It's widely acknowledged that
Glenn Danzig was one of the very best singers to emerge from hardcore punk, and the guy could carry a tune far better than his peers, most of whom confined themselves to an angry, sneering bark. It was always clear that
Danzig's semi-operatic howl was informed by some for-real singers, most notably
Roy Orbison,
Jim Morrison, and especially
Elvis Presley. It's no great shock that
Danzig has chosen to acknowledge one of his greatest influences, but
Danzig Sings Elvis will probably surprise many of his longtime fans. If you were expecting
Danzig's usual dark-hued metal sound here, think again.
Danzig Sings Elvis goes entirely the opposite direction, with spare, minimal backings that hover quietly in the background with his vocals mixed way out in front.
Danzig's sincerity is clearly obvious, as he mimics
Presley's phrasing on most of these tracks, and draws up a set list leaning toward lesser-known tunes like "First in Line," "Pocket Full of Rainbows," and "Like a Baby" rather than the most obvious hits (no "Hound Dog," "Jailhouse Rock," or "Love Me Tender" here). Clearly a labor of love and a heartfelt homage,
Danzig Sings Elvis finds the punk/metal icon exploring his musical roots in a new and unexpected way. ~ Mark Deming
