A cover of a song is like a panorama of the city seen through a differently colored glasses. Ergo, covers are fashionable. As we all know, fashion trends come and go. You either evolve or you die.
When they appeared on the German scene almost ten years ago, The Baseballs seemed like a refreshment capable of turning modern pop songs to rockabilly hits we could all easily love (without feeling guilty about it). What changed? Almost nothing.
The Baseballs just released their 10th album, and significant changes are nowhere to be found. They would be unnecessary, as the band has a scheme that works. Still, If we are to look for something else in music than just pure fun, it becomes clear that standardized arrangements could induce boredom, especially If you play several albums one after the another.
Hit Me Baby brings abundance of rockabilly shenanigans, but also one song that it different from anything else they have created in their career. Let’s Talk About Sex is an infatuating ballade with plethora of vocals shift and minimal instrumentals. The rest of the album is predictable. They have taken the biggest hits of the 00s, so we got covers of Beyonce, Britney Spears, Cher, Spice Girls, R.Kelly and many others. Considering that this material is known to everybody, it is difficult to miss the spot because the target audience is anyone who enjoys a melody that is easy to remember.
Even though these camouflaged songs shine a new perspective of mega popular hits, trying to repeat the success of Umbrella cover that made them innovative and famous is a dull business. The band sounds a bit tiring and dated, the fact they are probably aware of since the members started writing their own music. I mean, you can not do covers for the rest of your life.
The new album is definitely dancing in circles. Song arrangements are almost indistinctive; everything is sticky and retro. The truth is – this is something that deserves to dominate radio stations. But, If the band does not change something in their expression, the definite death of their career could happen.
