The Walkmen - Pussy Cats

There would be no arguing that John Lennon is one of the most celebrated and beloved figures in rock history. The listenability of the entire Lennon catalogue, however, is very debatable. With "Pussy Cats", New York's The Walkmen have gone out a limb in favor of paying tribute to one of Lennon's least-known and least-loved albums. Although the musicianship and production are good, and despite the Walkmen's enthusiastic delivery, the basic result is a set of covers-of-covers. Alas, a good case could be made for Lennon and Harry Nilsson (co-conspirators during Lennon's "lost weekend") to never have made the album in the first place. The Walkmen might have done well to leave it alone as well. I'd like to be able to give this album a higher rating because it is an interesting idea and because the Walkmen are absolutely committed to carrying it out, but the fact remains that you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. [www.thewalkmen.com]