Hanson releasing a covers Ep brought on some mixed emotions for me. While cover songs have always been a fun element in their live shows, part of me was secretly praying they’d still be able to keep their street credibility after the EP was released by not succumbing to latest cover trend by covering a Taylor Swift song.....again.
Thing about cover songs is there are some songs you don’t truly appreciate until another artists take the song on and makes it their own. The reason is simple: cover versions only occasionally turn out to be artistically superior to the original.
Back in the day cover songs used to be seen as a less well-known act “stealing” another artist's work just to make a buck. In the last decade covers have taken on a less negative rep and are seen now as one artist showing admiration to another artist by paying homage to them in the form of a cover song.
The Play By Play:
Thinking Out Loud, Ed Sheeran Cover:
First Thoughts: This particular song was short lived on my playlist before being deleted.I was curious however, if Hanson could pull it off without a cheesy karaoke vibe as the outcome. Was it possible for a band like Hanson to take a overly played out top 40 radio song and draw out complexities in a way I never noticed before? Reimagine it in such a way that song might actually be tolerable again?
No secret Hanson’s crooning ballads are their bread and butter, which by no means is a bad thing when it’s done well.
Each Hanson took a turn at adding lead vocals with Taylor being the main lead giving a slightly different spin on a song that felt familiar, yet so fresh it forced me to hit the repeat button a few more times.
Musically speaking: What Hanson did well was take a soft focus ballad place backing vocals using their three-part signature harmony giving the added choir effect a bolder, bluesy sound.
Now, I tend to be pretty skeptical of Taylor's believability factor when it comes to lovesick songs, yet this particular cover feels like a tangible declaration that’s complemented with melodic piano and the smoothest guitar solo to ever find its way on a Hanson ep. Taylor’s smoky gritty voice has never sounded better, he is so convincing you’d think he wrote the song himself.
Verdict: This is one of those tunes you’ll find yourself-humming while you're grating cheese or looking paint swatches.
I Believe in A thing Called Love The Darkness Cover :
First Thought: Zac unleashed on the world a cover song from the British band The Darkness in a way that involves so much touching you’ll get a little claustrophobic from the love fest. At first listen the cover sounded manufactured, but I later realized after comparing to the original it’s the shit.
Not many male singers would dare attempt this gloriously cheeky hybrid of pop, but Zac replaced the glam rock with a more modern luxuriant powerhouse vocals style in typical Zac Hanson fashion. Go Big or Go Home.
Musically Speaking: Maybe this is a snap judgment but this song is going to change the way you look at Zac Hanson's talent forever, whether it engages you or not it's hard not to picture Zac wearing a open chested catsuit and tight trousers in animal print to bring out his inner over the top falsetto. The background harmonies are flawless. He effetely pulled off the darkness’s theatrically and grandiosity diving head first into their great pop rock hook. Isaac plugs in and executes an AC/DC inspired guitar riffs like he plays them for fun in his spare time.The result is an excellent unexpected spin on an old song.
Verdict:. Now about that open chested outfit.
I Want To Take You Higher Sly & The Family Stone Cover:
First Impression : Hanson has a gift for not only creating great pop hooks but choosing the best of the best to cover . This is no exception, the studio version delivered their usual greatness, even though this is more a live performance kind of song. They ooze so much soul I had to listen a few more times to remind myself this was 3 white boys from Tulsa singing and not listening to a psychedelic funk radio station.
Musically Speaking : Taking the funk to the next level Hanson replaced the harmonic solo with a guitar solo giving the song a more modern Ike and Tina Turner meets Queen vibe. The all too familiar organ riff is the same one Taylor played at the start of the Thinking About Something video. Their arrangement is fun and for sure going to be a crowd pleaser this tour.
Verdict : Cue the horn jokes.
Hold On I’m Comin Sam & Dave Cover:
First Thoughts: If there ever was a song that represents Hanson’s roots in its purest form this is it. Probably my second favorite cover on the EP.
Musically speaking : This isn’t a new cover but it’s one that definitely belongs on an EP showcasing the best of Hanson. It’s their element, this music gives us the fan a introspective look at the songs that inspired this band .
Verdict: Finally I have a studio version of this song and can stop watching YouTube every time I am in the mood to listen to it.
Do You Remember Michael Jackson Cover:
First Thoughts: I saved this song for last because it was the one song on the EP that left me with some really mixed feelings about it. I found it interesting out of the enormous catalog MJ has and all the songs on the Dangerous record Hanson could chose to cover they picked this one. I would have thought Dangerous the title track or Black or White from that record or even The Way You Make Me feel from the Bad album would have been the more obvious choice. Song selections aside .
Musically Speaking: In all honesty Taylor delivers a predictable vocal performance and the arrangement of the song is stellar. This cover didn’t do it for me. I really tried to get into it hoping to find the spark but couldn’t find a connection . Don't get me wrong I like Michael Jackson’s music but I didn't by Taylor singing the lyrical content;(remember my skepticism when it comes to Taylor's believability factor) which feels very karaoke style at the local Holiday Inn.
It’s not as memorable as the other covers on the EP. I am sure it will be fun live but I’m going to be continuing to skip it.
Verdict: They left off ‘Too Much Heaven’ and kept this song??
Final thoughts: Overall, Roots & Rock ’n’ Roll is a fun EP regardless of being all over the map musically . I was surprised at how much I like the Ed Sheeran cover. I thought this would be the song I skipped on the EP instead of “Remember the Time” . One of the things I love about this EP and this band is you can really tell through the showcasing of these very different covers that this band loves playing music just for the sheer joy of it.
