I'm not usually a fan of cover albums, mostly because very few artists can do a better job than the originals. Numerous cover albums have been released, mostly for naught (everything but the girls' 'acoustic' comes to mind as one that did actually work very well). And now, pop-master Matthew Sweet has hooked up with The Bangles' pop-mistress Susanna Hoffs to attempt a full album of 60s' covers. Given their pedigrees in the pop world, it sounds like this might be a match made in heaven...let's see...
When I received this disc, I listened once, twice, three times...and then emailed editor Matt Rowe that I would write a review...as soon as I could stop listening simply for the pleasure of listening! Sweet and Hoffs are, indeed, a match made in heaven! Both for their perfectly-matched vocals and fine, mighty fine, choice of songs here. And, also, for the perfect arrangements and choice of backup musicians. Velvet Crush drummer and long-time Sweet associate Ric Menck is onboard (and absolutely spot-on!), along with one of Sweet's past guitarists, Richard Lloyd (first appearing with Sweet on his breakthrough disc 'Girlfriend') and the legendary Van Dyke Parks on keys and string arrangements (as well as liner notes, which also include Sweet and Hoffs track-by-track comments, here calling themselves Sid and Susie - but I won't give away anymore secrets...the liner notes are for that!).
I'm gonna break this down track-by-track, because this disc deserves it!
1. "I See The Rain" by The Marmalade - best known in the US for their one hit "Reflections of My Life" (they also had a huge hit in Europe with their cover of The Beatles' "Obla-Di, Obah Da"). Sweet and Hoffs demonstrate their pop- smarts by choosing this selection - excellent Brit-pop, excellently done. Richard Lloyd does a perfectly strained, edgy lead guitar.
2. "And Your Bird Can Sing" by The Beatles - how does one choose a Beatles' tune to cover? By being Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs, I guess, because it works perfectly.
3. "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" by Bob Dylan - one of my favorites of all-time. They do a respectable job here (although my favorite cover of this song is by Them [Van Morrison]). Hoffs offers up a bit of Bangles-like background vocals. Sweet.
4. "Who Knows Where The Time Goes" by Fairport Convention - Sandy Denny's lead vocals are revered by many a fan. Susanna Hoffs makes this one her own (better than Judy Collins' version). Beautiful, simply beautiful.
5. "Cinnamom Girl" by Neil Young - pretty much an exact cover - Great crunching guitars!
6. "Alone Again Or" by Love - okay, this is where my goose-bumps really kicked in. What a marvelous choice of songs to cover! Superb! Although this is one of the few songs Love did that wasn't written by Arthur Lee... Love-er Bryan Maclean wrote this classic from the classic Love album 'Forever Changes'
7. "The Warmth of the Sun" by The Beach Boys - again, gooses-bumps! So sweet and smooth...challenges The Beach Boys and Brian Wilson's versions. Sweet's vocals shine here. There are few who could pull this off.
8. "Different Drum" by The Stone Poneys - Hoffs takes this one and at least equals Linda Ronstadt's original. Great! (Written by The Monkees' Mike Nesmith, by the way.)
9. "The Kids Are Alright" by The Who - one of my favorite Who songs ever! A great cover of a great song! And what a marvelous choice! This one convinced me that, after all these years, there are still Who fanatics out there!
10. "Sunday Morning" by The Velvet Underground featuring Nico - again, a marvelous out-of-left-field choice! A perfect listen. The chiming bells, the harmony and that Susanna Hoffs voice...pedal steel guitar slithering through, a soft, muted lead guitar...ahhhhhhh!
11. "Everybody Knows This is Nowhere" by Neil Young - again, an almost note perfect cover. Crunchy. Is worth it.
12. "Care of Cell #44" by The Zombies - from their classic 'Oddesey and Oracle' (one of the great cult albums ever). Another mostly unknown choice that will open your eyes...er, ears!
13. "Monday Monday" by The Mamas and Papas - pretty much as you'd expect it - marvelous!
14. "She May Call You Up Tonight" by The Left Banke - from one of the most under-appreciated bands who gave us "Walk Away, Renee" and "Pretty Ballerina". Superb pop/baroque-rock!
15. "Run To Me" by The Bee Gees - although from 1971, a beautiful cover of a beautiful song...pre-disco crap.
The knowledge of pop-rock that both Sweet and Hoffs possess here is obvious, which leaves no doubt as to where their love of music and "solo" careers began. I don't think I could have chosen a better 15 songs to cover on one disc than the ones offered here. If you love 60s' pop as much as I do, or if you are just a lover of pop-rock in general, I cannot recommend this disc highly enough... and the recording quality is excellent.
Congratulations to all involved! Thanks to Sweet/ Hoffs and Shout!Factory for keeping great music alive! I've said it before and I'll say it again...Shout!Factory rules! Yes, it's a cover album, and if you're not familiar with these songs, get hep!. Does a cover album deserve to be called one of the best albums of the year? Yep - this one does!
