When you hear that a member of
Dream Theater
has launched a side project, it's understandable to assume that it's going to be more of the heavy
prog metal
that they've become renowned for. But the 2006 release,
Cover to Cover
, is a true anomaly. Credited to ex-
Spock's Beard
guitarist
Neal Morse
,
drummer
Mike Portnoy
, and bassist
Randy George
, the album features covers by the expected suspects (
Cream
's
"Badge"
and
the Who
"I'm Free/Sparks"
), as well as a few surprises (
Joe Jackson
"I'm the Man"
Chicago
"Feelin' Stronger Every Day"
). And with covers of
Paul McCartney
"Maybe I'm Amazed"
George Harrison
"What Is Life?"
(as well as the aforementioned
"Badge,"
which was also penned by
Harrison
), the trio make no bones about being
Beatles
worshipers. Not exactly a very necessary release (you can probably stroll down to your neighborhood bar and hear a local band play these tunes), but
fans who need to own every recorded morsel should enjoy it. ~ Greg Prato