The Metallica Blacklist

My friend Scott gives me musical recommendations from time to time. He sent me an innocuous text a week or so ago:

Normally a couple of songs sends me into an afternoon long diversion of musical exploration. This album is 54 songs! 12 Versions of Enter Sandman, alone. Yikes.

Full disclosure, I didn’t listen to the entire album… yet. I wanted to get back to Scott sometime before Christmas, so I focused on the songs that I know really well and love. I’ve mostly restricted myself to positive comments, though occasionally I can’t help myself.

FWIW, here are my thoughts on having listened to most of them through twice. If you subscribe to Apple Music, this is the link:

Enter Sandman

Alessia Cara

    • Probably the best of the pop versions of any of the songs (and Canadian!)

Rina Sawayama 

    • Loved some of the harmonic choices she used in her vocals, but was mostly underwhelmed by the music 

Sad but true

Sam fender

    • Soooo far from the original in style, but he completely owned it! On the right day, I might have missed that it is even a cover of one of my favourite songs.

The Unforgiven 

[Strangely, I liked nearly all of them, but particularly…]

Flatbush Zombies 

    • Unless I’m mistaken, it is the original vocals slowed down so that the rap works double time?!? Is that right. Anyway, I love original/diverse lyrics in a remake.

Ha*Ash

    • Latin/Country/Pop??? Didn’t know it was missing from my life. More, please.

Moses Sumney

    • My favourite from the whole album!!!
    • I was literally “hooked” by the guitar opener. His falsetto is terrific.

Nothing Else Matters

Phoebe Bridgers

    • Intimate and haunting. Such an appropriate take on this song. Haunting. The simplicity of the piano/violin combo and the occasionally duplicated/ghosted lyrics. Love.

Miley Cyrus (with one of the most amazing ‘feat’ lists of modern times)

    • I didn’t want to like it, but… the drum and guitar (and yes vocal) crescendo was great. I liked the cello ending, also. Yo-yo Ma is alright.

Dave Gahan 

    • Loved the careful, methodical lyrics. I could have used more of the ghostly digital effects. I was into it, but wanted (just a bit) more.

Chris Stapleton

    • Well adapted outside it’s genre (though not too far). And, while I don’t want to get into complaints, it certainly shows well after failed attempts by Igor levit, My Morning Jacket, and PG Roxette.

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