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Power-pop throwbacks passionately embrace their sources of inspiration
In 2006, Sweet and Hoffs demonstrated with engaging ’60s collection Under The Covers Vol. 1 that revisiting rock standards is a viable aesthetic pursuit. Like its predecessor, their new ’70s retrospective uncannily re-creates indelible tracks from primary Sweet inspirations Todd Rundgren (twice), Big Star, Fleetwood Mac (with Lindsey Buckingham guesting) and Yes (ditto Steve Howe), while also giving Hoffs a chance to wrap her crystalline voice around unexpected choices like Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain” and Bread’s “Everything I Own.”
Working out of his home studio, Sweet—joined by drummer Ric Menck and multi-instrumentalist Greg Leisz—nails every sonic nuance, buried under cumulous clouds of glorious boy/girl harmonies. The sheer joy that permeates thrilling performances like The Raspberries’ “Go All the Way” and Derek & the Dominos’ “Bell Bottom Blues” makes for a captivating listen.
Listen to Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs on their MySpace.
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How is it that PASTE is unable or unwilling to give its readers a trak listing of the disc just reviewed??
cum on....
These are not interesting or inventive covers. There is no good reason to listen to these instead of the original versions. (Even if you like Susanna's voice better than the original singers', it's mixed way too loud...plus Matthew's vocals are often grating.)
This is nothing but a self-indulgent vanity project that Hoffs & Sweet should've just given away online. Then we might've enjoyed it with lowered expections, as something inessential but inoffensive - merely a chance for fans of M & S to hear them having fun covering their old favorites.
And maybe if the songs had been recorded in that non-mercenary spirit of creating frivolous freebies, with a more spontaneous, live vibe, the songs would *sound* like they were having fun. 'Cause it doesn't sound that way. It sounds fussed over and lifeless. A pointless recreation instead of a creative interpetation. Boring.
And a wasted opportunity. These two should get together and do something original. And Matt? Don't just use Susanna's voice to decorate your songs, okay? She can write too.
Annoyingly coy liner notes as well.