Why not induce some premature nostalgia? This episode of The Pianimal unearths forgotten pop songs of the yester-decade, and gives them a pianamalistic makeover. Cher’s “Believe” leaves the dance-hall behind, and becomes an earnest, folksy song about jaded love, while N’Sync’s “Bye Bye Bye” kicks out the straight-eights and turns up the piano-amp to 11 to provide a near rock-‘n-roll experience.

As you’ll remember from episode 1, The Pianimal is recorded “semi-live,” in only one take, with absolutely no edits in post-production. That means that any and all mess-ups (and hot damn, there are LOTS in this episode, with me still being mostly-sick and all) are left unchanged just for the live, living-room concert vibe.

This episode’s tracklist:

1. Cher: Believe
2. Backstreet Boys: Larger Than Life
3. Britney Spears: Baby, One More Time (instrumental interlude)
4. N’Sync: Bye Bye Bye

Got nice things to say, or constructive feedback to send my way? Please comment, I promise I’ll wait until you’re out of earshot before I succumb to my urge to throw up from sheer nervousness.

Listen In:
The Pianimal: Episode 2 – Nineties Pop Songs (MP3 file)
Subscribe to the Pianimal podcast (includes all Kevan Gilbert Online content)

Previous Episodes:
Episode 1 – Tom Waits Covers

• The Pianimal: Episode 1 – Tom Waits Covers
• Private Vinyl Showroom

The Pianimal is a bi-weekly, one-take, four-song, piano-based podcast, each song chosen to suit a new theme each episode. In the debut episode, I brandish my fingers, dust my ivories, and polish up my vocal cords to deliver a performance that critics are calling “lackluster” and “a good start.” The theme is Tom Waits Covers, and here are the songs I chose this week:

1. New Coat of Paint
2. Big in Japan
3. San Diego Serenade
4. All The World is Green

Episode 1 was recorded live in Vancouver, BC (well, technically, Burnaby) on Monday, August 25, 2008.

Next episode’s theme is 90s Pop Songs, which is sure to make you fall in love with the Backstreet Boys all over again. Future themes you can look forward to include Miserable Sap (consisting only of the saddest songs ever), Duets With My Wife and the completely unplanned Improv Night.

The Pianimal: Episode 1 – Tom Waits Covers (MP3 file)
Subscribe to the Pianimal podcast (includes all Kevan Gilbert Online content)

• The Pianimal: Episode 2 – Nineties Pop Music
• Private Vinyl Showroom