For the first of two weekend blog posts, I decided to create my own cover album. I seleted songs from a variety of genres which may or may not have an artist from that same genre as my chosen cover artist. So put on those imaginary headphones and hear the music.\
"What's Your Name?" -- For this Lynyrd Skynyrd classic I chose Bon Jovi to perform the cover as an acoustic version. The boys from Jersey have dabbled with the southern rock sound and lyrically this song fits Bon Jovi. Also, it's perfect for Jon from a vocal standpoint as well. I chose for them to do an acoustic version because the were the band who unintentionally inspired the MTV Unpluged performance series with Jon and Richie's acoustic VMA performance. There is no doubt the band could pull this off.
"Civil War" -- I'm invisioning a darker, slowed down version of this song and who better to do that than Staind? Aaron Lewis's vocals couldn't be more different than those of Axl Rose which would add a dimension of dread to the song, something missing from the original. I like the originial, but musically GnR hit a ground rule double when the had the chance to hit a homerun.
"Gypsy Road" -- Don't let the southern rock/country ways of Big & Rich fool you, this duo can jam. Cinderella's "Gypsy Road" is an all-around fitting song Big Kenny and John Rich.
"2 Minutes to Midnight" -- I would love to hear Queensryche do an entire album of Iron Maiden covers, but "2 Minutes to Midnight" is the one Maiden song I would love to hear Geoff Tate apply his crisp powerful vocals. Not to mention Chris DeGarmo's amazing (and under-appreciated) guitar playing suits Iron Maiden songs perfectly.
"Mysterious Ways" -- Not many bands could handle covering U2 songs, but Coldplay would take this track to another level. "Mysterious Ways" already has a unique sound but the musical talents of Coldplay and Chris Martin's vocals would bring something so amazing to this song. I'm not saying Coldplay could do a better job than U2 but they would set the bar for what could be done with cover songs.
"The Beautiful People" -- A diversion from Marilyn Manson's grinding metal to Cradle of Filth's dreary black metal would be perfect for the Manson classic. Dani Filth's coarse vocals would rival Manson's for overall intensity, just in a different way.
"Like a Prayer" -- Marilyn Manson covering the Madonna classic would be an amazing and creepy twist for a song which already has some dark elements. I believe Manson could take this song and have results similar to his versions of "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" and "Tainted Love". Marilyn Manson just has a knack for turning pop songs into badass metal covers.
"Ain't Goin' Down 'Til the Sun Comes Up" -- Hand this Garth Brooks song over to the master ot Tae Kwon Flow, Cowboy Troy, and the results would be fun and high energy. The fast paced music and rapid flow lyrics are perfect for Troy to add his "Hick-Hop" style.
"Trash" -- This seedy Alice Cooper track would have many fine suitors for a cover, but none better than trash-meisters Faster Pussycat, one of the under-appreciated hair bands lost in shadows of bands such as Poison and Motley Crue. Taime Downe has the vocal style and dirty charisma to turn this strip club romp into something much dirtier.
"Bitch" -- The leader of the Grrl Power movement for the 21st centry, Lzzy Hale and her band Halestorm is the only choice to cover this song from 90s one-hit wonder Meredith Brooks. Hale's vocals would bring a more powerful sound and a level of anger and intensity not found in the original.
There you have it. A cover album JT Lovecraft style. I hope you enjoyed reading and imagining how it would sound. Until next time, keep the drinks cold and the music loud.
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