We're not talking multi-band tribute records here, just albums put out by a single band to pay tribute to their influences/have fun/fill in space between "real" releases.

Def Leppard's YEAH! made my best of '06 list, and Yo La Tengo's Fakebook is among my favorite albums of theirs.

What about your's? Any you love? Any you can't stand?
Well, those are two of my favorites, up there (even thought there are a couple of originals on the YLT).

Some of my least favorite:
That Duran Duran abomination
Guns N' Roses - The Spaghetti Incident (although there were a couple of semi-decent cuts)

i like
pussycats starring the walkmen
and
primus miscellaneous debris

I'm not sure if I really have any albums like this. I can't name any in my collection off-hand. EDIT: Thanks, cats. Miscellaneous Debris is pretty great.

Their "Making Plans For Nigel" is inspired.
Great call!
Do you have a copy to YSI?
If not, I'll try to remember to bring that tomorrow, because everyone here should really hear it. So great.

What about Sting's lute album?

Here's a few:

The Smithereens just put out Meet the Smithereens! which is Meet the Beatles! straight through. Haven't heard it yet, but I bet they pull it off pretty good.

How about Mark Kozelek, What's Next to the Moon...all AC/DC songs.

Richard Thompson, 1000 Yrs. of Popular Music. Haven't head this one either, but at one point it goes A Legal Matter - Tempted - Kiss - Oops! i Did it Again.

i like the duran duran cover album, damnit!

i have def leppard & tori amos, not sure if i have any others. (probably do.)

thanks for clueing me in on yo la tengo's "fakebook".

Oh, and Rush did that Feedback EP a few years back:

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=am ... 6fmpmk9f5o

I've heard a couple of tracks from that one and loved it.
It's time to pick it up...
Anyone that can transition from Cole Porter to a classic Renniasance ballad to Britney Spears deserves my money.

And, Gordo: I am not a Rush fan. But that is a great tracklist. Curious to hear it.

I think a covers EP is a better idea than a full album.

Hell, most bands can only get away with a B-Side cover.

Mandy Moore's cover album didn't make me vomit...and she covers senses working overtime.

no copy of this at work

they were my favorite band for years
i was a pretty little guy when i bought that cd
and didn't figure out that it was covers for about a year

i think cake's mostly cover album is gonna be pretty fun

I was curious to hear this...it's up on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxdej30Xoro

She's a cutie. And I've defnitely heard worse.

Fakebook is easily my favorite of this ilk. Springsteen's We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions is the only other one that comes to mind.

Edit: Cat Power's Cover Record ain't too shabby either.

Crooked Fingers' Reservoir Songs EP was pretty good.

Not as impressed with the Twilight Singers' She Loves You.

Bowie's Pin Ups is probably the worst thing he released in the 70s.

Moondog Matinee by the Band beats everything mentioned so far.

Zolof The Rock'N'Roll Destroyer and Reel Big Fish just put out a covers-only ep. I'll snag it soon.

Other than the ones already mentioned, I can't think of any essential ones, except maybe the first Me First & The Gimme Gimmes album. I mean there's ton of this in the pop/punk world - Methadones, Less Than Jake, Ghoti Hook, Schlong, and all those discs have some great cuts, but the album as whole aren't as essential as Fakebook.

Also good:

The Bottle Rockets Songs of Sahm
Elvis Costello Kojak Variety
Die Totenhosen Learning English
The Dirtbombs Ultra Glide In Black
The Fleshtones Hitsburg Revisited
John Lennon Rock and Roll
Freddy Lynxx & the Corner Gang Full Cover
Madness The Dangerman Sessions
Grant Lee Phillips nineteeneighties





oh, and the entire career of the Detroit Cobras

Yo La Tengo's Fakebook is the best. Thanks for reminding me about that album.

I've heard a couple covers recently that make the "worst" list. Topping that list would be Rogue Wave's newest cover of the Beatles' All You Need is Love. Are you serious?! Really unfortunate.

Probably true.

Thanks- I was wondering what I was going to listen to on the way to work.

The only two record I own like this are
Firewater - Songs We Should've Written
Cat Power - Covers Record

both are pretty good but nothing to rave over.

Anyone have that
Matthew Sweet/Suzanna Hoffs - Under the Covers thing?
I've only heard one song and, as a fan of both of them, I was sorely disappointed. Is the rest of the album just as blah, or does it have redeeming qualities?

I like both as well and thought this sucked. Note for note covers. Bland is the correct word.