The song I chose to compare and contrast is the Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin The cover was done by Trent Reznor and Karen O. The quality of the two versions of the song have similarities as well differences. The timbre of the two versions of the song vary greatly. Led Zeppelin’s version of the song is less complex; it uses more traditional rock band instruments such as drum set and guitar. The timbre of the cover song is fairly different from the original. This version of the song is less raw than the original and is more electronic. It’s timbre is noisier than the original. It also has a darker feel than the original and is more complex. The pitches of the two songs also differ. The pitches in Led Zeppelin’s version tend to go higher than the cover version. The pitches in Trent Reznor and Karen O’s cover tend to be lower. The two songs are similar in their tempo/speed however. Both the original song and the cover have the same fast and almost frantic tempo. When matched up, the speeds of the two songs are almost exactly the same. The two versions of the songs use the same lyrics; there aren’t any surprises there. They are also the same in the sense that the melody is kept the same between the original version and the cover.
Both songs use tension and release effectively. The songs build tension at the end of sections and then release it at the beginning of new sections. For example, at fifty seconds into Led Zeppelin’s version, they build tension and use a moment of silence to hold said tension. They then release the tension after the silence, and get back into the main guitar riff. This tension and release is mirrored in the cover song as well, at the same time in the music. The two songs also carry contrast and affinity between each other. They do this in the sense of how each version differs as well as how they are similar. They contrast in the mood and instruments used. Led Zeppelin’s Immigrant Song uses rock band instruments and is under the rock genre. This contrasts with the cover greatly. The cover by Trent Reznor and Karen O doesn’t incorporate the instruments like Led Zeppelin does. The cover contrasts because it is very electronic and uses a lot of related effects. They also contrast in the sense that the cover version conveys a darker mood than the original, as stated earlier. The two songs contain affinity between each other in the sense that they both have the same lyrics and vocal melodies. The melodies/harmonies between the instruments are also the same.
I would have to say that I like the original version of the song better than the cover. To me, no cover can ever top the original work, especially when it’s a cover of Led Zeppelin. I just like the rawness and the sincere work of the musicians at hand in the original song. The cover is still really good however. It shows a whole new side to the song and almost gives me chills when I listen to it. It really is very well done as far as covers go. However, since it lacks the true instrumentation and performance aspect, I find it a bit lacking. The effects used are interesting to listen to, but I prefer the real instruments and “performance-like” recordings over electronic/computer made sounds and recordings.
Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin
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