Any group of able musicians can straightforwardly cover a song; the more difficult task is to bring something new to the table. Milwaukee-based outfit Maritime make it sound like just another day in the studio on their cover of Hot Chip's "Boy From School," a Japanese-only bonus track included on the band's latest studio offering, Heresy and the Hotel Choir.

Here, the indie pop trio keeps the original track's shifting groove and lilting melody while toying with the sonic and emotional structure. Hot Chip's mournful keyboards and sparse beat are replaced by slightly sinister guitar lines and propulsive drumming; singer Davey von Bohlen's delivery adds a newfound bitterness to previously wistful-sounding lines such as "We tried / But we didn't have long / We tried / But we don't belong." Considering their musical past, it should surprise no one that Maritime has taken a song for the dance floor and imbued it with themes of regret and alienation. Heresy and the Hotel Choir is out now via the Flameshovel label. 

Now Hear This:
Maritime - "Boy From School" DOWNLOAD MP3

On the Web:
Maritime at MySpace
maritimesongs.com

Talk: Do you think Maritime's cover of "Boy From School" puts them at the head of the class?