This British five-piece (well, they did have a Swedish guitarist for some time) floored me right from hello when they released their self-titled debut back in 2016 and now three more albums later I still find them one of the greatest bands that has come out in later years. Their third album Ride To Nowhere (2019) was released in the backwater of some internal fighting which led to three members jumping ship at more or less the same day and when it was time to show off the new members with their fourth album We Will Ride (2021) the pandemic had struck which meant no touring was available. But instead of sitting idle doing nothing and feeling sorry for themselves, the band went straight back to the drawing table and got to work.
What came out was a covers album and yeah, yeah, yeah I know, cover albums are terrible and should be hated by everyone at all times, bla bla bla. And sure, I can agree at some points – there are tired and boring cover albums out there but there are also some really good ones. Inglorious, however, decided to go for a different approach here. The theme for them was to make covers of female artists that they respect highly – real Girl Power acts – and translate their songs respectfully. Also, parts of the profit of the album will be given straight to different women organizations such as women’s shelters and so on. Very honorable and right, if you ask me. Musically, I was very intrigued to hear this.
I was never a fan of Whitney Houston. Sure, she was a brilliant singer but her music never resonated with me at all. Until I heard “Queen Of The Night” from the movie Bodyguard, that is. I loved the more edgy groove, something that I wasn’t used to hear from her. When Inglorious opens the album with that exact song, the rhythmic groove is still intact and so are the vocal-melodies. However, the song is Inglorousized to the point of the song sounding like an Inglorious tune. It’s slightly funky, it rocks, it holds an enormous live feel and the chorus hits like a ton of bricks. It’s awesome and I can’t wait to hear this one live.
Heart’s “Barracuda” – the second single – is a chunky rocker to begin with and the band stays true to the original albeit a bit grittier and heavier here. It’s riffy and powerful and Nathan James does a damn fine job translating Ann Wilson’s vocals to his own. Great. I’m not too familiar with Miley Cyrus and this song “Midnight Sky” but I really like what Inglorious has done to it. The Hard Rock suit fits the song well and even though it’s a bit calmer it also brings on a fat groove, some heavier rhythms and a whole lot of crunchy guitars. The big pop-vibes makes it a no-brainer as the first single where the distinct melodies and the highly catchy chorus sticks like super-glue right away. Good one.
Tina Turner sure is one of the coolest performers ever and to take on one of her classics could either go terribly wrong or be a killer. I’m happy to state that Inglorious’ version of “Nutbush City Limits” came out really great and that the band’s love for both song and artist really shines through. Complete with a fat horn-section this hot-grooved, swinging, poppy Classic Rock groover brings on some crunchy guitars and raunchy and crowd-friendly approach. Nathan James also sings the living daylight out of the song. Also, the fact that Ike Turner, an infamous wife-beater, was involved with the song isn’t with us anymore and therefore won’t make any royalties of the song is a nice FU to an asshole like him!
An unexpected number here is Evanescence’s “Bring Me To Life”, a song I have always loved. Here, it starts out as a ballad but continues with heaviness and crunch but instead of the modern sounds of the original, Inglorious has brought a more Classic Rock vibe to it albeit keeping the rap parts, here delivered greatly by Jeff Scott Soto. It’s dramatic yet loose and groovy, it stays true to the original but it’s also quite different from it. I say they nailed it. Christina Aguilera isn’t a singer I listen to if I can decide myself. A great singer yes but I can’t name any of her songs I like. I’m not familiar with “Fighter”, however Inglorious makes me wanna check it out. This version is upbeat, punchy and direct and holds an infectious groove. It’s hooky, hit-friendly and very catchy with distinct and effective vocal-melodies all over. I really dig this.
Avril Lavigne’s “I’m With You” has turned from a light-weight, mainstream radio pop ballad into, well, a big power ballad with a nod towards the late 80’s/early 90’s. It’s without a doubt the smoothest and slickest number on the album but it’s also extremely memorable and catchy. I admit that I have no love for the original but as I’m a sucker for power ballads when done well, I surrendered to this version big-time. Another über-cool artist you have to be careful when you cover is Joan Jett but the Jett/Desmond Child penned “I Hate Myself For Loving You” is right up Inglorious’ – and my – alley. It’s still quite 80’s laden – hooky, catchy with a huge refrain but there’s also a Classic Rock crunch inserted which makes it sound more Ingloriousized. A great cover of a great song.
Speaking of Joan Jett, Lzzy Hale has stated more than once that Jett is one of her biggest influences so it feels only normal that Halestorm is covered here too. “I Am The Fire” is a beast of a tune in its original form and Hale is a powerful, talented and edgy singer so Mr James had to work hard to get this tune in order. But he does it with all the glory. Where Halestorm’s original is heavy and gritty and full of attitude, the cover has some of that as well but this version brings on a bigger Classic Rock touch, crunchy and raw but not as aggressive. I LOVE Lzzy Hale as a singer so I was a bit sceptic of them covering this but James once more sings the hell out of the song with conviction, power and vigor. Great.
I have always dug Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” and Inglorious takes this one on very respectfully. In their hands it’s an acoustic, low-beat ballad, a bit Led Zeppelin esque with a gorgeous arrangement and great vocals with affable harmonies. It’s a laid-back Classic Rock ballad with vulnerable vocals, it’s emotional and a bit of a tear-jerker. Killer version. The album closes with a version of Alanis Morissette’s “Undivided”. I love her two first albums and I think the world of this tune. This version holds a huge soundscape and it’s dark, heavy, bombastic and very atmospheric. As a deep and emotional track to begin with, Inglorious treats it with love and respect and their powerful and huge cover went straight under my skin. Brilliant.
So what to say here then? Well, there will be people out there who will hate this because it’s a covers album but I’m pretty floored here, I must admit. Cover schmover! With a whole bunch of really good songs that have been covered greatly and some songs I don’t like originally that has been highly bettered, it only took me one listen for this album to make me as happy as a pig in shit. In a world of “we wanna show our fans our influences” cover albums, this one’s a breath of fresh air and I love what they have done to the songs. Fact is, it doesn’t even feel like a cover-album when listening. I actually hope for a Heroine II. Thumbs up from this guy.
8/10
More Inglorious reviews:
Inglorious
II
Ride To Nowhere
We Will Ride
Tracklist:
1. Queen Of The Night (Whitney Houston)
2. Barracuda (Heart)
3. Midnight Sky (Miley Cyrus)
4. Nutbush City Limits (Tina Turner)
5. Bring Me To Life (Evanescence)
6. Fighter (Christina Aguilera)
7. I’m With You (Avril Lavigne)
8. I Hate Myself For Loving You (Joan Jett)
9. I Am The Fire (Halestorm)
10. Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper)
11. Uninvited (Alanis Morissette)
CD & Festival reviews 