Naomi Hates Humans vs. Tim Holehouse: 'The Covers EP'

A fantastic concept, Better Than Dead present a stand off covers EP between Naomi Hates Humans and Tim Holehouse. The least likeable part of this wonderful idea is that the EP is split by Naomi singing the first half, and Tim singing the second, taking away from the battle aspect. Naomi Hates Humans' cover of En Vogue’s ‘Don’t Let Go’ is gripping - her raspy, gravelly vocals give a whole new meaning to the song, making you wonder if En Vogue were really covering her song! Her take on Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ - a song sang so beautifully by Cohen, as well as covered by the infamous, and sadly late, Jeff Buckley - is a brave attempt and one that pays off.

Naomi Hates Humans manages to make the song her own, rather than simply emulate her predecessors. Tim Holehouse on the other hand manages to slaughter Gnarls Barkley’s summer hit ‘Crazy’, sounding like a drunken karaoke session. His cover of Syd Barrett’s 'Gigalo Aunt’ is a much stronger attempt, delivering the lines with passion and conviction. Overall, Naomi Hates Humans wins hands down, but we're still left with a fine EP introducing two up and coming London folk singers.

Released 25th April 2007 by Better Weird Than Dead.

Written by Fran Swaine.