The internet revitalized the cover song. Ten to 15 years ago, a band would be marked and scarred forever if they led with a cover (Alien Ant Farm, Orgy, et al.), and unless you have some serious major label money, bands wouldn’t be able to pay for the rights to release a cover on an album anyway. But in 2011, a cover can be a timely defibrillator for a band whose limelight has long since faded. Is it still as cheap as it once was? Possibly, but covers strike a good balance between business and pleasure for a band, and tend to drum up heaping portions of nostalgia for listeners who can now deepen their connection with a band. Or hell, maybe Tennis just really likes The Zombies.
-Jeremy D Larson
Content Director
