A quick cash-in on the recent success of 2005's phenomenal "Alaska"? The band had one album left under their current record contract? They needed to get a new record in stores to help them land a stint on 2006's Ozzfest? Or maybe they just wanted to have some fun and pay some tribute to their influences? Numerous rumors have been circulating about why Between The Buried And Me would release a covers album, especially less than a year after their last studio release. But even though most of the rumors are probably not far from the truth, there's no debating that BTBAM's "The Anatomy Of" is great as far as cover albums go. And it probably isn't the follow-up fans were hoping for, but it is a whole lot of fun to listen to!
All of the band members are in fine form here, but the main star is definitely vocalist Tommy Rogers, who proves his range is nothing short of astounding. "The Anatomy Of" is a vocal tour de force; Rogers nails everything from death metal to thrash to traditional metal to grunge to pure rock to prog to metalcore to alternative to electronica, and even folk/country music! The only conceivable thing the album could have benefitted more from would have been if a cover of a grindcore band/song had been included (because BTBAM definitely have some grind influences, too). Nonetheless, this is still a very interesting and diverse collection with plenty of breadth.
The opening cover of Metallica's 1988 thrash classic, "Blackened," will be hit-or-miss for most people due to Rogers' wacky, snarling, frog-throated death metal croak. But even if you can't get used to them, you should definitely get passed them and focus on how the song retains the same catchiness, groove, and excellent guitar lead as the original, and also boasts more complex and, well, better drumming, and unorthodox soloing (and what a great and wailing solo it is, too!). Then comes Motley Crue 's "Kickstart My Heart," a rockin' good time that sees Rogers doing a virtually flawless Vince Neil impression by singing in a calm lower register. And even though a couple of completely unexpected whammy bar licks are tossed in, most listeners will probably catch themselves several times forgetting that this is BTBAM and not the Crue. Similarly, Soundgarden 's "The Day I Tried To Live" has an abundance of warm, Chris Cornell-worthy crooning, thus making it almost identical to the original, except for the mid-range screams and deathly in the chorus.
The album's clear highpoint is track four, "Bicycle Race." This Queen cover is so eccentric and trippy that it would probably be considered a joke song - that is, if it weren't so darn well done! It is a very dreamy and beautiful piece complete with piano keys, operatic touches, and fantastic, often angelic clean singing. A total mindtrip, indeed! King Crimson's "Three of a Perfect Pair" is also a great song. It's highlighted by excellent, almost soulful clean singing and strong bass work throughout. "Us and Them" (which was first played by Pink Floyd), another glowing highlight, is so atmospheric and blissful that it's spine-tingling.
Later, the Smashing Pumpkins and Earth Crisis covers, "Geek U.S.A." and "Forced March," are probably the least interesting moments, but even they aren't without their charm (like strong guitar leads, chunky riffs, and ripping melodic solos.) These two tracks are immediately overshadowed by the rest of the album, though. Rogers' Cannibal Corpse-ish vocals in the verses of "Territory" are a little crude and off the mark, but the song atones with abrasive, grinding guitars, and a chorus that is even more powerful, visceral, catchy, and memorable than it already was when it came out on Sepultura's "Chaos A.D." album in 1993 (and that's a really saying something!) Finally, Blind Melon's "Change" is a docile, laid back, "feel good" acoustic jam; Faith No More's "Malpractice" rocks really hard and has more excellent singing; Depeche Mode's "Little 15" is a very dark, ominous, and screwy industrial metal number topped off by gothic, Marilyn Manson-like crooning; the cover of Pantera's "Cemetery Gates" is enjoyable (even if it doesn't stray far from the original version), and features a pulsing bass and some especially pretty and ambient acoustic picking; and set closer "Colorblind" is a simple and stripped-down, yet positively gorgeous Counting Crows cover.
"The Anatomy Of" is easily the one of the most enjoyable and all-around best covers albums this reviewer has ever had the pleasure of hearing (it ranks right up there next to Rage Against The Machine's "Renegades"). This is an essential purchase for all fans, and there are still several songs (i.e. "Bicycle Race" and "Us and Them") that are worth downloading even if you're not one.
what's so wrong with paying homage to classic songs by playing them similar to the originals. i was absolutely blown away by "Bicyle Race" and "Us and Them". Pink Floyd is my all-time favorite band so i was highly skeptical then pleasantly surprised by the execution. BTBAM are spot on with everything they attempted in this album. who are we to judge how they wanted to show THE ANATOMY OF how they came to play how and what they play. its blatantly obvious after listening to the album where they get all their killer ideas for arrangement and songwriting.
Between the Buried and Me is amazing whether they are destroying our brains with uber-heavy metal or helping us drift away into a spacy realm of progressive fantacism. BUY ALL THEIR ALBUMS!
First off, this is NOT a follow up to "Alaska"!!! Like other reviewers, I was intrigued about a BTBAM cover disc. After reading the track list online, I thought this should be cool. Well, it's interesting. These tracks are note for note tributes to the bands that influenced them. Basically, what this disc is meant to say, stick these songs in a blender and BTBAM is what will come out.
I'm giving this 4 stars because I think they did a great job on these songs. I like all the covers except the Crue cover, the vocals just don't fit the song. That would have been a good song to put their own twist on. On the Soundgarden cover, the vocals get a bit heavier than the original during parts of the chorus. They did a great job on Bicycle Race (hard to believe) and Malpractice. About half way through "Us and Them" I almost forgot that I wasn't listening to Floyd. The rest are good too.
What I would recommend doing is to listen to this disc all the way through and then listen to Alaska all the way through. You can hear so many different elements of these covers in their own songs.
If you are a huge fan, it's worth getting. If you like many different styles (like I do), it's worth getting. If you are looking for the next "Alaska", you are going to have to wait.
Between the Buried in Me is one of the most talented bands in ANY genre today. That being said, please purchase this record with a certain amount of caution. This is a great covers record but is in no way a good starting point for this band! However, these are great interpretations of components of what make Between the Buried and Me such a fantastic group. Highlights are King Crimson's Three of a Perfect Pair, Queen's Bicycle Race, and Pink Floyd's Us and Them, but the whole record is good, just not indicative of the rest of their catalog.
I am a big fan of BTBAM, and this album truly shows off this band's talent as more than just a stereotypical death metal or metalcore band. Not only does Anatomy Of show off the band's eclectic tastes, but it also shows off the band's chops. They have the freedom to either stay faithful to original compilations, or they can experiment as they see fit, and the results are magnificent. Every single track they cover is awesome, and are quintessential classics of rock and metal. A lot of creative culture is to be had on this album, well worth the purchase price!
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