Alyson Greenfield is one of my personal favorite local musicians.  I reviewed her wonderful LP Tuscaloosa a while back and highly recommended it.  Since then she’s been out making even more of a name for herself playing great shows all over the country including SXSW.  She also started the Tinderbox Music Festival, an annual festival in New York for female artists.  She loves to experiment and you’ll find her human beat-boxing or playing with synths and dance tracks right alongside her more acoustic based music.  And she does it all with an infectious glee.

Now she’s back with something I’m gonna say right now if you grew up during the 90′s you’re going to want to buy.  It’s an EP of covers entitled Rock Out With Your Glockenspiel Out.

Rock Out is comprised of 5 pop covers that you would not expect to hear coming from a petite white girl.  All the covers are re-worked into Alyson’s own style and are mostly piano and, obviously, glockenspiel based.  Let’s go track by track:

Bad Boys: Originally by Inner Circle this song is famous as the theme song to Cops.  Alyson completely turns this reggae song on its ear making it an emotional powerhouse.  It’s almost nothing like the original and just a piano and Greenfield’s powerful voice.  She takes the lyrics are really finds their emotional center and really turns this into just a great piece of music.

All That She Wants: You probably remember this Ace of Base song playing non-stop for a couple of years there in the 90′s.  Even if like me you weren’t a fan you can probably recite the lyrics in your sleep.  I have a particular hatred for this song.  It just grates on my nerves.  But Alyson’s version opens it up and makes it interesting and I found myself really enjoying it.  It’s another kick ass rendition.

Mama Said Knock You Out: Don’t call it a comeback.  LL Cool J had a huge hit with this.  I have vivid memories of watching the video on MTV. The Alyson Greenfield version is still pretty rocking, even with just a piano as backing.  It’s probably the most she’s ever reminded me of Fiona Apple, as she spits out the lyrics like a machine gun.  I wouldn’t want this directed at me.

Milkshake: A more recent song by Kelis, but still a pop hit everyone knows.  This one is more upbeat for the most part but Alyson still grounds it in the right parts while keeping it light and fun as well.  If Mama was Fiona Apple, you’ll hear a less angsty Tori Amos here in moments. The super bonus is when she goes into Kriss Kross’ “Jump” for a bit.

Gangsta’s Paradise: Guys remember Coolio? Remember Dangerous Minds? Those were the days.  And this is where the Glockenspiel comes out. I remember seeing Alyson Greenfield for the first time and when she did this it was nothing short of amazing.  This cover is everything you imagine and more.  While rocking her glock she spits out the lyrics alternately beautifully and rapid fire.  You’ll find yourself rocking out yourself to this, and if you don’t there’s something wrong with you.

Overall this album is one you need to own.  Alyson Greenfield has compiled a great collection of covers and then done them masterfully in her own style combining emotion and fun.  Put this on at a party and you’ll get just as great a reaction as if you put on the real songs, if not better.

Alyson Greenfield has her Rock Out With Your Glockenspiel Out release party July 18th at NYC’s Mercury Lounge.  Tickets to that show are only $10 and you can get a free copy of the EP at it!  You can buy advance tickets if you want.

The album itself comes out on July 19th.  It along with all of Alyson’s other releases are available on and Bandcamp.

Also stop by Alyson Greenfield’s website for up to date show info and more.