The poptastic talents of Matthew Sweet teams up with Bangles vocalist Susanna Hoffs (they have worked together previously as Ming Tea on the Austin Powers soundtracks) and they cover a collection of their favourite 60's songs.

Joining them is Beach Boys collaborator Van Dyke Parks on keyboards and strings.

Where to start? Well how about with album highlights 'Monday Monday' which sounds even better than the Mamas and Papas original! Matthew Sweet as his surname suggests has a very high, sweet vocal tone that combines well with Hoffs.

Love's 'Alone Again Or' will delight your ears (very reminiscent of the Thorns or Shaw/Blades although obviously this one has female vocals as well). They do 'rock out', though, with Neil Young's 'Cinnamon Girl' and 'Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere'.

As befits the pair's vocal talents there get a chance to harmonize on the Beach Boys 'Warmth of the Sun'.

Fantastic album that just shows that classic songs can stand the test of time and of course that Sweet and Hoffs make a great team. Even better as the title of the album suggests this is just volume one so there is more to follow!

****½

Review by Jason Ritchie