Perhaps, maybe, this isn't necessarily a grape kool-aid moment. Maybe some of Mandy's fans will search out the originals. Maybe those writing songs for Mandy's ilk will feel inferior and try harder. It might even be listenable.
Maybe pigs will ....
From Billboard:
Mandy Moore Goes Under 'Covers'
For her fourth album, Mandy Moore is moving away from teen-leaning pop to interpreting an array of songs she says hold great meaning for her. Due Oct. 21 via Epic, "Coverage" finds Moore interpreting songs by the likes of Joni Mitchell, Joe Jackson, Carly Simon, the Waterboys and XTC, among others.
"It is a compilation of some of the most incredible music I have ever heard in my life and the fact that I got to record these songs is still unimaginable to me," Moore writes on her official Web site.
The 12-track album includes Moore's version of XTC's "Senses Working Overtime," Jackson's "Breaking Us in Two," Simon's "Anticipation" and Elton John's "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters."
"I could've done a whole Elton cover record," Moore writes. "I saw Elton a couple weeks ago and I told him that I was singing one of his songs and he was very excited. I'm really nervous for the original artists to hear these songs."
Other artists whose material she tackles are Blondie, Cat Stevens, Carole King, John Hiatt, Todd Rundgren and Joan Armatrading. Moore's site currently hosts streaming samples of all of the songs on the album, as well as her thoughts on several of the tracks.
"This is a big step for me, this record," she adds. "I continue to want to bring challenges not just to myself but to all of you who continue to support as well as inspire me with your enthusiasm and love for great music."
[snip]
Here is the "Coverage" track list:
"Help Me" (Joni Mitchell)
"Anticipation" (Carly Simon)
"Breaking Us in Two" (Joe Jackson)
"One Way or Another" (Blondie)
"Moonshadow" (Cat Stevens)
"Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters" (Elton John)
"I Feel the Earth Move" (Carole King)
"Whole of the Moon" (Waterboys)
"Have a Little Faith In Me" (John Hiatt)
"Senses Working Overtime" (XTC)
"Can We Still Be Friends" (Todd Rundgren)
"Drop the Pilot" (Joan Armatrading)