From the haunting high tone plink of a Kanye piano to a string pluck of a Silverstein guitar, "Runaway" begins with the disturbing chant of "lookatcha", and two incredibly opposite performers take on one of the best songs ever written.
Kanye created this masterpiece. Layers of vocals and tones like a parfait of danger. An unsettling confessional of honesty. This is what makes Kanye hated. He is fearless in his words. As a performer I think its nearly an obligation- be real or shut up. I have loved this song from the moment I first heard it. Its liberating in its boldness. Kanye sound like pure control. Dark and smokey and sexy.
Leave it to Fearless Records to assign this "Punk Goes Pop Voume 4" track to Silverstein.a Canadian post hardcore band whos been screaming since 2000. I have to stop a moment for some Silverstein appreciation. Shane Told has a beautiful voice a bit high pitched in this song but in their own work- glorious. He makes this song a bit more Blink 182 than I think need be, but then again, you get some white boy Canadians to rap and your asking for a migraine. But not this time. Silverstein tackle their own version- a more subtle version.
24/7 365 Pussy stays on Pusha T's mind. but 24/7 365 Groupies stay on their grind- its cleaned up. As is the tone of vocals. "Runaway" was transformed for a 'hoodrat' anthem to an ok self depriciation for the Frat House. Silverstein took the song and made it white bread. Not exactly stripping it clean but certainly tidying up the room.
Kanye uses his intimidating vocal tone- Silverstein beat you down with glorious 'out tro' drum/guitar power. Either way .. same uneasy feeling.
When a band you love tackles a song you love its an awkaward thing. Kanye owns this.
Silversteins version hand delivers it to those who wouldnt be caught dead with Kanye in their buds. Its a fabulous message delivered beautifully by both.
Kanye wins