Weezer - Paranoid Android

I've always liked Weezer. Such a great pop band, you know.
I've always disliked Radiohead. Such an overrated band, you know.

Well, Weezer has covered "Paranoid Android", one of the few Radiohead songs I actually like (a bit), and I'm really not sure what to think of it.

Probably won't play it again.

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Trent Reznor and Karen O covers Led Zeppelin

Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor and Yeah Yeah Yeahs frontwoman Karen O has teamed up to record a version of Led Zeppelin's timeless "Immigrant Song" for director David Fincher's upcoming The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, the American film version of the first of deceased Swedish author Stieg Larsson's three Millennium novels. You can listen to a bit of it here.

The Four Seasons - December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night)

The Four Seasons with the wonderful lead singer Frankie Valli (who also gained a whole new audience with his solo hit "Grease" in 1978) had a huge string of hits in the 60's and 70's. "December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night)" was their fourth American number one hit, released in December 1975. Their three previous number ones were "Sherry" and "Big Girls Don't Cry" (both in 1962), and "Rag Doll" (1964), but of them all I think this one is by far the best.

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Coldplay to release new single on Saturday!

After two years' absence (apart from last year's Christmas single) there is at last some new Coldplay material in the works. The band released information about their brand new single "Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall" this morning on their website. It is not known if the song will be included on their yet to be scheduled fifth album.

The Kinks - All Day And All Of The Night

"All Day And All Of The Night" was The Kinks's fourth single (all of them released in 1964) and their second big hit. "You Really Got Me" was their first number one, released in August of that year, and this follow-up made it to number two after its October release. The rest, as they say, was history, and The Kinks went on to become one of the spearheads of the so-called British Invasion.

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Tom Robinson Band - 2-4-6-8 Motorway

"2-4-6-8 Motorway" is Tom Robinson Band's classic debut single, released in late 1977, and preceding the Rising Free live EP featuring the famous "(Sing If You're) Glad To Be Gay" and the excellent debut album Power In The Darkness. I heard this song at the time of release at a Norwegian radio show, Pop Spesial, and was rocked to my core, I thought this was sooooo cool. It still is, actually. Check it out!

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The Undertones - My Perfect Cousin

Was the Northern Irish band The Undertones a punk band? At least not at the time of "My Perfect Cousin", released in 1980, although they still showed the DIY ethics of punk rock. This is strictly very good pop music, just like the rest of the album it preceded by a month, the wonderful Hypnotised.

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Fleetwood Mac - Don't Stop

"Don't Stop" is of course a track from the Fleetwood Mac classic Rumours (1977). This Christine McVie song is just one of many highlights. As with most of the songs on the album, it's very personal. Rumours is put together of songs by the different band members mostly about all their infidelities. A crazy, but fantastic album.

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Nanci Griffith - Lone Star State Of Mind

"Lone Star State Of Mind" is the title track off Nanci Griffith's fifth album, her major label debut, released in 1987. The song's lyrics correspond well with my own fascination for the state of Texas, and the melody is irresistable. It was written by Pat Alger, Fred Koller and Gene Levine, and released at a time when it seemed Nanci Griffith could do nothing wrong. Her 80's output is pretty much flawless, apart from the disappointing Storms album of 1989. This one is from her real heyday though.

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Prince - If I Was Your Girlfriend

Here's one of my all-time Prince favourites. "If I Was Your Girlfriend" was the second single off his 1987 masterpiece Sign O' The Times. It's a Prince pulling all the plugs when wooing his girl, coming off as tender and caring/sex-hungry, shy/brash, etc., using all the tricks in the book. It's also a really good song in itself, of course. True classic!

PS! TLC did a very cool version on their CrazySexyCool album in 1994.

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Yet another three songs from the forthcoming Karin Wright album

Well, what do you know? The release date for Karin Wright's forthcoming Too Rock'n'Roll For Country... Too Country For Rock'n'Roll is fast approaching and she obviously wants to let people hear a few of the goodies in advance. This is the third time we're able to hear new tracks from the album that will probably be in shops June 10th. The three songs in question are called "The Fool", "Ingredients Of Love" and "Keep On Keeping On". After just one listen, I'll have to say I like the latter best, a tender little country ballad that is very beautiful. The great title track is still there for you to hear as well.

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Depeche Mode - Everything Counts

"Everything Counts" was the first single to be released from Depeche Mode's third album Construction Time Again (1983). It signaled a new and more industrial direction for the band who lost their songwriter after their first album and tried to find their own way with the second. That was actually quite successful in itself, but it is upon the blocks they built with Construction Time Again they found their future sound. "Everything Counts" is a hell of a song really!

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The Del-Lords - Poem Of The River

Let's head back to 1988 and the sadly forgotten band The Del-Lords. They did some pretty good albums in their time, but success eluded them as it does so many good artists. Lead singer and songwriter Scott Kempner used to be the rhythm guitarist in The Dictators before forming The Del-Lords. When the latter disbanded Kempner went back to The Dictators, and last year even The Del-Lords got back together, so who knows - we may hear more great stuff from them. But for now, let's hear the absolutely beautiful "Poem Of The River", a track off their third album Based On A True Story (1988), featuring none other than Pat Benatar on backing vocals.

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Status Quo - Whatever You Want

Status Quo is just today releasing a new album. Don't bother with it. Here though, is the fantastic hit single and title track off their 1979 album Whatever You Want, and you know there's a reason why they still have fans around. But the joke has worn off quite a bit now, so I think the old songs will do, thank you very much!

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Listen to the entire new Arctic Monkeys album now

It's released this week or early next week, depending on which country you live in, but absolutely anyone can stream the entire Arctic Monkeys album Suck It And See now. Just go the the band's website and press play!

Ace - How Long

I apologize for the scratchy sound quality on this clip, but if you've never heard the Ace classic "How Long" before it shouldn't matter too much. (If you do know it, you'll live with it.) You'll hopefully hear what an absolutely gorgeous song this is anyway. Ace was the band that first brought the great singer Paul Carrack to the world's attention, and their one hit was this 1974 single. It hasn't lost one iota of its initial greatness. This is pop music for the ages!

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The Stranglers - Golden Brown

Wow, these guys look unhealthy! The Stranglers' 1981 hit single "Golden Brown" about, well the dubious joys of heroin, leaves nothing to the imagination although the band at the time tried to deny that it was about heroin. No matter, the song was fantastic then and sounds just as good today.

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Nina Simone - My Baby Just Cares For Me

What a treat we have for you here! This is essentially known as the great Nina Simone's signature songs and also happens to be one of my all time favourite jazz tunes. "My Baby Just Cares For Me" was initially written by Walter Donaldson and Gus Kahn for the 1930 film version of the 1928 musical Whoopee! and Nina Simone recorded it for her 1958 debut album Little Girl Blue. It was rereleased as a single in 1987 when the geniuses at Aardman Animations made this wonderful claymation music video and thus became a big hit across Europe.

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First glimpse from Tom Russell's new album

This fall sees the release of underrated singer/songwriter Tom Russell's new album Mesabi, and now we get to see a short videoclip with a few soundbites from the album and Tom discussing some of its themes. Although it's a very short clip we can still gather that the album will most probably be awesome, especially after reading this message that Tom posted on his Facebook page on May 5th:

"Finished mixing the new record...13 songs and 2 bonus tracks...and maybe a film as part of the package. Guest artists: Augie Meyers, Van Dyke Parks, Calexico, Lucinda Williams, Thad Beckman, Gretchen Peters, Barry Walsh, Joel Guzman, Viktor Krauss, Jacob "El Ciclon" Mossman...recorded in Tucson, at Jack Johnson`s studio in L.A., in Nashville, El Paso and San Antonio. Release Date: September 6 on Shout Factory."

Check out the video here.

"Neil Young" does Miley Cyrus

TV host, actor, comedian, musician and singer Jimmy Fallon has done what may be his funniest and most surprising Neil Young parody yet. On the Wednesday night episode of Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, he'd invited David Crosby and Graham Nash to sing harmony vocals on a Neil Young-ified version of Miley Cyrus' "Party In The U.S.A.", of course being in full Young mode himself. You have not seen anything like this. Outstanding!

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Dave Stewart delivers Nashville record

After spending a week in John and Martina McBride's Blackbird Studio in Nashville, former Eurythmic Dave Stewart has recorded 12 songs that will become the album The Blackbird Diaries. Due August 23rd, the set features guest appearances by Martina McBride, Stevie Nicks, Colibie Callait and The Secret Sisters. Read the full story of the recording on Billboard.com.

James Brown - Papa's Got A Brand New Bag

Will anyone ever be funkier than the one and only James Browm, "The Godfather Of Soul"? I have some serious doubts about it, and his 1965 single "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag" should testify to those doubts. It's an extraordinary piece of music, and it's also perfect for a Saturday night.

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Gil Scott-Heron - The Revolution Will Not Be Televised

The highly influential American poet and musician Gil Scott-Heron passed away yesterday, 62 years old. Yet another of the greats gone, I'm afraid. Here's the song/poem he will be most remembered for, "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" from 1970. It still packs a tremendous punch!

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Cee Lo Green - I Want You

There's enough bling to last several lifetimes in the new Cee Lo Green video for "I Want You". He's cast himself as "Loberace" and is strutting through what appears to be Ceasar's Palace in Las Vegas, while singing this beautiful ballad from last year's album The Lady Killer.

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Norway's best pop band The Margarets are calling it quits

Some very sad news today as The Margarets, one of Norway's best ever pop bands, are calling it a day. After four wonderful albums and some truly memorable songs they are no more. There are no dramatic reasons for the split, just a lot of different factors in play, one of which of course is the ever elusive success. They never really hit it big, although they were much loved by their fans. Still, three of their four albums charted big, but the last one, Look For Love, didn't chart at all. Guys, you will be missed! I may cry myself to sleep tonight. Really.

Read an article (in Norwegian) from Sunnmørsposten here.
Here are some of their songs to enjoy.

"Rubber Rubbish"

"Alain Delon"

"Sound Of Summer"

"She Caught The Last Bus Home"

"Come Around"

Q #300 in the shops soon

The 300th issue of Q magazine is in the UK shops now and will be available elsewhere soon. Superstar Adele has the honour of gracing the anniversary issue, which it seems is packed with stuff from the archives, including some of the best photos the magazine has published during its 25 years. Read more here.

Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint - The River In Reverse

In 2005 Elvis Costello and legendary New Orleans songwriter, arranger, producer and piano player Allen Toussaint came together in the wake of hurricane Katrina to record the album The River In Reverse, featuring a host of fabulous New Orleans musicians and some great songs. Some of these were Toussaint classics, some where originals, like this, the title track of the album that was released in 2006. The clip is, as you can see, from Late Show with David Letterman.

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BoDeans - Good Things

This is one of Wisconsin band BoDeans' best and most famous songs, from the 1991 album Black And White. Mysteriously "Good Things" were never released as a single, but received a certain kind of radio play, making it semi-popular at least. The album was a musical departure for the rootsy band, produced by David Z (known for his work with Prince), with a bigger emphasis on synthesizers and drum machines, but still retaining their signature sound. The version of "Good Things" that you'll hear in this clip is an acoustic take that's slightly different from the album version.

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Rick Astley - Whenever You Need Somebody

Sometimes all you need is silly pop music. That's really all I have to say about this 1985 song by production and songwriting team Stock Aitken Waterman written for O'Chi Brown. "Whenever You Need Somebody" was later performed by Rick Astley in 1987, and you can say what you will, but the guy's got a marvellous voice, and he turned it into a huge hit single.

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The Supremes - Stop! In The Name Of Love

A typical Motown song written and produced by the three geniuses that went by the moniker Holland-Dozier-Holland, "Stop! In The Name Of Love" was a major 1965 hit for The Supremes. It remains a timeless masterpiece, pop music at its absolute best!

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More news on the massive Pink Floyd reissue campaign

When the Pink Floyd albums are reissued, starting in September, it will be a big deal. Read the full story on the Rolling Stone website.

Bob Marley & The Wailers - One Love/People Get Ready

Yesterday was the 30th anniversary of Bob Marley's early death, and this track perfectly captures what he was about. Originally from the great Exodus album (1977), "One Love" incorporated Curtis Mayfield's "People Get Ready" and was released as a single posthumously to promote the Legend compilation (1984). The music video is quite funny, featuring Paul McCartnet, members of Madness, Bananarama and Musical Youth and more.

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Theophilus London feat. Sara Quin - Why Even Try

You should check out new cool, hip hop guy Theophilus London, a Brooklyn rapper and musician who's inspired by lots of different stuff, from Prince to Public Enemy, Motown soul to electronica. He's released one album in 2009, but now he's got a recording contract with Warner Bros, and his new album will be released this summer. It's preceded by the Lovers Holiday EP, out now, featuring this fine track.

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John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John - You're The One That I Want

It's impossible not to get in a good mood by this classic from the film version of the musical Grease. I had a major crush on Olivia Newton-John as Sandy, and I was not alone. She still looks fantastic here. "You're The One That I Want" was one of several hits from the 1978 movie, and probably the best, written by one of Newton-John's foremost writers/producers, fellow Australian John Farrar. The song is pure genius!

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