Michael Simmons

Singing In My Heart

Big Stir Records

This collection of covers sounds like, though most of these songs are much younger,  music you’d hear on FM radio in the late 70s. It's smooth, polished, a little punk, somewhat AOR, and all of it good. As someone who remembers that era, this music sounds like it was from a golden age, and at its best, it is one.

Steely Dan’s “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” that also sound checks the Dan’s song “FM” in a power pop context? About time! The Dan are more punk than they’re given credit for, and that’s plainly what this cover wants to state for the record.

Ditto for CSN’s “Just A Song Before I Go.” As someone who always liked the original version too, it’s very nice to hear this update. It sounds right at home with more traditional power pop, like the covers of Sloan, The Move, Squeeze, XTC, Crowded House, and Mathew Sweet.

Much could be said about the Carpenters’ “Let Me Be The One,” the two songs by Wings, and George Harrison’s “Here Comes The Moon.” In short, the diversity of this collection, and throwing in NBRQ, Elvis Costello’s “Mystery Dance,” and Nick Lowe’s “Cruel To Be Kind,” live and even more fun to listen to than the original, and this is one fine mixed bag.

So if you remember that era of the 70s, or wish you did, this album is for you. Or if you just want to hear some new takes on old, or rather older songs, this is a must buy.

Andrea Weiss