"Coverage" is one of those lazy Saturday morning CDs to sit back and relax to. Or even to dance to. While Mandy's voice on this record is nothing exceptional, the total ambience of the record is well worth the investment. She takes a step back from the conventional "unconventional" type of pop music and a step toward a newfound maturity with "Coverage". The music is so much more than just her voice and the beat; there exists a flute, a sax, some exotic instruments that bring back the hippie/indie flavor of the mid-20th century.

Traditional pop music, "Coverage" is not. But an easy listen and soundtrack to a sunny day it is. It possesses a refreshing and sparkling quality that may even bring the sun TO your day.


Great tune and a gutsy gamble   October 21, 2003
Pat Kelly (Here, There & Everywhere)
36 out of 44 found this review helpful

It was not uncommon in the sixties for artists to put out an album consisting entirely of covers of other people's music. In fact it was quite common that most albums would contain several "cover" songs that were already hits. Even the Beatles covered the Miracles, Carl Perkins, girl-group The Marvelettes and Chuck Berry among others.

Former teen queen, now rising actress Mandy Moore has gone retro in more ways than one. First by including only covers, then by restricting herself to songs of the late 60's thru early 80's, and finally even the graphics (including that large Columbia logo like a stamp on the front cover) hearken back to that "cover-age" from whence her album gets its name.

The song choices are excellent. From the familiar Carole King ("I Feel The Earth Move"), Cat Stevens ("Moonshadow"), and Joni Mitchell ("Help Me") to the hidden Elton John gem "Mona Lisa & Mad Hatter" to the obscure (to most Americans) tracks by the Waterboys ("Whole of the Moon"), XTC ("Sense Working Overtime"), and Joan Armatrading ("Drop The Pilot"). Excellent and brave choices!

My regret, however, is that the arrangements do not match the bravery of the repetoire. They are largely copies of the original material, rather than fresh reinterpreations. I'd love to have heard "Whole of the Moon" reinvented as a tender ballad. Or "Moonshadow" with only string accompaniment.

Anything other than karaoke versions. Although it must be said, these are first-rate karaoke versions.

If Mandy Moore wants to be the Eva Cassidy for a new generation, she still has a ways to go. I hope she makes it.


Moore!   November 15, 2003
Josh (ROSEVILLE, CA United States)
10 out of 11 found this review helpful

They say don't do a cover if you can't do it better; Mandy does it better! This is a great idea and I hope she puts out a double CD of cover tunes next time.

Standout tracks:

"I Feel The Earth Move" Sounds great.

"Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters" My favorite, Mandy sounds amazing on this. Rember this, by Elton John, was used in Almost Famous in New York.

"One Way Or Another" She nails this song.

"Anticipation" Another great choice.

I played it 10 times in my car, that's the highest praise!


This album separates Mandy from the other pop princesses...   October 29, 2003
Anja (Oakland, CA)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I have to agree with the other reviewers who have raved about this album. It is really a beautifully orchestrated collection of songs and can in no way be considered "cotton-candy style pop." Mandy's voice reveres each song and so do the others who put this album together, maintaining much of the original sound to each song and not trying too hard to make it sound like a lot of the modern garbage on the radio. (Thank God.) I really believe this album separates Mandy Moore from the other pop princesses she is lumped together with. I've always thought she was different, but this time it's not just my personal opinion that says so. Her work on this album proves that she is on a higher level with her ability and her taste.


I didn't regret buying this CD!   April 27, 2005
S. Gilles (Omaha, NE)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

1. SENSE WORKING OVERTIME - A fun, catchy song with oddball lyrics. "One, two, three four, five, senses working overtime, trying to taste the difference between the lemon and lime." 4/5

2. THE WHOLE OF THE MOON - I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it and it's my favorite song on the track (tied with "Have a Little Faith In Me.") I believe Mandy said that this song reminded her of a big purple cloud or mashmallow...something like that, and I have to agree. It has this beautiful texture to it. I love all the lyrics, but my favorite part is the "Unicorns and cannonballs, palaces and piers...." part. I downloaded the originial by the Waterboys and I love that version too, but I'm probably more partial to Mandy's since I heard hers first. 5/5

CAN WE STILL BE FRIENDS - The first few times I heard this song, I didn't really care for it, but now I've warmed up to it. I love the chorus. 4/5

I FEEL THE EARTH MOVE - Hmm, I think I may perfer Mandy's version to Carol Kings. She adds a funky, updated twist to it, yes it still sounds like it came from the '70s. 4/5

MAD HATTERS AND MONA LISAS - This is a cover of an Elton John song that I had never heard before. Despite its weird title, it's a lovely song. 4/5

DROP THE PILOT - This song probably has the weirdest lyrics I have ever heard, but I love it! It's so fun and catchy. I'm not even sure what exactly the lyrics mean: "Drop the pilot, try my balloon. Drop the monkey, smell my perfume. Drop the malhout, I'm the easy rider. Don't use your army to fight a losing batttle. Animal, mineral, physical, spiritual." It's like, huh? But I love this song. My third favorite on the album. 5/5

MOONSHADOW - A small, gem of a song. She starts out soft in the beginning, then gets louder towards the end. 4.5/5

ONE WAY OR ANOTHER - Very fun version of Blondie's hit. It's not too different from the orginial, but I don't know how many ways there are to sing that song. Of all the songs she covered, this one was the one I was most familiar with. (Along with "I Feel the Earth Move," obviously). One of my favorites from the album. 5/5

BREAKING US IN TWO - Hmm, I really can't get into this song. It's a little too mellow for me. I wish she had chosen another song to cover in place of this one. 2/5

ANTICIPATION - Great cover of the Carly Simon song, even though it's pretty identical. 4/5

HELP ME - Another song on this album I much don't care for. It just bores me. But besides this song and "Breaking Us In Two," the album is a grand slam! 2/5

HAVE A LITTLE FAITH IN ME - I just love this song. It's beautiful. I can't decide if I like this one or "The Whole of the Moon" better, so that's why they're tied. I love both Mandy's version and John Hiatt's version and I heard Jewel sing a version of this song. I pretty much love this song all around, no matter who sings it. Mandy's vocals espeically shine in this one. 5/5