Category: Music

Here you go, kids:

Sometimes, you hear a cover song and go “buh?” This is one of those times. Take Ms. Britney, and filter her through the perspective of Israeli multi-instrumentalist Yael Naim (best known for “New Soul” from the Apple ads). Result? Crystalline music-box carnival strangeness. Yael Naim – “Toxic.”

Other songs have been covered so many times that new versions can’t really be called “covers” at all. This song was definitively done by Nina Simone (or Michael Bublé, if you’re under 25), and versions have been recorded by everyone from Muse to Sinatra. This version was done by My Brightest Diamond, for the 20th HIV/AIDS fundraiser album by the Red Hot organization, Dark Was The Night: My Brightest Diamond – “Feeling Good.”

Other covers are not much different from the original — take, for example this track from Shiny Toy Guns, which is essentially identical to Peter Schilling’s original, apart from having a female lead singer (and not being German): Shiny Toy Guns – “Major Tom (Coming Home.)”

Staying on an 80s vibe for the moment, here’s one of the many excellent tracks from Tears for Fears which got relatively little attention in the US. Tears for Fears – “Change.”

A Canadian singer-songwriter takes her name from a classic of 80s cinema, and does an album of material which varies from near-Gary-Numan-esque synthpop, through Bangles/Go-Gos New Wave guitars and songs which sound like they’d be at home on a John Hughes soundtrack? Yeah, sign me up. Apparently, this song is going to be covered by Christina Aguilera, so I wanted you to hear it before it got “XTina’d”. Ladyhawke – “My Delirium.”

A fun and snappy bit of turntablism remixing, from Cut Chemist (one of the DJs behind Jurassic 5 — and very much in the same vein as his “Swing Set” piece which I’ve posted before): Nat King Cole and Cut Chemist – “Day In Day Out.”

Retro Soul still chugs along. This one stands out because unlike so many of the other exemplars of the genre, this has a male vocalist. A Frenchman based in L.A. — I’d love to see this guy on a double-bill with Sharon Jones. Fitz and the Tantrums – “Breakin’ The Chains of Love.”

Lastly, in the simultaneous realms of Guilty Pleasure, Earworm and Abuse of an Autotuner, we have: Black Eyed Peas – “Boom Boom Pow.” Don’t hate me. Just shake what yer mamma gave ya.

There you have it. Enjoy. Copy-and-paste any links that give you trouble.

Here we go:

Here’s a new(ish) band from Scotland that made a fairly big splash at SXSW this year. I’ll admit that I was attracted at first by their name, but the music holds up. We Were Promised Jet Packs – “It’s Thunder and It’s Lightning.”

Brand new Mos Def, ably demonstrating why I think he’s one of the best MCs in the business: Mos Def – “Casa Bey.”

Talking with earlier in the week got me thinking about covers. I’m of the opinion that if you’re going to bother doing a cover song, you should make it your own — a new arrangement, saying something different, etc. — otherwise you’re just doing a karaoke version. Here’s an example of what I mean — a cover that I actually like even more than the original Stevie Wonder funk masterpiece: Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Higher Ground.”

For , a brand-new song from the Starlight Mints, the group responsible for the theme song to Demons (the best thing about that show, in fact.) Starlight Mints – “Zoomba.”

Absolute definition of a brain worm. This sucker has been stuck in my head, on repeat. Absolutely nothing redeeming about this — an ode to booty and club dancing. Good enough for me. Flo Rida – “Get Low (feat. T-Pain).”

Green Day’s new album, 21st Century Breakdown comes out today. From what I’ve heard, it’s basically American Idiot, Part Two. Which is fine, I guess. Mostly it just reminds me how much I loved their major label debut, Dookie, back in ’94-’95. It was pop-punk, sure, but erred on the side of punk. Now, it’s all Bloated Rock Star stuff. Still with the occasional gem, though — here’s one that stands out from the new album: Green Day – “Horseshoes & Hand Grenades.”

There you go. Enjoy.

Like it says on the tin, kids.

I was way too busy this week to do any digging.

Aw, quitcher bitchin.