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!

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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."

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