Revisiting “Nightmare Revisited”

When I first heard some of these cover versions I had a gut reaction of dislike.  It could have been from being accustomed to the originals, or something else.  Only way to know for sure is to let time pass a bit, which I did.  What do I feel about this album, after letting myself stew on it for awhile?

First off, Sparklehorse’s (ugh) ‘rendition’ of Jack’s Obsession is still the worst noise I have ever heard in my life.

Secondly, all the instrumentals still rock.  The vocals?  Ah, that’s where the rub lies.  My playlist of songs on this album does NOT include:

2.  Opening- intro by Elfman.  Not really a song anyway, but mostly took it out because it slowed down the flow of songs.

 7.  Town Meeting Song-  This one is terrible.  The original version is 2:56 long.  This version is 8:55.  WTF.  How anyone could think a good revamp of an original is to triple it’s length is beyond me.  By the time they even start to sing it’s already been a minute and eighteen seconds.  That’s almost half the originals total length!  It’s so ungodly slow, I feel like Jack: “And as hard as I try, I can’t seem to describe, like a most improbable dream.”  Luckily I’m not singing it the way it is in this version, or that simple remark would have taken me sixteen soul-numbing seconds.  This one heartily earned it’s ‘Shall never be played again’  status.

 9.  Jack’s Obsession – This…this thing…this (for lack of a better word) ‘version’ is so terribly bad it could have meme’s attached to it for years.  Ytmnd.com, prank calls, gag gifts, annoying cell-phone-songs-as-messages, vanilla torture.  You name it, this unholy audio clip can do it.  In fact, this could very easily be the evolution of Rick Rolls.  Imagine the surprise of clicking on a youtube video only to be pelted with this steaming pile.  You were doing fine and dandy wasting time at work then *BAM!* 

Speakers crit you for Your Sanity! 

Next thing you know, your face is permanently stretched out like victims in The Ring.  Fortunately, I don’t even think a deaf person could stomach making a “Spark Roll”, knowing the chaos and agony it would cause on the masses.

16.  Poor Jack- It didn’t jive with me.  The vocals aren’t exactly emo, they aren’t exactly whiny…but, I just don’t like ‘em.  A throaty monotone does not a song make.  Elfman had emotion, great music, the whole package.  This one just seems…lacking?

19.  Closing- Again it kills the flow…and I prefer Picard’s version ^_^

Originally This is Halloween, Jack’s Lament, and What’s This? were also on that list, but have sense forged their way onto my playlist.  Reasons being:

This is Halloween is just a rehash of his version from years ago.  Not that it’s bad, it’s quite good, but it’s the same.  How is this “Revisiting” if it’s just a copy/paste?  Lost points for repeated use, but still a good song so it passed.

What’s This? almost didn’t make it due to the ever-increasing ‘idea’ of stretching out a song longer than it has to be done.  All the new versions I like on this CD are either the same speed or faster than their original, this being the only slower one I still listen to.  The only reason I still play to this one is that I really like her voice and style, I  just wish it was sung at a more brisk pace.

Jack’s Lament was originally in the same boat as Poor Jack, but it grew on me.  I was on the fence with this song for awhile as I like the band, but hearing their version I thought they could have done more with it.  I’m not sure if I have warmed up to the song, or simply got used to it.  Either way it’s on my playlist and I think it’s a good addition.

To summarise all the negative changes on this album I disliked:

• Slowing down these classics does not make you a revolutionary.  It makes for a bad song.
• Monotone is not the desired placement for your voice when singing emotional (happy, sad, etc) songs.
• When making a song your own, try pushing the envelope a little, while avoiding the two previous ‘ideas’.

All in all, great CD with more good surprises than bad.  I likey.