Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur

1) Instant Karma- U2 2) #9 Dream- R.E.M. 3) Mother- Christina Aguilera feat. Bigelf 4) Give Peace A Chance- Aerosmith feat. Sierra Leone's Refugee All-Stars 5) Cold Turkey- Lenny Kravitz 6) Whatever Gets You Thru the Night- Los Lonely Boys 7) I'm Losing You- Corinne Bailey Rae 8) Gimme Some Truth- Jakob Dylan feat. Dhani Harrison 9) Oh, My Love- Jackson Browne 10) Imagine- Avril Lavigne 11) Nobody Told Me- Big & Rich 11) Jealous Guy- Youssou N'Dour 13) Working Class Hero- Green Day 14) Power to the People- The Black Eyed Peas 15) Imagine- Jack Johnson 16) Beautiful Boy- Ben Harper 17) Isolation- Snow Patrol 18) Watching the Wheels- Matisyahu 19) Grow Old with Me- The Postal Service 20) Gimme Some Truth- Jaguares 21) (Just Like) Starting Over- The Flaming Lips 22) God- Jack's Mannequin feat. Mick Fleetwood 23) Real Love- Regina Spektor 


John Lennon was a very good songwriter, we feel we can begin the review with this relatively non-controversial statement. Still there’s been a bit of a backlash against John. Not so much for his music as his personality. This definitely isn’t wrong, for ages John was celebrated as an example of a pure human being whereas in reality he was a wife beater who once bet a guy up for insinuating he might be gay (due to a holiday with Beatles manager Brian Epstein). However we think it’s also fair to say that rather than being un unrepentant asshole or a beautiful human being the truth might lie somewhere in between. This is best exemplified through the fact that throughout his life John dedicated himself to various causes. Well now with this rather lovely tribute album he’s doing it from beyond the grave, as- through what can hopefully be ascertained through the title- the money this album makes goes towards helping relief for the crisis in Darfur.

Anyway enough rambling and on with the review!

1.       U2- Instant Karma

Jonathan: The album gets off to a very good start with this. I’ve never heard U2 sound this casual before, it almost sounds tossed off. This works in its favour though, it sounds like they could have recorded this in the studio live in one take based on their love of John Lennon and The Beatles. Bono’s singing isn’t even that smug and The Edge plays the riff in a really laidback and melodic way. The whole song is catchy and fun. 7/10

Franco: Ayyy, I gotta agree with Mr. Jonathan on this one! He mentioned to me that this actually sounds more in line with their material on Boy than anything else they’ve recently done before, in that it lacks pretension and preachiness. It just sounds like the men chilling back and having some fun, and yet they still maintain the bounciness and catchiness of the original song. Maybe they should do a cover album…on the second thought, maybe not. 7/10

2.       R.E.M.- #9 Dream

Jonathan: Hooray! R.E.M. According to the Allmusic review Bill Berry came back for this. Hooray! Anyway this is really good, it captures the dreamy quality of the song without being as ethereal, though there are some spacy guitar lines and synths. Michael’s vocals are similarly great, he sings it with the perfect amount of feeling in that inimitable Michael Stipe way. It really manages to retain the essence of John Lennon whilst sounding R.E.Mish so it’s the closest we’ll get to a John Lennon/R.E.M. collaboration. 9/10

Franco: I love R.E.M, and lord oh lord, do they do a fine and dandy cover of this awesome track. Like, it feels like a successful mixture of the twingy college rock of their early period, and the spacey alternative rock of their later period. And like Jonathan said, they not only add their own distinct element, but they also keep true to the heart of the song, so it’s just as great as the original! Honestly, every element that R.E.M. adds to this piece falls in place perfectly, to the point where I feel they were meant to cover this song from the beginning of their career. 10/10

3.       Christina Aguilera featuring Bigelf- Mother

Jonathan: The drumming is really prominent in this and the fact that there’s no other vocalist makes it likely that Bigelf is the drummer. If you think I’m looking it up for conformation you’re fucking wrong. Okay I looked it up and apparently they’re a band. Whatever. Anyway this is a pretty good cover. The music is solid and Christina gives a good soulful vocal performance. The problem is that the original song is one of the most cathartic songs ever written and when you think of it whilst listening to this it becomes a bit disappointing. Aguilera actually does manage to sing it with conviction but it’s still not particularly emotional. Especially the end screaming which kind of sounds like generic R&B wailing. Still it’s enjoyable enough. 6/10

Franco: Hmm…Jonathan more or less summed up my exact thoughts of the song as well. I mean, Christina doesn’t really RUIN the song, but she does FAR FAR FAR FAR from improve. And yes, what irked me the most was the lack of the passion during the “Momma don’t goooo!” part. When John sang it, he was screaming it at the top of his lungs. When Christina sings it, it just doesn’t sound emotional at all. She just sounds like she is doing it as natural and normal as possible. I mean, to be fair, if she had tried to scream it…oh god, it would probably be worse. However, I just longed for more out of this. Still, it was decent enough. 5/10

4.       Aerosmith feauturing Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars- Give Peace a Chance

Jonathan: If you allow me to use a trite simile so far this album has been like a family reunion, one that’s been going surprisingly well. Then your grandfather shows up. Who’s a convicted child molester. I’m not saying Aerosmith are child molesters but I am saying this is an awful cover. It doesn’t sound like a nauseating power ballad but an evil cod reggae piece. It tries to be goofy but it lacks self-awareness so it’s the equivalent to watching a prop comic flail around and turning to your friends in discomfort, knowing the comic probably goes home, reads Samuel Beckett and cries himself to sleep. Anyway 1/10.

Franco: Oh Jonathan…you’ll hate me for this. This is growing on me. Before, I was quick to jump aboard the hate train, but listening to again, it’s kinda fun. I mean, it’s not good per se, but it’s a silly reggae romp. I mean, the original song was silly as well wasn’t it? With that being said, I totally understand Jonathan’s comments, because it feels annoying in a way that’s equivalent to someone constantly poking your face, even after you’ve told them to stop a million times. So yeah, to refer back to Jonathan’s simile, I would say this is more like the annoying little cousin, who you know is immature and doesn’t know any better, but at the same time you just want him to shut the fuck up. 4/10


5.       Lenny Kravitz- Cold Turkey- This is better than Aersosmith in that it’s actually listenable and doesn’t inspire paedophile comparisons but it still doesn’t change the fact that Lenny Kravitz has turned a previously harrowing song about heroin addiction into a funk fuck song. Goddamnit this song isn’t supposed to be sexy. It’s still kind of catchy and though it retains the melody of the song Kravitz still turns it into a song he’d have written. I assume. 4/10 because there’s some cool synth playing that I like.

Franco: Oh god this sounds like porn music. Like, I think my problem with this is that it sounds like Lenny Kravitz is trying to make this sound sexy, but ya know…it’s a song about heroin addiction. Either way, even if he wasn’t actually trying to make it sensual, it still sounds like bland funk trite. Ahh, I hate this. 1/10

6.       Los Lonely Boys- Whatever Gets you Thru the Night

Jonathan: I actually like this a lot more since the first time I listened to it. It’s another kind of funk song but obviously it works a lot better. The vocals are infectious and lovely. There’s some really nice lead and rhythm guitar playing. The rhythm playing is scratchy and the lead playing is full sounding and passionate. It’s a lot of fun. It’s still not particularly great or anything but it makes me want to dance so well done. 6/10

Franco: Ha. What do you know? Jonathan said this grew on him, while I am going to say that this grew off me. It’s not as bad as Kravitz cover, but it’s still REALLY bland. Like, I just don’t feel anything out of this. It just sounds kinda like funk, but it also feels like southern, country music as well. Whatever. I mean, it doesn’t really offend me, so I can’t be too harsh on it, but still, plastic soul, man, plastic soul. 3/10

7.       Corinne Bailey Rae- I’m Losing You

Jonathan: This one sounds like it was recorded live but I’m not sure if that’s some goofy effect to make it ‘authentic’. This is a really good cover though. It’s primarily based on sexy electric piano playing and sultry, emotional vocalising. It actually manages to convey the urgency of the original whilst being considerably looser. Mainly due to the amazing vocal performance which is full of conviction whilst still sounding like an R&B vocal performance, though more Motown than contemporary.  Admittedly due to the sparse instrumentation it can sound monotonous at times but if you give yourself into it it’s damn hypnotic. 8/10

Franco: I like this better than the first time I heard this. I mean, this girl can not only sing, but she can put PASSION in her voice. And yeah, all that there is to this song is an electric piano and her piano, although a tambourine drops in during the instrumental break, but never the less the sparseness brings more emphasis on her voice and how she presents the song. If this had performed by someone with less vocal resonance, it probably wouldn’t have been very good at all, but luckily Corinne does have that talent, so this turns out to pretty alright. Still, I really do wish for more to happen in the arrangement. Blame it on my ADHD. 7/10

8.       Jakob Dylan featuring Dhani Harrison- Gimme Some Truth

Jonathan: Hey everybody it’s Bob Dylan’s son with guitar playing from George Harrison’s son! Now that I’ve put them in their place by reminding them of their more talented parents I can compliment them on what a good performance they do here. Dhani’s guitar playing sounds Like George’s with more distortion and grit while Jakob sounds like his dad except a bit more gruff and low. Like a cross between Highway 61 Dylan and Time out of Mind Dylan. Ah enough references to their fathers, they’re both great musicians in their own right and they play with this song with the anger and frustration of the original and it sounds sincere. I hope I don’t use that word too much, John was famous for his sincerity so the success of these largely depends on how well the cover artists can pull that off. 8/10

Franco: I really like this version. I mean, I’m trying to think of different ways I can describe this, but Jonathan continues to basically sum up my thoughts. GODDAMN IT JONATHAN. Anyways, I can say that although this arrangement is different, the structure remains the same, and the heart of the song is still felt, as it still sounds as sincerely angry as it did in the original. Without a doubt, Jakob Dylan’s singing and Dhani Harrison’s guitar playing do capture the spirit of their fathers, so that makes for quite a heartfelt rendition. 8/10

9.       Jackson Browne- Oh, my Love

Jonathan: This guy sure sounds sincere. A bit too generic singersongwritery as well. Still I like this cover well enough. The piano playing is really nice and Browne is a good vocalist, if a bit tenderly bland. For all his sincerity though it does sound a bit like a performance. Almost like he’s being too sincere. Ah, whatever, this is very mellow and pretty. 7/10

Franco: I just realized how beautiful this song is. Wow…anyways, that aside, I gotta again join the side of Jonathan with this. This guy doesn’t ruin the beauty of this song, but I feel that he doesn’t really add anything to it or make it an interesting cover. Jackson Browne’s voice doesn’t really stand out to me, either. Can’t really say much more, but I’ll give it a lower rating of 6/10

10.   Avril Lavinge- Imagine

Jonathan: This cover doesn’t do anything for me at all. The piano playing sounds like it came from some studio hack and Avril Lavinge- whilst we’re still on the subject- doesn’t sing it with any sincerity at all. It sounds like she heard the song, decided she liked it and then looked up the lyrics and sung it. Without really taking the lyrics into consideration. I’m not saying it’s wrong that she probably doesn’t believe the lyrics, I like them a lot and agree with the general sentiment but they’ve been ridiculed as naïve for a reason. She sounds almost uncomfortable in places though, as if she’s thinking “this guy is fucking nuts”. Stripping away more specific criticisms though I just don’t enjoy listening to it. It just sounds so bland and timid, like a talent show version of the song. However I know Franco feels differently so maybe I’m just being a dick. All the same 3/10

Franco: Call me crazy, but I find this really resonant. I mean, Avril Lavigne does not use a strong vocal approach to this song, but you know, this song shouldn’t have that kind of vocal performance. This should be sung with a tender, soft voice, and while I have a feeling that this was not at all intentional, Avril Lavinge restrained and small-spoken approach to singing this gives it a childlike feeling to it. This is far from the most perfect cover ever to exist, and it’s not like it’s seriously improving the song or anything, but it’s a nice, though maybe untended, touch to the song, and for that, I give it an okay rating of 5/10.

11.   Big & Rich- Nobody Told Me
Jonathan: I don’t care what those assholes at Allmusic say, this is a really fun cover. There’s some crunchy guitars, soulful organ playing and laidback feel good vocals. There’s a fiddle! Pianos! They’re getting loose with it and it has a really live in the studio with a bunch of beer and your friends feel. It’s adorable! It’s rollicking and silly, goddamnit I refuse to feel guilty for loving this. Sure I’m gonna give it 7/10 but in my heart it’s more. 7/10

Franco: Weeeeee I love this! Gosh, this is just SO MUCH FUN! Man, if there is country music that sounds like this, maybe it’s not all that bad. I haven’t heard the original, so I can’t really speak for it, but gee it sounds like everyone was just having the time of their life recording this. I guess it’s more country rock than straightforward country, because this does rawk out pretty hard. But gosh almighty lord from high above, let it be known that this cover is indeed worthwhile of everyone’s attention. Amen. 8/10

12.   Youssou N’Dour- Jealous Guy

Jonathan: Listen I know next to nothing about world music so excuse me if come across as racist when I say this guy has a weird ass voice. Honestly though this cover is completely inscrutable. It’s an enigma, I don’t know how I feel about it. I don’t know whether I love it or hate it or whatever. It’s like the bitterest antitheist seeing God and rather than feeling any of his hate thinking “Hey, it’s God!” That’s this song. ???/10

Franco: I looked up some of Youssou N’Dour other work. He actually sounds pretty normal his own songs. I’m sorry, but…John Lennon probably would have found this hilarious. wat/10

13.   Green Day- Working Class Hero

Jonathan: I know Green Day have their fair share of detractors but I like them and this is a great cover. Listen to the bitterness in Billy Joe Armstrong’s voice! The original song must have really resonated with him because it sounds like he’s waited his whole life to sing this. The rest of the song is great as well, the acoustic guitar sounds intense and there’s some nice fiery electric playing as well. The drums sound angry! Drums always sound angry! The bass playing is fluid and melodic but I don’t really think you’re gonna be paying attention to it when you have everything else going on. 9/10

Franco: Billie Joe Armstrong has been through shit. I can tell by how he sings this. Seriously, he puts more emotion and passion into this than ANYONE else in this tribute album has. This guy has so much angst and anger in him, and while one would think that adding full rock band arrangement underneath the song would ruin it, it actually makes the song sound even more hitting. EVERYTHING IS JUST SO ANGSTY! And they add in a sample of the actual song at the end for good measures 9/10

14.   The Black Eyed Peas- Power to the People

Jonathan: Okay. Don’t judge me for this. This is a kind of alright cover. There’s no embarrassing electropop schlock, it’s pretty faithful. It sounds like they’re having fun doing it. There’s a dumb bit near the end. Apart from that it’s fine. You’re judging me aren’t you? Alright. 5/10

Franco: Hey Jonathan, I like this! You wanted me to like this, so here I am telling you. I like it! Hey, dude, it’s okay to like something! No one is going to judge you (: except if they are DOUCHES. Anyways, this has a really good beat to it, and yes, it sounds like The Peas are unleashing the power of fun onto this song. The last verse is really stupid, it becausally just sounds like someone repeating saying “POWER POWER GIVE THEM POWER POWERPOWERPOWERPOWERPOWERPOWER GIVE THEM POWER” over and over. Whatever. Not bad! 6/10

15.   Jack Johnson- Imagine

Jonathan: This is the second and last cover of Imagine on this. I don’t like it! Okay in Glasgow there’s lots of buskers who play earnest white guy acoustic pop with bland hookless guitar playing and bland gritless over emoted singing. This sounds like that with a better melody and lyrics. But it still sucks. 3/10

Franco: Awww, Jonathan, y u so mean. It’s not THAT bad. It’s a sweet, simple, tender acoustic ballad, and nothing really else. I mean, I live in Seattle, so maybe I don’t see this too often, but I can think of worse ways they could have covered it (imagine if they did a power ballad version of this song). Regardless, I agree with Jonathan, it’s pretty bland nonetheless. I mean, come on, add some strings, or some pianos, or maybe some bells or triangles! It sounds way too empty. Among all that, Jack Johnson’s voice is just…not very interesting. I don’t feel any soul in his voice. See, this bare arrangement worked with “I’m Losing You”, because Corinnie’s voice is strong and passionate and really carried along the song well, and when Arvil Lavigne covered this tune, at least I thought her voice sounded small and innocent, which fit in quite well with the song’s lyrics and message. However, Jack Johnson is just bland bland bland BLAND. Sorry dude. You get a 4/10.

16.   Ben Harper- Beautiful Boy

Jonathan: This is a really good cover. Musically it’s really dense. This is a weird comparison but it kind of reminds me of early Arcade Fire but playing laidback pop music rather than dramatic art rock. The guy has a really sweet and emotional voice, comforting as well. There’s something so intimate about this cover, it sounds really personal, like he wrote it himself. It does get somewhat tedious towards the end but whatever it has such a warm and tender atmosphere. 8/10

Franco: Aaahhh, I love this. Like Jonathan said, there is something really warm about this. Layered with different instruments, from accordions to strings to acoustic guitars, the song creates this atmosphere that’s similar to laying down cosily by the fireside in a little cabin, feeling safe and cushioned from the rest of world outside. 8/10

17.   Snow Patrol- Isolation- Semi-decent cover. The melody is neat. The problem is they make it sound like a Snow Patrol song. Okay they don’t completely fuck it up and there’s some nice icy synths. Still it seems like they’re attempting an alone in the woods vibe and I appreciate the effort but it doesn’t quite succeed. Also Gary Whateverthefuck has a boring voice. Still I’d be lying if the haunted echoey piano playing that shows up in the middle wasn’t effective. 6/10

Franco: When I first heard this version, I dug it, but now I really don’t like it. I’ve been trying not to compare these versions to the original too much, but I can’t help it, I just can’t get into what they’ve done to the song, turning it from sad and emphatic to scary and “chilling”. I mean, I could see this working, but nothing interesting happens, either in the music, or the presentation of Gary Ihavenofuckingideas voice. It doesn’t make me feel scared or disturbed, but it doesn’t make me feel good either. I’m guessing that’s a sign that I didn’t like it. 3/10, because it’s not the worse musical idea to exist.

18.   Matisyahu- Watching the Wheels

Jonathan: This is a kind of cool dubbish cover of the song. Lots of quirky sound effects and I white guy singing in a Jamaican accent! It’s not entirely successful, I’m not a big fan of the singing, but it’s fun and the instrumentation is eclectic and quirky. Probably would work well in a montage of rich white guys acting like assholes. The ending of the song is really good though, it’s what originally sold me on it. It kind of builds up to a crescendo before powering down again and letting the guys voice be immersed in the sound effects and instruments. 6/10

Franco: Well, I gave a glowing review to “The Electronic Tribute To The Doors”, and this reminisces the style of that album, so you can guess that I am pretty happy, though not burning with enthusiasm. It’s done in a dub-influenced style quite that’s loaded with different special effects, and although they really don’t seem that necessary, I like them nonetheless. I guess the best way to describe this piece is that it’s like if the guy from Sublime never died and they continued making interesting music for the rest of their career. like the special effects of this song, although they don’t really seem necessary. Overall, I will give this 6/10

19.   The Postal Service- Grow Old With Me

Jonathan: Here’s an example of a song I like less than the first time I listened to it. It just sounds so precious. There’s some nice synth playing that reminds me of IDM but the vocals are shrill and annoying. It sounds like he’s going for a lost little boy thing. I hope he’s never found. Still the instrumentation makes it listenable enough so it’s not a complete failure. 5/10

Franco: Aahh Postal Service. They are similar to Owl City except they aren’t bad. Anyways, yeah, like Jonathan, I can’t say I am too huge with this. I LOVE the electronic sounds on this, and I actually do like the lead singers voice, but…I just don’t feel like it fits the song. It feels too weird. I feel like an acoustic cover would be better suited, rather than an IDM-type cover. Still, cool enough I guess. 5/10

20.   Jaguares- Gimme Some Truth

Jonathan: Ah this is completely unnecessary. The earlier cover of this was brilliant and these guys kind of sound like a hair metal band trying to make it as an alt rock band. Later Bon Jovi basically. The Bon Jovi comparison Franco initially presented to me was enough to ruin it but honestly ignoring the guys unlikeable and bland vocals the instrumentation is pretty good. The guitar playing has a more sort of “Hey I dig The Edge but I’m kind of scared to admit it” with fun drumming. Still it completely lacks the grit of the original or the previous cover which coupled with the guys voice makes it improbable of it getting anything more than a four. 4/10

Franco: The guys voice sounds like Latino Bon Jovi. Like, seriously, I would really like this cover if we had a better singer, like, idk, Jonathan suggested Dave Growl. Aside from that, the backing track is really enjoyable, sounding like tight-playing garage rock music. Ah, well, I guess it could be worse, but it could have been better. 4/10

21.   The Flaming Lips- (Just like) Starting Over

Jonathan: Hey it’s The Flaming Lips. A great band known for their terrible covers! I kind of like this though. The music is somewhat minimalistic but still soft and pretty. Like The Soft Bulletin on a budget. Oh and Wayne Coyne’s vocals are really pretty. Still the bits with his voice and the acoustic guitar don’t work and when compared with the original I find myself feeling strangely cold. Better than I was expecting though. 6/10

Franco: I’m a huge fan of The Flaming Lips, but this cover just fails me. It sounds like it’s something from The Soft Bulletin, or maybe At War With The Mystics, but the spacey atmospheric effects are don’t fall in place and just give me negative vibes. Not only that, but Wayne Coyne’s vocals just hard to listen to. See, Coyne doesn’t have a technically good singing voice, but for the music he and the Lips creates, it fits in perfectly. So, when he tries to sing songs written by other people, it just sounds out of tune and unfitting, so therefor, the everything just falls apart. Therefor, I hate to say it, but I’m gonna have this give this a 3/10. I can see what they were trying to get at, and it’s not a disgrace to the original or anything, but it just fails in nearly every respect. Sorry buddies. I still love ya!

22.   Jack’s Mannequin featuring Mick Fleetwood - God

Jonathan: AHHH THIS IS TERRIBLE. Franco really took the piss out of the guy’s vocals when we listened to it and that’s completely deserved. He sounds so obnoxious. The problem isn’t that he sounds insincere, the problem is he sounds sincere in a really smug self-righteous assholeish way. Who needs that? Mick Fleetwood does the drums so they’re good but apart from that it’s unremarkable bar band land. And Christ the guy’s stupid over enunciated upfront douchebag vocals. Looks like Jack is such an asshole that the only person he could make it with is a mannequin. Yeah! Up yours Jack! 1/10

Franco: GAWD IS CAWNSEPT! BY WHISH, WE MEASHURE, OWLL, PAYNE!! 1/10

23.   Regina Spektor- Real Love

Jonathan: Thank God they end it with this because otherwise my opinion of the album as a whole would have sunk considerably. It starts off with some heartbreakingly beautiful harmonies that show up again at the end so you stay in love. Spektor’s piano playing is really soft but oddly tense in places and her voice is really beautiful. Really pretty melodic song. The original, but that applies easily to this one again. A definite highlight. 9/10

Franco: OH MY GOD THOSE OPENING HARMOINES THEY ARE SO BEAUTIFUL AAAHHHH. Aside from that, this is cover absolutely wonderful, and ends the tribute on a high note. All that the song comprises of, for the most part, is her voice and the piano, and man oh man is she good. Her style of singing is strong, but her approach is soft and timid, making me feel like she is speaking directly to me. As a result, this makes the entire piece more intimate, causing me to almost like this version more than the original. And THOSE HARMONIES APPEAR THAT APPEAR AT THE BEGINNING AND THE END!!! My god, they only happen for a short time but it’s like I’m in heaven for ten seconds. Bravo! Bravo! 9/10!

Conclusion
Jonathan: Despite some noticeable dips in quality this is a really good tribute album. Most of the artists manage to put their own stamp on the songs whilst remaining true to John Lennon, so you’re continuously reminded of his presence. It’s also a great reminder of what an amazing melodicist John Lennon was, a real McCartney. You can listen to it on Spotify and I’d recommend you do it now. Then y’know forget about it and listen to John Lennon’s actual albums.

Franco: I agree.


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