You won't be surprised to hear that on my list for Father Christmas was a few albums. Some new stuff and some albums from bands back catalogues. 'Big Rocks' is Krokus's latest album and came out a couple of months ago.
If you don't know them, they are a Swiss Heavy Metal band and have been going since 1975. I've only seen them once, 37 years ago at the Lyceum Ballroom in London. They were great! They were touring with their then latest album 'Metal Rendez-vous.' Much water under many bridges since then, I've got a couple of their albums, they're still very good to listen to so I was particularly pleased when I opened up this presie!
It's actually an album of cover versions. I hadn't twigged that to be honest but that detracts from the album not a jot. I think some people ( reviewers in particular) can be abit sniffy about cover versions, indeed in a review of the latest UFO album which is also covers I read in Planet Rock magazine, the reviewer positively slates the band for daring to put out a whole album of covers. He thought it lazy and a waste of space stating the band would be better off producing their own work.
Of course he has a point but why shouldn't any band put out a few cover versions? There're nothing new for gawds sake. What band hasn't done someone else's song at some stage? Personally I think more that's its a great compliment for a band like Krokus to honour their own favorite songs by wanting to put them on an album but more importantly putting their own stamp on them.
The album starts with a short instrumental of Black Sabbaths 'N.I.B.' Short, sweet and to the point, very good. It's almost joined to an excellent version of Queens 'Tie your mother down.' This one although very much the Queen classic has Krokus stamped all over it. 'My Generation' by The Who and then 'Wild Thing' by The Troggs followed by 'The House of the Rising Sun' by The Animals all belt through. Believe me these are brilliant versions of great songs but all with a slight twist. Krokus aren't trying in impersonate any other bands, just pay homage to them really.
'Rockin in the Free World' by Neil Young positively rocks your head clean off! Its a fantastic version. 'Gimme some lovin' from The Spencer Davis Group is an old standard given a new lease of life with an injection of rock n roll.' 'Whole lotta love' by Led Zep some may class as heresy to cover but Krokus make a very decent fist of it. 'Summertime Blues' is an oldie, recorded by Eddie Cochran in 1958, but these songs are some of the bands faves. The album booklet notes afew of the bands comments of these songs. Marc Storace, lead vocals, says of 'The house of the Rising Sun' 'We found our own and great way to do that incredible piece of music.' Chris Von Rohr, bass and vocals says of 'Rockin in the free world' ' I always loved Neil and his wild but sensitive style.'
'Born to be wild' by Steppenwolf rattles the windows if you have it loud enough followed by the only song I didn't readily know which is 'Quinn the Eskimo' by Bob Dylan originally released in 1970. 'Jumpin Jack Flash' from the Rolling Stones in the penultimate track and can hold it's own very well with the original and the final offering from Krokus is 'Backseat Rock n roll' which is their own song from the 'Metal Rendez-vous' album I already mentioned. Don't really understand how that one crept in. It seems a little odd to say the least to finish an album of covers with one of your own songs!
Well that's it,this is a great album & does not short change and I really believe is a homage to great tracks and bands not a way to make a quick buck.
If you don't know them, they are a Swiss Heavy Metal band and have been going since 1975. I've only seen them once, 37 years ago at the Lyceum Ballroom in London. They were great! They were touring with their then latest album 'Metal Rendez-vous.' Much water under many bridges since then, I've got a couple of their albums, they're still very good to listen to so I was particularly pleased when I opened up this presie!
It's actually an album of cover versions. I hadn't twigged that to be honest but that detracts from the album not a jot. I think some people ( reviewers in particular) can be abit sniffy about cover versions, indeed in a review of the latest UFO album which is also covers I read in Planet Rock magazine, the reviewer positively slates the band for daring to put out a whole album of covers. He thought it lazy and a waste of space stating the band would be better off producing their own work.
Of course he has a point but why shouldn't any band put out a few cover versions? There're nothing new for gawds sake. What band hasn't done someone else's song at some stage? Personally I think more that's its a great compliment for a band like Krokus to honour their own favorite songs by wanting to put them on an album but more importantly putting their own stamp on them.
The album starts with a short instrumental of Black Sabbaths 'N.I.B.' Short, sweet and to the point, very good. It's almost joined to an excellent version of Queens 'Tie your mother down.' This one although very much the Queen classic has Krokus stamped all over it. 'My Generation' by The Who and then 'Wild Thing' by The Troggs followed by 'The House of the Rising Sun' by The Animals all belt through. Believe me these are brilliant versions of great songs but all with a slight twist. Krokus aren't trying in impersonate any other bands, just pay homage to them really.
'Rockin in the Free World' by Neil Young positively rocks your head clean off! Its a fantastic version. 'Gimme some lovin' from The Spencer Davis Group is an old standard given a new lease of life with an injection of rock n roll.' 'Whole lotta love' by Led Zep some may class as heresy to cover but Krokus make a very decent fist of it. 'Summertime Blues' is an oldie, recorded by Eddie Cochran in 1958, but these songs are some of the bands faves. The album booklet notes afew of the bands comments of these songs. Marc Storace, lead vocals, says of 'The house of the Rising Sun' 'We found our own and great way to do that incredible piece of music.' Chris Von Rohr, bass and vocals says of 'Rockin in the free world' ' I always loved Neil and his wild but sensitive style.'
'Born to be wild' by Steppenwolf rattles the windows if you have it loud enough followed by the only song I didn't readily know which is 'Quinn the Eskimo' by Bob Dylan originally released in 1970. 'Jumpin Jack Flash' from the Rolling Stones in the penultimate track and can hold it's own very well with the original and the final offering from Krokus is 'Backseat Rock n roll' which is their own song from the 'Metal Rendez-vous' album I already mentioned. Don't really understand how that one crept in. It seems a little odd to say the least to finish an album of covers with one of your own songs!
Well that's it,this is a great album & does not short change and I really believe is a homage to great tracks and bands not a way to make a quick buck.
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