Under The Covers, Vol. 1
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Free Music Notes for Under The Covers, Vol. 1
Free Music Review: A Boast for the Bygone
Hit: 5 Stars
Apparently, Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs were going to bill themselves as "Sid & Susie." Glad the Shout label has their names on the release, because it made me look twice & eventually get this disc. There really aren't weak tracks on this CD. Cover versions can add to an original or well-known track, simply be a carbon copy or sometimes make you want to go back to the original disc. Two of these tracks have spent a great deal of time in my personal top ten rotation. I think my very favorite, which is a favorite because I kept playing it off the Left Banke record repeatedly back in its day and haven't heard it elsewhere, is "She May Call You Up Tonight." Ian Matthews did record a version of it, but the Left Banke's baroque pop was a unique sound. Sid & Susie give it a hard edge complete with soaring harmonies and jangling guitars, "I've been telling lines I never knew, all to keep that girl away from you." It's a luscious cover, not an obvious choice. Also a wonderful cover is "And Your Bird Can Sing" that pumps energy into what was a minor recording for the Beatles, but gleams with Sweet & Hoffs, "When your prize possessions start to wear you down, look in my direction, I'll be round." "Monday Monday" which will be one of the more familiar tracks is also given an excellent rendition with Hoffs proudly singing the "ba-da, ba-da's" like a boast for the bygone. The track has a stunning energy and is pure delight. I particularly like how the reverb flows into the break before the final chorus resumes. Fairport Convention & Judy Collins are closely identified with the Sandy Denny classic "Who Knows Where the Time Goes." Susan Cowsill recorded a cover of it on her recent "Just Believe It" set that went to the top of my favorite tracks of the year, as did the entire CD. Sid & Susie do a great version here, although I still go back to Collins' crystal Colorado voice and Susan's wonderful reading. I also enjoy their version of the Bee Gees' "Run to Me." The Bee Gees are kind of like the musical equivalent of Woody Allen -- it's hard not to sound like them, much as its hard for other actors not to sound like Woody Allen when doing his dialogue. Their rhythms and sound are so distinctive. This track is a contemplative gem that closes the disc. There are no weak tracks on this set, which makes me hope that a volume two does arrive! Enjoy! Free Music Review: beautiful melodies and uplifting lyrics
Hit: 5 Stars
The Good
A catchy guitar hook and a blending of Hoffs and Sweet's vocals command "I See the Rain" (The Marmalade). On "And Your Bird Can Sing" (The Beatles), Sweet and Hoffs trade harmonic melodies back and forth. Matthew also lays down a great surf-rock guitar solo. The duo expresses their rocking side on Neil Young's "Cinnamon Girl." The tempo is slightly faster than the original, but it still has all of the edgy guitar fuzz. With just one note you will instantly recognize the mark of Brian Wilson on "The Warmth of the Sun" (The Beach Boys). This down-tempo number is lead mostly by Matthew's high-pitched vocals. Susana backs him up on the choruses.
Hoffs has such a sweet voice on The Stone Poneys classic "Different Drum." This is definitely one of the songs I think of when I think of that decade. I had no idea it was written by Mike Nesmith (Monkees). Sweet and Hoffs unleash their rocking side again on "The Kids are Alright" (The Who) and "Everybody Knows This is Nowhere" (Neil Young & Crazy Horse). As the duo states in their liner notes, Who doesn't like The Mammas and the Papas? Songs like Monday, Monday were the epitome of the music scene in the sixties.
The Bad
Nothing notable
The Verdict
Not that I lived it, but what I've gathered in my lifetime; this album recreates the sounds of the sixties with beautiful melodies and uplifting lyrics.
Free Music Review: Not a lot of new cd's worth buying these days. This one is!!!
Hit: 5 Stars
And all covers- who would have thought? I had long forgotten about the Austin Powers connection but I had to listen to this after a highly critical/skeptical musician friend of mine told me how good it was. Then I met Susanna Hoffs at a Bangles show and was reminded how GREAT her voice is and how HOT she looks- she is like 47 and could put most 21 year old women to shame. Anyway I had better stop talking about that or that will be the whole review. Highlites? Your Bird Can Sing- man Susanna makes this her own- I would say it is the best Beatle cover EVER. Warmth of the Sun- I worship Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys and they did a great job with this one too. Cinnamon Girl- Incredible. The Kids Are Alright- again phenominal. The only one I could have lived without was "Different Drum". I don't buy the hype about Michael Nesmith being a musical genius. I think Hoffs sounds much better than Linda Rondstat but I found it impossible to forget Linda's whining while listening to it. One of the nice things about the album is that it is full of Susanna Hoffs. No jealous bandmates hogging the mic. And Matthew Sweet really compliments her. I have a lot more respect for the guy after hearing his voice and guitar work here. Free Music Review: Great Taste, No Revelations
Hit: 4 Stars
"Under the Covers" is a solid album covering '60s and '70s pop tunes. Sweet and Hoffs have the talent and production chops to put together convincing remakes of some well known songsand some exciting obscurities. Mostly it works well, although Sweet should never again attempt early-period Beach Boys (he just can't sing up there effectively). The album is more a celebration of Sweet and Hoff's great taste (and Sweet's guitar prowess) than an album with anything urgent or fresh to say. It's a pleasant listen and a good way of getting lots of great tunes in one place. But it doesn't really do anything all that innovative or moving.Free Music Review: Better on repeated listenings
Hit: 4 Stars
When I first bought this cd, upon its release, I was pretty disappointed. Nothing special, and I didn't know several of the songs that were covered here. After some research for original versions, and repeated listens, I have changed my mind. A few of the songs, are pretty much carbons of the originals, but a few, have been turned into pure pop bliss. Stand out cuts are : Care of cell 44, Its all over now Baby Blue, and Sunday Morning. Also, Alone again or, is very good, but fairly true to the original. The 2 songs that keep me from giving this 4 stars, instead of 3, are Run To Me, and Monday Monday. To me, the covers seem lacking of something, that the originals have (and so many people seem to cover the Bee Gees Classic, with poor or mediocre results). If you have it, and threw it aside after a listen, give it another chance. If you haven't purchased, and are looking for good pop rock (And you KNOW you can't find it on the radio, lol), give this cd a few spins.