Matthew Sweet - Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs, Under The Covers Vol 1 Album Review

Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs
Under The Covers Vol 1
Album Review

Matthew Sweet is one of those fantastically frustrating musical geniuses, whose ability to craft just the most gorgeous songs was taken as read for a long time, before a series of increasingly odd departures.

Susanna 'The Cute Bangle" Hoffs has also enjoyed some time away from the mainstream, so they were both clearly due some return to form. Fortunately, Under The Covers provides a perfect way back, as they cover 15 songs from the 1960s, chosen with the taste of a real sophisticate.

Songs like And Your Bird Can Sing, Neil Young's Cinnamon Girl and Mike Nesmith's Different Drum are reborn as summery pop songs, delightfully delivered. Any fan of the Bangles will find a lot to like here, and while this isn't quite vintage Sweet, it is a very welcome use of his arranging and musical talent. A great-sounding album.

Rating 8/10

Mike Rea