 VARIOUS
ARTISTS
Harder and Heavier
Madacy Entertainment 2004
What’s the 4-1-1?
A startling reinvention of songs that were once a integral part
of the 70s and 80s musical psyche, but have now been reborn for
the clatter and bash crew. Featuring members of some of the most
popular rock groups of the eighties.
Genre
Rock / metal / electronic / industrial
The Bad
Industrial metal takes over classic rock….ten years too late!
I cannot believe how unbelievably bad this CD is. I really like
most of the artists featured in this compilation, but this does
not feature them in a good light. Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow) tries
to pull off his best Brian Johnson impersonation on “Back
in Black”, but fails miserably. What happened to Joe? I think
he should have tried his best JLT impersonation. Kevin Dubrow (Quiet
Riot) gets three chances to mess up some rock and roll classics.
On the industrial re-working of Guns N Roses “Welcome to
the Jungle”, Dubrow illustrates that he does not have a voice
as strong as Axl’s. He returns with a half-hearted version
of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” that has
him sounding like he’s on the can. If that’s not enough,
the only part of the song that’s used is the title, and that’s
looped over heavy bass and drums. On his third disaster, Dubrow
sucks out all the angst from AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell”.
This version is far from bad-ass; more like pretty rainbows and
clouds.
Lemmy (Motorhead) and Ted Nugent are paired together on Queen’s “Tie
Your Mother Down”. Who hasn’t covered this song? The
Nuge is okay on the guitar, but the song doesn’t really fit
Lemmy’s growl. Please tell me who told Tommy Shaw (Styx)
that singing through an electronic voice manipulator would be a
good idea for his version of Pink Floyd’s “Money”?
I’ve heard Tommy sing, and this is just a waste of his talent.
Phil Lewis (LA Guns) tries his luck at Def Leppard’s “Bringing
on the Heartbreak”, but sadly, Mariah Carey’s version
is better. The biggest, most perplexing track on the whole compilation
has to be “Shout at the Devil” by The Electric Hellfire
Club. Why you ask? First off, who the hell are they? I don’t
remember them from that era. Second, this is not Motley Crue’s “Shout
at the Devil”. It’s an entirely different song. I don’t
mean they re-worked it as such either. It’s not that song!
The words are completely different and so is the music. Not once
do they mention a word from “Shout”. Oh yeah, guess
what artist Paul Dianno covers? The same one he’s been milking
for the last 20 years.
The Good
There are only two songs out of sixteen that are any good. They’re
both by Great White. Their version of Led Zeppelin’s “Living,
Loving, Maid” is true to the original, because let’s
face it, Jack Russell sounds a lot like Robert Plant. Great White
also makes up for Kevin Dubrow butchering AC/DC on their version
of “Sin City”.
The Verdict
Was there a yard sale at the old Cleopatra/Deadline tribute CD
factory? I swear these have all been released before. You know,
I love all these artists when they’re performing their
own material. These artists don’t suck. The music on this
CD however, does suck! I’m sure they were just messing
around in the studio, jamming to some of their favorite tunes,
when someone convinced them they could make some money off it.
Even if you’ve disagreed with my reviews in the past, trust
me, don’t waste you’re money. You’d be better
off buying one of the artist’s own CDs.
Did You Know?
Whoever produced this CD thought that the Scorpions song, “Rock
You Like a Hurricane” was called “Hear I Am”.
I thought it was funny that Kelly Hanson (Hurricane) covered that
one (yeah, it stinks too).
Rating: ZERO!!!!!
Related Reviews:
Joe Lynn Turner - The Usual Suspects
Kevin Dubrow - In for the Kill
L.A. Guns - Rips the Covers Off
Heaven & Earth - S/T
Various Artists - Spin the Bottle: A Tribute to Kiss
--George Dionne
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