“Ain’t That Enough” – Cloud Eleven
(Words/music: Gerard Love, available on What a Concept! A Tribute to Teenage Fanclub, Not Lame 2004)

A few years back, I ended up with the What a Concept collection probably because I wanted to hear Superdrag’s version of “Radio,” one of my favorite Teenage Fanclub songs.  This coincided with my gradual yet steadily growing love affair with Teenage Fanclub’s catalog.  Even now, every time I listen to one of their albums or the handful of (recent) live recordings I possess, I find a new song to love.  I’m also drawn to tribute albums the way that some people are drawn to cars pulled over by state troopers on the highway – you know nothing good will come from craning your neck in that direction, but you still can’t help but pay attention to it.  I say this because tribute albums generally have three types of songs.  From least to most frequent: the transcendent interpretation placing the song into a new context, the frustratingly awful version that hangs around the original like an albatross, and the play-it-safe almost too faithful recreation of the original.  What a Concept leans heavily on the play-it-safe versions, but that in itself is a fitting tribute to Teenage Fanclub.  A band that made its name on perfectly placed pop deserves to have their songs repeated note by note.

Of all the songs on the compilation, Cloud Eleven’s “Ain’t That Enough” might be the most by-the-numbers recreation of a Teenage Fanclub song.  Even if the harmonies aren’t as prominent on their version, Cloud Eleven still recreates the glockenspiel, guitar riffs, and drum beat almost note for note.  Ironically, “Ain’t That Enough” might be my favorite single song on this compilation.  It’s a bit of a backhanded compliment calling the one that sounds the most like Teenage Fanclub my favorite, but it’s a credit to the band.  “Ain’t That Enough” works because it’s simple and straightforward melody and harmony.  It wouldn’t make sense at twice the speed or in a doom metal version.  Cloud Eleven realizes this, and in this case their reverent take is the right move.  Or, in this case, it’s enough.

More on Cloud Eleven: Allmusic | Amazon MP3 | Emusic | Last.fm