OK. So I’ve always said that I never post things I don’t like. Here’s the closest to an exception that you’re likely to find on You Aint No Picasso: a song posted because I used to be a fan of the band doing the cover, and am a fan of the band being covered. That’s right, it’s Reel Big Fish covering the Smiths.

MP3: Reel Big Fish & Zolof – Ask
Many, many, many years ago I used to be a Reel Big Fish fan. Since then I’ve grown more embarrassed of that, a fact which I once wore with pride. So when it was announced that they’d be doing a spit 80s covers project with Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer, I was more worried than interested.

…And then I found out they were covering the Smiths; and not just any Smiths song, but “Ask” — the one that got me interested in Moz and co.

Well, they didn’t commit murder, but it might count as aggravated assault (well, as aggravated as an aging 90’s ska-cum-punk band can get these days). My biggest complaint is that they’ve ruined the flow of the original — which, true to Morrissey form, reads like poetry. They took risks, which, had they payed off, would have been admirable; unfortunately they seem to have flopped.

Duet All Night Long on Myspace
Stream the album

I will say that the album as a whole is far more interesting than this cover would lead you to believe. Their “Don’t You Want Me” cover is a fun duet and I could see myself genuinely posting on their version of “It’s Not Easy” from Pete’s Dragon.