Encomium: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin

by

Various Artists

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Encomium not only serves as an alternative tribute to Led Zeppelin, it provides a snapshot of the early 1990's music scene. With the exception of Duran Duran, everybody else was flavor of the month or on the rise.

Some are karaoke version remakes, with only a different vocal style. It's as if the cover artists are playing it safe, staying in a self-asserted comfort zone in deference to Led Zeppelin, so as not to alter the original too much. Hootie and the Blowfish do a near matching cover of the B-side "Hey Hey What Can I Do" and Darius Rucker's deeper voice does this song justice. Stone Temple Pilot's "Dancing Days" echoes the original, with Scott Weiland doing softer vocals in contrast to the rough as sandpaper intonations on his solo debut. Big Head Todd & The Monsters' "Tangerine", Duran Duran's "Thank You", Cracker's "Good Times Bad Times", and Helmet/David Yow's "Custard Pie" are further examples of this play-it-safe stance.

Of the differently styled songs, Sheryl Crow gives "D'yer Mak'er" a nice poppy feel and it's easily the best song here. 4 Non-Blonde's Linda Perry's vocals reflect Robert Plant's own soaring vocals on "Misty Mountain Hop," especially in the "baby baby baby" section. Blind Melon's "Out On The Tiles" is passable, with different styled guitars. Come to think of it, Shannon Hoon does have a high-pitched quasi-Robert Plant register, doesn't he? Henry Rollins' harder guitars and rougher voice gives "Four Sticks" a unique treatment. The harsh Melissa Etheridge/Janis Joplin-ish vocals of Never The Bride's lead singer gives "Going To California" a somewhat abrasive treatment, but it's tolerable. Hey, it began with a piano intro instead of guitar. I don't know how Zeppelin purists will take to this song. Finally, Robert Plant teams up with Tori Amos for a hushed, slowed down version of "Down By The Seaside," a contrast to the original on Physical Graffiti, but Tori shines through here, and this is my second favorite song here.

Interesting to note is that the songs are all the moderately well-known tracks: none of the real classic tracks like "Kashmir", "Whole Lotta Love", or the overplayed "Stairway To Heaven" are present. This is good--it's better to highlight other songs. (Runes) was the source of most of the songs, as seen below:

Led Zeppelin, 1

II, 1

III, 2

(Runes), 3

Houses Of The Holy, 2

Physical Graffiti, 2

non-album B-side, 1

A nice effort despite the play-it-safe motif pervading this album. For the next compilation, how about some more innovation?

Encomium:Tribute to Led Zeppelin.

Out of the gate, I'll say my personal favorite here is STP's Dancing Days. The whole understated vibe of it worked. It honors the vibe and feel of the original while STP puts thier subtle stamp on it. Overall, a very cool cover. It reaffirms my belief that STP is one of the most underappreciated 90s rock bands.

Being a big fan of Zep, its nice to see some bands taking the music in a whole different place. Sheryl Crow not my favorite artists by anymeans does a interesting job with D'yer Mak'er. She makes it more poppy, but keeps it interesting. This does have its limits. Tori Amos along with Plant doing "Down By the Seaside" just didn't work for me. Its just too far removed from the original to be recognizable to me.

Others who put on reasonable performances are Hootie and the Blowfish, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Duran Duran and Cracker.

The stinkers of the album are the Rollin's band stuff, Helmet and Never the Bride. Henry Rollin's screaming style and David Yow, just don't compliment the material. Its my belief when doing a cover try to compliment it.

As to the song selection it isn't too bad. The cliche's are avoided ala Rock and Roll or Stairway. You see some interesting choices like Custard Pie and Four Sticks. I would've loved to see someone try to have tackled In the Evening.

Overall, for what it is its interesting. Shows the creativity of the artists taking the material and putting thier spin on it. That equals some good times and bad times.