The Chili Peppers are gearing up for the release of a double album by streaming their new single. Nice of them. Fortunately, there’s better stuff out there . . .
Red Hot Chili Peppers,“Dani California” (streaming audio)
Prepare yourselves for Stadium Arcadium , a friggin’ double album from the Peppers. Nobody needs a double album of new Chili Peppers material. Nobody. The best we can hope for is a solid single or two. This is a good start: Anthony’s singing about something he knows well (SoCal), Rick Rubin’s got the rhythm section popping, and John with the unpronounceable last name rips it up on cue. There’s even a nice hook of sorts.
Giant Drag, “Wicked Game” (RealAudio)
Giant Drag’s Hearts and Unicorns has turned out to be one of 2005’s more promising sleepers: it’s the album that just won’t go away. So, with the duo gearing up for a big Coachella appearance, Universal has reissued the disc with a new tune, a dark, haunting, noisy, and brutally beautiful cover of Chris Isaac’s “Wicked Game.” And for those of you who already own the disc, you can just nab the song online.
Nouvelle Vague, “Dance With me” (iTunes)
While we’re talking covers — one of my favorite topics — I’ve been meaning to mention that after the success of last year’s Nouvelle Vague (Luaka Bop), a compilation of bossa nova versions of punk and new wave tunes sung French-chanson style, all sultry and suave, by several female recruits, the “group” has an iTunes exclusive. The Live Sessions EP includes this subtle and alluring take on Lords of the New Church’s “Dance With Me.”
LCD Soundsystem,“Slowdive” (iTunes)
Okay, one more cover: there is a new DFA remix CD out on Astralwerks. But LCD Soundsystem also have an iTunes exclusive of British b-sides and the likes titled Introns. Its nicely manic, driving version of this Siouxsie and the Banshees tune is a highlight.
