Stringbender

I have just picked up Queenryche’s new CD “Take Cover” and have given a thorough listening to it front-to-back several times over. I will try my best to give you an honest review of this cd –to help you make up your mind on purchasing or listening to this cd.
Normally, my opinion of a whole cd loaded up with cover tunes would not rank very high up the food chain. Although I love when a band does ONE cover tune and makes it their own- doing a whole album’s worth seems to be a little cheesy or a good way for a band to cop out on their contract obligations by slapping together a cd of covers recorded in 3 days. THAT IS NOT THE CASE WITH THIS CD.
As a whole: This cd rocks completely front-to-back (even the “opera song” Rocks! - see below for description)
For folks that do not know Queensryche’s music: You will enjoy this cd.
For folks that HATE Queensryche’s music: You could very easily enjoy this cd.
And for folks that enjoy Queenryche’s music: One more you’ll love to add to the collection!
A Track-by-track listing of songs and blabber about each:

1) Welcome to the Machine: If you wonder how these guys are going to do this classic Pink Floyd song AND really do it true justice, do not fear- you instantly know within the first 30 seconds that this song is going to be good in every way! The familiar throbbing of Floyd’s keyboards is replaced with a heavy, chunky thumping of Eddie Jackson’s bass mixed with nice, thick guitar chords. Geoff Tate nails the lyrics in his usual crystal-clear high note voice and I was pleasantly surprised to find the keyboard solo in the original song had been replaced with guitars in harmony. NICE!! This song is destined to be a classic version of the song- no..not a “remake”.. a “RENDITION”- as Queensryche clearly make this song their own sound.
2) Heaven On Their Minds: I have always been a humungous fan of the rock opera “Jesus Christ Superstar” and this is one of the great songs on the original album. So, I had been anticipating how Queensryche was going to do this song- especially with Tate’s amazing vocal prowess. One word: Superb. This is a heavier, faster version of the original that is sure to make fans of the original-as well as hard rock/metal fans happy. The only possible drawback seems to be that there are a couple of seconds during the bridge where it appears that the vocals are off tempo with the guitars and drums. I would like to think this is intentional, but it seems like the timing was missed- then rushed and stretched to catch up with the odd tempo. But as I had mentioned- this was only in this bridge-area of the song and if I think of this as “not going completely by the original”- then it sounds really cool.
3) Almost Cut My Hair: Knowing a little remembrance of the original song- all I can say is that this version sounds pretty similar- just heavier, and of course, the vocal work of Geoff Tate makes it really stand out.
4) For What it’s Worth: This is far removed from the original Buffalo Springfield tune. For one, the chord arrangements have been changed to a shift between major and minor chords that adds a much more melancholy color to the piece. Also- a slight change made to the chorus. All in All- Queensryche clearly makes this song their own.
5) For The Love Of Money: This song ROCKS! The original has always had a great funky bass line- that in Queensryche’s version has been shifted over to dual-harmony guitars along with the thumping bass. Pop this song in your car, crank it loud and go bouncing down the streets. FUN!
6) Innuendo: This Queen song has always been a bit more complex- so I don’t think it ever went into the top 40. There are intricacies throughout- in vocals as well as guitar, bass and drums- not every band can pull this one off- Queensryche does a good job of it.
7) Neon Knights: This song was song #1 on the Black Sabbath “Heaven And Hell” album- and it was one of those songs that just “rammed the doors down” right from the onset. This version does miraculous justice to the original- Tate’s vocals being on par with Ronnie James Dio on the original. Actually, the only thing that really can be said about this version is that it sounds a tad faster and heavier than the original- like listening to the song brought up into a more modern-day sound.
8) Synchronicity II: This song- and the next song (Red Rain) I would never picture Queensryche doing an early 80’s rock song.. as it just never struck me as the type of song or artist that Queensryche would sound right covering. Clearly, I was wrong in this assumption. Synchronicity II has been brought up to Queenrsyche’s standards- ie the sound has been made heavier- the song incorporated by the band and twisted into their own sound that makes it all at once familiar, yet refreshingly different all at the same time. For those of you thinking you would never imagine a Police song being done by a heavy metal band- think again.. this song is well worth listening to.
9) Red rain- as I had mentioned above as not picturing this being done by a heavy metal band: Heavy metal Peter Gabriel is never really considered. This song is very close to the original- in that I think Queensryche drops some of the familiar heavy metal sounds for this song. Sure, it’s heavier than the original- yet at the same time you can hear much similarities in both versions. I love Tate’s voice in this one- at times he sounds just like Peter Gabriel- and of course other times he just sounds.. well, what can I say.. the gods have clearly blessed Tate with a remarkable voice.
10) Odissea: The gods’ blessings on Tate's remarkable voice are clearly evident in this piece. This is an opera song- I will have to do some research to determine what opera- where. The lyrics are in Italian so I have no clue what they mean.. but regardless of not knowing their meaning.. this song still puts chills up my spine and near tears to my eyes in the overall beauty. Tate really outshines many other vocalists with his not-of-this-earth range and vocal prowess- I’m still stunned as to how great this sounds. The only thing that strikes me a bit as odd- maybe it’s just me but a couple times the microphone or setting that Tate is singing through sounds a bit like a bullhorn.. which is such a shame for this intensely powerful, moving piece. If anyone has more information on this song=- where it is from..what the lyrics mean.. please let me know!
11) Bullet the Blue Sky: Warning right up front- Queenryche has NEVER been quiet about their socio-political views- and they make them abundantly clear in this song with a few words that might not be best for younger listeners. This song hits it hard- just like the original U2 version. The vocals in this version are better..as Bono could never imagine the high notes that these guys can hit. In truth, this song starts to bore me ..no I have NO problem with the socio-political views on this song, as that is not the reason for my boredom. The reason I’m bored is this song stretches far too long- into the 9 or 10 minute mark with only the same repeating bass line over and over.. gets tiring. I would suggest a shorter version of this song- and not putting it at the end of the cd- you need to close out the recording with a bang.. not the same repeated bass notes.
All in all- a fantastic recording front to back- all the way through. Bound to please Queenryche fans, heavy metal fans and just fans of good rock tunes. “Take Cover” is definitely everything that a recording of cover songs SHOULD aspire to be. I would say that this is definitely money well spent on this cd.

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Only with the eyes closed can one begin to truly see.

 

Aqualung

I love Queensryche. This album sounds really cool. That's awesome that they cover a song from Jesus Christ Superstar. Songs that I like covered by artists I like usually rock. Thanks for this review. Without it I wouldn't even know such an album existed!

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Here we go. Mushu cereal for breakfast with duck sauce.

Stringbender

JC Superstar rocks- gotta be one of my all time favorite albums all the way through. I've always thought it would be great to do a harder version of it..
I thought for laughs -as well as vocal prowess the cast should be something like this:
Jesus - sung by Rob Halford
Judas- sung by Geoff Tate
Pilate- sung by Ronnie James Dio
King Herod- sung by David Lee Roth..
still trying to figure out some of the other parts- and need an awesome female singer..
ok- enough of the wishful thinking.. but it WOULD be an awesome musical project!

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Only with the eyes closed can one begin to truly see.

Aqualung

That would be awesome.

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Here we go. Mushu cereal for breakfast with duck sauce.