First up we hear the UK's Psapp with the song "Rear Moth" from their new album Tiger, My Friend (iTunes, Amazon, Other Music). Then we heard one of my favorite surf rock bands out of Nashville The Los Straightjackets with their version of Skeeter Davis' song "It's the End of the World" (with vocals provided by Sixpence None the Richer's Leigh Nash) from their album Sing Along With (iTunes, Amazon). Next was California's The Lookyloos with the song "Spanish Castles" from their album — you ready for this? — Perhaps the Most Satisfying Joy Left to Us in an Age so Limited and Vulgar as Our Own (Amazon). And finally, we end with the very theatrical sounds of Boston's The Dresden Dolls and their song "Coin-Operated Boy" from their self titled 2004 record (iTunes, Amazon).This week show features a clip from The Majority Report with Sam Seder & Janeane Garofalo from Air America Radio, which you can download each day in full from Air America Place.

(SPECIAL COVERS EPISODE!) This week we hear a few of my favorite cover songs, new and old. These songs I like both the original song AND the cover version. Some are novel, but I think they all hold up on their own as well. Fist French model-turned-actress-turned-singer Vanessa Paradis cover's Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side" from her 1990 album Variations sur le meme t'aime (Amazon). Then French/British effort Nouvelle Vague covered Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart" from their album of 80's covers which is also called Nouvelle Vague (Amazon, Other Music, you can get this track in iTunes). Next was Seu Jorge covering David Bowie's "Life on Mars?" from the soundtrack to the new Wes Anderson movie The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (iTunes, Amazon, Other Music). Then we heard Portland Oregon's The Decemberists covering Björk (don't miss her new video directed by Spike Jonze) with their awesome version of "Human Behavior" from a new compilation of bands covering her songs called Read - Interpreting Björk (iTunes, Amazon), and because I couldn't decide which song to put on the show, as a bonus song, also from Portland the band Noise for Pretend cover Björk's "It's Oh So Quiet" from the same record. (If you like covers as much as I do, you should check out Coverville. It's another podcast that is worth listening to.    )  

(SPECIAL MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY EPISODE!) We start with a great mix of sound from former Arrested Development front man Speech and Neneh Cherry and the song "Braided Hair" from the soundtrack to 1 Giant Leap (iTunes, Amazon). Then we hear the Barenaked Ladies and their cover of Public Enemy's landmark song "Fight the Power" from the soundtrack to the Coneheads (Amazon). Next, The Blind Boys of Alabama did their instant-classic "House of the Rising Sun"-styled "Amazing Grace" from their album Spirit of the Century (iTunes, Amazon). And finally Johnny Cash and The Clash's Joe Strummer teamed up to cover one of the best peace and justice songs in history, Bob Marley's "Redemption Song" from the box set Johnny Cash: Unearthed (iTunes, Amazon, Other Music). Ever wonder why the media never talks about what Dr. King was saying during his last three years of life? Find out in this article by Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting. FAIR also has other enlightening MLK articles, such as his stance on Affirmative Action vs. what The Right would have you believe. The Center for American Progress has a great synopsis of the progressive mission King preached, as well as a pocket guide for explaining to people what Dr. King preached and how it is still relevant and vital.

We start with Scotland's modern-day new wave band Dogs Die in Hot Cars and their song "Paul Newman's Eyes" from their debut album Please Describe Yourself (iTunes, Amazon, Other Music). Then we heard a snazzy bluegrass version of Air's "Kelly Watch the Stars" by Old School Freight Train which can be found on their album Bluegrass Tribute to Air: Blue Safari (Amazon, Tower), which as you may have guessed is all Air songs played on mandolins and banjos. Yes, it is glorious. Next was the UK act Saint Etienne with their song "Shower Scene" from their 2002 album Finisterre (iTunes, Amazon, Other Music). And we finish with Iceland's Leaves (The Coldplay of Iceland) and their song "I Go Down" from their album Breathe (iTunes, Amazon, Other Music).This episode has a clip of Todd Berry from his new album Falling Off the Bone.

Welcome to 2005! With this episode, The Sounds in My Head finally becomes part of the "Podcasting" niche of niches, meaning we now can be accessed with your favorite podcasting app (see side bar for more details). And we start the new year with a great song by what was The Band of Bees, but is now The Bees, who have a new album (not out in the states yet, but will be soon) called Free the Bees and we heard the song "Go Karts" (Amazon, Other Music). Then we heard Chris Joss with a song that sounds like I should be talking over it, but is so good I don't, called "You've Been Spiked" from his album by the same name (iTunes, Amazon, Other Music). Next was Pinback with their five star song "Fortress" from their 3 star album Summer in Abaddon (iTunes, Other Music, Amazon). And finally indie darlings Stereolab did "University Microfilms International" which was released along side their newest album of greatness called Margerine Eclipse but as an iTunes Exclusive track, meaning to get it you've gotta fork over .99¢ to the iTunes Music Store.