Release date: Aug. 9, 2005
I'll have to review this track by track:
"We Are the Champions" Gavin DeGraw - Gavin, what were you thinking? It was pretty easy to see that this cover couldn't stand up to the original. And then they make it the first track on the album. Ugh, this was almost painful to listen to. A painful arrangement, and it just didn't work. Makes that horrible version on Rockstar: INXS sound good.
"Tie Your Mother Down" Shinedown - A well-done cover. Straight-up rock that pays homage to the original. It's good.
"Bohemian Rhapsody" Constantine M. - Yes, as in Constantine from American Idol. I'm almost scared to listen to it. But here it goes... The beginning wasn't bad, but then Constantine didn't have the backing of the cast of "We Will Rock You" and things went downhill. He just doesn't have the vocal power to pull this song off. At one point, his voice actually cracks. Three minutes left... I don't think I can take it. Backup vocals come in and the song gets better... But overall, not very good.
"Stone Cold Crazy" Eleven with Joshua Homme - Very mellow and kind of Zepplin-esque. I like it. I don't think I know the original, but I sure like this version.
"Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy" Jason Mraz - It's actually not bad. Mraz isn't his typical goofy self, but tries to stay true to the original. And it comes out pretty well. I'm actually surprised by this one.
"Under Pressure" Joss Stone - I'm a big Joss Stone fan. Love her voice. I wish she was on a Janis Joplin tribute, but, anyway... It's a new arrangement. Kind of jazzy. At least it doesn't leave me wondering if this is Vanilla Ice. As a cover of Queen, it's not good. On its own, it's a great song. Very well done. I liked it. It's nothing like the original.
"Who Wants To Live Forever" Breaking Benjamin - It's acoustic Breaking Benjamin. It's good, but not my favorite song I've heard by BB.
"Bicycle Race" Be Your Own Pet - It sounds like it's being sung by a group of kids. Kind of hip-hop, and it's not good. I had to hit "skip."
"Crazy Little Thing Called Love" Josh Kelley - Sounds like the 80s. Boy, this CD is going downhill fast. Skip.
"Sleeping on the Sidewalk" Los Lobos - It's ok. Has a 50s rock-vibe to it. Not bad.
"Killer Queen" Sum 41 - Sounds like the original. I was pleasantly surprised. Wow. I wasn't expecting this. Well done as a homage to the original.
"Death on Two Legs" Rooney - Another well-done song. I don't think I'm familiar with the original, but I like this track.
"Play the Game" Jon Brion - Ugh. Within 3 seconds, this track is off to a bad start. Nasally, whining vocals. It's not good. Have...to...skip.
"Bohemian Rhapsody" The Flaming Lips - Again? Yes, again. A slightly different arrangement. It's off to a good start though. Has some "trippy" and psychedelic moments, but I liked it better than the first version on the album. Kind of cartoonish in parts, but not too bad.
"'39" Ingram Hill - Like the Osmonds, it's a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll. Not too bad though. It's got a good groove to it. Something tells me it's not like the original.
"Fat Bottom Girls" Antigone Rising - It's kind of funny/silly to hear girls singing the words to this song, but overall, it's a good version.
Posted by jeffhahnedisabled at August 14, 2005 12:40 PM
