After doing extensive research on the subject, I have determined that YouTube was not around in the 1920s. Unless someone posts old film transfers, we would have to use our imaginations to picture great musical performances in that era. Scott Bradlee and Postmodern Jukebox have found a remedy for that by taking modern classics and making 1920s era vintage covers of them. Their most recent effort is Creep by Radiohead.

Teaming up with American Idol alum Haley Reinhart, Postmodern Jukebox takes arguably Radiohead’s biggest hit (IS it arguable though? Oh, wait. This is the internet. Of COURSE it’s arguable) and uses piano, sax, trombone, and stand-up bass to give it that sound that makes you want to illegally produce and distribute alcoholic beverages.

Shot in black in white in a recording studio, Bradlee and company give the song and atmosphere that older look and feel. The only thing that seems to be missing is the haze of cigarette smoke that would fill these type of settings from door to door. I give it a pass since it would defeat the purpose of filming it in HD. Well, that and it’s bad for you. [Nerdist thinks smoking is gross.]

This is not the first time Postmodern Jukebox has gone back in time with current music. Here is another example of their throwback style, Thrift Shop by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.

To see more of Postmodern Jukebox’s work, you can check out their YouTube page. If you would like to seem them live, their official site lists their tour dates and where to buy tickets.

You can follow Haley Reinhart on Twitter.

Did you enjoy the video? Or do you believe in “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it?” Sound off in the comments below.