The Feelies are wise and intuitively understand that when covering the Velvet Underground, there’s no use in trying to sound like the Velvet Underground.

So on Oct. 13, 2018, in New Jersey, the Feelies just went out and played as they do. And the show – documented five years later as Some Kinda Love: Performing the Music of the Velvet Underground – turned out to be a worthy tribute and a worthwhile listen for those who missed it.

There’s no stage banter and no overt fawning over the Velvets; the Feelies instead let their version of the music do the talking. And it speaks strongly via the band’s confident delivery.

There’s obviously no viola and no Feelie can do Nico. But guitarists Glenn Mercer and Bill Million pull off a cool trick in swathing the Velvet’s guitar parts in Byrdsian layers while never losing the timbre of the original recordings. On the mic, Mercer channels Lou Reed’s attitude on such tracks as “I’m Waiting for the Man,” “Run Run Run” and several others. But bassist Brenda Sauter shines brightest standing in for Mo Tucker on “After Hours.”

Some Kinda Love is loose but never sloppy. It’s a cover album, yet it’s no mere imitation. Because the Feelies are wise and they know the Velvets are inimitable.