| The Playlist: Give Lennon's 'Peace' a chance on iTunes |
| Updated 11/9/2009 9:46 PM ET |
By Edna Gundersen, USA TODAY
PICK OF THE WEEK: John Lennon's anti-war anthem, Give Peace a Chance (Plastic Ono Band), bears some dated references, but as long as there's conflict in the world, this song rings with purpose. Proceeds from a commemorative digital single at iTunes go to the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund through Dec. 31. The simple singalong was recorded during his 1969 Montreal bed-in with Yoko Ono. — Edna Gundersen
THE PLAYLIST
LISTEN UP: Wyclef Jean's 'Mansion'USA TODAY music critic Edna Gundersen highlights 10 of the most intriguing tracks, new or old, found during the week's listening.
|
Dig Me a River
Gemma Ray |
The eclectic British songbird evokes Nick Cave on this dark highlight from her exotic, if spotty, Lights Out Zoltar! |
|
|
|
Bye Bye Bayou
LCD Soundsystem |
James Murphy morphs Alan Vega's twisted rockabilly original into a sweaty, angst-fueled club thumper. |
|
|
|
|
Molalatladi
BLK JKS |
Stormy funk of brass/beats is just one standout on the South African band's Zulu/English debut, After Robots. |
|
|
|
|
Disappearing Act
U2 |
This moody gem, recorded in 1983 with vocals added last year, is a bonus on the Unforgettable Fire reissue. |
|
|
|
|
Empire State of Mind
Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys |
A brash, chest-beating toast to the Big Apple. Eat it up, Yankee revelers. |
|
|
|
| I'll Be Your Lover (But I Can't Be Your Baby) The Ettes | The band detours from its usual garage-rock grit for sly sass and a snappy arrangement. |
|
|
|
| Little Bit Drake | Avoiding the usual slapdash, the rapper/singer skillfully dovetails with Lykke Li's original for a sweet duet. |
|
|
|
|
Kings and Queens
30 Seconds to Mars |
Jared Leto channels Bono on a grand doomsday rocker that floats on a cloud of strings. |
|
|
|
|
Slow Poison
The Bravery |
First single from Stir the Blood stirs anticipation with snaking electronics and Sam Endicott's grim vocals. |
|
|
|
|
Secular Praise
Timothy B. Schmit |
Blind Boys of Alabama and Eagles singer make heavenly harmonies: gorgeous, warm, never showy. |
|
|
|
| Posted 11/9/2009 9:07 PM ET | |
| Updated 11/9/2009 9:46 PM ET | |
|
|
By Ivor Sharp, Yoko Onio |
|
