Review Summary: Over a decade later, and we're still waiting on that better place.
There's something rather hopeless about Tomas releasing an album with a cover of "A Better Place, a Better Time" eleven years after its original conception. Sure, there are those that are still struggling with suicidal thoughts, and the song is one that helped a lot of people and more than likely still does. However, for this much time to have passed and the idea that nothing has changed is depressing. Yes, these types of feelings are a continuing struggle, but isn't one of the major themes of the song moving forward? At this point, maybe it's time to lead by example.
On top of all of that, the cover (sung by Sycamore Smith) seems half baked and crazy rushed. It sounds like Sycamore was assigned to cover the song more so than he wanted to create a heartfelt rendition of it. The whole thing is hokey and overall pretty lifeless. He ends the quite abridged version with a cartoonish kazoo solo. It's amazing that anyone thought it was a good idea. To be sung on an album alongside the original artist is downright insulting.
The EP opens with a song that sounds like something you may hear on a children's program, but its lyrical theme is revolved around hookers. There may be some humor to be found in that combination, but more of it comes from the fact that the song is laughably bad. It's catchy, but the breed of catchy that you hate yourself for getting stuck in your head.
Somewhere in the between, there are a couple of good covers and a couple of mostly inoffensive ones. One good, one average, and one bad from each artist. Looking back on the experience of the EP though, it's really just a waste of time.
Death Recz:
The Man With the Skeleton Arms
Would You be Impressed?