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The Covers Record
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  • Record Label:
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The Covers Record Image
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 20 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 14 Ratings

  • Summary: Singer-songwriter Chan Marshall is Cat Power, and on this album she reinterprets (sometimes drastically) the works of some of her favorite artists, including Smog, the Rolling Stones, the Velvet Underground, and Bob Dylan.

Top Track

Sea of Love
Come with me my love to the sea The sea of love I want to tell you How much I love you Do you remember When we met? That's the day I knew you were... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Spin
    100
    Is it essential? Absolutely. With only a guitar or piano, and a voice that is developing into one of the most expressive in rock, Marshall crafts deeply textured explorations of heartache, terror, longing, dismay, and emotions I'm pretty sure I've not found yet.... Rock will see few finer releases this year.
  2. Mojo
    90
    Here, backed only by guitar or piano, she inhabits other singers' material (including Smog's "Red Apples") with a fierce conviction that's often startling.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Marshall takes wild liberties with lyrics and melodies, and dissolves indie-rock self-consciousness into fractured, heartrending folk-blues.
  4. Almost Cool
    80
    The simplicity of it all (only one instrument and vocals) highlights her vocals even more and even when the disc closes out with the more upbeat "Sea Of Love," you'll still feel a bit of melancholy hovering over.
  5. MTV.com
    80
    Quite a few steps away from the "typical" girl-with-guitar record, this is the album that reveals Marshall to be quite a unique force.
  6. Spin Cycle
    70
    Not only does Marshall make each of the album's dozen songs her own, but she leaves you straining to recognize the original in what she's marvelously reconfigured.
  7. Q Magazine
    40
    Eventually, though, the guitar-and-piano-only, stripped-down dynamics mean that a dull torpor settles over the album.

See all 20 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. raviopatra
    Nov 20, 2013
    10
    This album is perfection. I've never really liked cover versions of most songs, but somehow Marshall makes all these songs (some of which I amThis album is perfection. I've never really liked cover versions of most songs, but somehow Marshall makes all these songs (some of which I am completely unfamiliar of) sound very appealing and magnificent. My favorite track would be the opener "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction". Cat Power Rules!… Expand
  2. Ricky
    Jul 20, 2006
    10
    Her voice is entrancing and addictive.
  4. GabyDas3
    Feb 18, 2007
    10
    im fourteen and this album makes me happy, nostaglic (i know how ridiculous that sounds) and calm. with an amazing voice which is hypnotic, im fourteen and this album makes me happy, nostaglic (i know how ridiculous that sounds) and calm. with an amazing voice which is hypnotic, amazing and fantastic this album can only be a must have for anyone. Can't Get no Satisfaction' from Rolling Stones is the most amazing cover i have every heard...Cat Power makes me appreciate music again.… Expand
  5. Solveig
    May 30, 2003
    9
    Well, The Covers Record is in my opinion not Chan's best work but still it's beautiful. I can guarantee that anyone can fall in Well, The Covers Record is in my opinion not Chan's best work but still it's beautiful. I can guarantee that anyone can fall in love with Cat Power's sour music, just give it some time. You will not regret it! … Expand
  6. BenjaminBunny
    Apr 17, 2004
    7
    For the small amount of energy Chan Marshall put into these recordings, the results are spectacular. I rarely condone cover albums, but this For the small amount of energy Chan Marshall put into these recordings, the results are spectacular. I rarely condone cover albums, but this one gets by sheerly on Marshall's ability as a singer, which is considerable.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

28
#28 Best Album of 2000
72
#72 Most Discussed Album of 2000

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