Ah, Hall & Oates. Mullets and mustaches. Synths and hand claps. Emotional lyrics and hearts-on-fringy, acid-washed jean sleeves.
I was dubious when I heard about a cover album made up of the sacred duo's most celebrated works. But since I love the Bird and the Bee, I was intrigued by their latest LP, Interpreting the Masters, Vol. 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall and John Oates (Blue Note Records). Lo and behold, this duo approaches the project with finesse and respect, bringing H&O into The Now with a light, feminine makeover.
Kicking things off is the twosome's sole original, "Heard It On The Radio" — a track so soaked in synths and awesomely '80s that I initially thought, "Wow, they discovered a vaulted Hall & Oates song!" No, it's 100 percent made in 2010, but it cleverly flows with the covers of "I Can't Go For That," "Sara Smile," "Kiss On My List," "One on One" and the other tripendicular H&O tunes you were secretly devoted to listening to in your youth.
