To kick off my reviews, I thought that the latest edition of Punk Goes Pop would be a great start. I've been a big fan of the Punk Goes Pop series, since I really love hearing covers and different artists' takes on songs. Volume 5 has not officially released yet, but I've bought a few of the singles and listened to the rest via YouTube. I'll do a song by song review, just going through the album in order.
1. "Grenade" (Originally by Bruno Mars) - Memphis May Fire
I had not listened to MMF previously, but was definitely hooked after hearing their rendition of one of Bruno Mars' biggest hits. They start off with a nice electronic intro and some clean vocals, and proceed to blow away the original with roaring guitars and smashing drums. They have a few breakdown sections, which are very well timed and add to the overall outstanding cover they create. Absolutely a superb performance.
10/10
2. "Call Me Maybe" (Originally by Carly Rae Jepsen) - Upon This Dawning
When I saw that this song was on the list, I was curious and concerned about how it would turn out. I had also never heard of UTD, who just released their first album through Fearless Records. As I started the song, the familiar intro gave me some doubts. However, when everything drops and the growl of Gianluca Molinari ripped through, it instantly blew away any expectations I had for the song. To hear Jepsen's vocals screamed out made this cover at least 10 times better than the original. The breakdown and instrumentation was very well done, and the balance between clean and screaming vocals was just right. It would have been perfect for me if not for the addition of the "f-word" in the chorus on a few occasions. Not only did it not fit well, it was also completely unnecessary. Besides that though, it was a very excellent cover.
8/10
3. "Somebody That I Used To Know" (Originally by Gotye) - Mayday Parade
Mayday Parade is a veteren of the Punk Goes Pop, and always creates solid covers. I believe this is by far their greatest cover yet, and once you listen, I think you'll agree. The minute the song begins, it is instantly evident that Mayday has taken this song and made it their own. They change the key, giving the song a much more upbeat and positive tone. Using a guitar to cover the melody, Derek Sanders sings a tune he has so often in the past, which is why I believe this song was the perfect song for them to cover. The song slowly builds until the first chorus, truly revealing Mayday's experience and musical talent. The additional vocals of Vic Fuentes, lead singer of Pierce The Veil, was a great choice in making the song more Mayday than Gotye. His higher voice keeps Kimbra's part in mind, but it is also unique enough for the listener to maintain a distinction. By far one of the best songs on the album, and one of the better covers of this song in particular that I've heard.
10/10
4. Glad You Came (Originally by The Wanted) - We Came As Romans
WCAR is by far one of my favorite bands in the heavy scene. So when I saw they were on the track list for this album, I was stoked. I thought the original version of the song was pretty decent, had a good beat, and was very catchy; however, I think that WCAR left the original in the dust. They do keep it similar to the original in certain parts, but they balance it out with a good old taste of WCAR guitars and drums. Even though they keep the original hook on a keyboard, they give it their own flair by adding some distortion. Also, the screams and breakdowns are aptly timed and placed. Definitely a favorite from the album, with no complaints from me.
9/10
5. Some Nights (Originally by Fun.) - Like Moths To Flames
Another band I had not heard of, I was curious to see how this cover would go after hearing LMTF's usual material. The intro was not my favorite, but it was amusing to have the drop come in and totally change the feel of the song. As amusing as the breakdown was, I have to admit it was a bit of a turn off, because for me it went too far from the vibe of the original song. However, they redeemed themselves when the vocals came back in and the song continued. Their mixing of "clean" and screaming vocals was well done, although they did favor screaming to clean. LMTF definitely made the song fit more to their style, and I will give them credit for that.
7/10
6. Billie Jean (Originally by Michael Jackson) - Breathe Carolina
Breathe Carolina is by all means not a "heavy" band; that is ok though. Variety is necessary, for without it we'd have an album of all screaming covers. While I do enjoy screaming, there is a point where it is too much. So this song was a nice break from the constant distorted guitars and face-melting drums. It started much like the original, but was soon defined by the use of some auto tune. Now, that does not mean that it automatically is a bad song. Even though I thought this on my first listen, I decided on a second listen that it fit Breathe Carolina's style and this cover. They are a more electro band, and so auto tune fit in this instance. I really enjoyed their flare and musicality on this cover, and felt that the breakdown near the end was very well done and timed perfectly. Like I said earlier, this is a very nice break and more chilled out song on the album.
8/10
7. We Found Love (Originally by Rihanna) - Forever The Sickest Kids
FTSK is another band who would not be considered "heavy". I enjoy their music, and was pleased to see that they were doing a song on the album. I was especially pleased to see the song choice, because I felt that it was a good fit for them. After listening, I was confirmed in my thinking. Beginning with vocals and then having the rest of the band come in was a great way to kick the song off. Jonathan Cook's vocals are a perfect fit for this song, able to soar as high as Rihanna's (with the help of a little auto tune, which does not detract from the song). On first listen, I was not a fan of the screaming section due how high and hallow-sounding it was, but warmed up to it when I realized it was a great fit for the song. The only part of the song I did not enjoy was the section where the band screamed "We found" repeatedly and slowly. Besides that, I think it was a great cover, and a continuation of the break from total screaming covers.
8/10
8. Boyfriend (Originally by Justin Bieber) - Issues
When I saw that this song was being covered, I laughed out loud, yet was somewhat excited. Don't kill me, but I actually enjoyed the original version of this song. However, I know that this version is by far the better one. Issues began in the same fashion as the original, but quickly kicked it into high gear by adding some rock & roll swagger and screams, making you want to tap your feet and headbang (which is weird when talking about a Justin Bieber song). Tyler Carter does a good job imitating Bieber's crooning, but Michael Bohn does a great job at totally shaking up the vibe of the song and making you not want Bieber as your boyfriend. Most definitely a favorite off of the album.
9/10
9. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (Originally by Cyndi Lauper) - The Maine
The Maine is hands down one of my favorite bands period. They always put out great music, and have done some fantastic covers for the Punk Goes... series. I must admit that when I saw that this was the song they chose, I was skeptical. The original is not one of my favorite songs at all. When I heard The Maine's version, however, I had to go listen to the original to make sure it was a cover of the song I was thinking of. Because The Maine completely changed the energy and emotion behind the song. It's incredible. It's honestly one of the best songs they've done. They put their heart and soul into this song. They scream, but not in the way that the other bands do on this album. They scream in frustration and sorrow, relating their emotions. It's a truly inspiring rendition, completely leaving the original in the dust. The instrumentation creates a thought-provoking, memory-prodding vibe, with a high school late night feel. It makes you want to jump in the car and just drive for the sake of driving. Drive in the night to feel the wind in your hair and just belt out the lyrics. Honestly, words cannot give it the credit it deserves. Also, the additional vocals by Adam Lazarra of Taking Back Sunday were an excellent choice, especially near the end. Such an awesome job on the vocals. Such an awesome job as a whole. My favorite from the album.
10/10
10. Payphone (Originally by Maroon 5) - Crown The Empire
Crown The Empire is yet another band I had not heard of, but was thoroughly impressed with. Payphone has been an immensely huge hit on the radio, and so I was excited to see how it would be covered. CTE did a spectacular job with the song. They way that they changed the vocals gave it a much more sorrowful feel than the original. The grit that Andy Leo adds to the clean vocals gives them a naked feel, like he's letting all frustration out about the failed relationship. His screaming is also very well done, adding to the anger emitting from this track. The chorus was my favorite part, with the play back and forth between falsetto vocals and the grit I already mentioned. I was very glad they chose to cover the alternative version and avoid the rap. However, the unnecessary addition of "mother-f***er" was a bit of a turn off. Besides that, it was a well done song.
8/10
11. Paradise (Originally by Coldplay) - Craig Owens
I have heard Craig Owens when he was with Chiodos and D.R.U.G.S., so I was initially expecting a much heavier sound in this cover. What I heard, however, was an auto tuned pop version that I wasn't terribly impressed with. It seemed to lose that epic, arena sound that Coldplay captured in their original. It was a decent song, don't get me wrong. I believe that Owens has talent, that is for sure. However, it felt like he could have done better on this cover. He did not stray from the vibe of the original and didn't add his own flair to the rendition.
5/10
12. Mercy (Originally by Kanye West) - The Word Alive
I'll be honest, this was my least favorite song off the album. I've heard a few of their songs, including their cover of Heartless by Kanye as well. I knew what to expect, but was disappointed. It was too much screaming for me, and the only reason I could understand the lyrics because I've heard the original. It was brutal, and too much in my face. The only redeeming section is the chorus, which I think was well done. Otherwise, I would not recommend this song unless you're into the very heavy scene.
3/10
13. Ass Back Home (Originally by Gym Class Heroes) - Secrets
Secrets did a fantastic job on this cover. The clean vocals in the chorus captured the energy and emotion of the song. At first I wasn't a fan of the screaming, but it definitely fits the song. It gives the song a desperate feel, as if he is so desperate to tell her how he feels that he has to scream it out. The instrumentation was well done, especially the drop outs to just vocals. The bridge did a great job of building and further solidifying the emotional pull of the song. A excellent finish to a great album.
8/10
Overall, I was really pleased with Volume 5. I enjoyed almost all of the songs, and believe it's the best Punk Goes Pop to this day.
Songs to buy: Grenade, Somebody I Used To Know, Glad You Came, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
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