On April 6, Todomundo/Nonesuch Records will release Here Lies Love, the new Imelda Marcos concept album by veteran musicians David Byrne and Fatboy Slim. Six videos have been created for the project, all which will be included on the deluxe edition of the album.

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists cover Tears for Fears' "Everybody Wants to Rule the World"

The A.V. Club launched their series “Undercover” today, which sees 25 bands covering 25 hits. The list was chosen by the website beforehand, and as bands tackle the songs, their peers will have have less to choose from. Ted Leo and the Pharmacists are the first up, and they’ve opted to hammer out the 1985 classic “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears. The song is extremely faithful to the original version, which obviously makes for a good time.

New videos will arrive every Tuesday. The A.V. Club won’t announce which artist is covering the song until that date.

Next up: Depeche Mode’s “Endure the Silence”

Here’s the video of Sade’s performance from last night on the “Late Show with David Letterman.” The song is the title track off her brand new album, Soldier of Love.

Letterman’s quip at the end is great.

As hooks go, the trick that the New Heathers use to get people to watch their video for “Agatha” is pretty shameless: shoot the band in silhouette, while the train scene from “Stand by Me” plays in the background.

But damned if it doesn’t work.

And for the kind of music the New Heathers play – this song recalls Roger Joseph Manning Jr., if he laid off the pomp and brought the rock – it’s a clever ploy. Anyone who’s into their kind of music surely loves “Stand by Me” as well. And timing the guitar solo with Gordie and Vern’s mad dash to safety was sublime. I’m watching the action, and associating the emotional response with the music. Well done, lads.

Like everyone else, I’m super busy during the holidays. Running from place to place and trying to accommodate people’s needs, I often want to retreat to a bar and spend my Christmas with strangers. It’s easy to forget the joy that comes with holidays, but I think They Might Be Giants can help.

During the summer of 2007 (seems like ages ago, doesn’t it?), the White Stripes stuck to their promise of touring every province in Canada. With camera crew in tow, Jack and Meg also stopped at an old folks home, rocked out on a public bus, and snuck in frames of bowling before their culminating gig in Nova Scotia. The result is Under Great White Northern Skies, a beautifully shot tour documentary due in March.

Third Man is currently selling the documentary as part of a mega box set, which includes a live album, live DVD, and photo book. If you have $179 to spare and are a White Stripes nut, have at it.

This video has been making the rounds on the Internet all day, but one more destination can’t hurt.

“Empire State of Mind” (Jay-Z’s version) is easily the defining song of 2009. I can’t remember a single this ubiquitous since Outkast’s 2003 hit “Hey Ya!” Surprisingly, “Empire” is the first chart-topper of Jay-Z’s lengthy career. Alicia Keys even recorded a sequel, “Empire State of Mind, Pt. II (Broken Down)”, for her new album. Together, Jay-Z and Keys have dished out mesmerizing performances of the song at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, 2009 American Music Awards, and the 2009 World Series.

Now we can add “The Colbert Report” to that list. Filling in for Jay-Z, watch as MC Stephen Colbert breaks it down. He even accompanies Keys on harmony.

And listen to the song below. Sound familiar?

Since I’ve yet to catch an episode of George Lopez’s new talk show, “Lopez Tonight,” having a musical act such as Morrissey might be the norm. I assumed the show would go for current chart-toppers and shy away from the veterans. Earlier in the decade, “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” used to be the only talk show to feature acts with more of a cult following. Now they all do it.

Anyway, how about the stage and sound system on this show? Both are overpowering.

As a high school kid knee-deep in punk albums, listening to The Clash’s London Calling was a revelation. Here was a record that felt raw, but was genuinely built around infectious melodies and catchy vocals. The album felt old, yet fresh, and was instantly endearing. This was a band hellbent on having fun. For as serious as I took music at the time, I forget about my manufactured ideals when I spent time with London Calling.

Some of you might own the reissue commemorating the album’s 25th anniversary. Well, I’m sorry, but London Calling: 30th Anniversary Legacy Edition is on its way.

Available December 14th, the compilation will include a remastered version of the 1979 classic as well as Don Letts’ documentary The Last Testament: The Making of London Calling, three music videos, and home-movie footage of the band. The package will also include a new 20-page booklet and vinyl “replica” sleeves to match the original version of the album. So, perhaps it’s actually worth checking out.

London Calling: 30th Anniversary Legacy Edition Tracklist:
Disc One:
01. London Calling
02. Brand New Cadillac
03. Jimmy Jazz
04. Hateful
05. Rudie Can’t Fail
06. Spanish Bombs
07. The Right Profile
08. Lost In The Supermarket
09. Clampdown
10. The Guns Of Brixton
11. Wrong ‘Em Boyo
12. Death Or Glory
13. Koka Kola
14. The Card Cheat
15. Lover’s Rock
16. Four Horsemen
17. I’m Not Down
18. Revolution Rock
19. Train In Vain

Disc Two:
The Last Testament: The Making of London Calling
“London Calling” music video
“Train in Vain” music video
“Clampdown” music video
Home video footage of The Clash recording in Wessex Studios

Hopefully they put all the goodies on this one.

I’m a huge fan of Tom Waits, particularly his oft-overlooked debut album, Closing Time. Waits has possibly never been more accessible, as his voice has a more natural quality to it and most of the songs feature a booming chorus. Anyway, I specifically remember trying to learn the album’s fourth track, “Old Shoes (& Picture Postcards),” on guitar, spending hours with the song instead of focusing on homework. It’s a country-flavored number with a sweet message, perfect for jamming with friends while having a drink or two.

Last week, Ben Gibbard and Jay Farrar covered the song live. The pair are currently on a brief tour in support of One Fast Move or I’m Gone: Kerouac’s Big Sur, their soundtrack to the film of the same name.

Per TwentFourBit:

The pair enlisted Nick Harmer, Mark Spencer, and Jon Wurster for a 6-night jaunt through a few major U.S. cities and they even branched out a bit from their album One Fast Move or I’m Gone. ”

The banjo and steel guitar make it work.