Rough Edge: Various Artists - Sin-Atra CD Review

VARIOUS ARTISTS

"Sin-Atra" (Eagle Records; 2011)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

On paper, it probably seemed like a great idea. Take some of the best metal singers in the business and have them record hard rock/heavy metal versions of classic Frank Sinatra songs. Sadly, it doesn't really work.

Unfortunately, the classic songs of Sinatra just don’t transfer well into metal. It's not the vocalists on this recordings fault: I mean, they're the Sinatras of their genres. You've got Glenn Hughes, Joey Belladonna, Robin Zander and many, more. It's just that the music doesn’t translate well. The big orchestra love songs that Frank Sinatra made popular just don't work as heavy metal songs.

Well, there are a few exceptions: The opening track, by Devin Townsend, is awesome. The tracks by Dee Snider and Glenn Hughes are very good. The track by Cheap Trick's Robin Zander, one of my all-time favorite vocalists, isn't. Again, it's not really Zander’s fault, it’s more due to a couple of bad production choices.

I really wanted to like "Sin-Atra" but it just never clicked. Bob Kulick has a history of putting together these kind of compilations and they usually work. This one just didn't. Still, it's definitely worth a listen. Just the fact that Kulick, Billy Sheehan and Richie Kotzen perform here makes it interesting. Unfortunately, I can't give it a better recommendation that that.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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