TV on the Radio, "Staring at the Sun"

Frank Ocean, "Bad Religion"

David Gray, "Say Hello Wave Goodbye" (Soft Cell cover)

Courtesy of longtime F.O.T. (Friend of Tuna?) Brendan Woodbury, here's David Gray, covering an early-'80s Soft Cell number.  And you thought Soft Cell only produced one song of note.  Sheesh.  You people.

Janelle Monáe, "Tightrope (Live at Glastonbury 2011)

XV, "The Kick"

Reppin' the 316, baby... here's Wichita's own XV. 

And people think I relocated on the East Coast 

But I still hold it down in the town I speak for 

Towing my city behind me like it was repoed 

In a game full of sharks but there ain't no cheat codes

Enjoy!

James, "Hey Ma"

From 2008's album of the same name...

Foster the People, "Pumped Up Kicks"

Jack White f. Ruby Amanfu, "Love Interruption"

My Brightest Diamond, "Inside a Boy"

OPEN REQUEST SUNDAY: Ween, "Voodoo Lady"

An offbeat request from Amy.  I'll let YouTube commenter nerezzatube introduce the video:

It is a common misconception that the scenes in this video were shot underwater. There was no water involved. The fact is, when Ween plays music it emits a physical 'wave' of complete awesome which directly disturbs the environment around it. It's usually edited out and suppressed at live shows, but they decided to leave it in the clip to Voodoo Lady.

Enjoy!

Pixies, "Gigantic" (Live)

Kim Deal taking the lead here, ca. 1988, in a big, big way.   

R.E.M., "Man on the Moon"

On the 43rd Anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing... unless you're on NASA time, in which case tomorrow is the anniversary.

MGMT, "Kids"

Treme Brass Band, "The Old Rugged Cross"

Rest in Peace, Mr. Lionel Batiste.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Fun., "Some Nights"

Evidently this is what the young ones are clamoring for these days, and really... who couldn't use a little more fun?  Especially when it involves an upbeat dance rock track played during a reenactment of a Civil War battle.  Did I miss something?

De La Soul, "Me, Myself and I"

OPEN REQUEST SUNDAY: A Tribe Called Quest, "Bonita Applebum"

Speaking of Q-Tip, Erin has requested this classic joint from Tribe.  Glad to meet ya.

Leaders of the New School, "Case of the P.T.A."

The 2012 Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival hits Pier 3 of Brooklyn Bridge Park today!  From noon until 3:00pm, come out to the park for Family Day and some slick DJing.  From 3 to 8:00pm, luminaries and up-and-comers such as Freeway, DJ Scratch, Prodigy (from Mobb Deep) and Ana Tijoux will take the stage.  Headlining and hitting cleanup... the legendary Busta Rhymes, who will reportedly be joined by Q-Tip (last year's headliner), Rakim and Raekwon.  

Additionally, Busta will be reuniting with the Leaders of the New School, shown here in 1991's "Case of the P.T.A."  Enjoy!

Elliott Smith, "Miss Misery"

Guster, "Architects and Engineers"

Featured recently in Safety Not Guaranteed...

Count Basie Orchestra, "One O'Clock Jump"

Charlie Parker, "Groovin' High"

Wilbert Harrison, "Kansas City"

OPEN REQUEST SUNDAY: Jim Noir, "Car"

Po Jikiewicz got a kick out of this song... perhaps you will, too.  Enjoy this tasty offering from Chef Noir.

Marc Almond, "Paint It Black" (Rolling Stones cover)

While not nearly as iconic a cover as his biggest hit as the frontman of Soft Cell, this can't be faulted for lack of ambition.  He wants to see the light go out in the sky.

Mungo Jerry, "In the Summertime"

It's impossible not to smile when I hear this.  Da-do-da-da-da... alright.  I especially love the worm's eye view of the toe tapping.

En Vogue, "Free Your Mind"

It's 1992, and En Vogue brings the high heat.  Drawing from George Clinton (the chorus) and paraphrasing In LIving Color (the spoken opening), the Funky Divas get sweet and salty.  Those harmonies... (ooh-la-la, ooh-la-la...") cut right into the guitar-riff-backed chorus with a hard edge.  Sometimes I forget how good they were (are).  Not today.  Enjoy.

Whitney Houston, "The Star-Spangled Banner"

The definitive performance and recording from 1991.  Happy Fourth of July!  Rest in peace, Whitney.

Theme from The Andy Griffith Show

Martika, "Toy Soldiers"

Watch out world, there's a new star on the scene.  Introducing... Martika!  I just heard this devastating tour de force, and I can't stop listening.  The pop-savvy visitor may recognize Martika (born Marta Marrero) from her recent role on Kids Incorporated and a few years back on Mr. T's Be Somebody... Or Be Somebody's Fool!  Keep an eye on this one.

Todd Terje, "Inspector Norse"

I'll give you all three guesses as to who requested this one, and the first two don't count.  Give up?  OK.  Here's a clue... it sounds like Rice Q-berts.  Dancing and bowling = the editor can tolerate electronica.