TRAGEDY (ALL METAL TRIBUTE TO THE BEE GEES) - review added 11th October 2008
Album Review: We Rock Sweet Balls And Can Do No Wrong (2008)
For fans of: rock covers... and party music so perfect it'll melt your groin
I like strawberries, I like steak. Steak and strawberries do not work well together. I like the Bee Gees, I like rock. The Bee Gees and rock, contrary to what you might think, do work well together. I'm still as confused as you probably are right now...
I have heard numerous attempts at rocking up Barry, Maurice and Robin before, but they have all sounded like someone abusing a donkey with a violin whilst blowing an air horn. This is different, this actually sounds like a proper record made by proper musicians playing proper instruments, er, properly.
The way disco and rock are melded here is so seamless you don't even think about it. The way you dance, head bang, prance, sing and smile is so unnatural it's brilliant. The lead singer may not have the most 'rock' or indeed 'Bee Gees' voice ever, sounding mostly like a crazed surfer dude with a helium habit, but his enthusiasm and fun factor cannot be denied. Most importantly his voice works on the songs. They aren't designed to be taken seriously; they are designed to put a massive smile on your face which is something they do in spades.
It's refreshing to hear the way Tragedy haven't simply copied the original songs and added an overdose of distorted guitar to the mix. The guys have come up with their own, completely new arrangements for several of the tracks and given a whole different vibe to them. How Deep Is Your Love? started life as a slow, quietly depressing ballad, yet Tragedy have turned it into a real feel good party anthem. Too Much Heaven has been put to stud with the Led Zeppelin classic Kashmir. The resulting offspring is nothing short of genius, retaining the beauty of the Bee Gees number with the brooding fire of Led Zep's classic.
Special mention should also be made to the speaking portion of You Should Be Dancing. Anyone who loves Spinal Tap will certainly appreciate it. It'll confuse the hell out of everyone else though.
This album, much like most rock cover albums, will not appeal to everyone. The lead singer's voice is memorable, if an acquired taste, and there can be no doubting the talent on show. I wouldn't say Tragedy can do no wrong, but they do rock sweet balls.
Check out... That Spinal Tap interlude.
Track List:
1. Stayin' Alive
2. Jive Talkin'
3. How Deep Is Your Love
4. You Should Be Dancing
5. (Our Love) Don't Throw It All Away
6. More Than a Woman
7. Night Fever
8. Shadow Dancing
9. Too Much Heaven
10. Tragedy
Label: Rocks Off Records
Band websites: Tragedy , MySpace
