Tuesday, December 2, 2008

A weekly playlist for the listener with a one-track mind.

Bruce Springsteen: "Working on a Dream" First played during a fall Obama rally, this is the crisp, "Magic"-reminiscent title track of the newly prolific Springsteen's upcoming disc, slated for a post-inauguration release.

Boy Eats Drum Machine: "The Crack in the Sea" A shape-shifting marvel of beats, horns and homemade pop, this is the best track on the grievously underrated "Booomboxxx," the new disc from singer/turntablist Jon Ragel.

Madi Diaz: "Nothing at All" The latest from singer-songwriter (and "Rock School" veteran) Diaz is one of the year's leanest, smartest, best servings of Feist Lite.

Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne and Lupe Fiasco: "Forever" (remix) Lil Wayne roughs up this formerly respectable Chris Brown track, injecting the sort of cheerfully incomprehensible smuttiness he's probably just phoning in at this point.

The Hives and Cyndi Lauper: "A Christmas Duel" It's a Christmas miracle, kind of: This Lauper/Hives smackdown duet is the year's spunkiest, horrifyingest, most profane expression of holiday devotion.

-- Allison Stewart