Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Song of the Day: Pantera, "Cat Scratch Fever"

In keeping with yesterday's theme, here's Pantera's take on "Cat Scratch Fever," from the Detroit Rock City soundtrack.



Ted Nugent is someone that I'll defend in the art vs. morality debate, but even musically he gets trumped here. Phil Anselmo's an infinitely better singer, and the Brothers' Abbott's groove knocks Nugent's out of the park. The original sounds thin by comparison.

Perhaps there's no better endorsement than Nugent's himself, who was confronted about the song after dismissing the late Dimebag Darrell for being "foolish enough to take on the nickname of a life-destroying dope product and promote such family-destroying conduct on stage." (Apparently family-destroying conduct is OK if it's off stage.)

"No soul, no balls, no feel. Caucasian all the way," Nugent griped on his web site. "There is no excuse for such horrifically negative, irresponsible, criminal, America-wrecking behavior as such chimp-like substance abuse." Maybe he's jealous, or maybe he's confirming his status as the kind of moralist that rock music is meant to stick it to, but either way it's worth celebrating with Pantera's "Cat Scratch Fever."

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