Idolator

Continuing Cover Song Wednesday Morning, here's a stream of the latest Guilt By Association compilation, in which indie bands try to show that they have some sort of pop sensibility through the power of performing popular tunes. As you may expect, the results are a bit hit or miss (also: I still am wary of the idea of a "guilty pleasure," because it's all tied up in Catholic indoctrination that I've been trying to get over for years and years), but Frightened Rabbit's version of N-Trance's UK dance hit "Set You Free" is transformative and very good; Kaki King's take on Justin Timberlake's "I Think She Knows" retains the original's skittishness, if the vocals are mixed a bit too high; and Robbers On High Street's minimalist reworking of New Edition's "Cool It Now" is cute, although the lead singer's basso delivery renders the whole enterprise a bit too Cake-like for these ears. (Avoid that "We Didn't Start The Fire" cover at all costs, though. Whew.) [Engine Room Recordings via Pitchfork]

Once again, we celebrate the last posting day of the month with Rule Of Sevens, in which I make a bunch of seven-item lists in an effort to wipe the slate of the past 30 or 31 days clean. Today's first installment is inspired by a UK car insurance company's rundown of great songs to drive around to, which is topped by the Killers' "Mr. Brightside" and somehow contains both Bonnie Tyler's "Holding Out For A Hero" (which I swear is completely "borrowed" wholesale on the new Hold Steady album) and Survivor's "Eye Of The Tiger" (which seems more appropriate for stop-and-go traffic, but maybe that's just me). With gas prices soaring and the general crumminess pervading the world at large, the need for escapist music during routine, yet increasingly expensive, trips to the grocery store is higher than ever, so this perpetual passenger (who always kicks in for fuel) brings you her seven picks for songs you should crank up on your own personal radio after the jump. More »

It's probably a little cruel to post this, what with a shelf of Bobby Brown's solo-career awards going up on the auction block soon, but we can't resist sharing New Edition's blindingly shiny "If It Isn't Love," which is one of the most candy-coated moments of their post-Bobby existence. Bonus: the video features Jamie Foxx in a performance that totally predicted his later acting success. More »