Under the Covers, Vol. 2

iTunes Review

Following in the success of their first collection of ‘60s covers, Under the Covers, Vol.1, power popster Matthew Sweet and the Bangles’ Susanna Hoffs reconvene to pay tribute to the ‘70s with help from Fleetwood Mac’s Lindsey Buckingham for his “Second Hand News,” Dhani Harrison for his father George’s “Beware of Darkness,” and guitarist Steve Howe for the Yes prog-rock classic “I’ve Seen All Good People (Your Move/ All Good People).” The selections are eclectic and cover an incredible amount of musical ground, beginning with the hippie swagger of the Grateful Dead’s “Sugar Magnolia” through glam rock with Mott the Hoople’s “All the Young Dudes,” seductive radio pop with the Raspberries’ “Go All The Way,” Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain” and Bread’s “Everything I Own,” Americana courtesy of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “Here Comes My Girl,” and cult-status obscurities via Big Star’s “Back of a Car.” Each tune is delivered with incredible finesse, as both vocalists nail their parts with unusual smoothness and flawless musical backing. The duo is quite the human jukebox.