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Mar 10, 2010 Web Exclusive By Frank Valish

Supergrass’ Gaz Coombes and Danny Goffey have impeccable taste. While on a break from their main band, Coombes and Goffey decided to team up with famed producer Nigel Godrich for this album of 12 cover songs. Among others, they tackle David Bowie (“Queen Bitch”), The Kinks (“Big Sky”), Roxy Music (“Love Is the Drug”), Sex Pistols (“E.M.I.”), and Gang of Four (“Damaged Goods”). The song choices are not always radical, but they are also not exactly typical. Their take on the whimsical early Pink Floyd nugget “Bike,” from Syd Barrett’s heyday, provides a much welcome reintroduction to the oft-forgotten classic. And the band nearly out-psychs The Doors on its version of “The Crystal Ship.” Things get more experimental on Squeeze’s “Up the Junction,” which is rendered here depressed and ruminative, and Beastie Boys’ “(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party)” is sung as falsetto-laden ‘60s psychedelia. The Cure’s “The Lovecats” is thankfully less precious than the original. More importantly and most impressively, Coombes and Goffey have breathed new life into these songs, as they bounce and bound with energy and a certain vivacity that can’t always be found digging through the old vinyl crates. (www.thehotrats.com)

Author rating: 6/10