Listen to MJ Lenderman Cover Lambchop’s “Weakened”

MJ Lenderman has added yet another killer cover to his catalog, this time of alt-country heroes Lambchop’s song “Weakened.” The original appears on the Kurt Wagner-fronted band’s August album Punching the Clown; the new version features Lenderman singing, playing bass; and guitar alongside Fog’s Andrew Broder.

Lenderman’s take on “Weakened” appears on Lambchop’s forthcoming EP Demoed, a collection of demo covers of songs from Punching the Clown. Wagner primarily recruited younger musicians to take up the mantle, including Lauren Auder, Circuit des Yeux and Alan Sparhawk, Flock of Dimes, and More Eaze. The full EP is due November 20 digitally, and February 5 physically.

“I used to fantasize that Lambchop would continue as an idea well beyond my participation,” Wagner shared in press materials. “Over time we’ve had at least two generations represented. A third now is beginning. And this is important to me, having the unique perspective and contributions from younger artists steering in the work we make. So I thought it would be nice, someday, that I might even step aside to watch and advise from the wings. Having a beard was never considered, but here we are.”

Lenderman dropped his most recent solo album, Manning Fireweworks, in 2024. Last year, he released a live album with Karly Hartzman recorded at Nashville’s Third Man Records. Since then, he’s also released a song with This is Lorelei, and spent this past spring on tour with Waxahatchee.

Demoed:
01 Weakened (MJ Lenderman version)
02 A Doctor in the House (Circuit des Yeux / Alan Sparhawk version)
03 Stella (Channy Leaneagh version)
04 White People (Dan Wriggins version)
05 The New World Wave (Lauren Auder version)
06 Afterburner (Flock of Dimes version)
07 Andrew Jackson Asshat (More Eaze version)

Hattie Lindert is an associate staff writer at Pitchfork. A former editor at Resident Advisor, she has written for Rolling Stone, The FACE and The A.V. Club, among others. She’s based in New York, and born and raised in Vermont. ... Read More