Under the Covers, Vol. 3
Susanna Hoffs · 2013
51 min · 14 tracks · pop music
A nostalgic tapestry of covers weaving together pop melodies and heartfelt interpretations that breathe new life into classic tracks.
Top tracks — play these first
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Free Fallin' — Hoffs' rendition transforms this Tom Petty classic into an introspective ballad, showcasing her delicate vocal delivery while maintaining the song’s emotional weight.
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Killing Moon — Her version of this Echo & the Bunnymen track highlights a haunting vocal quality that captures the song's lyrical depth while introducing a fresh sonic palette.
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Our Lips Are Sealed — Originally performed by The Go-Go's, Hoffs' interpretation adds a layer of nostalgia and warmth, emphasizing her connection to the song’s history.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album effectively blends Hoffs' vocals with thoughtful arrangements, creating a cohesive yet familiar listening experience.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features upbeat tracks, while the second half shifts to more introspective and slower songs.
- Hoffs' vocal delivery is consistently warm and emotive, often layering harmonies that enhance the nostalgic feel of the covers.
- Several tracks feature stripped-down arrangements, allowing the vocals to take center stage without overwhelming instrumentation.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- nostalgic sing-alongs with friends
- warm vocals for cozy evenings
- introspective moments of reflection
- easy listening for casual afternoons
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy tracks
- prefer original over cover songs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Under the Covers, Vol. 3' was released in 2013, Susanna Hoffs had established herself as a solo artist following her tenure with The Bangles. This album is part of her ongoing exploration of reinterpretations, serving as a follow-up to her previous cover albums which showcased her distinctive vocal style and affinity for classic songs.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Aimee Mann· Natalie Merchant· Shawn Colvin
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Free Fallin'
In the bridge, the lyrics shift from dreaming about freedom to confronting loneliness directly.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Sitting Still 3:17
- 2 Girls Talk 3:31
- 3 Big Brown Eyes 1:54
- 4 Kid 3:03
- 5 Free Fallin' 4:17
- 6 Save It for Later 3:27
- 7 They Don't Know 3:02
- 8 The Bulrushes 2:43
- 9 Our Lips Are Sealed 2:54
- 10 How Soon Is Now 5:44
- 11 More Than This 4:07
- 12 Towers of London 4:54
- 13 Killing Moon 4:23
- 14 Trouble 3:45
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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