Re: Evan's Cover Songs

Here goes nothing... I worry about the state of mine and Evan's relationship after he reads this...

Unanimous YES (on both lists):
The Postal Service - Against All Odds (4:13)

I agree with you on...
+ Bruce Springsteen - War (3:04)
I'm not a Springsteen fan. I see the appeal and understand why so many people (including some of my closest friends) regard him as what they regard him as. This is a poignant and timely cover, and it demonstrates how a cover song can give something new meaning and new power when coveted.

+ Cat Power - Don't Explain (4:19)
I don't listen to much Cat Power. In fact, as I type this, I'm attempting to download some Cat Power, because this cover just convinced me that I'm missing out on something wonderful. I also appreciate artists that take the time to curate excellent cover albums, and this seems to be one thing Cat Power is known for.

+David Hasselhoff - Hooked on a Feeling (3:36)
YES. Evan, you are a genius. Thank you for being in my life and giving me this.

+ New Found Glory - The Power of Love (3:19)
Sure, they may have taken the cover song too far. They've done it too much - it's nearing comedic and registering on a band that isn't taking anything seriously. But even a band like New Found Glory can hit on the perfect cover song. They should have covered this and stuck to all originals from there on out. Because this is a home run.

+ Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah (6:54)
It was not on my list! I tricked you into putting it on yours so I wouldn't have to waste nearly seven minutes on mine! I WIN. Anyhow. Yes. I love this song. It's a beautiful cover of Leonard Cohen.

I need some convincing on...
+/- Elvis Costello - Tomorrow's Just Another Day (2:52)
You're a little right in wondering if this an be considered a cover. I don't know. I just don't see it working as a full-on cover.

+/- Me First & the Gimmie Gimmies - I Believe I Can Fly (3:00)
I think I was expecting a lot more from this cover! I'd never heard it before and I was a little let down by it. I'd rather listen to the R. Kelly version. But considering the onslaught I'm about to unleash with my "Absolutely Nots," I'll put this in the purgatory column.

+/- Dynamite Hack - Boyz in the Hood (3:05)
This is a +/- track, but I'm leaning more toward the +. Taking an Eazy-E song and making it sound nice and poppy must have been a challenge? At least I want to listen to it now. (Sorry. Not the biggest rap fan you'll ever meet!)

+/- Bobby Darin - Mack the Knife (3:06)
I'm sick of "Mack the Knife." I think I hated this song immediately upon hearing it in my middle school music class. But I like Bobby Darin. So: I'm torn.

+/- William Shatner - Rocketman (4:53)
DUDE: COMMON PEOPLE IS LIGHTYEARS BETTER THAN THIS NONSENSE.


Absolutely not...
[Evan: Did you take a class called "Everything That Allison Hates" before coming up with this list? I'm sorry for what is about to happen, but it feels like you climbed inside of the darkest corners of my psyche and picked songs and styles I really really really HATE. WTF, man?!]

- 7 Seconds - 99 Red Balloons (3:40)
How is this version any different from the Goldfinger version? It sounds almost the same. I don't like this cover. It was boring. I think 99 Red Balloons is hard to cover well. No dice on this 7 Seconds track.

- John Coltrane - My Favorite Things (13:40)
Thirteen minutes and forty seconds of excruciating pain. I hate jazz. This is true. What is also true is the amount of contempt I have for "MY FAVORITE THINGS." I think it's one of the most obnoxious songs of all time. I may as well be stuck in an elevator on my way to a dentist's appointment where the dentist is going to rip all of my teeth out of my head. That is what trying to make it through this entire cover is like for me. No way. No how. Mandy Moore is not worth this kind of pain.

- Red Hot Chili Peppers - Higher Ground (3:22)
UGH. UGH. UGH. UGH. When this comes on the radio, I want to impale myself in the face with sharp objects. I think RHCP is like DMB: We all had a phase. The smarter ones realized it was a phase and went running for the hills. I RAN. I RAN SO FAR AWAY.

- Jimi Hendrix - All Along the Watchtower (4:02)
I cant stand this song. It drives me crazy. In a bad way. I hope no one covers it again too, Evan. Less chances for me to have to listen to it ever.

- Warren Zevon - Knockin' on Heaven's Door (4:05)
He could have recorded this in a coffin in an open gravesite and it wouldn't make me think that "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" isn't one of the most boring songs I've ever heard. Seriously: NAP TIME.

- Give Up the Ghost - Kick Out the Jams (2:46)
No. Just, no.

I can't find the Joel Mazeika track, which I suspect is someone Evan went to high school with? I don't think it can qualify?

I'm sorry to be so harsh. I just couldn't believe how many things I hated on your list!! I still love you, Evan! Be my friend still! Rip Mandy a new one - it's cool! I'll survive.