In 1973, British glam rock band Slade (not to be confused with the Teen Titans villain) released a song titled "Cum On Feel the Noize", which reached the number one spot in the UK. Exactly a decade later, the American heavy metal band Quiet Riot covered the song on their Metal Health album, which reached number one, although the single only reached number 5. When they were asked by their producers to do a cover of the song, Quiet Riot singer Kevin Dubrow and drummer Frankie Banali were less than eager, due to disliking the song, and intentionally performed as badly as they could in an attempt to prevent the label from distributing it. But is the original the better version, or did Quiet Riot go Springtime for Hitler on us?
The instruments in each version are very different. The Slade version uses much more subdued instruments. There is not much amplification on the guitar, with the drums and vocals almost overpowering it. However, the Quiet Riot version increases the amplification on the guitar, as well as adding in a guitar solo, resulting in a sound less like Sweet's glam rock, and more like Motley Crue's hair metal. In the end, Quiet Riot's instruments have more of a headbanging sound to them, while Slade's instruments are much more relaxed.
As far as vocals go, there really is no contest as far as technicalities go. Kevin Dubrow was trying to sound bad, and he succeeded, while Slade's Noddy Holder had a cleaner performance, and sounded more like, well, a professional singer. They both work hard to rock out with their vocal performances, but while Dubrow is a bit lost in the mix, the more subtle instruments highlight Holder's vocals.
So, which version is better? Well, technically, the Slade version is superior. After all, half of the band in the Quiet Riot version was trying to sound bad, causing their version to, surprisingly, sound worse than the original. But based on the title of the song, as well as the lyrics, I'd say the Quiet Riot version hit the mark better than the Slade version. With Quiet Riot, the entire band was putting in a rock performance, whereas with Slade, the singer was the only one really rocking out, with the instruments content to stay somewhat sedate.
In the end, the band that wins is...neither. Honestly, they both work out in their own ways. Quiet Riot is a great headbanging song, one you'd leap around your room singing along to, while Slade's version is better for just kicking back, putting on the record, and throwing up the occasional fist. I'd give the edge to Slade, just for actually trying, but Quiet Riot did a great job for a band that literally was trying to suck. Apparently, So Bad It's Good went meta.
The instruments in each version are very different. The Slade version uses much more subdued instruments. There is not much amplification on the guitar, with the drums and vocals almost overpowering it. However, the Quiet Riot version increases the amplification on the guitar, as well as adding in a guitar solo, resulting in a sound less like Sweet's glam rock, and more like Motley Crue's hair metal. In the end, Quiet Riot's instruments have more of a headbanging sound to them, while Slade's instruments are much more relaxed.
Well, at least the singer is rocking out.
As far as vocals go, there really is no contest as far as technicalities go. Kevin Dubrow was trying to sound bad, and he succeeded, while Slade's Noddy Holder had a cleaner performance, and sounded more like, well, a professional singer. They both work hard to rock out with their vocal performances, but while Dubrow is a bit lost in the mix, the more subtle instruments highlight Holder's vocals.
So, which version is better? Well, technically, the Slade version is superior. After all, half of the band in the Quiet Riot version was trying to sound bad, causing their version to, surprisingly, sound worse than the original. But based on the title of the song, as well as the lyrics, I'd say the Quiet Riot version hit the mark better than the Slade version. With Quiet Riot, the entire band was putting in a rock performance, whereas with Slade, the singer was the only one really rocking out, with the instruments content to stay somewhat sedate.
Knowing the sentiment while the song was made, I'd love to see an American Idol contestant try to sing a song that was intentionally covered badly, only to sing even worse.
In the end, the band that wins is...neither. Honestly, they both work out in their own ways. Quiet Riot is a great headbanging song, one you'd leap around your room singing along to, while Slade's version is better for just kicking back, putting on the record, and throwing up the occasional fist. I'd give the edge to Slade, just for actually trying, but Quiet Riot did a great job for a band that literally was trying to suck. Apparently, So Bad It's Good went meta.