lambchops's Full Review: Encomium: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin
To be quite honest, I wasn't specifically familiar with Led Zeppelin when I bought this CD. I was eighteen years old and had just graduated high school. I noticed the album at a chain record store because of Stone Temple Pilots. They did a version of "Dancing Days." I bought it, brought it home, and listened. To put it simply, I was amazed. It was a backward way in which to become interested by Zepp, but it worked none the less. This is the least I can do to give a tribute to the bands that donated their talents to "Enconium."
1. MISTY MOUNTAIN HOP
Done by one-hit-wonders 4 Non Blondes (of early 90's 'What's Up' fame). Linda Perry's vocals are stellar on this Zepp track. "Misty Mountain Hop" was a great choice to lead off this album. In fact, thinking back her vocals and Plants blend together harmoniously in my own mind. My favorite line (which the band perfectly executes) is: "So I'm packing my bags for the Misty Mountains Where the spirits go now Over the hills where the spirits fly." Great song, even when done by one-hitters 4 Non Blondes.
2. HEY HEY WHAT CAN I SAY(Do)?
Okay. I'm not a Hootie fan. Period. But Hootie and the Blowfish does a superb job (for once) on this Zepp track. Hootie stays true to their own sound while still doing a magnificent job with this song. Darius Rucker's smooth voice lends a different sound to the song. They aren't trying to copy Zepp, rather they are trying be fans and to lend a hand to a song. My favorite line? "I guess there's just one thing a-left for me to do Gonna pack my bags and move on my way 'Cause I got a worried mind, sharin' what I thought was mine Gonna leave her where the guitars play."
3. DY'ER MAK'ER
Early in Sheryl Crow's career, this is a great song. Period. I don't care who sings it, even if it's the young Crow still trying to make a name for herself among the carrion. I love it (like much of the album). There's nothing essentially except for Crow's lyrics and guitars. And, that's the way it should be. She is pleading. Her cooing makes you want to continue to listen. Crow could have butchered a song (think about what she did to Sweet Child O' Mine), but she did this one justice..."When I read the letter you sent me It made me mad mad mad When I read the news that it brought me It made me sad sad sad."
4. DANCING DAYS
Okay, my men of rock rock out to Zepp's classic "Dancing Days." This is the single song that made me a forever fan of Zepp. This is the song that made me listen to this great album and buy scands of Zepp tunes. Why? Scott Weiland is a wonderful vocalist and the Deleo brothers and drummer Eric Kretz are great musicians. Weiland growls his way through a somewhat upbeat Zepp tune with precision. As a result of this positive experience probably, one of my favorite lines in all of music is from this song..."I said it's all right You know it's all right I guess it's all in my heart You'll be my only, my one and only Is that the way it should start..."
5. TANGERINE
Roots rockers Big Head Todd & The Monsters (isn't that a mouthful) lend their talents to this song that's also perfectly tailored to them. "Tangerine" is a song about a failed relationship. BHT&TM would have never been introduced to me had it not been for this song. I'm happy we were granted that introduction. Favorite line? Obviously "Tangerine, tangerine Living reflections from a dream I was her love, she was my queen And now a thousand years between." Great song from Zepp is given credit by a widely unknown and underrecognized band. Thank you.
6. THANK YOU
But wait! "Thank You" was slowed down by brit new wavers and MTV pretty boys Duran Duran. It's one of the main shining beacons on this album (there are many, of course). This is such a reknowned song that Duran Duran named their own covers album after this. "Thank You" is beautiful. It is slow, and it is tender. It is also one of my favorite Zepp songs (the vast majority of which are thankfully not included on this album). Line o' the track? "And so today, my world it smiles Your hand in mine, we walk the miles But thanks to you it will be done For you to me are the only one."
7. OUT ON THE TILES
This track was fittingly recorded by Blind Melon not too long before lead singer Shannon Hoon's drug-related death. It's a song that I would have otherwise probably never heard until I bought other Zepp albums. Maybe not the shining jewel of "Enconium," bit still listenable. Hoon nails my favorite lyric in both versions with the Zepp line "I'm so glad I'm leaving and gonna tell the world who I am I got me a fine woman and she says that I'm her man."
8. GOOD TIMES BAD TIMES
I am a fair weather Cracker fan, fortunately there a no storms on the wind with this track. It's a classic Zepp track, therefore it's risky for the occasional hit-makers to tackle. But, "Cracker" did Zepp great justice with this cover. Despite not sounding too much like Zepp at all, their carry out their duty well. "Cracker" sings my favorite song beginning of all time with class..."In the days of my youth I was told what it means to be a man..."
9. CUSTARD PIE
I don't like this version much at all. In fact, if I skip any tracks on "Enconium" at all, this one and the next are the likely victims. Helmet and David Yow do a moderately okay job at this song. Not great by any stretch. I just don't think that Helmet's sound complimented Zepp's lyrics in the least. And, by the way, they aren't singin' in any case about dessert..."Ooh, your custard pie, yeah, sweet and nice When you cut it, mama, save me a slice..."
10. FOUR STICKS
There is no question that the Rollins Band as headed by Henry Rollins is loud, angry, and growling. In fact, I really don't mind Mr. Rollins' general outlook, perception and subsequent performance. Well, I honestly could have done without the earful. Not the best Zepp song by a longshot, Rollins and co. are just overwhelming to this iffy song...."Who hide their love to depths of life And ruin dreams that we all knew so, babe."
11. GOING TO CALIFORNIA
To be quite honest I haven't heard of "Never the Bride" before of since this album had come out. Anyway, the band does a beautiful, melodic job at interpretic Zepp. It was amazing that Plant and Page could calm themselves down long enough for this song anyway...This is a beautiful tune, and quite possibly one of the best on the album. The following, my favorite point "Someone told me there's a girl out there With love in her eyes and flowers in her hair."
12. DOWN BY THE SEASIDE
To be quite honest, I wish plant wouldn't have helped little Tori Amos out with this track. She's exceptionally talented, and this song may as well have belonged to her rather than Zepp. It's a gorgeous tune and Amos (with the unneccessary help of Plant) dones a wonderful job. My favorite line by far is: "Do you still do the twist Do you find you remember things that well I wanna tell you Some folk twistin' every day Though sometimes it's awful hard to tell."
I realize that it's likely popular to bash this album. Of course, these bands and artists are not Led Zeppelin. But, let's take it as it is...a great justice has been done to Zepp's classic tunes. A new audience was introducted to Zepp's classic, beautiful, wonderful, magical rock and roll. Enconium will continue to be one of my absolute favorite albums. And so far as tribute albums go, this is one of the best. Kudos to the members of Led Zeppelin for gracing us with their presence, for their words, and their inspiration. Thanks to these younger rockers for taking the wheel where Zepp left off. I thank every one of them for that.
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