The Walt Disney corporation’s use of covers has always turned up some fascinating collaborations, (see LL Cool J’s “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf” on 1991’s Simply Mad About the Mouse) and their most recent record is certainly no exception. A Whole New Sound, features a bevy of alternative musicians tackling the Disney cannon. (We wrote about Simple Plan’s cover of Elton John’s “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” back in July and Yellowcard’s “A Whole New World” last week.) In another track from the record, Bowling For Soup covers another classic, this one from the 1992 animated film, Aladdin.
The Soup-Disney connection isn’t a new one; the band provided the theme song, “Today is Going to Be a Great Day,” for the popular animated Disney show, Phineas and Ferb. Also featured on A Whole New Sound are artists like Yellowcard, New Found Glory and Meet Me @ The Altar. The record is available now.
Bowling For Soup’s take is a straight-down-the-middle punk/pop version of the song, with lead singer Jaret Reddick ably trying to strike the balance between aping Robin Williams’ iconic initial take on the tune, while retaining his own voice and style. It’s not a complete re-imagining, but at the same time provides enough of the group’s persona to make it feel fully inhabited.
