"Pretty girl milkin' a cow, aw yeah." DIIV frontman Zachary Cole Smith initially shared this rendition of (Sandy) Alex G’s “Icehead” last year as a solo recording but has since been performing it with the rest of the band, and the version the crew turn in here is more palatable and straightforward compared with the Elliott Smith-huffing-gas quality of Alex G’s original. On the flip is a cover of country rockers Sparklehorse’s “Cow” from 1995… not something I’d expect DIIV to touch but it’s a testament to the objective power of great songwriting. Smith & co. largely leave the tune untouched, and their cover rings with all the twang and vulnerability of the original. Both previously appeared on a limited cassette which was given away at a show (now trading hands for upwards of a c-note), and Captured Tracks are treating fans with this limited edition 45 as part of their 10th anniversary series of releases. Clear vinyl, limited to 500.

• clear vinyl 7”
• covers of songs by (Sandy) Alex G and Sparklehorse
• side A: 33 RPM
• side B: 45 RPM
• Captured Tracks 10th anniversary edition
• limited edition of 500
• music label: Captured Tracks 2018

reviewed by cico buff 12/2018