Last Autumn's Dream - In Disguise (2016)

Cover albums are usually a hit or miss affair. Some are really good (Shaw / Blades' "Influences," 33 Tours' "Stereoscope," Jorn Lande's "Heavy Metal Radio,") and other attempts, well, not so much (Duran Duran's "Thank You.") Here, Last Autumn's Dream have paid homage to their favorite classic songs on this, their 13th studio album titled "In Disguise," released on the Escape Music label.
So how does this album fare overall? First off, let's talk about the sound. At times the mix is muddled, and all the instruments sound jumbled, so what is heard is not clean, and crisp (check out LAD's version of Steve Miller's "Jet Airliner" for example.") Last Autumn's Dream is an amazing band, who has released some really great albums over the years But on "In Disguise," at times LAD sounds great, and at others they sound little more than a garage band playing covers in a local bar. Many times they sound bored, and some of the songs come across as listless, such as heard on their cover of BTO's "Hey You." The Steve Walsh / Billy Greer project Streets released a bombastic, crazy good song "If Love Should Go," on their 1983 debut "1st." Street's version is an epic, bic lighting, arena filling anthem, on Last Autumn's Dream version the song sounds much more subdued. It is understood that the band covering the song will offer their own version and put their own spin to the song, but it still has to be played with the same passion and intensity. The whole point of putting out a covers album is paying respect to the original. Put your own touches to the original of course, but make it sound just as full and amazing as when it was originally done. And on "If Love Should Go," it just doesn't. Canadian legends Loverboy is given time with a cover of "Working For The Weekend." The sound again is a bit warbled, and on the original, drummer Matt Frenette gives his drums a pounding and on the bridge going into the chorus he hits in rapid succession the cymbals which escalates the music, but on LAD's version the drums are held back, and those familiar with the original they are waiting for those cymbal crashes like Matt did so well, but here they don't come, which is a let down. Sweet's "Wig Wam Bam," was pretty good, and LAD bassist Nalle Pahlsson takes over the lead vocal mic and does a good job with Kiss' "All The Way," as his voice is reminiscent to Gene Simmons. LAD cover of ABBA's "When I Kissed The Teacher" was surprisingly well done, with great vocal harmonies, strong guitars and a strong driving rhythm. Truly this album's CD highlight, LAD gave a 70's disco tinged pop song a melodic rock spin, and made it their own. Also well done is LAD's covers of City Boy's "I'll Bring The Whole World To Your Door," and Angel's "Need A Little Loving." The little known band The Headpins are paid homage to with a cover of "Just One More Time." Not real energetically done, but great vocal harmonies and keyboards do this song justice. 1970's British singer / songwriter John Miles (who probably isn't known by a large majority) gets one of his long lost hits "Slow Down," from John's 1977''s release "Stranger in the City," some play time. A strange song to cover for sure, and I had to do some research as to who John Miles was, and it would be interesting to know just why LAD chose this forgotten song to cover.
So, not the strongest album of covers but certainly not the worst. Some good songs, some different songs, and some songs from the forgotten, and that's always a good thing when a fading artist is given praise and remembrance. Again the sound could have been better and the mixing paid more attention to. But for fans of Last Autumns' Dream, like i am, check this one out. ~Amazon

Track listing
01. If Love Should Go (4:30)
02. Jet Airliner (4:10)
03. Working For The Weekend (3:44)
04. Wig Wam Bam (3:10)
05. Slow Down (3:34)
06. Need A Little Loving (4:03)
07. I'll Bring The Whole World To Your Door (3:17)
08. Just One More Time (5:10)
09. When I Kissed The Teacher (3:18)
10. All The Way (3:20)
11. Hey You (3:54)
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12. Long Gone (bonus track) (5:36)



Thx to kolushew