May 29, 2007

What this episode covers

Unlike your local Cineplex, the end of this May is a pretty slow time for new albums. This week, we'll highlight the underloved songs that have been released in the first half of 2007 and preview the big summer released. We'll start with Mark Ronson's latest, Versions. Like his last album, the celebrity producer doesn't disappoint, bringing together an all-star cast, including dueling British songbirds Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen. But the real showstopper comes from Australian newcomer Daniel Merriweather, whose soulful cover of The Smiths' "Stop Me If You Think You've Heart This One Before" takes the two-decades' old track to new heights. Like Mark Ronson, Talib Kweli's new album (out July 24) pairs musical greats like Norah Jones and Kanye West, but the single to download is UGK's "Country Cousins." Last week, we introduced you to the Once soundtrack. Several of you wanted to hear more from Irglova, and we recommend "If You Want Me" or her album The Swell Season. Until next time, we leave you with two tributes -- one for John Lennon and the other, June Carter Cash -- and a war protest song from Richard Thompson.

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