Customer Reviews

Coverage

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Three cheers to Mandy Moore. She rummaged the aisles at a music store, selected all kinds of classic tunes and albums by singers/songwriters, and got the idea to make a CD of cover songs. She picked her album tunes not because they were famous, but because she enjoyed the songs. Some she had been familiar with for years and others were more recent finds, but either way, she wanted to expose a new generation to these great songs.

This special edition includes a DVD with bonus footage including the video for album's premiere release Have a Little Faith in Me, beautifully illustrated with photographs as the singer walks along, and the video for Drop the Pilot, which was supposed to be the first release.

I cannot help but crack up the volume as soon as the album begins, because it starts off with a bang: Senses Working Overtime. It is catchy and it has excellent harmonies and background vocals. It blends right into the next track, The Whole of the Moon, which is lyrically amazing and ends with a superb echo effect. Can We Still Be Friends slows things down a bit, only to be sped up by I Feel the Earth Move, which feels very "live" yet disco. Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters, another ballad, is heartfelt. Drop the Pilot is one of my favorite tracks on the album, rock meets pop, energy meets emotion. Moonshadow is light and sweet, aided by plucky guitar. Dare I say that I like her version of One Way or Another as much as the original? As with the other songs, it is great to hear a familiar song sung by someone who is not attempting to sound exactly like the original singer. Likewise, Anticipation is good and slow with twang, as it should be. I enjoy how full Help Me sounds with the brass section and background vocals. Have a Little Faith in Me is nicely done, another emotional track that shows off tight, layered harmonies.

Mandy's voice has matured a great deal over the past few years. You can tell and hear that she loves music, and it loves her right back. From start to finish, a great testament to well-written songs and a great listen for adults and teens alike. This album is sure to widen her audience.

Mandy Moore is the pop singer who managed to capture the fickle liking of the media, kept her clothes on, never kissed Madonna, made a name as an actress, and put out the best covers CD in years, "Coverage." After a few CDs of forgettable (often downright bad) pop fluff), Mandy spreads her creative wings by presenting covers of some of her favorite songs.

Starting off with a bang is "Senses Working Overtime" (XTC), followed by (among others) the low-key swirling "Whole of the Moon" (Waterboys), the catchy "I Feel The Earth Move" (Carly Simon), slow, soaring "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" (Elton John), sweet folky "Moonshadow" (Cat Stevens), the imploring "Help Me" (Joni Mitchell), and a rocking cover of "One Way or Another" (Blondie).

While "Coverage" didn't get the media burble that Britney's "In The Zone" did, it garnered far better reviews from fans and critics alike. It's a creative gamble, and the passion behind it pays off. Moore's taste in older songs only adds to the pleasure gotten from listening to her sing them. While giving a 21st-century spin on classics like "One Way or Another," Moore maintains the distinctive sound of each one.

Moore's vocals are fuller and richer than before, as if the better material has allowed her to stretch vocally. At times, the nuances of her voice change (such as "I Feel The Earth Move"), as if influenced by whoever sang it first. What's more, she sounds as if she really is relishing what she's doing. The background music is also more multilayered, with a flute, saxophone, what sounds like a tambourine, and possibly more. "Moonshadow" has almost nothing but a guitar serving to frame Moore's voice.

The bonus DVD adds a little dimension to the album, and fans of Moore's will enjoy it. It's a series of interviews in which she talks about the songs she selected, and why she likes them. Peppering the interviews are shots of her music videos, and a candid talk about her motives in making "Coverage." (An interesting detail is that the recording wasn't done in the usual place -- it was in a renovated garage, not a studio)

"Coverage" is a sign that Moore is aiming in the right direction. Sugarfluff pop it ain't -- good music it is. Even if you aren't a fan of 70s and 80s pop and rock, this solid collection will capture you.

OK, Mandy Moore has done the unthinkable, in a GOOD way, however!! She has ditched the glossy teenpop stuff for an organic COVERS album of cool songs rooted in the 70s singer/songwriter tradition AND 70s/80s punk/new wave, with the common link being a distinct CLASSIC POWERPOP APPROACH, as the songs are all masterpieces in true pop songwriting!! I mean, it's a true powerpop record if JELLYFISH's notoriously shy ANDY STURMER guests on many tracks, plus SEMISONIC's Dan Wilson, both REMBRANDTS, and even a member of peculiar popsters SELF, powerpop singer/songwriter BLEU, and producer JOHN FIELDS, who has primarily done powerpop records.

Mandy DEFINITELY has the good kind of nerve, as I am sure, when Epic/Sony heard of Mandy's idea for this record (it really WAS her idea), they must have balked, and if it was up to them, they would have rejected it from the getgo. Really, "Coverage" IS commercial suicide, BUT that is a GOOD THING!!! Going for commercial results and sales is NOT GOOD, as quality is not the focus, just what would get on radio. WELL, RADIO is TERRIBLE and too tightly formatted!! Then again, I don't blame Mandy for going ANTI-commercial because when she was competing with Britney and Christina, radio never played her records, and she only had TWO minor charting records, nothing off her excellent true second + self-titled album. Sooooo, radio has always given Mandy the short end of the stick, so she goes ahead and turns the tables by REJECTING RADIO, and makes an ARTISTIC COVERS ALBUM, similar in stance to ANNIE LENNOX'S "MEDUSA"!! Good for Mandy!! Her records have always been better than her competition anyhow, that could be why she's been embraced moreso in Europe and Japan than in the US, as they know quality pop records more than the US market does, I'm not surprised.

The best thing that could happen to Mandy right now is if her teenpop/TRL fans go splitsville and ADULT POWERPOP fans + critics embrace her!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed because I really hope that's what happens. I mean, Mandy has got EXCELLENT taste, possibly aided by exposure via her boyfriend, tennis star Andy Roddick!! Lessee, she covers classics by JONI MITCHELL ("Help Me"), CARLY SIMON ("Anticipation" done alt-country style, woohoo!!), JOHN HIATT ("Have A Little Faith In Me", AWESOME song, first single, gorgeous performance, cool video), BLONDIE ("One Way Or Another", cool choice), XTC (the AWESOME, classic "Senses Working Overtime"), JOE JACKSON (the Badfinger ripoff "Breaking Us In Two"--the melody is a ripoff on "Day After Day", surprised the Pete Ham estate never sued Joe Jackson, but that's another story, Mandy does it great), JOAN ARMATRADING ("Drop The Pilot", awesome, obscure choice), CAROLE KING ("I Feel The Earth Move", classic pop tune), THE WATERBOYS (the 80s, and all-time, classic "The Whole Of The Moon"), TODD RUNDGREN (the amazing, classic "Can We Still Be Friends"), ELTON JOHN (the 70s classic "Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters"), and CAT STEVENS (the obscure and cool "Moon Shadow").

It also comes with an exclusive DVD with videoclips of 9 of these songs, and exclusive artwork + packaging not on the regular version. Sure, Mandy's fans can stay put, but most teenpop fans will be shocked, as they are closedminded enough that they are afraid to try anything GOOD and NEW (like, OH MY GOD, THE HORROR!!), and her closedminded fans will cry foul and treason, but those fans can drop dead for all I care and Mandy cares. HOWEVER, I hope new, ADULT powerpop fans will come to the table, those who dig Jellyfish and XTC, as this album is made just for us.

Good going Mandy!! I hope you keep moving in this direction, maybe do some powerpop songwriting next go-round!! No going back to the slick stuff, and radio?? You can go screw yourselves in your closed-mindedness and TOO-tight formatting, not allowing a quality + gloriously UN-commercial record like this to be heard on impressionable ears. Prove me wrong!!

As you can see, anyone who has disregarded this album has either 1) never listened to it or 2) didn't listen to it with an open mind; 1 being the majortiy case. That aside, this is a great album that I really enjoyed. Looking around, you will notice that there are not many people out there like Mandy today. Most in the music business are more concerned with image and publicity stunts rather than music itself; which is a travesty. Yet here Mandy is, genuinely making music for music's sake, and you have the audacity to insult her by your own ignorance of "Oh, it's just covers"?

Mandy poured her heart and soul into this album; she didn't regard as her "job" or something to pay the bills. This was her work of art, and she did it with every bit of passion in her. That's what makes me look beyond that this is simply a cover album. Mandy sings every song with every ounce of emotion in her, and simply shines. She doesn't need half nude magazine covers or infamous kisses. She has her music; and it's incredible music at that. Sure, original music is the true essence of authenticity and enginiuity, but she's still young and has plenty of time to develope. I can't wait for that. But in the mean time, this incredible album will suffice.

Mandy Moore is back with her highly anticipated cover album: Coverage. On Coverage, Mandy has furthered herself into a more organic sound as she attempted to do on her self-titled album: Mandy Moore. I think Mandy has finally found her sound; she just has to make her own music now. She has reworked some of the best classics of all time with her own style, making them sound more beautiful. This is a cover album, which is difficult to judge, so it's going to be either a pass or fail for some fans. I can tell you that on this album; Mandy's voice sounds its best and she has really grown vocally with each album. Her voice sounds really pretty in these tracks.

Track Highlights:

1.) Senses Working Overtime - I personally think this is the best track on the album. Her voice sounds extremely beautiful in this song. She adds rock and melodic vocal components to this track. I think this would make a fantastic second single. This song really sounds original and like it is one of her own.

2.) The Whole of the Moon - This song is okay. It really needed to be cut down from 5 minutes to maybe 3. A lot of this track is instrumental meaning there are large breaks of music without vocals. The only part of this song that is enjoyable is near the end wear Mandy's voice is echoed as she says, "oh, oh, oh, did you see the whole of the moon?"

3.) Can We Still Be Friends - This track actually doesn't sound much different than the original. I'd say this is an exact cover. Nothing changes in the way the vocals are arranged and the same goes for the music.

4.) I Feel the Earth Move - This was a track that I didn't think anyone would cover and I'm quite impressed. This is very retro sounding and it sounds extremely different from the original.

5.) Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters - To be honest, I've never heard Elton John's version of this song, but I can tell you Mandy sings the hell out of this track. You can tell she puts her heart and soul into this meaningful track.

6.) Drop the Pilot - This is a fantastic song. It's a very poppy and fun track. Mandy's vocals are literally rocking in this track.

7.) Moonshadow - I loved Cat Steven's version of this song and I like Mandy Moore's version even better. She really upped it up to today's standards by making it a bit like a lullaby. He voice sounds extremely pleasant over the music and everything sounds so great.

8.) One Way or Another - This is one of those older songs that you try to forget that you liked to begin with. I personally didn't like the original any more than I like this version. I mean don't get me wrong; the vocals and sounds are great on this track; I just don't really like the song.
9.) Breaking us in Two - The meaning of this song is great, but it didn't sound like there was anything done to this track to make it sound modern. It still sounds like a track from back in the day.

10.) Anticipation - This is a great cover. Then again, any cover of Carly Simon is great; considering the fact that she wrote great songs but had no vocal talent. Even Jennifer Lopez's Carly Simon cover of "You Belong to Me" sounds fantastic and that is saying a lot.

11.) Help Me - I have honestly never heard the original version of this song, but hearing Mandy's version; I definitely fell in love with it and long to hear the original.

12.) Have a Little Faith in Me - Out of all the songs on the album, this is the track I was most familiar with. This track was really transformed from something that was semi-dull and boring and the only reason people listened to it was because of the way the vocals sounded. However, Mandy does wonders with vocals on this song adding her breathy sound. The beat to this song was changed severally to meet the standards of a great 2003-pop song.

Bonus DVD - The DVD comes with commentary from Mandy saying how important these songs were to her. The DVD also consists of the video for "Have a Little Faith in me," and some behind the scene footage of "How to Deal" as well as some footage of the unreleased video for "Drop the Pilot."

I think people of all ages should give this album a try. Mandy really made these songs her own and I don't think any other artist could have done better. Mandy's talent was really rediscovered with this album.

This album is just awesome! I'm a Mandy Moore fan and when I heard she was gonna make a cd of just covers of 70's songs at first I didn't see myself even going out and buying it but I gave it a try and WOW! I love it, 1 of my fave albums ever. I 1st listened to this album only recognizing 2 of the songs and I've never been a fan of older music but this album has made me appreciate good 70's music. My favorite tracks are the cover of Elton John's "Mona Lisas & Mad Hatters", just so much emotion in the song. and I also really like "Whole Of The Moon", "Help Me" and "Can We Still Be Friends". This album is just superb and will surprise every1 who thinks they might know how this album sounds just becuz they see Mandy as a typical "teen pop princess" well this is not your typical "teen pop princess" album.
The DVD is so great! You get to see the enviroment where Mandy recorded the album, a garage. She also explains why she chose each of the songs she covered. and also the "Have A Little Faith" music video, which is beautiful, it was set in Prague.

Mandy Moore's new album, 'Coverage' is quite different from what we're used to hearing her sing. It's very apparent that she has grown a great deal of maturity since the release of her self-titled previous album, and all her albums before that. It was an extremely brave move on her part to opt for a CD of nothing but covers, but she didn't crash and burn as many believed she would. I personally would have liked to hear some new material, but I am a fan of all the songs on 'Coverage'.

If you're looking into this album hoping for a pure, fun, pop album along the same lines as Mandy's earlier works, or her pop-princess counterparts (Britney, Christina, Jessica), then you could be dissappointed. This is a grown-up version of Mandy Moore as we've never heard her before. Most of her younger fans will probably be upset with this album, as it seems to be aimed towards a much older audience. If you're a fan of incredible song-writing, and beautiful vocals, then you should most definitely check 'Coverage' out. Mandy has found a way to combine classic songs with her amazingly pure voice and release a beautiful album. The only complaint I can make is that the variety of songs is quite limited. Maybe if Mandy had put on a couple more upbeat tracks, the album wouldn't be such a surprise to her fans. Nonetheless, the album is still brave, mature, magnificently put together and worth looking into.

Mandy's new album is amazing. How dare anyone say she doesn't match up to other singers or that it sounds horrible. It is all a matter of opinion, but give me a bloody break! It is utterly obvious that Mandy sounds beautiful. The fact is that she did this album independently, all by herself. Let's see, who else out there does that? Not Britney, not Christina, not JLO, not many people for that matter. That's because they depend on 25 producers and music executives to tell them what to do. But not Mandy. She takes things into her own hands and does what SHE wants. For that reason alone everyone should give her the much deserved but mostly under rated credit. She is herself, not the product of the media or publicity. Give her a break. All of you that gave her ones are pathetic. Go learn what music is, THEN make a review. Until then, go listen to your little Britney CD you call music. "Coverage" is a beautiful, artistic, passionate album and don't you dare take that away from Mandy.

this cd is awesome. it is for all the music lovers out there who appreciate music. i know u heard reviews about it being a little ... bad. well, you HEARD wrong. It has these jazz, rock, sounds that u would want to listen to over and over again. TRUST ME! I never really liked mandy until this album came out. When i heard it, i was blown away. this cd is not for the people who like justin, britney, usher, 50. this for the people who really know wat music is. SO i suggest u to go and buy it. YOu'll not be dissapointed.

This is one of the best albums of 2003; one of the few created with heart, passion, and drive. For goodness sakes, the girl spent her OWN money recording this album in a garage, with one producer, all without one word to her record label. What 19 year old do you know has the guts and drive to take such passionate risks? What singer do you know that doesn't let their record label infringe on their music? What's more complexing is that a trifling few will still refuse to give respect to this admirable young lady after all she's done! She had the guts to defy her oppressive and controlling record label and created a moving, exceptional album - all to have us reject her brilliance. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you!!! If you idiots can't realize that Mandy is not ruining music, but rather taking it to a higher place, then you know what, don't buy this album.

It's such a brilliant album that Mandy has received praise from legends like Elton John, Adam Duritz of the Counting Crows, and R.E.M frontman Michael Stipe. They have all expressed their love and gratitude to the artistic brilliance and originality of Mandy and "Coverage. If you don't like this album, it's too good for you. If you don't have it, you're missing out. Big time.