RollnSmokeRecords Presents: Smokin' New Covers of Great Old Songs ...

1. “Use Somebody” – (Kings of Leon) Laura Jansen [3-22-2011]. Dramatic, slow female vocals on top of spare backdrop makes for easy listening of latest cover of this track from a couple of years back.

2. “There is a Light that Never Goes Out” – (Smiths) – Dum Dum Girls [3-1-2011]. 60’s-inflected California Girls rock this cover of the British Invasion 80’s original.

3. “You Oughta Know” – (Billy Joel) – Das Racist [un-released]. Sloppy raps over remixed version of 70’s hit.

4. “Everywhere” – (Fleetwood Mac) – Vampire Weekend (un-released). With a small venue studio sound, these modern alt-rockers covers 70’s rock classic.

5. “Crazy” – (Seal) – Yeasayer [to be released]. Genre-beding band out of Brooklyn covers Seal classic from early-1990’s.

6. “Thriller” – {Michael Jackson) -- Imogen Heap (unreleased). A daring, dramatic piano recital of cover of the late, great R&B master.

7. “Strangelove” – (Depeche Mode) – Bat for Lashes {un-released]. Pakistani-born Natasha Khan leads her Brit band through this original take on alt-classic.

8. “Mercy Mercy Me” – {Marvin Gaye” – The Strokes and Eddie Vedder [un-released]. A spare alt-rock cover of old Motown favorite.

9. “There’s a Limit to Your Love” – (Feist) -- James Blake [2-7-2011]. Innovative and spare electronica cover of alt-original.

10. “Such Great Heights” – (The Postal Service) – Ben Folds (unreleased). Without fanfare Ben Folds covers alt-pop-rocker from ’03.

11. “Young Folks” Remix – (Peter, Bjorn & John) – [unreleased]. Kanye West. Somewhat uninspired raps blend over trademarked whistling background.

12. “Come Talk to Me” – (Peter Gabriel) – Bon Iver [3-30-10]. Ethereal and acoustic cover of early 90’s easy rock track.

13. “It Takes Some Muscle” – (Spectral Display) – [7-7-10]. M.I.A. The Sri Lankan beauty covers the goofy 80’s original by Dutch group with reggae flair.

14. “Down for the Count” – Girl Talk (11/30/2010). Mixologist master Gregg Gillis works this all over the board hip hop track that moves over remixed rips from pop songs that scan the years, opening notably with Beldinda Carlile and Eric Clapton, to ID all the “haters everywhere we go, going down for the count.

15. “It’s My Party” – (Leslie Gore) – Amy Winehouse [11-9-2010]. Wino and Mark Ronson reunite on this retro cover.

16. “Not in Love” – (Platinum Blonde) – Crystal Castles (featuring Robert Smith) [12- 6-2010]. With a distinctly 80’s new Wave, Cure-like sound, this cover features big synth background beats and a resonating refrain.

17. “Ghost of Tom Joad” – (Bruce Springsteen) – Junip [9-14-2010]. Debut solo effort by Jose Gonzalaz features his mesmerizing voice and strumming acoustic guitar.

18. “Creep” – (RadioHead) – Scala & Kolacny Brothers [9-28-2010]. A spectacularly soothing cover – complete with full choir and piano -- of the alternative rock original.

19. “Check It Out” – (Buggles) -- Nicki Minaj featuring Will.I.am [9-3-10] [single]. This R&B power-duo run a duet over and remix a memorable 80’s disco refrain “Video Killed the Radio Star.”

20. “Crazy” – (Gnarls Barkley) -- Ray Lamontagne (un-released) Ernest acoustic rendition of genre-bending original.

21. “Dear God 2.0” – (Monsters of Folk) – The Roots [6-21-1010]. Phili Rap group covers unlikely indie track – call it Beard Rap – with original harmonies laced throughout.

22. “Pretty in Pink” – (Psychedelic Furs) – The National [un-released]. Indie rock cover of 80’s film icon track by band of Brooklynites.

23. “The Kids” – {Vampire Weekend) – B.o.B. featuring Janelle Monae [4-27-10]. Mixing alt-rock with hip-hop and a lovely cameo, this emerging pop-rapper from ATL loads this track onto his first full-length album release.

24. “Relief” – (R. Kelly) – Sam Amidon [3-29-2010]. An unexpected take on R&B master track by singer-song-writer with imperfect but appealing voice against string (banjo) bass and wind.