Cover #100: Angelic Upstarts cover "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place" by The Animals

 I had forgotten about this band for a good long time until earlier today, when I saw that Cherry Red plans to reissue their "Teenage Warning" album.  That encouraged me to poke around the AU back catalog a bit and check out this cover.  The cover is not terribly unique, but the AUs do bring their sort of 999-meets-UK Subs-with tiny bit of Oi sound to the endeavor.  This is by no means a bad cover but it could easily be better.  ✅✅✅

Cover #99: State Of Alert covers "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone" by Paul Revere and the Raiders

 Yeah, I know, it is actually called "Stepping Stone Party" as done here by Henry Rollins's first band and it is quite a different version from the one done by their good pals Minor Threat, though Ian makes an obvious guest appearance.  This is good sloppy punk fun- it reminds me of the Black Flag "Louie Louie" cover in that it is both respectful and irreverent at the same time. 

Cover #98: Jon Langford covers "Junco Partner" by James Waynes

 For many of us, the version by The Clash was probably our first taste of this Louisiana classic blues song from the early 1950s.  This is one of those songs that lends itself to being covered well in multiple genres and approaches, including this version, which is sort of an Appalachian/ jug band approach.  This cover won't beat the Clash version for any awards, but it is a solid, entertaining version that isn't afraid to be itself.

✅✅✅✅

Cover #97: Dead Cross covers "Bela Lugosi's Dead" by Bauhaus

 This much shortened version of the classic Bauhaus song is mainly the vocal parts of the original.  It's done well, in a sort of classic punk meets White Zombie style, but it just encourages me to listen to the original.  

✅✅✅

Cover #96: Mrs. Fun covers "She Blinded Me With Science" by Thomas Dolby

 I'll get right to the point- there is nothing good about this cover.  Period.  The music is mostly a big miss, including a head scratching drum solo partway through that only serves to draw attention to how crappy the rest of the instrumentation is.  The vocals are limp and there is a really bad spoken interlude before the the rockin' sockin' drum solo.  This cover stinks.

💩

Cover #95: Loyal Order Of Water Buffalo covers "Mexican Radio" by Wall Of Voodoo

 I never heard of these Water Buffalo guys, and this cover is pretty bland.  They perform this in a sort of jangly near country-alternative style with slightly whiny male vocals that reminds me a bit of a cross between Cracker, Violent Femmes, Better Than Ezra, and so forth.  One listen is plenty enough for me.

✅✅

Cover #94: The Cure covers "World In My Eyes" by Depeche Mode

 This comes from one of the best tribute albums ever.  I have quite a lot of tribute albums in my collection, and their quality definitely conforms to a bell curve.  There are some that are mostly bad, some that are mostly excellent, and the great majority are in the middle with a mixture of good and poor cover songs.  For The Masses:  A Tribute To Depeche Mode is very far on the excellent side of the curve.

   As for this particular song, it is actually one of the least exciting covers on the album.  Not because it isn't good-  it is a good cover, it sounds exactly like The Cure, not The Cure Trying To Sound Like Depeche Mode.  It's only flaw is that there are so many other truly exciting covers on this record that it pales a little by comparison.

✅✅✅

Cover #93: The Huntingtons cover "Havana Affair" by Ramones

 If you know anything about The Huntingtons, then you know about their love affair with all things Ramones.  Whether they are performing original songs or covers, the looks and feel will solidly be early period Ramones.  This cover, from an all-covers album of their heroes, is well executed but not terribly exciting.  I'll ask the question that everyone is wondering:  what's the point?

✅✅

Cover #92: Minnie Riperton (ft. José Feliciano) covers "Light My Fire" by The Doors

 Normally when there is a cover of a song I don't like, there is a better than even chance that the cover will be better.  Sort of a you can only go up philosophy, right?  Egads, this version is truly dreadful.  This is a funk/disco version with two vocalists, including a really pathetic dueling vocal part where each singer takes turns singing crap like "I'll light your fire, baby!"  This is absolutely putrid.

💩

Cover #91: Bow Wow Wow covers "I Started Something I Couldn't Finish" by The Smiths

This comes from a new tribute album to The Smiths which features a handful of established artists, some unknowns, and a couple with cover band names like This Charming Band.  Bow Wow Wow brings their expected tribal rhythm approach to this song, and it works really well.  Other than the lyrics (which are way too intelligent for Bow Wow Wow), you can close your eyes and pretend that this could have been a song originally done by BWW back in their heyday.  Good work.

✅✅✅✅

Cover #90: Dr. Cryptic covers "Time" by Pink Floyd

    If you have never witnessed a train wreck in person, there is no need to feel left out- simply call up the record Dubstep Side Of The Moon in your platform of choice and behold the carnage.  Dubstep was an exciting sub-genre when it first came out, but its limitations became obvious pretty fast and while it yielded some truly great songs it is just not a wide canvas. 

   Dubstep as a covering motif is going to fail a lot more than it will work.  This song-for-song cover album is head shaking proof.  The songs don't really have covering artists, they are all listed with those tired things like "DJ Bert 'n Ernie remix." 

   These songs are like dumping a jar of Ragu spaghetti sauce on a cheesecake.  There might be one or two people out there who like it, but that doesn't mean it's a good idea.

💩

Cover #89: Husker Du covers "Chinese Rocks" by Ramones

   There is really only one way to cover this Ramones/ Johnny Thunders song, and it is to just go full out as punk as you can.  This cover was from a rehearsal that appears on large early years compilation of pre-SST Husker Du material called Savage Young Du.  It's a bit raw, but perfect for the song.

✅✅✅✅

Cover #89: Naked Raygun covers "12XU" by Wire

    This cover appears as a bonus track on the Basement Screams CD, and is a pretty decent live recording.  The performance is much closer to the original Wire version than the Minor Threat cover, in case you are wondering.  I don't want to overstay my time, so let's just call this a very good cover (though it won't bump the Minor Threat one from any of your mixtapes).

✅✅✅

Cover #87: Messa covers "Hellhound On My Trail" by Robert Johnson

    You might not know Messa, who are an Italian prog-doom-ambient sort of a band who are worth checking out.  What strikes me about this cover isn't so much any sort of original approach to the song, but hearing Messa in such an unexpected tonal place.  The cover itself is faithful, well-played, and has the added bonus of Sara's vocals.  Instead of trying to sound like one of the old-fashioned female blues singers, she simply brings her natural slightly mournful Messa vocals, and it is a pleasing touch.

✅✅✅✅

Cover #86: Rosetta Stone covers "When The Levee Breaks" by Memphis Minnie

    Well now, it wasn't that long ago when I wrote about the Dread Zeppelin "cover of a cover", which I have in my collection and is pretty good.  I found out about this version just a few moments ago and I am blown away.  This version is a drum heavy goth take that fits somewhere between Ministry and Bauhaus.  I don't have this in my collection just yet but I plan to rectify that situation quickly.  Credit card, show thyself.

✅✅✅✅✅

Cover #85: Danzig covers "Lord Of The Thighs" by Aerosmith

    I didn't even know about Danzig's covers album Skeletons until just now, when I ran across it by chance on a shopping site.  Although it looks like the record is still in print the songs (covers) themselves are not all that accessible online, and I can see why if this cover is indicative of the rest.  The sound quality and the performance sound at best like a demo tape, not even close to a finished product.  Let me get this straight:  Danzig doesn't want 12 Hits From Hell to come out officially because he's not happy with the sound, but he let this thing out into the world?  Oh, the horror!

✅✅

Cover #84: Eater covers "Queen Bitch" by David Bowie

    This is a cool version.  Eater covers an early Bowie classic in their thin, jangly punk style which fits the song perfectly.  If you didn't know the original you would think this is just another (awesome) Eater song, rather than some band trying to sound like David Bowie.  Current artists take note.

✅✅✅✅✅

Cover #83: Dream Theater covers "Xanadu" by Rush

    Now here is something you don't see very often.  A cover song that appears not on a tribute album, not on an album by the covering band, not on a movie soundtrack or other various artists release, but on an edition of the original album.  Huh?  Yep, for the 40th Anniversary deluxe edition of A Farewell To Kings by Rush, we get one of the best modern progressive rock bands performing a cover of a classic song by one of the (who am I kidding, The Best) best early progressive rock bands.

   There are not very many good cover songs of Rush.  Maybe the original musicianship and vocal delivery are too intimidating for artists to try, who knows.  Dream Theater are one of the few bands who can make a competent stab at keeping up with the masters, and on this epic of a song they perform with notable accuracy.  Unfortunately, that's not really what we need.  Rush music begs for completely unique takes.  A- for faithful execution, C- for giving us any motivation to listen to this versus the original.

✅✅

Cover #82: Dread Zeppelin covers "When The Levee Breaks" by Memphis Minnie

    Once time settled a bit on the first album by Dread Zeppelin, the big question was:  will their fun yet very talented Elvis tinged reggae covers of Zeppelin stay fresh over further albums, or go the way of a novelty act?  I vote the former.  I don't think the approach is as self-limiting as, say, Beatallica, meaning that the Dreads should have more material to work with and therefore fewer excuses not keep the ideas fresh.  The signature reggae riddim' riff is present again on many of these songs, which is great because that's what keeps Dread Zeppelin from sounding like a neo-reaggae cover band.  

   This track, which may be considered a cover of a cover, is the best of the Dread-Led covers on the records (there are a few non-Led Zeppelin covers offered up).  The patented Dread reggae approach matches the song well, and there are small little touches like some banjo parts that are fresh and unexpected. 

✅✅✅✅

Cover #81: Moon Duo cover "Planet Caravan" by Black Sabbath

   Here is another cover from the really interesting tribute compilation on Sacred Bones records, What Is This That Stands Before Me?  Moon Duo's cover is the third in a row on this compilation with female vocals, not something that you might expect on Sabbath tribute album.  This cover is done in a late night chill motif, the kind of music you might hear late in the evening in the lobby of an upscale hotel (I mean that in the nicest way possible).  Moon Duo give us another surprise by repeating the vocals after the familiar outro guitar part.  Indeed, we end up with a nine minute cover, something that would not be surprising for "Iron Man" or "War Pigs" but is a unique approach to this song.  And guess what?  All nine minutes of this cover are put to good use.

✅✅✅✅

Cover #80: Thou cover "Supernaut" by Black Sabbath

    This cover comes from a compilation called What Is This That Stands Before Me?  on the excellent Sacred Bones label.  I don't know anything about the group Thou (I confess I haven't looked them up either).  They turn in a beefy, heavy version of "Supernaut" that would feel at home on the Nativity In Black compilations.  I'm not a fan of the black/death metal vocals, but the music is awesome, and there is an interesting little drum solo in the middle which is completely unnecessary and out of place, but I have to give these guy credit for adding a little oddity.

✅✅✅

Cover #79: Marissa Nadler covers "Nothing Else Matters" by Metallica

    Ooof.  If you must cover a crummy Metallica song, for crying out loud at least put a unique spin on it.  The world does not need a slower, quieter version that isn't even played correctly.  I'm sure there are people who like this who will use adjectives like "haunting" or "emotional" or "ethereal."  My adjectives are "wasteful" and "pointless."

✅✅

Cover #78: Ratboys cover "Beverly Hills" by Weezer

   Here is another cover from the Stereogum covers compilation I mentioned in the previous post.  Ratboys put in a pretty straightforward version that still manages to give of some fresh aromas, mainly because of the female vocals and the more garage sounding production.  This isn't going to knock your socks off, but it is fun as hell.

✅✅✅

Cover #77: Mastodon covers "Stairway To Heaven" by Led Zeppelin

    I always wonder what makes some artists perform cover songs in a skin tight replica of the original, rather than taking advantage of their native style (or genre).  I thought of this as I listened to this version of the ol' Zeppelin staple, waiting in vain for Mastodon to do something Mastodony.  "Any second now," I thought, "they are going to break out the jackhammers and break this song open."  Nope.  They play it safe and unimaginative all the way through.  At least Heart brought out a gospel choir to save their version.

✅✅

Cover #76: Beth Hart covers "Kashmir" by Led Zeppelin

    I just ran across this cover today, and it makes a little sad because it reminds me that I was supposed to see Zepperella at a small venue late spring of 2020, which of course was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic.  What we have here is an extremely close proximity of the original in terms of music (nothing exciting but bonus points for not closing the song with a fade-out) which allows you to put all of your attention to the vocals.  Ms. Hart is a hearty blues voice that matches well with the song.  This may not be the most exciting cover, but it is well performed.

✅✅✅

Cover #75: Elisapie covers "The Unforgiven" by Metallica

    I don't much care for the original because it is boring and it reminds me (along with "Nothing Else Matters") of how and when Metallica permanently went off course.  I can, however, see how this song lends itself to a lot of different cover interpretations, including this one by the talented Inuk artist Elisapie.  She provides a laid back cover with some really cool touches- light pow-wow drums, periodic animal sounding squeaks and squeals, and gentle vocals.  If I never hear the Metallica original ever again I will be just fine, but I would like to hear this version often.  

✅✅✅✅✅ 

Cover# 74: The Zappa Early Renaissance Orchestra covers "San Bern'dino

  This cover starts off promising enough:  it's a bit of a mashup with Rick Derringer's "Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo" in the beginning, then straightens into a more direct cover which wouldn't be so bad except the tempo is too slow.  When we get to the extended outro vocals (Johnny "Guitar" Wilson on the original, Adrian Belew in the Baby Snakes video and various 1977 live editions) we get a female lead that sounds about as flat and uninterested as she could be.  This cover is a promising idea that unfortunately does not work.

✅✅ 

Cover #73: Osees cover "Enter The Mirror" by Les Rallizes Dénudés

    This will probably qualify as an "under the radar" cover version; after all, we are working with an almost twelve-minute original by a Japanese guitar noise band that is not exactly a household name.  Les Rallizes Dénudés had a small but devoted following in their 1970s heyday, and they are exactly the kind of artist that brings to mind the Nurse With Wound universe.  Now normally I would through up my ears in frustration at a cover that is so close in sound, texture, and performance (both the original and this cover are exactly 11:44 in length), but this is so obviously a work of loving respect that it works just great.  Far from being karaoke, this is a supremely talented artist paying deep respect to an influential forebear.

✅✅✅✅

Cover #72: Gilla covers "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place" by The Animals

    First off, you must, I repeat must, see the video for this.  It will change your life.  That poor singer/bass player looks like a But since I'm supposed to write about the cover itself, I won't say too much about the video, except that is the best roller skating dance ever!  Honestly, that might just be in my top three dances along with Pee-Wee's "Tequila" dance and Napoleon Dynamite's Vote For Pedro epic.

   I actually bought a picture sleeve of the original single just because the entire enterprise is so cheesy- but not just cheesy, late 1970s European cheesy.  Oh yeah, what about the music?  Well, it's a sad fin-de-decade attempted funk take on the classic song.   It's not very good, but I am so happy that Gilla did this cover because if they did not, would they ever have made such an awesome video?  

✅ ✅

(p.s. how in the world did Beavis & Butthead miss this one?)

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdE1GiolIkc