Beautiful Hearts

Robert Forsters entry in the line of albums consisting of covers by other artists, along the lines of David Bowies Pin-Ups, makes for an interesting and at times defiantly anti-hip visit through a surprising, entertaining selection of songs. The lineup of the backing band varies from track to track, but a variety of old friends sit in, the one constant being Nick Cave regular Conway Savage on keyboards, with fellow Bad Seed Mick Harvey appearing on almost everything himself. Other fellow Aussie friends and musical fellow travelers -- Dirty Threes Warren Ellis, the Blackeyed Susans Rob Snarski, and more -- pop up here and there as well, lending the album a feeling of a casual, fun get-together. Nothings sloppy about the performances, though. Forsters country & western jones is again clear, and everyone turns in at least competent and at best really noteworthy turns, whether its Graham Lees pedal steel on Guy Clarks "Broken Hearted People" or Charlie Owens dobro on the Bill Anderson-penned "3 AM." Forster himself salutes a range of worthy folks in his selection of remakes -- choosing names like Bob Dylan and Mickey Newbury might almost seem too obvious, but Forster and company do them proud. Some of the song choices are really inspired, selecting some unexpected contemporaries of Forster to pay tribute to. New wave icons Martha and the Muffins get the nod with a brisk, quietly passionate take on "Echo Beach," Ellis adding some sharp violin to the proceedings, while a take on Husker Du drummer Grant Harts solo debut single, "2541," makes for another gently energetic highlight. The real surprise -- and almost as a result, the albums top winner -- is the piano/vocal-only take on "Alone," Hearts AOR mid-80s power ballad hit, turned into a effective, stripped-down meditation on romantic solitude. ~ Ned Raggett