What's the story?
To celebrate 40 years of broadcasting to the nation Radio 1 have rounded up 40 of today's best artists and asked them to cover a track from a year between 1967 and 2006. It's a clever idea and one that's produced some decent covers.
So what are the good ones?
The Foo Fighters' (who, by the way, seem incapable of putting a foot wrong) version of Wings' classic Band On The Run is genius and we're still smiling at The Pigeon Detectives stab at Huey Lewis And The News' '80s staple The Power Of Love - heck, even The Kooks do a credible cover of Ace Of Base's All That She Wants. But it's Amy Winehouse's take on Johnny Nash's 1969 hit Cupid where this album really hits the right notes. Stripped of all the scandal, rumours and gossip and allowed just to sing, Amy makes it abundantly clear that she's simply, hands down the best singer of her generation.
Any duff tracks?
Oh yes. Do you really want to hear Robbie Williams butcher The Kink's classic Lola or worse, Hard-Fi mauling Britney's Toxic? Of course you don't. Too often this album sadly falls into the trap of indie band has a go at a pop song, pop band has a go at an indie track.
Worth buying?
If you're a fan of any of the 40 bands here - and chances are there are at least a couple that'll tickle your fancy - then it's worth shelling out as these versions aren't going to be available anywhere else. Like any compilation album there are enough duff tracks to ensure a fair amount of track skipping, but this will be a real talking point in your collection and there are some on real gems to be had.
