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Various Artists: 10t Records- Undercover
 The up and coming record label 10t Records latest release Undercover is a covers album with a slightly different twist. All of the bands on the label were asked to contribute one song that inspired or influenced them in their growth as artists. They were then asked to make the song their own, not just replicate the original version, as is so often the case with cover albums. 10t Records has an excellent assortment of progressive rock artists on their roster so I was quite intrigued at the prospect of hearing what the bands came up with.
The album begins on a strong note with From.UZ's interpretation of the King Crimson classic "Starless and Bible Black". The beautifully orchestrated beginning along with edgy guitar and a crisp rhythm section makes this song one of the album's best tunes. Other highlights include an electric version of Led Zeppelin's "Battle of Evermore" compliments of Little Atlas and a stunning rendition of "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun" by Elf Project. More interesting choices include Fluttr Effect's progressive take on Duran Duran's new wave hit "The Chauffer" complete with catchy synth work and Rebel Wheel's rendition of Jethro Tull's "Cross-Eyed Mary" featuring cool synth breaks and excellent saxophone giving the song a different sound but still retaining a hard rock 70s attitude. There are no weak songs here as all the musicians have shown great respect for the original artists. What I like most about this compilation is the bands have injected a little of themselves into these songs making them unique and very listenable, even if you have the original versions, which is uncommon in the world of cover albums.
This is a fine release and should be of interest to many progressive rock fans. Hopefully these innovative artists will benefit from the exposure this album will surely generate. Well done 10t Records.
Track listing:
1. From.UZ – Starless and Bible Black
2. The Vital Might – Sleeping Beauty
3. Little Atlas – Battle of Evermore
4. Man on Fire – Visions of China
5. Frogg Café – The Dance of Maya
6. Bolt – Das Model
7. Fluttr Effect – The Chauffer
8. Everything in Seven – Man on the Corner
9. Elf Project – Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun
10. The Rebel Wheel – Cross-Eyed Mary
11. Steve Katsikias – The Best Laid Plans
Added: September 15th 2009
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score: 
Related Link: Label's Official Site
Hits: 2022
Language: english
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Various Artists: 10t Records- Undercover
Posted by Pete Pardo, SoT Staff Writer on 2009-09-10 08:38:00
My Score:
These last few years, we've seen plenty of 'covers' releases from both the prog and metal community, and in many cases the bands in question have tended to record classic songs exactly as they were originally done, more often than not picking tunes that the general public has already heard millions of times. Well, leave it to 10t Records and their roster of artists to go the opposite direction and not only pick some songs that are a bit 'off the beaten path' but to also really add their own individual stamp to these pieces.
The Rebel Wheel's take on Jethro Tull's "Cross Eyed Mary" is as jarringly different as you get, and New York's Frogg Cafe add their brand of jam-fusion to the Mahavishnu Orchestra track "The Dance of Maya", a band that myself personally have been waiting for years to hear the Froggsters cover. "Man on the Corner" by Genesis is given a rousing yet melodic spin by Everything in Seven, and add in some other pleasing & original versions of old favorites of prog & pop tunes from acts like Man on Fire, Fromuz, Little Atlas, The Vital Might, Steve Katsidas, Bolt, Fluttr Effect, and Elf Project, and you have one of the more enjoyable covers sets released in recent memory.
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