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Mainstream Pop Turns Screamo
 out of 4 for the Various Artists collaboration of a hardcore twist on bubble-gum pop songs |
by TIFFANY ALBERTY
Who doesn’t like a good cover song? Don’t lie, you’ve seen people karaoke to songs like “Sweet Child of Mine” by 80s legend Guns N’ Roses at dive bars, and you have possibly sang one or two ballads by Pink.
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Photo credit: Fearless Records |
Album cover, courtesy of: Amazon.com |
Well, eat your heart out cover lovers; Fearless Records has struck back with “Punk Goes Pop Volume 2.”
Producers of the original “Punk Goes Pop” and “Punk Goes Crunk,” Fearless seems to have a niche for choosing the correct bands to reinvent the wheel of mainstream music.
Seven years have passed since the original “Punk Goes Pop” (2002) was released, and we are left with underground screamo and punk bands to produce 14 quality covers that are not technically radio-friendly.
Covers range from late 90s to songs that are streamed today. Confusion from fans of this type of music are fairly young, so some listeners might not even know the original song. (hence, Chiodos’s cover of Harvey Danger’s “Flagpole Sitta” from 1998.)
Key Tracks |
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• A Day to Remember “Over My Head”
• A Static Lullaby “Toxic”
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Regardless of generational differences, most listeners will enjoy ridiculous covers like “I Kissed a Girl,” from ATTACK ATTACK!, which blends sounds of electronica to metal and makes a pleasant merger at the end of the songs. Most would agree it is better and catchier than the original.
The psychedelic transitional award would go to Breathe Carolina’s “See You Again” by Miley Cyrus. With synthesized sounds and elecrtro-fied dance beats, it is impressive how the two guys from Breathe Carolina can hit higher vocal ranges than Cyrus herself.
Mayday Parade, known for the poppy and unique sound of lead singer Derek Sanders, plays up the Pussycat Dolls' “When I Grow Up” to a tee. High-energy and laughable lyrics leave you thinking, “I wanna have groupies.”
First impressions leave lasting impressions. That’s why Fearless Records put their own artist, North Carolina metalcore band Alesana first on the album, to kick off the album and cover Justin Timberlake’s misery-loves-company song “What Goes Around Comes Around.”
Dueling vocals between Shaun Milke and Dennis Lee keeps this cover at an accelerated pace. Soft pitches, fast riffs and intense tempo leave listeners wanting more.
With all compilations and the “Punk Goes...” series, there are winners and losers. Luckily with this pop version, there is a nice balance between the eclectic bands and songs chosen.
Save yourself some grief,
here's a list of disappointing covers:
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- No unique sound from the original
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- It’s hard to cover an already terrible song
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- Vocals seem lacking compared to original
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- Escape the Fate’s guitarist Max Green versus Santana? You decide.
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- Too heavy on the double bass pedals
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- If you didn't already know the lyrics, you wouldn't be able to understand what ABR is saying (or screaming).
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Written
April 23, 2009
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