It's not an easy thing to cover Creedence Clearwater Revival. That song is a true story. Real anger. And most bands that try will end up softening it, and they either intend to or not. Motihari Brigade does just the opposite. They make everything that was dangerous, more dangerous. What you get is loud, deliberate and somewhat relentless. Which is the point, right? There’s no hesitation in the way they approach this song. Everything feels direct, angry, and fully committed throughout.
The band is named after the place of George Orwell's birth, Motihari in India. That's all you need to know about where their heads are at. This is music that's created by artists. Who really are disturbed by what they see. The guitars grind. The drums beat rapidly and with force, perhaps even a militancy. The voice is rough and strong, and there's a sort of urgency in the performance that isn't forced.
What Motihari Brigade know is that if the band does not believe what they are playing then their cover will not work. This is not the tribute act time. A statement is a sentence that makes a declaration. The song is well suited to the themes of their forthcoming album which revolve around war, propaganda, power and those who really have to pay the price.
The production is deliberately rough around the edges. That's a real rough edge working here. It prevents the song from getting too slick or too cosy. It reads more like a statement than a warning. Rock and roll always has the potential to make people feel uncomfortable. Not everybody does remember that. Motihari Brigade definitely does! This version of Fortunate Son reminds me of a cover that makes me want to go back to the original and listen to it differently. That's quite an accomplishment.
