First off, my apologies to readers of my "Friday Night Fear Flicks" series of reviews. I didn't get a chance to watch a horror movie this week, as my brother had minimum days and sleeps in the living room...where the cable box is. Next week, I'll try to pull a double review to make up for it.
In 1989, Vincent Furnier, under the stage name of Alice Cooper, was in a career slump, having only had one hit since 1980, "He's Back (The Man Behind the Mask)", written for the movie "Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives". However, that soon changed, as a single off of the album Trash titled "Poison" reached #2 in the UK and #7 in the US. In 2005, Tarja Turunen was dismissed from Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish due to personal reasons. Deciding to start a solo career. On her first album, 2006's My Winter Storm, she included a cover of the Alice Cooper song, which never charted, as it was not released as a single, though the album topped the Finnish charts, as well as going platinum in Finland, double platinum in Russia, and gold in Germany. However, was the cover as good as the original, or is "Poison" a no-woman's land?
The instruments in each version are quite similar. However, there are some big differences. Alice Cooper's instruments are a bit more rough sounding in general, with two guitar solos added in, one in the middle and one at the end. On the other hand, Tarja Turunen's version starts off a lot gentler, with the only instrument heard through the verses being a subtle keyboard sound. However, once the bridge kicks in, so do the guitar and drums. However, the Tarja Turunen version lacks the guitar solos. In the end, Alice Cooper's version is a bit more unified, and has more technical skill in the instruments. However, Tarja's version sounds a bit gentler in the verses, resulting in a harder-hitting chorus, and the keyboard line is fairly pleasant to listen to, offsetting the lyrical content quite effectively.
However, for all the similarities of the instruments, the vocals in each version differ strongly. Alice Cooper has a rougher voice, almost snarling his lyrics, as if he's frustrated at the feelings the mystery lover is bringing out in him. On the other hand, Tarja brings a more operatic tone to her singing, with her vocals being higher pitched and quite clean, resulting in a voice that sounds more desperate for the touch of that which is dangerous than anger at the feelings resulting in the want for that dangerous touch. Technically, Tarja's singing is better than Alice Cooper's. However, his frustration is somewhat fitting for the subject matter.
So which version is better? The angrier and harsher version, or the cleaner and more desperate version? I'm a huge Alice Cooper fan, so that biases me a bit. But in the end, breaking it down piece by piece...I'd honestly have to go with the Tarja Turunen version. I know quite a few will disagree, saying I just "don't get" the Alice Cooper version. I do, though. Tarja's version just raises emotions I can relate to better. Anger at feeling love for that which is dangerous? I've never really felt that. Desperation for love, even if it's a trip to Masochism Land? Who hasn't felt that? Each version is quite strong in their own rights. However, Tarja's version is the only one that connects with me emotionally. Alice Cooper's version is great headbanging material, but that's about it for me. You may disagree, and that's all right. Either way, it is an awesome song by an awesome vocalist.
In 1989, Vincent Furnier, under the stage name of Alice Cooper, was in a career slump, having only had one hit since 1980, "He's Back (The Man Behind the Mask)", written for the movie "Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives". However, that soon changed, as a single off of the album Trash titled "Poison" reached #2 in the UK and #7 in the US. In 2005, Tarja Turunen was dismissed from Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish due to personal reasons. Deciding to start a solo career. On her first album, 2006's My Winter Storm, she included a cover of the Alice Cooper song, which never charted, as it was not released as a single, though the album topped the Finnish charts, as well as going platinum in Finland, double platinum in Russia, and gold in Germany. However, was the cover as good as the original, or is "Poison" a no-woman's land?
Very...odd video.
The instruments in each version are quite similar. However, there are some big differences. Alice Cooper's instruments are a bit more rough sounding in general, with two guitar solos added in, one in the middle and one at the end. On the other hand, Tarja Turunen's version starts off a lot gentler, with the only instrument heard through the verses being a subtle keyboard sound. However, once the bridge kicks in, so do the guitar and drums. However, the Tarja Turunen version lacks the guitar solos. In the end, Alice Cooper's version is a bit more unified, and has more technical skill in the instruments. However, Tarja's version sounds a bit gentler in the verses, resulting in a harder-hitting chorus, and the keyboard line is fairly pleasant to listen to, offsetting the lyrical content quite effectively.
However, for all the similarities of the instruments, the vocals in each version differ strongly. Alice Cooper has a rougher voice, almost snarling his lyrics, as if he's frustrated at the feelings the mystery lover is bringing out in him. On the other hand, Tarja brings a more operatic tone to her singing, with her vocals being higher pitched and quite clean, resulting in a voice that sounds more desperate for the touch of that which is dangerous than anger at the feelings resulting in the want for that dangerous touch. Technically, Tarja's singing is better than Alice Cooper's. However, his frustration is somewhat fitting for the subject matter.
God, she's so hot...*drool*
So which version is better? The angrier and harsher version, or the cleaner and more desperate version? I'm a huge Alice Cooper fan, so that biases me a bit. But in the end, breaking it down piece by piece...I'd honestly have to go with the Tarja Turunen version. I know quite a few will disagree, saying I just "don't get" the Alice Cooper version. I do, though. Tarja's version just raises emotions I can relate to better. Anger at feeling love for that which is dangerous? I've never really felt that. Desperation for love, even if it's a trip to Masochism Land? Who hasn't felt that? Each version is quite strong in their own rights. However, Tarja's version is the only one that connects with me emotionally. Alice Cooper's version is great headbanging material, but that's about it for me. You may disagree, and that's all right. Either way, it is an awesome song by an awesome vocalist.
