Cover sets are a great way for bands to fill the gap between studio albums while connecting with listeners to and old to bond over their shared love of the source material. Much of the time however, the end result comes in with questionable results. A few good tracks, a couple stinkers, and a ‘what-were-they-thinking?’ tends to be commonplace. On RE:(DISC)OVERED, PUDDLE OF MUDD shatters the mold by delivering a stellar collection of classic rock covers that remain faithful to the originals while getting a 21st Century revamp.
Released nearly 10 years to the day after their major label debut COME CLEAN, RE:(DISC)OVERED presents a version of PUDDLE that’s leaner and cleaner than the band as they first hit the mainstream. With Gimme Shelter (The Rolling Stones) already at rock radio as the first single from the album, listeners should be pleasantly surprised that the track is not a highlight of the record.
Frontman Wes Scantlin and Co. tear it up on Billy Squier’s Everybody Wants You, AC/DC’s TNT, and Free’sAll Right Now, while bringing the smoke-filled grooves with a solid rendition of Steve Miller’s The Joker and James Gang’s Funk #49.
Bottom Line: RE:(DISC)OVERED is a fun record for fans of the classics, fans of the band, or those that just want a solid jam. It’s like having PUDDLE OF MUDD performing at a beer-drenched private party in your living room.
Rating: 3.5/5
