New York pop-rockers The Cloud Room have joined quite an exclusive group of artists and musicians who have contributed to the upcoming compilation You Be My Heart: A Benefit for 826 Valencia (out December 9th) — which benefits the non-profit organization 826 National, who in turn provide “a variety of inventive programs that provide under-resourced students, ages 6-18, with opportunities to explore their creativity and improve their writing skills.” They join such indie music luminaries such as Mark Kozelek, Bowerbirds, and Maps and Atlases in helping to raise awareness and funds for the continued existence of this program. Curated by musician and 826 National associate Devon Reed, the songs on You Be My Heart were all written by Reed but given to the different artists to put their own unique spin on then.
The Cloud Room have chosen to cover the Big Star-influenced jangle pop track “Mrs. Marquis de Sade,” a song that recalls the alterna-pop of Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians while channeling the melodic punch of The Replacements and Teenage Fanclub. Silver filaments of jangly guitar notes weave in and out of the brash percussion, and singer J Stuart’s David Bowie-meets-Lou Reed vocal styling hovers above everything, lending the whole affair an autobiographical feel (even though the band had nothing to do with the writing of the song). It’s through their ebullient and infectious approach to the material that really gives them license to call this song their own – at least in terms of execution.
Beats Per Minute is pleased to premiere The Cloud Room’s new song, “Mrs. Marquis de Sade,” which is taken from the charity compilation, You Be My Heart: A Benefit for 826 Valencia.
