Guestroom

1	Let's Go to Bed 4:15
2	Kite 3:13
3	Say Goodbye 3:40
4	Streets of Your Town 3:37
5	I Don't Know Why I Love You 2:48
6	Only a Fool Would Say That 3:00
7	Digging Your Scene 3:40
8	L' Anamour 2:36
9	Be My Baby 4:41
10	I Guess I'm Just a Little Too Sensitive 4:11

Barnes & Noble

Putting a new shine on tried-and-true gems is never that easy -- as Madonna's version of "American Pie" and Michael Bolton's collected works attest. New York-based indie popsters Ivy neatly sidestep the cover conundrum on their album of remakes, Guestroom, thanks to smart choices and the unique voice of Dominique Durand. For those who haven't heard her, this Parisian transplant has a luscious, droll, almost off-key delivery that can transform even the stalest lyric into something fresh. That helps when the band embraces the Cure with a clubland-flavored version of "Let's Go to Bed" or a mostly terrific shoe-gazing take on the Ronettes' classic "Be My Baby." But Ivy also wisely overhaul plenty of underappreciated material from underground bands like the House of Love and the Go-Betweens. Armed with synths, drum programs, and a potentially unhealthy affection for the '80s, Ivy instrumentalists Andy Chase and Adam Schlesinger add swirling, groovy bleeps to Steely Dan's cynical samba classic "Only a Fool Would Say That" and bring a Eurothrob to Papas Fritas' "Say Goodbye" that would do Tears for Fears proud. Surprisingly, the best cover here might be the first they ever released (on the out-of-print Lately), a dreamy, sweetly arranged version of "I Guess I'm Just a Little Too Sensitive" by Edwyn Collins's old band, Orange Juice. Ultimately, Guestroom is plenty sensitive, too: It's a personal mix tape of the band's favorite songs -- undervalued numbers that have been affectionately resurrected and reinvented. Seth Kaufman

All Music Guide

Ivy made an interesting move when they released the all-covers album Guestroom in fall 2002. It's an eclectic collection of songs -- an intriguing but differing mix of genre and time. But Ivy makes things work brilliantly; smart songwriting with ever-changing moods has always marked Ivy's artsy, melodic measure. So basically, Guestroom is an added bonus for new and old fans alike. Most anyone will appreciate Dominique Durand's wispy, warm vocals and the intricate musicianship of Adam Schlesinger and Andy Chase. Cult classics such as the Cure's "Let's Go to Bed" and House of Love's "I Don't Know Why I Love You" are divine picks from Ivy, particularly the latter track. Simple acoustics and lite synth beats dice up the songs' original pop pounce for a dark, muted presence. "Say Goodbye," which is a Papas Fritas favorite among fans, rolls down new wave memory lane; however, the hipness of the Go-Betweens' "Streets of Your Town" brilliantly captures Ivy's musical heart. Guestroom may highlight some of the band's cherished cuts from the decadent days of the 1980s, but there are some hidden treasures. Durand's enchanting singing style on the Ronettes' chart hit "Be My Baby" is tailored for a nearly eerie, lullaby sweep. The Parisian-born Durand gives props to fellow Frenchman Serge Gainsbourg on the idyllic love song "L'Anamour." On Guestroom, Ivy has given these songs a modern touch without compromising their undeniable, candied sound -- a pleasant listen at best. MacKenzie Wilson