Here, you can compare Plankton's "Drummer Boy" to Alex Lifeson's more mellow, country version below and hear what you think.

My overall verdict is that Alex Lifeson's song sounds rather insipid compared to Plankton's guitar-playing, which is clearer and stronger. Plankton's version also includes rhythm and guitar playing in the same song, puts the reverb effect to good use, and incorporates layering and lovely triplets of notes such as around 3:40 (and at the end) that add variety to the song. Only major improvement that could be made in Plankton's version would be to use real drums.

Plankton - "The Little Drummer Boy"




Alex Lifeson - "The Drummer Boy"
This cover has mushier, less distinct guitar-playing compared to Plankton's. Lifeson's version also lacks high points in the melody, which I feel turns into a jangly mess. Finally, some of the beginning (sluggish) low notes are slightly out of tune in Alex Lifeson's playing. (I didn't inherit my dad's perfect pitch, but I can hear well when a note is out of tune!)


Alex Lifeson - The Drummer Boy - YouTube

EDIT: Plankton's video is now online so I added it into the post. Thanks, Plank!

Id have to say I did enjoy planktons version more. Didn't really like what lifeson was doing on the guitar while the melody came from the bass. Or at least what I thought was bass, I didn't listen real well, it bored me.

You're really killin me here... OK. Better than Alex? Ugh... I'm flabbergasted.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMIfN...ature=youtu.be

It's still too new to put up the meta tags. Just U/L'ed it.

Not saying you're a better overall guitarist than lifeson, but I did enjoy that song more than his rendition. But who knows, maybe you are better. Jam along with some rush tracks and well compare lifesons rush with planktons rush. :laughing:

I've learned and forgotten tons of Rush tunes, and I have a version of Jacobs Ladder, and Xanadu I did over some backing tracks, but they're rubbish. I'd like to redo em as well as a few others at some point, but you know... the lazy factor and all. So, by my count I have two albums I need to get crackin on. The Xmas one, and a Plankton plays Rush one. lol

I just gotta say thank you though for the great responses. I'm really touched.

One thing that really stands out to me about your playing is that you have a good sense of rhythm. Your style isnt totally obsessed with shredding, like so many people these days, you add just the right amount. But that being said, I'd like to see how well you can really shred. Are there any plankton shred songs out there?

I did a little bit of collaboration with a dude on another forum where I pretty much shred through the tunes. He was kind enough to lay some rythm/bass/drums down for me on a silver platter, and said "Go nuts".

I put it up in the Showcase thread:

http://www.musicbanter.com/1260823-post65.html

Do you have a certain approach when you play? Is there a certain sound you try to achieve? Or do you just start playing/improvising and go with the flow?

If that even makes sense.

I appreciate the matchup. Here's my take on Al vs Plank...

Al took the slow build approach, using the chime of a REALLY good guitar (c'mon! the dudes got some cash), and used the natural flow of the traditional rythm to carry the build. He let it ebb and tide in a mellow manner, so as to be part of the background, which is an artform in itself. Out of all the versions of this tune this is my favorite, just for the simplicity in which he approached it.

Plank - I used the simplistic approach of layering the rythm and accent notes. Set a bridge portion, then used that same concept to take it out. I really made an effort to keep it simple but heavy without going over the top.

Again, thank you so much for the matchup VEGANGELICA, brings a smile to my face.

I go with what ever's on my mind at the moment.

Makes perfect sense to me.