Pulling off a cover song aint easy. Stick too close to the original, and youll be accused of playing it safe and boring. Deviate too far from the template, and youre committing creative blasphemy. So its to the Easy Star All-Stars credit that they reggae-fy big-name albums such as OK Computer, Dark Side of the Moon, and Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band without going overboard. The guest-star-heavy New York-via-Jamaica collective makes good on mellowing out. They add sunniness to the soaring catharsis of Radioheads Airbag and stay true to the spaced-out spirit of Pink Floyds Us and Them. Those charms aside, the Easy Star All-Stars occasionally hint at their novelty band status: Their albums are titled Radiodread, Dub Side of the Moon, and Easy Stars Lonely Hearts Dub Band. This Saturday, they will perform with the Green and Cas Haley at 8 p.m. at Culture Room.
Sat., April 9, 8 p.m., 2011