| | Matthew Sweet Under The Covers Vol. 1 CD Matthew Sweet Discography of CDs
 (6 Customer Reviews)
The discographies of both pop-rocker Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs's former band the Bangles are heavily steeped in 1960s sunshine pop, so it's little surprise that the two would team up for an album of covers devoted to their favorite decade. UNDER THE COVERS VOL. 1 finds Sweet and Hoffs performing songs by the Beatles, Dylan, the Beach Boys, the Velvet Underground, the Zombies, and others, throwing in a few tasty obscurities (the wonderful "I See the Rain" by the Marmalade, for example) and a pair of Neil Young tunes for good measure. Hoffs's sultry singing nicely offsets Sweet's tenor, and the whole is fleshed out by Sweet's alternately jangly and stinging guitar work and Van Dyke Parks's arrangements for keys and strings, making for a fresh, inspired look to yesteryear.
Audio Mixer: Michael Sweet.
Liner Note Author: Van Dyke Parks.
Recording information: Lolina Green Studios, Los Angeles, CA (2005).
Illustrator: Ed Fotheringham.
Photographer: Henry Diltz.
Personnel: Michael Sweet (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, harpsichord, organ, Mellotron, xylophone, tambourine, hand claps, percussion); Susanna Hoffs (vocals, hand claps); Ivan Julian (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Richard Lloyd (guitar, electric guitar); Greg Leisz (electric guitar, electric 12-string guitar); Julie Pusch (violin, viola); Joseph Harvey (cello); Carey LaMothe (trumpet, French horn); Van Dyke Parks (piano, harpsichord, organ); Ric Menck (drums, bongos, shaker, tambourine).
Additional personnel: Susanna Hoffs.
Entertainment Weekly (p.73) - "[T]here's surprising joy to be found in a couple of pros singing songs they love. Hoffs still has that adorable quaver, and Sweet supports her with steady warmth." -- Grade: B+
Uncut (p.124) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "What elevates UNDER THE COVERS above mimicry is the poignancy of the performances from all concerned, and especially from Sweet..."
Dirty Linen (p.66) - "[A] taste of the 60s....Just great cover versions of some of the best music of the era."
No Depression (p.124) - "Sweet's reedy astringency tempers Hoffs' breathy alto as they bring a warmth to the Velvet Underground's 'Sunday Morning'..." Under The Covers Vol. 1 Music | Category | Rock/Pop Albums, Rock CDs, Pop | | Label | Shout! Factory | | Orig Year | 2006 | | All Time Sales Rank |  4940  | | CD Universe Part number | 7048623 | | Catalog number | 39765 | | Discs | 1 | | Release Date | Apr 18, 2006 | | Studio/Live | Studio | | Mono/Stereo | Stereo | | Producer | Susanna Hoffs; Michael Sweet; Susanna Hoffs; Matthew Sweet | | Engineer | Michael Sweet | | Personnel | Greg Leisz - electric guitar, electric 12-string guitar
Van Dyke Parks - piano, harpsichord, organ
Michael Sweet - vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, harpsichord, organ, Mellotron, xylophone, tambourine, hand claps, percussion
Richard Lloyd - guitar, electric guitar
Richard Lloyd - guitar, electric guitar
Ric Menck - drums, bongos, shaker, tambourine
Ivan Julian - guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar
Carey LaMothe - trumpet, French horn
Joseph Harvey - cello
Julie Pusch - violin, viola
Also: Susanna Hoffs | | Additional Info | Digipak |
Matthew Sweet Under The Covers Vol. 1 Songs Under The Covers Vol. 1 Music Review Average Rating: (4.7 out of 5 stars)   List All Reviews Remakes of 60's classics
Not much to say, they are both good singers. Their takes don't vary too much from the originals except the sound quality is SOOO much better.
If you liked the originals , you will like these covers.
Submitted by deaconbluz (Grover Beach, CA USA) 
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 Truly special summer CD
Wow, what a fantastic CD, get in your car, put it on and turn it up. Sweet is one of the all-time "shoulda-been-a-star" rockers. Maybe this album with the incredible Susanna Hoffs will be his crowning success.
Submitted by steve7701 (Sierra Vista, AZ, USa)
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Crisp Guitars and Sweet Harmonies
I've greatly enjoyed the work of both Sweet and Huffs for some time now. The fun paring of the two on a group of covers is sheer magic. I can't think of a cd I've enjoyed more in years. I pray that the title Vol.1 indicates more to come. Each song here is a fresh new rendering of an old favorite.
Submitted by kurtvincent (Boston, MA, USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Superb!
Great harmonies and stellar performances of some of the greatest songs of the sixties (some more famous than others). As great as some of the original recordings were, new life has been breathed into most of these tracks through up-to-date recording technology. If you're a fan of The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Who, Neil Young, Dylan, The Mamas & the Papas, The Zombies, The Bee Gees (when they were great), or even more semi-obscure artists like Marmalade, Love or The Left Banke Ð this may be the best CD you've heard in quite some tiime.
Submitted by coda36 (Doylestown, PA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Excellent
I hope there is a second volume.
THe music is bright, happy & fun.
Susanna can still sing great. A perfect cd for summer.
Submitted by Pete (matawan, nj, usa)
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