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Soundcheck / May 04, 2007

Soundcheck

Friday, May 04, 2007
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  • Trans Am has used synthesizers and vocorders to blur the line between electronica and rock for more than 10 years.
    Trans Am has used synthesizers and vocorders to blur the line between electronica and rock for more than 10 years.

    The Song Remains the Same?

    Before Aretha belted "Respect" there was the Otis Redding original. Before Santana sang "Black Magic Woman," it was a Fleetwood Mac hit. Today, we check out songs you didn't know were covers. We also look at some cover songs that are (arguably) better than the originals, from Ike & Tina Turner's "Proud Mary" to Devo's cover of "Satisfaction." Also: A rash of new music venues are getting started around New York this spring, even as older ones fold. We get an update. And the band Trans Am joins us live.

Covers that Beat the Originals

Why do some cover songs surpass and outlive their original versions? Larry Dobrow Contributing Writer to Blender.com sheds light on songs that you didn't know were covers; and Keith Phipps, editor of The A.V. Club, the entertainment section of The Onion, tells us which cover songs out-rock their original versions.

Songs You Didn't Know Were Covers (Blender)
14 cover songs that are better than the originals (The Onion)

Trans Am - Live and Turbocharged

Trans Am has used synthesizers and vocorders to blur the line between electronica and rock for more than ten years. The trio's new album, "Sex Change," is an accessible work (it even has vocals!) that satisfies fans who fell in love with their retro-prog and video-game-music early work. They play live in studio.

Trans Am's Web site

Club Kids

Just as several cutting-edge music clubs have shuttered in recent months, a rash of new music venues are getting started, including the Gramercy Theater, the United Palace Theater and the Highline Ballroom. New York Daily News music critic Jim Farber gives us the lowdown.

Club go-round by Jim Farber

Toumani Diabaté

Best Live Performances of 2008

Soundcheck

We revisit memorable in-studio performances from Toumani Diabaté, Cat Power, Regina Spektor, and others.

Marvin Gaye

The Year in Music and Branding

Soundcheck

Pop music and advertising go together like peanut butter and jelly. Grey Group music director Josh Rabinowitz shares his picks for the best song picks and ad campaigns of 2008.

Taylor Swift

Critics Week

Soundcheck

Music writers look back at the year's best pop, rock, hip hop, classical, jazz, Latin and world albums. Plus: the worst music of the year and the best online music. Read our critics' lists here. And don't forget to cast your vote in our best-albums poll.

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Noteworthy New York

Soundcheck

We have invited musicians and artists to help us select their favorite cultural destination in the neighborhood where they live. From parks and coffee shops to bowling alleys and museums, the options are as diverse as our group of contributors.