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Various Artists: Sin-Atra

"So What Does Frank Sinatra Mean to Us?"

That's the question raised by Blob Kulick, Brett Chassen, Billy Sheehan, and the all-star list of guest singers featured on Sin-Atra, a hard rock & metal tribute to the music of 'Old Blue Eyes'. There's a saying that goes something like "some things are better left unsaid", and that sort of applies here. Frank Sinatra was someone who touched just about anyone in some fashion or another, and there's no doubt many of the folks featured here also were influenced by him to some degree. Problem is, most of these classic tunes just don't sound all that great done up 'metal style', despite what is obviously an honest attempt from all those involved.

The positives? Well, for one, Mr. Big's Eric Martin gives a heartfelt, no nonsense performance on "Lady Is a Tramp". He's basically being Eric Martin, and you can really appreciate that after hearing some of the 'out and out' campiness from some of his co-horts here. Without a doubt the best vocal performance on the CD. Devin Townsend also provides a devilish take on "New York New York", as the Canadian singer is just over the top enough and 'vaudevillian' in his delivery to make it work. It's zany, but it's fun. Twisted Sister's Dee Snider also does pretty well for himself on the dramatic "It Was a Very Good Year", and King's X belter dUg Pinnick also shines on " I've Got The World On A String". The imcomparable Glenn Hughes also puts his heart and soul (geez, when doesn't he!?) into "I've Got You Under My Skin", which turns into a a funky, R&B inflected rocker.

Now, to the bad stuff. Geoff Tate has vocal chops of doom, but he sounds overly campy on "Summerwind", so much so that it's practically unlistenable. Same goes for Tim 'Ripper' Owens on "Witchcraft", who lets loose with his patented demonic wailing, normally a welcome addition to any metal song, but to this classic piece it just doesn't fit. Cheap Trick's Robin Zander and Anthrax vocalist Joey Belladonna both just flat out sound strained and so unlike what we normally hear from them, almost unrecognizable even. In Joey's case, if this is what we can expect from him on the upcoming Anthrax record, we are all in trouble. The rest? Well, Jani Lane is passable on "That's Life" (though Ritchie Kotzen saves it with some smoky guitar licks), as are Franky Perez and Elias Soriano, but passable on an album like this, one that should have been really good, just doesn't cut it.

Musically speaking, that's where Sin-Atra really shines. Kulick, long one of the most underrapreciated rock guitar players, provides a wide assortment of crunchy riffage and blazing leads, while the rhythm section of Chassen & Sheehan do a wonderful job of delivering some groovin' bottom end. Doug Katsaros also adds some splendid keyboards and orchestrations in spots that work quite well. From a hard rock & metal perspective, these guys really hit the ball out of the park. It's just a shame that some of the vocal performances just don't do justice to the musical arrangements, or to the classic songs themselves. In the end it all sounds a bit forced and rushed, but there's no denying that some of the pieces are a lot of fun, so in the end, mission accomplished.


Track Listing
1. New York, New York (Devin Townsend)
2. I've Got You Under My Skin (Glenn Hughes)
3. Summerwind (Geoff Tate)
4. It Was A Very Good Year (Dee Snider)
5. Witchcraft (Tim 'Ripper' Owens)
6. Fly Me To The Moon (Robin Zander)
7. Lady Is A Tramp (Eric Martin)
8. Strangers In The Night (Joey Belladonna)
9. High Hopes (Franky Perez)
10. I've Got The World On A String (dUg Pinnick)
11. Love And Marriage (Elias Soriano)
12. That's Life (Jani Lane & Ritchie Kotzen)

Added: March 30th 2011
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score:
Related Link: Eagle Rock Entertainment/Armoury Records
Hits: 1742
Language: english

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