(B-side to standalone single, "Rubbish")
'Pleasure; the animal by-product of our civilisation' - Carter USM's sound-clip sampling is second-to-none and its one of the major selling points of this cover version, the first of its kind on this blog.
The original "Rent", released by the Pet Shop Boys in 1987, is a slower, more melodic song, with a colder tone and more passion in the vocal and light synthesisers; its the expression of sexual desire in an unaccepting world and through morally painful and unconventional methods. Its also a lot 'cheekier', and more suggestive.
Carter USM amplify the desparation of the subject, partially with their ecstatic and high-octane, guitar driven sound, and also by use of the shreiking vocal, talking (and, conversely, shouting) at you, instead of singing gently to you.And it works brilliantly...
The track opens with a gentle, homage-paying synth string arrangement, before kicking, full-pelt, and maximum velocity, into a raging barrage of Carter USM sound; backing sequencer and brash electric guitars. The vocal track has been layered over a spoken word section and as the chorus swings into a close the screech of amplifier feed-back signals the start of the next raving guitar section. Its a classic sound, and one I particularly love; it also sits rather nicely as a b-side to "Rubbish" as well, one of the band's best original songs.
It really is a very wonderful sound, one which, few bands could hope to replicate, and one, which, is quintessentially Carter USM; the ultimate digital and analog electric combination; dance and rock combined in a really sarcastic bundle of 'epicocity'...Brilliant, brilliant and some more brilliant...
The lyrics feel so much more pointed, and angry since the delivery is so abrasive. This is the very best thing about the long list of Carter's cover versions, starting with this one and leading to a host of brilliant re-recordings such as The Smiths' "Panic", Inspiral Carpets' "This Is How It Feels" and also, perhaps more strangely, Soft Cell's "Bedsitter". A brilliant band covering brilliant songs. Lovely.
The song was also a particular highlight of the Brixton Academy gig on 10th November after two eclectic and bright sets by support artists Cud and Ned's Atomic Dustbin, and despite not being one of the band's own, classic, comedy originals, it really added to the setlist.
★★★★★
Versions of "Rent"
B-side Single Version - 4:38