Perhaps it was memories of Blur's beer-fuelled 1993 cover that quashed my excitement, or simply the barmy concept itself, but when it was announced that the likes of Tyler the Creator, Katy Perry, Nick Cave and Metallica's Kirk Hammett would appear on an album featuring multiple versions of the 122-year-old Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built for Two), I wasn't expecting a great deal from the final songs. To my surprise, however, the finished versions are dark, diverse and joyfully creepy.
For the project, painter Mark Ryden, famous for creating a host of musicians' album art such as Michael Jackson's Dangerous, Ringo Starr's Time Takes Time, Red Hot Chili Peppers' One Hot Minute, and, more recently, Tyler the Creator's Wolf, decided to rope in a very eclectic lineup of musicians to perform the song, in conjunction with his new exhibit The Gay 90s.
The limited-edition charity LP will go up for sale this week and in the meantime, the tributes to the Harry Dacre classic are on YouTube. But which one works best?
Katy Perry
Who?
29-year-old pop princess, teen motivator and wig endorser
Style?
Loved-up loon makes country croon
The verdict: Ideal for fans of cupcakes and Zoe Deschanel, Perry's version is bursting with sentiment. Romantic and rustic. Potentially perfect for a bank or iPhone advert
Score: 8/10
Nick Cave
Who?
Raven haired Badseeds frontman and master of the murder ballad
Style?
The stuff of childhood nightmares
The verdict: Sung with sincerity and style, Cave's version is ominous, and a bit like a chintzy song emitted by a dusty wind-up horror film jewellery box
Score: 6/10
Tyler the Creator
Who?
Rabble rousing rapper famed for his richly offensive lyrics and online tantrums
Style?
Classy and creepy. Cleepy
The verdict:
Of all of the covers, the warped style of the Odd Future frontman is the best-match for the song. Disturbingly sweet, the song has a drugged up tranquility, with burp-like vocals
Score: 8/10
Kirk Hammett
Who?
Lead guitarist of metal band Metallica
Style?
A long, slow journey to hell
The verdict:
The crunch of marching footsteps, a harrowing distant air raid siren, the foreboding grumble of guitar; Hammett's cover is a brutal butchering of the original
Score: 7/10
Mark Mothersbaugh
Who?
63-year-old singer and co-founder of Devo
Style?
Monday morning hangover
The verdict:
Shrill bell ringing and vocals sung in the style of a naked madman stood screaming outside his ex-lover's window. Brilliant
Score: 8/10
There are a host of other tracks we didn't include on Ryden's YouTube channel. Have a listen and let us know which ones you like best in the comments below.
