Mandy Moore Ruins Another Song

1. Mandy Moore, “Umbrella� (Rihanna cover)
Ever think, “I really like that Rihanna song, but I just wish it were slower, quieter, and included off-key backing vocals from session musicians?� Now you have something in common with Mandy Moore. [Stereohyped]

2. Talib Kweli feat. Justin Timberlake, “The Nature�
With all these croon-the-hook guest spots on hip-hop albums, it’s become official: JT is the new Nate Dogg, and this sharp track is his “Regulate.� [Mixtape Maestro]

3. Baby Elephant feat. David Byrne, Nona Hendryx, and DJ Roc Raida, “How Does the Brain Wave?�
This jittering hiccup of galactic world beat is so bass-heavy and weird that you have to assume this is what it sounds like in Prince’s head all the time. [Siart]

4. New Young Pony Club, “The Get Go�
No, this isn’t a supergroup featuring Sarah Jessica Parker, Claire Danes, and Hilary Swank — it’s a quintet of dance-happy Brits with a bassist named Igor. Spooky! [Carl Sandburg Visits]

5. The Replacements, “Jailhouse Rock�
Elvis Presley went into hiding 30 years ago today (either in a coffin or in a trailer park in Tulsa), so why not celebrate with a bunch of drunks from Minneapolis sputtering their way through one of the King’s definitive tunes? [My Old Kentucky Blog]
—Kyle Anderson