Danzig – Danzig Sings Elvis-Cleopatra Records
Glenn Danzig Sings Elvis , again.
Better Late Than Never Review –
(released April 2020)
I think the wooly mammoth in the room since April, besides apocalyptic, impending doom is what’s up with the new Glenn Danzig Sings Elvis record. Without even listening to this my thoughts are “Why did it take him this long”. I always thought he channelled Elvis from the moment I heard American Nightmare on Legacy Of Brutality LP circa a long time ago. The more I research Glenn and the boys from Lodi, NJ area aka the New York metro area. I realize they grew up on Elvis doo wop and 60s crooners. Secondly, he did record Elvis’s Trouble before . Trouble was a home run because he put that spin on it that sounded like Trouble, the horror soundtrack edition.
So if you know Elvis and Danzig songs then this makes total sense, as Danzig has been likened to a punk Elvis. Also Glenn sings some of the lesser known tracks from the King.
You will not hear Hound Dog, or All Shook Up , Jailhouse Rock.
Glenn does sing One Night and Always on My Mind but the rest have eluded me. I’m an Elvis fan through osmosis. For better or worse I was raised by Elvis fans. I remember after his passing watching Kurt Russell. He played the king in the made for TV movie about Elvis. You may remember him falling off the throne in the movie. Of course when i watched every year this confused me. I was a young boy I knew nothing of drug abuse, the so called King , or much anything else.
I saw a review from a person (who shall remain nameless) slamming this release’s production, vocals, guitars, drums, etc. They were unhappy with the piano. I don’t understand. It’s not the best production but it does not stand out as horribly bad as this self proclaimed nerd is whining about. Furthermore I seriously doubt they paid for the record. If you don’t pay for it why do you care Glenn is off key? Have you done any mastering or mixing? We are all entitled to opinions. So his overwhelmingly bad review is a result of Danzig fans who view whatever part of his catalog as their ‘own’. Butt hurt fanboys. The Hard Times satire site hits this phenomena on the head with its post. ” Dog wearing Misfits bandana can’t even name three of their songs.” https://thehardtimes.net/culture/dog-wearing-misfits-bandana-cant-even-name-three-songs/
Glenn doesn’t hit every note perfectly every time, but he seems to be on pitch more than he is not. There are some painful moments, but that just makes Danzig Sings Elvis more fun to listen to IMO.
The guitars are almost hidden in the back, this is not problematic for me. The focus is on the vocals and that seems to be how it was mixed and intended. The backing tracks are in the backseat. The piano rides shotgun. I think that when Glen wavers off a semi tone or so it gives it his own flavor. I think he is honestly singing and knows he can’t touch the King but he goes for it anyway.
First In Line seems to have the most ambitious vocals and does sound like injured punk Elvis. However, on Baby Let’s Play House Glenn channels him nicely in the style of the Misfits American Nightmare track. This LP is probably best with your expectations set super low. If you compare it to other Danzig releases from ’77 until now, this Elvis LP can’t measure up to Samhain or Danzig I and II. Again, its obvious that this is a stand alone side project LP like his Black Aria 1 and 2. Those are classical and equally throwing some caution into the North Jersey refinery smelling wind.
Pocket Full of Rainbows is entertaining. The man who is talking about Demonomania, hacking off heads, and other fine points has gone whimsical.
Danzig now asks for you to smile and allow him to pull some joy out of the same skull that he had wanted from you so badly.
The tongue in cheek charm outweighs the sour notes. The piano sounds right in the mix contrary to the negative fan boy on you tube. Like A Baby has a classic late 50’s feel with the piano hammering along in doo wop style.
If Danzig Sings Elvis is not your idea of chocolate and peanut butter or peas and carrots, then I suggest Black Aria.
Dark and light majesty’s epic battle in heaven. This is a great side record that pairs well with his other work. The angels weep and the fallen ones lick their wounds. Danzig’s mighty Black Aria
So is this Glenn Danzig Sings Elvis a great album? A classic that will go down in Misfits history ? Probably not. The greasers , and punk rockabillys might love it. I can spin it once in a while and appreciate it for what it is. Despite its numerous aspects you can nitpick and find flaws with, I’d rather hear this more often than the Joe Pesci Rap album.