Various Artists - Undercover

(CD 2009; 1:10:24; 10t Records 10T10037)

The tracks:
  1- From.Uz:
       Starless and Bible Black [King Crimson]
(9:02)
  2- The Vital Might:
       Sleeping Beauty [A Perfect Circle]
(4:36)
  3- Little Atlas:
       Battle of Evermore [Led Zeppelin]
(7:36)
  4- Man on Fire:
       Visions of China [Japan]
(5:40)
  5- Frogg Cafe:
       The Dance of Maya [Mahavishnu Orchestra]
(11:15)
  6- Bolt:
       Das Model [Kraftwerk]
(3:48)
  7- Fluttr Effect:
       The Chauffer [Duran Duran]
(5:39)
  8- Everything in Seven:
       Man on the Corner [Genesis]
(3:32)
  9- Elf Project:
       Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun
       [Pink Floyd]
(5:09)
10- The Rebel Wheel:
       Cross-Eyed Mary [Jethro Tull]
(8:12)
11- Steve Katsikias:
       The Best Laid Plans [Kevin Gilbert]
(5:37)

Various Artists Website                10T Records


People who read my reviews in magazines like Background Magazine and iO Pages know that I’m fond of cover albums. The reason for that is that many originals have been played so many times that I know them backwards by heart, so new variations of old songs are always welcome. I know it’s often an easy way for a band to be noticed or just for filling-up their CD, but anyway, I’m always in eager anticipation to listen how these bands interpret the songs.

Undercover didn’t disappoint me at all. Mostly unknown bands - at least for me - did a nice job with their interpretations of classics. I specifically use the word ‘interpretations’, because most of the musicians on this release succeeded in putting elements of their own into the existing music. Take for instance From.Uz (Uzbekistan). They recorded King Crimson’s Starless And Bible Black and they slip in a small section of Happy When You’re Happy, a song from a completely different King Crimson-era. Little Atlas (USA) almost turn the Led Zeppelin classic Battle Of Evermore in a happy up-tempo jam song, while Man On Fire (USA) plays a praiseworthy cover from Japan, a band that strange enough can hardly be found on any cover album. Another highlight on this album is the wonderful version of Mahavishnu’s The Dance Of Maya by Frogg Café (USA), including a prominent brass section. The ‘I-cannot-sit-still’ version of Kraftwerk’s The Model by Bolt (USA) with heavy drum patterns is a highlight as well despite the singer’s accent. Other highlights are the moving yet electronic version of Duran Duran ’s The Chauffeur by Fluttr Effect (USA) and the sparkling almost stuttering version of Jethro Tull’s Cross-Eyed Mary by The Rebel Wheel (Canada).

10t Records states that the reason for making this cover album was to show the inspiration these bands got from other bands. That inspiration helped them to develop their own musicianship. I think they succeeded in reaching that goal. As such, Undercover sets the bar quite high for future cover efforts.

***** André de Waal (edited by Peter Willemsen)

Where to buy?






All Rights Reserved Background Magazine 2013