By Brittany Rankin
Elm Staff Writer
On March 22, the EP “ReAniMate” was released, containing six cover songs. You may be wondering what’s so great about a CD containing six cover tracks. One word: Halestorm.
Despite the band performing with such artists as Shinedown, Papa Roach, Three Days Grace, Disturbed, Avenged Sevenfold and Seether, the Pennsylvania-based band is not well known. I was very surprised by this because I have not yet heard a song by Halestorm that I didn’t like.
The four members are fairly young, the youngest member having just turned 23. Two of the members, siblings Lzzy and Arejay Hale, were the original founders of the band along with their father in the late 90s. Guitarist Joe Hottinger and bassist Josh Smith joined in the early 2000s.
After listening to their self-titled debut album, I found their music to be reminiscent of the classic rock and roll that emerged from the late 60s and 70s. They define themselves as a classic-rock based band with modern influences, but through their rhythms and vocals it is clear that they are more than that. Halestorm is a band that works together and has fun with what they are doing. Seeing them live is an energy boost to anyone’s day because they are full of an anticipated energy that leaves the audience breathless and voiceless from screaming so loud.
“ReAniMate” was formed from a question the band posed to their fans: What songs/artists would people like to hear them cover? Through this list, the band put together an eclectic mix of artists that have had an influence on their own music. The cover tracks are “Slave To The Grind” by Skid Row, “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga, “Hunger Strike” by Temple of the Dog, “Out Ta Get Me” by Guns N’ Roses, “All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You” by Heart, and “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” by The Beatles.
Through this mix, Halestorm produces an entire new sound for each song, creating its own unique version that enhances the song while at the same time not demeaning it in any way. One of the best examples is Halestorm’s cover of “Bad Romance,” which begins with Joe Hottinger strumming the electric guitar to the original lyrics, “Rah, rah, ah, ah, ah / Roma, roma, ma / Gaga, ooh, la, la.” Lzzy Hale is also not afraid to belt out the lyrics in a heavy voice similar to that of Pat Benatar and Joan Jett.
Even though the EP only consists of six songs, it is one of the best cover CDs I have ever heard. I was especially surprised at hearing the cover of the Beatles song because there have been a lot of lousy covers of Beatles songs in the past. But when I first heard the cover by Halestorm, I was blown away by how perfect it was. As the song continues and Lzzy’s notes get higher with each verse it generates a feeling similar to that of Aerosmith’s “Dream On” when Steven Tyler hits the highest note.
Even though the covers are excellent, they are nothing compared to Halestorm’s original music. The band incorporates classic rock themes and beats, creating catchy songs that are fun to sing and dance to. Many of their songs deal with love, but songs like “I Get Off,” “Innocence,” and “Dirty Work” twist the idea of love into a more sexual sense with questionable lyrics. They also emphasize the power of the female since Lzzy is the vocalist for the band, which does not appear to be accidental.
Halestorm is currently touring on the Avalanche Tour and working on their next full album, which is tentatively scheduled to come out later this year.
April 8, 2011
Volume LXXXI Issue 21