Tonight I decided to do another post of Covers because yes, it's easy, plus, there's so much content out there, it's more of a challenge deciding what not to post than what to include. I knew there were plenty of versions of Kraftwerk's The Model (or, Das Model, the original German version) out there, but I had no clue just HOW many! They're in no particular order, except for how I came across them.

In order to avoid overdosing on this song (or getting it irretrievably stuck in your head), I urge you to listen to these in doses. Maybe you can start an office tradition and play one version a week for your appreciative co-workers on "Model Mondays." I don't know. Anyhow, enjoy!

Zoot Woman
Slick version from the group that brought you Living In a Magazine (where The Model undoubtably resides).

The Cardigans
These Swede popstars cover Das German version.

Rammstein
Teutonic metal. Not my thing, but I'm sure lots of angsty German kids dig this one.

Techni-ka
Madonna's Music Remixed via Kraftwerk. Maybe Madonna IS a robot after all...

Big Black
Noise rockers sludgin' it out. Still one of the best, IMO.

Nullsleep
Nullsleep reproduces it for the 2006 Blip Fest...

8-Bit Tunes
...which probably inspired this remake...

Yet Another 8-Bit Remix
...and this one.

Alphastates
Our first modern classical interpretation on the list.

Spizzenergi
Punky, cheeky take on it. Love those backup singers.

Messer Chups
I expect Tarantino to license this for a Yakuza flick.

Boris Brejcha
Guess it's inevitable that there would be a Minimal Tech cover.

Triology
More string quartet action here. The song is particularly suited for these instruments.

Joe Peas
Respectable Acid-y Italotronique remix.

Ladytron - He Took Her To A Movie
Technically not a cover, but you can hear parts of the song in there, no doubt. A nod to their futurist forebearers.

The Pistolas - Take It With A Kiss
Also not a cover, but that bassline is sounding awfully familiar...

Vocaloid SweetAnn
Japanime Robo-voiced Strangeness

Glen Hansard
Das Young Kountry ist gut.

Dr. Kondor's Robot Mix
Robotastic.

Seventh Celestia
Ballidic, soothing piano demo. And now, Deep Thoughts, by Jack Handey.

Mite Pauley
This guy's first remix. Not terrible I must say, if a bit overly long.

Matt West's Unplugged Version
Another piano one. I hear this one's used for the Hold Music when you call Kraftwerk's Customer Service line.

Erdmöbel
ök version, i suppose.

Dead Modell Jumpstyle Cover
Jumpstyle. Okay, another "genre" to avoid.

Noisebreezer
Minimally offensive, if a bit stagnant.

Mezkal
UK Kids are rockin' it.

VCR5
The accordian is a nice touch.

Ulf Hansson
More accordian for you. If I ever have a robot child, I'm naming him Ulf.

TonePort GX
German Metalpop a la Rammstein

James Sakal
Now at your local pub. Remember to tip your bartender!

The Singaia
Another surf guitar remake. Groovy.

The Listrix
Cool ties, guys.

Climatique
Straight Outta łódź!

FM feat. Emiliano & Synapscape
Very nice. I Like.

Overproof Soundsystem
First introduced to me by a RobotSound reader, this one reminds me of Original Rockers.

Sessiones Reggae [excerpt]
Another wikkid riddim for ya, mon.

David Byrne & Balanescu Quartet
David Byrne doing the robot makes this thee winner in my book.

Korabl
Eastern Bloc Rock with a Spaghetti Western vibe.

Orso Manzoneta
Bouncy Eurotrance. Yay.

Deep Six Creator
Bouncy Eurotrance. Yay.

Plazmabeat feat. Der Feind
Bouncy Eurocrap. Yay.

DJ Whytee's 21st Century Mix
Nothing really unique about this one. Not sure why I'm posting it.

Localhost
Another somewhat mediocre one.

Lektron
Cheesy, but kinda fun nonetheless.

Joan Chia
Played entirely on church bells. I kid you not.

Electric Model Flare Mix
Robot Tested, Robot Approved.

Alexampler
This one gets lame at about the 1 minute mark. Just warning ya. And that model? Yeesh.

VTRN! 2008 Rework
Autsch! Ausgezeichnet!

Mariopaint
I like one YouTuber's comment: Cute, but where's all the bpm? Are you on cough syrup or something?

Another blog has beat me to this topic. Plenty (and I mean PLENTY) more here, including ones by Electric Six, Ride and gulp, Moby.

Need even more versions???
Check this Russian site that's got a file with 70(!) of them, including many of the ones listed above. 378 MB worth. Egads! Will they ever stop?

Still not satisfied?!? Make your own damn version!

It's time once again for RobotSound's next installment of I <3 The 80s, only this time...it's personal. No actually, I'm showcasing 80s covers that didn't really need to be made. So as not to make this a total downer of a post, I'm also including a few worthy versions that earn this robot's Seal of Approval.
[For those of you who may have missed our previous episodes: Part 1 > Part 2 > Part 3]

Even though we're 20 years out from the final year of the 80s, they're still very much with us as evidenced both by the milestone deaths of Michael Jackson and John Hughes and the continuing bad hipster fashion of the day. I keep rediscovering songs of the era that still hold up to this day, unlike much of today's "Flavor of the Week" garbage. The following tracks just go to show that you can try to emulate the greatness of yesteryear, but your best bet is often to simply leave well enough alone and let the originals speak for themselves.

Cazals - To Cut A Long Story Short
Faithful cover of the Spandau Ballet hit that doesn't bring much new to the game. If this were for a band karaoke contest, it would be good enough to propel the band to the next round, I suppose.

The Visitors - Our Lips Are Sealed
Saccharine Electro House version that will have you bored by the end of the track. Don't bother with Nouvelle Vague's recent take on it either (even if Terry Hall sings on it). Do yourself a favor and get the Fun Boy 3 12" and watch this great sounding live clip. The gothed-out cellist at 2:21 ftw!

Moby - New Dawn Fades
Sorry Moby, you're not at all right for a Joy Division song, no matter how big a fanboy of theirs you were. Boring Vegan Emo crap. Zzzzz....

Shiny Toy Guns - Major Tom (Coming Home)
Apparently, most people have heard this one in a Lincoln commercial. Maybe the advertisers figured that if they hired some hot young band to cover a classic 80s song, they'd win some street cred with Generation Hipster. Shiny Toy Guns also bear responsibility for their unnecessary cover of DM's Stripped. I think these guys are desperately trying not to be One-Hit Wonders.

Paris Hilton - Do You Think I'm Sexy
No, Paris, we don't think you're sexy. The correct term is skanky (though from a Marketing perspective, you're a fooking genius). Oddly enough, there's no corresponding video for this song. For a better, and far sleazier cover, enjoy this version from those Revolting Cocks. (Warning: Might be a tad awkward for work). Queen of Japan turn in a good rendition of it as well.

KMFDM - Being Boiled
NOOOOOOO!!!!!! Why?!?! There is NO need for this. You probably won't make it all the way through this one. Sadly, nothing in life is sacred any longer.

Nethescerial - The Robots
Black Metal jackassery of the highest order. You're douchebags, not robots! For the polar opposite of this offal, dig this modern classical take from Quintorigo that's reminiscent of the one by the Balanescu Quartet.

Kelly Osbourne - Two of Hearts
Don't f**k with Stacey, Jeezus! I mean, what's the point really?
/shakes head disapprovingly
For a more respectable remake, try Annie's, although it too is unnecessary.

Seems like the summer heat has rendered the 'bots at RobotSound HQ lethargic as of late. It's evident that they'd rather sit around watching bad Reality TV programming and getting their snack on than producing anything in terms of meaningful content for y'all. Nevertheless I've managed to coax them into uploading my set recorded live at the recent Hot Box Summer Solstice event. A potent synthesis of love and war, this mix attempts to address the uncertainty of the times in which we live by incorporating both the chaos of today with (hopefully) the promise of a brighter tomorrow.

HotBox 6.21.08

Shit Robot - Lonely Planet
Water Lilly - The Sleepwalker
Franz & Shape - Forgotten Days (Memory Boy Remix)
8-Bit - The Robots
Hell - Suicide Commando
Kano - It's A War
GTO - Love Is Everywhere (Live & Love Mix)
Steril - Electrostatic
The Clone Machine - Clone Machine (Empire Mix)
Der Zyklus - Roche Limit (v3)
Millimetric - Where
David Carretta - Shocktreatment
Nitzer Ebb - Murderous (Phil Kieran Mix)
6blocc - Digits
Anthony Rother - Mathematik
MOTOR - 1X1 (Phil Kieran Remix)
Kiko - Slave Of My Mind
Romina Cohn - The Night
Ectomorph - Lost Angles (Manyangles Version)

Since it's clear that I've been stuck in the 20th century for the last couple months, here's an A - Z of 80s videos so that maybe I can purge this inexplicable nostalgia and return to present-day existence. I tried to find live performances or "alternate" versions when available so that you're not stuck watching the same clips that have been in rotation on music video channels for the last 20-30 years.

ABC - Look of Love
Blancmange - Blind Vision
Captain Sensible - Wot
Devo - That's Good
Ēbn-Ōzn - AEIOU Sometimes Y
Falco - Der Kommissar
Go Gos - We Got The Beat
The Human League - Being Boiled
Irene Cara - What A Feeling
The Jesus & Mary Chain - Just Like Honey & Inside Me
Kraftwerk - Heimcomputer
Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam - Head To Toe
Midnight Star - Operator
New Order - Love Vigilantes
OMD - Electricity
Pete Burns - You Spin Me Round
Stacey Q - Two Of Hearts
Rockwell - Somebody's Watching Me
Sparks - Cool Places
Tones On Tail - Go!
Ultravox - Sleepwalk
Visage - The Anvil
Kim Wilde - Kids In America
Trans X - Living On Video
Yazoo - Don't Go
ZZ Top - Gimme All Your Lovin'