If you close your eyes real tight and think real hard, you may remember when people cared about Jared Leto.
It was over ten years ago back in 1994 that the blue-eyed actor became a teenage heartthrob playing bad boy Jordan Catalano on “My So-Called Life,” followed by secondary character roles in 20th and 21st century American cinema classics such as “Fight Club,” “American Psycho” and “Requiem for a Dream.” Then in 1998, the actor crossed over into the music industry with his progressive nu-metal band 30 Seconds to Mars.
And while his bad boy appeal has captured the hearts and hormones of female celebrities — such as Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears — to say he and his band’s presence carry any cultural significance still, would be only a ploy to score a peck on the lips with old-school, bad boy Jordan.
Despite his fizzling celebrity status, the 38-year-old is back under the spotlight this week, if but for a moment, for his band’s cover of Lady GaGa’s hit single “Bad Romance.”
It’s not that Leto cannot sing, for his vocal capabilities aren’t completely non-existant, so much as the tackling of a cover as popular as Lady GaGa’s should rouse a reaction other than general ambivalence.
Unfortunately, however, while GaGa’s creation lends itself a song full of energy, passion and life by a talented, self-professed weirdo, the 30 Seconds to Mars cover comes off as a slow, melodic rock ballad void of the same gut-wrenching passion and unique delivery as put forth by the 24-year-old glam-rock talent’s original track.
Take a listen and judge for yourself below. Am I right, or am I right?
30 Seconds to Mars – “Bad Romance” Cover
Lady GaGa – “Bad Romance”
Comments
I’m glad somebody brought this up. While Coldplay raises the ire of everyone from Carson Daily to Hank Moody, the celeb knock off version somehow continues to find their way into the hearts of eighth grade girls every where.