Release
date: November 27th 2015. Label: Nuclear Blast. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
The
White Sea – Tracklisting
01.
Devil's Angels (Davie Allan & The Arrows Cover)
02.
Satan (Theme From "Satan's Sadists")
03.
Let Yourself Go (Elvis Presley Cover)
04.
N.I.B. (Black Sabbath Cover)
05.
Lord Of The Thighs (Aerosmith Cover)
06.
Action Woman (The Litter Cover)
07.
Rough Boy (ZZ Top Cover)
08.
With A Girl Like You (The Troggs Cover)
09.
Find Somebody (The Rascals Cover)
10.
Crying In The Rain (The Everly Brothers Cover)
Review:
After
years of waiting, we finally get a covers album by the iconic
barutonos crooner, Glenn Danzig. Some chosen artists and/or songs may
be obvious, some omissions may be puzzling, but the resulting
selections are fantastic and the overall presentation is on the altar
of greatness.
The
album cover alone is wicked fierce...I mean come on, Danzig bare
chested and in skeleton makeup? This is already a classic album cover
and a mail away poster for your bedroom wall.
These
particular cover songs are interpreted through the mind of a pioneer
who was instrumental in pouring the foundation for esoteric music
that proved to be alluring to all of us oddballs.
On
this release, Glenn pays homage to his origins, the underlying
skeleton, the bones or architecture of the core of his make up. There
is something in this memoir that is recognizable from each era of the
Danzig diary; the horror punk, the dark harvester, the metal god.
There are different overtones and productions values that all lead to
the special feeling this backstory gives you. It is historically and
holistically Glenn Danzig, from start to finish. I think Glenn
succeeds in offering his distinct and unique portrayal of these
originals, which in turn exudes respect to the original artist.
Danzig makes each song his own through his specific style and
triumphs in gathering an extraordinary collection of music by way of
his past.
It
is an honor to receive this invitation to bear witness to the very
art that unleashed his creative energy and that stirred the artistic
juices of a grim genius. The majority are probably the songs he
played on his bedroom turntable, the melodies he hummed down the
hallways in high school, the tunes that he processed through his
creative mind and coated with his black magic touch.
Do
yourself a favor and follow the macabre maestro through the cobwebs
into his closet, past the old skulls, through the labyrinth of
vintage library books, well into where he keeps his old record
collection and take a glimpse at his archival, jaguar-jungle like
roots. This album is a glimpse into the beginning, the autumnal
equinox of a patriarch about to gather a modern October family. It's
a resonating album that is sure to create a stir inside everybody,
whether a rekindling or a reaction.
The
biggest thing I learned from growing up listening to Glenn Danzig was
that it is essential to be your self and love yourself for it. I'm a
creep and I love my creepy self. This is the soundtrack that started
the soundtracks to many of our lives. Enjoy it. Now to the tunes…
Devil’s
Angels (Dave Allan & The Arrows) - This is a song from a 60's
biker film. It sounds like a vintage punk 7" inch. I need to
travel to the local hardware store for some drywall because I punched
so many holes in my wall listening to this tune. There was one-man
war in my hallway with disastrous results…rebuild on the credit
card…what a bargain. This is why you fell in love with horror punk
power.
Satan
(from Satan’s Sadists -The Nightriders) - This is a slow groove
rendition of an old outlaw song about motorcycle gangs, switchblades,
dune buggies, diners, death, romance and sunsets. Get on your hog, do
a burnout and cruise until your taillight fades into the distance.
Let
Yourself Go (Elvis Presley) - There is no surprise that this is a
great song. Elvis and Glenn both have an iconic voice and gift in
talent. Glenn puts a more sinister spin and nasty feel to this
classic single. Less swing, more sting and less red coat, more
leather jacket.
N.I.B.
(Black Sabbath) - This delivery is powerful in its minimalism and its
squealing distortion. The solo rocks and the tower bells are a
magnificent touch.
Lord
Of The Thighs (Aerosmith) - This is a "Danzig-ized"
transformation of a classic rock song. Glenn’s voice is incredibly
stunning here.
Action
Woman (The Litter) - Danzig takes a can of gasoline and an igniter to
this original and creates a fiery performance in this energetic
number.
Rough
Boy (ZZ Top) - Glenn is dangerous here. He orchestrates the overhaul
of a newer sounding leisure song by using his patented antique
process, resulting in the perfect vintage ballad.
With
a Girl Like You (The Troggs) - This is an enthusiastic execution of a
teenage fireworks infatuation sing along song.
Find
Somebody (The Young Rascals) - This song sounds like a gang of greasy
long haired goons and black leather-jacketed hoodlums from the seedy
pool hall located in the deteriorated section of the neighborhood,
took a break from breaking each other’s faces, got a band together
and recorded this downright ditty in an abandoned building left in
the wake of a culture shock, being fuelled only with spoiled
chocolate malts, bruised banana splits and the broken jukebox dreams
of angry adolescent youth. Step up to the counter and take a spin on
the stool.
Crying
In The Rain (The Everly Brothers) – It is prom night. All evening
the popular guy is dancing with the girl you've had a crush on since
the first grade. Now, it's time for the last song and he's got his
head submerged in the spiked punch bowl. Now is your chance. You ask
your beloved darling for the last slow dance, she agrees, and you
both sway and enjoy what could never be, because once the song is
over, you go your separate ways. She will eventually realize the pain
she feels is the regret you have known all your life. This is reality
punctuated in tears. Glenn provides the only prom song that makes any
sense and it comes with the hurt from the bleeding heart of a horror
punk misfit. Chills.
My
lady is begging me to put a shirt on at the dinner table. She is also
asking me to take the skull make up off because it scares the kids. I
guess her putting on similar make up and leaning on my shoulder to
watch TV re-runs of “The Munsters” is a long shot...I'll ask her
again, maybe at Halloween.
We
are not alone…just out numbered. Don’t be sad and tiptoe, for we
are real and we are grandfather strong. We wear our pain, tattooed
in black, white and crimson. This is our music my fellow creeps and
tonight is our dance of death.
Words
by Nick
Palmisano
Thanks
to Pam at 5B for the promo. Skeletons is available to buy on
CD/DD/Vinyl now on Nuclear Blast Records.
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