rock bender? How does that sound?” Well, they made it their own but still stayed faithful to the original. Singer Dua Boayke’s vocal kind of brings a lounge-y feel that actually gives the song another depth. The keyboards and synthesizer sweetens this cover giving it a more R&B/chill feel.

In closing, Bad Rabbits cover of “1979” had to grow on me. But for anybody into R&B that wants to expand their musical horizons, Bad Rabbits should be a good place to start. Oh by the way, to any Smashing Pumpkins purists who might be in a snit because a band did a cover of “1979″…Billy Corrigan (of the Smashing Pumpkins) probably digs the cover because it’s up on the Smashing Pumpkins official Facebook page.