GLEE: THE POWER OF MADONNA

It's safe to say that nothing has done more to promote song covers recently than the TV show Glee. Recently this show of singing teens got access to Madonna's music catalog, resulting in a whole episode revolving around her songs. The music from that episode has been collected on Glee: The Power of Madonna.

Most of the songs here are pretty straightforward covers. There are a few exceptions: a nice mash-up of "Borderline" and "Open Your Heart." Jane Lynch tosses a few lines about the show into "Vogue," and "What It Feels Like for a Girl" sounds oddly poignant when sang by men. And with only seven songs on the album, this is a pretty fast listen.

Glee: The Power of Madonna is decent, but if you know these songs you'll know what to expect.

Overall grade: B-
Reviewed by James Lynch

PUNK GOES POP Vol. 2

Music covers are fascinating to me: New versions of familiar songs can take music in a wholly different direction, find greater depth or emotion that wasn't there originally -- or, in the case of Punk Goes Pop Vol. 2, add a lot more screaming.

The title says it all: Punk Goes Pop Vol. 2 collects some top 40 tunes and has punk bands putting their stamp on them. Some covered songs are pretty recent (Rihanna's "Disturbia," the Pusstcat Girls' "When I Grow Up," Sara Bareillis' "Love Song"), while others go back a couple of years (Santana's "Smooth," Justin Timberlake's "What Comes Around"). Britney Spears should be honored -- or scared -- that two of her songs are covered here.

The music here is highly mixed. The best songs bring a lunatic energy to the album, be it Four Year Strong's beautifully off-key version of "Love Song" or A Day To Remember beginning "Over My Head (Cable Car)" very close to the original then gradually moving to howls. About half the album is raw, energetic fun.

Oddly, the weaker half of Punk Goes Pop Vol. 2 is split between too much punk and too little punk. Some songs are nothing but yelling and screaming (the worst being August Burning Red's almost unrecognizable cover of "...Baby One More Time"). Several other songs seem more like techno or even pop remixes rather than hardcore tunes. Heck, Breathe Carolina's take on Miley Cyrus' "See You Again" sounds less energetic than the original -- until the screams kick in.

Compilations are often a mixed bag, but Punk Goes Pop Vol. 2 is wildly uneven. If you're looking for some loud and original versions of radio-friendly fare you'll find several very good songs -- and several songs you won't listen to more than once.

Overall grade: C

Reviewed by James Lynch

Enjoy Every Sandwich: The Songs of Warren Zevon

Warren Zevon was a fantastic musician and songwriter, and the cover album Enjoy Every Sandwich is a worthy tribute to his music. The songs covered here are almost all enjoyable and interesting takes on Zevon's songs.

Kudos for assembling a very eclectic group of musicians for this album. Big rockers like Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Bob Dylan, Don Henley, and Bonnie Raitt are performing alongside Steve Earle, the Pixies, Jill Sobule, and even actors Adam Sandler and Billy Bob Thorton! And these performers make most of these songs their own, refusing to merely copy Zevon's originals.

Most of the songs hit the mark quite well. Browne and Raitt combine their talents for a high-energy version of "Poor Poor Pitiful Me," while Jill Sobule's childlike voice makes Zevon's dirge "Don't Let Us Get Sick" almost upbeat. Even Adam Sandler infuses "Werewolves of London" with a comic energy that maintains that Zevon classic's goofiness without turning it into a joke. There are a few weak songs -- Billy Bob Thorton whispers rather than sings "The Wind," the Pixies deliver a sonic and grating rendition of "Ain't That Pretty at All," and Bob Dylan can't save Zevon's dull "Mutineer" -- but the overall album is very strong.

Warren Zevon fans will enjoy Enjoy Every Sandwich for the new versions of classic songs, while folks unfamiliar with Zevon (who should really get his wonderful greatest hits collection Genius) can enjoy some rockin' tunes and hopefully seek out the originals.

Overall grade: A-

Reviewed by James Lynch