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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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While tribute albums are largely hit and miss, there are a few that are notable for their sheer failure, and Encomium: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin is one of them. There are bad performances, questionable choices of tribute artists, and dreadful song choices. Seriously? This is the first major Led Zeppelin tribute album and the producers picked "Tangerine?" What, was "Hot Dog" or "Candy Store Rock" taken? This dreadful cover song drops all three turds: lame performance, dumb choice of a band, and a song that most Led Zeppelin fans would easily put in their bottom ten. Nice job.
As Butthead once said, "Stop! In the name of all that which does not suck!"
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