Sorry about the lack of posts over the past few days, Google's automated web scanning misidentified the site as a bag of spam and quarantined me for a few days until they could verify it was really legit. Back today with a special treat, a Bag Of Songs exclusive from Philadelphia's Canadian Invasion who have taken the track Public Witness Program from Fugazi's
In On the Kill Taker and covered it with their own decidedly cool Brit Rock spin. Brilliant.
Keep your eyes peeled as well for their upcoming full length, Three Cheers For The Invisble Hand, I've heard it, and it's one of the year's best records on it's way to a release date real soon.

Canadian Invasion - Public Witness Program (Fugazi cover)

[WEBSITE] [MYSPACE]

When the newest version of the song Teardrop hit my inbox this afternoon, I just couldn't resist posting these for you to compare and contrast. Massive Attack's classsic original, Jose Gonzalez's brilliant acoustic version from last year, and Newton Faulkner's brand new reworking of the song. Which do you like best ?

Massive Attack - Teardrop
Buy Mezzanine

Jose Gonzalez - Teardrop
Buy In Our Nature

Newton Faulkner - Teardrop
Buy Hand Built By Robots

When you're playing in band, every once in a while you have one those nights where the planets just align or something and the songs you play end up a step beyond where you thought they would ever go. Those are the nights you remember the most. Here's a song from one of those nights, a blistering, set closing cover of Tom Waits Jockey Full Of Bourbon. Rock on.

MP3: Spare Tire - Jockey Full Of Bourbon (Tom Waits cover)
Download Masters Of The Road Vol. 1

[THE SPARE TIRE AUDIO ARCHIVE] [MYSPACE]

In the words of Jenny Owen Youngs, "What The F_ck was I thinking" is a line all of the artists below must be saying to themselves after recording these recent "gems". Here's a few of my picks for the worst cover versions of the year so far.

I'm sure there's many more, what are some of your picks ?

Portland's Arena Rock Records took some of Portland's finest musicians - The Decemberists, Dandy Warhols, Chris Walla and more and paired each of their talents up with a classic cover song. The end result was the excellent 19 song collection called Bridging The Distance.

Not only is it a fantastic collection of songs, all of the proceeds benefit a Portland organization called p:ear.
p:ear programs build positive relationships with homeless and transitional youth, through education, art and recreation to affirm personal worth and create more meaningful and healthier lives. Each year p:ear serves more than 350 homeless and transitional young people in the Portland, Oregon area.

There's nothing but highlights on this one, but some of my favorites are Pat McDonald's(Timbuk 3) rocking take on The Harder They Come, The Thermal's smoldering version of Zeppelin's Tangerine and Britt Daniel's(Spoon) percussion workout on Bring It On Home to Me.

Buy it. Not only will you get some great music you'll be investing in a brighter future for someone at the same time.

Bridging The Distance - A Portland OR covers compilation
The Decemberists - Think about Me (Fleetwood Mac)
Pat MacDonald - The Harder They Come (Jimmy Cliff)
The Joggers - Long Distance Runaround (Yes)
The Snuggle Ups - Dancing in the Dark (Bruce Springsteen)
The Thermals - Tangerine (Led Zeppelin) MP3
Christopher Walla - Shattered Dreams (Johnny Hates Jazz)
Viva Voce - Eye in the Sky (The Alan Parsons Project)
The Minus 5 - That Smell (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
Talkdemonic - Sombre Reptiles (Brian Eno)
The Minders - Don't Bring Me Down (Electric Light Orchestra)
The Kingdom - Sister Christian (Night Ranger)
Lackthereof - What a Fool Believes (The Doobie Brothers)
Whip - White Wedding (Billy Idol)
Wet Confetti - Invincible (Pat Benatar)
The Dandy Warhols - She Sells Sanctuary (The Cult)
Point Juncture, WA - Pearl of the Quarter (Steely Dan)
Blitzen Trapper - Crazy on You (Heart)
Crosstide - (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding? (Nick Lowe)
Britt Daniel - Bring It on Home to Me (Sam Cooke) MP3

[BUY IT] [Arena Rock Records] [p:ear]