Cover: Gavin Beach does Robyn

There is nothing like taking a popular dance song and stripping away all of the bits to the heart of it all.  If you've ever really listened to Robyn's Dancing On My Own, you would hear just how dark and depressing the lyrics truly are.  There is serious heartbreak happening here.  Reflection.  Rejection.  With all of her pop-dance songs, Robyn is a lot more vulnerable than people are lead to believe.  Gavin Beach and Jamie Cleaton have revealed the true meaning of this song.  How this guy hasn't become more popular is beyond me.  There's real talent here.

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Unconventional Christmas Cover: Angus Jones does Joni Mitchell

Most people expect their spirits to be lifted during the holiday season.  But Joni Mitchell pulls you into a world of broken toys, cups of eggnog beyond their expiration date and a heap of sadness.  Take one part bluegrass and one part Ray LaMontagne and you'll get Angus Stone's cover of River.  Dare we say it but, this version even takes the cake over Sarah McLachlan.  Grab your kleenex box, you're gonna need it.



Thanks Rocky!

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Cover: Ellie Goulding does Rihanna

Damn this is good.  To take a top dance song and turn it into a beautifully orchestrated love song just gives me goosebumps!  Ellie Goulding recently covered Rihanna's Only Girl In the World and gave it her own spin.  It's that kind of cover that makes you want to wrap yourself in the electric blanket, sipping hot cocoa (perhaps spiked) by the fireplace.  De-licious!  This song is quickly becoming one of the most covered pop songs for 2010!

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Cover: Greyson Chance does Alicia & Jay Z

This is exactly what was missing from last night's AMA's.  Pure raw talent.  Greyson Chance is only 12 years old and his voice will blow your mind.  I am amazed by the strength and power behind his vocals, and he risks it all time and time again by covering some pretty heavy hitters.  His recent performance at Joe's Pub in NYC has definitely raised some eyebrows.  Let's hope Greyson gets to the AMA's next year so we have something that won't hurt our ears.  Fast forward to the 0:40 mark to skip the chatter.

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Cover & Download: Nadine & Daniel do Jessie J

I am speechless by the overwhelming talent of 16 year old Daniel & 13 year old Nadine Carasco, brother sister duo from the UK.  To hear Jessie J sing the original version of Price Tag live already had drowning in my own drool, and now this?  Wow.  I am quite impressed with the production and Nadine's voice.  Though not comparable to Jessie J, Nadine has a voice meant to win pop lovers everywhere over - it's sweet, fresh and playful.  I could see fans of Kate Nash, Lilly Allen and even Len (remember them?) gravitating towards Nadine.  Check out Jessie J and Nadine & Daniel's versions below.  Which do you prefer?  DOWNLOAD Daniel & Nadine's cover here.

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Cover: Quincy Jones ft. Amy Winehouse

Here's someone we haven't heard from in a long time.  Not since 2006 has Amy Winehouse given us some new material (sorta).  She's teamed up with Mark Ronson and added her vocals to the iconic It's My Party song for the upcoming release of Q: Soul Bossa Nostra, a Quincy Jones tribute album.  The album was originally slated for a May/June release of this year but was pushed back until November 9th.  The embattled singer/fashion designer is rumored to be bouncing back for a comeback sometime in 2011.  We're hoping she's on her way back.  Back to Black is still one of the best albums of all time!

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Download: Crystal Castles ft. Robert Smith (The Cure) "Not In Love"

Just another manic Monday - don't you still wish it was Sunday?  Check out this awesome make-over of Platinum Blonde's '80s new wave smash Not In Love by Canadian alt-electro duo Crystal Castles. This updated version includes the vocals of none other than The Cure's Robert Smith. This will have you dancing like it's 1984 all over again.

Crystal Caves ft. Robert Smith - Not In Love           Download it here.

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Cover: Honeyhoney does Smashing Pumpkins

Pretty much anyone that covers a song from the garage bands of the 90's is amazing (in my book anyway).  Though I am a child of the 80's, I really came into my own during the 90's (you know, puberty, the ugly phase, sexuality).  Though I'm a lover of all music, I still tend to gravitate back to the rock bands of that era, ones that would make you shake your head until you puked, or cried until, well, you puked.  Needless to say, Smashing Pumpkins freaking rocked it.

Now as for HoneyHoney (Suzanne Santo & Ben Jaffe), they just gained themselves a few more plays in my iTunes.  I've always been a fan since I saw them open for Augustana a few years back in NYC.  It was something about their rhythmic Little Toy Gun and Give Yourself To Me songs that really won me over.  I eagerly awaited in anticipation after that show for them to release their full length album... meanwhile, enjoying their Little Boots EP.  This past March they finally released a full length album entitled First Rodeo.  Sadly, they did not include this incredible cover of 1979 on it!  I can even imagine Billy Corgan joining on the verses.  I'm assuming he's the reason this song is not available for purchase anywhere (though, if you do google it, you may just find a copy).

Quench your Thirsty Thursday cotton mouth - listen below!  The weekend is nearly here!

HoneyHoney - 1979 (Cover)

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Cover: Lilly Wood & the Prick do Santigold

Pop, folk, electronica and French?  Say what??  Sounds a bit odd but it's such a great blend.  Lilly Wood & the Prick had a chance meeting (introduced by mutual friends) and a day later, composed three songs together.  Since then, they have released the EP Lilly Wood & the What? and the brilliant Invincible Friends.  Appropriately named because these two are already making a mark in the music biz.  Their cover of Santigold's L.E.S. Artistes is unique and of their own style.  It's a blend of a stripped down White Stripes and Cat Power, with the cuteness (at times) of She & Him.  These two are quickly becoming a favorite of Wonky Pop.  Listen to the acoustic and album version below.



Lilly Wood & the Prick - L.E.S. Artistes (album version)


For fans of: Cat Power, She & Him, Santagold, Lilly Allen

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Watch: Katelyn Clampett "Dynamite Grenade"

Besides being a talented artist, doesn't she strike you as someone you'd have a blast with?

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Cover: Katelyn Clampett does Taio Cruz & Bruno Mars

Katelyn is one of those artists we just love to brag about.  She knows how to put just the right personal spin on a Top 40 hit.  This time, she's done a mashup of Taio Cruz's Dynamite & Bruno Mars' Grenade, and smothered it in her California Country sound.  It's Glee meets Sugarland.  Good stuff for anyone with a sweet tooth.  Take a listen and be sure to show your support for Katelyn by buying her single Sweet Tea on iTunes.


Katelyn Clampett- Dynamite Grenade

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Flashback Friday: Scala and Kolacny Brothers

Scala and Kolacny is a Belgian girls' choir, conducted by Stijn Kolacny and arranged and accompanied by his brother Steven Kolacny on the piano. They have been performing together for the last 14 years and have released ten albums since 2002. Their song choice is quite eclectic covering artists such as: U2, Alanis Morissette, Depeche Mode, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Foo Fighters and The Police. Their coming back into the limelight recently for being on The Social Network's movie trailer with their cover of Radiohead's Creep.  Talk about goosebumps on top of goosebumps. Their cover of The Blowers Daughter by Damien Rice is my personal favorite.



Posted by Snapshot.

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Our Girl Does It So Well

Not only can Carmen Reece do some incredible covers of today's top pop artists, she can do some pretty damn amazing acoustic versions of her own stuff.  She never ceases to amaze me.  Carmen has been busy at work and already released a 10 track album on iTunes with her covers.  The track list includes:
1- Mine - Taylor Swift
2- Don't Ever Leave Me - Carmen Reece
3- Be The One - Carmen Reece
4- Right Here - Carmen Reece
5- Runnin' - Carmen Reece
6- DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love - Usher
7- Raindrop - Carmen Reece
8- U Smile - Justin Bieber
9- Only Girl (In the World) - Rihanna
10- Just the Way You Are - Bruno Mars

I must say, I do love her pink nail polish in her YouTube videos.  Wonky Pop will never stop showing love for this incredible artist.  Buy her Love In Stereo here and her Unplugged covers/originals here!


PS, since we missed getting you one in September when CR was our Flavor of the Month, here's a Wallpaper for ya! Download it here. (You can preview it after the jump!)

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Cover: Katelyn Clampett does Rihanna

Yes! We have been waiting for this all week and finally, Katelyn has unleashed her cover of Rihanna's Only Girl (In the World) cover.  Now don't get ahead of yourself... this isn't a sweet, slow ballad like Carmen's version... the two aren't even comparable.  KC shows us her personality (she's a funny girl) and her great voice with this a capella version.  It's nice to hear her belt some notes out for a change.  And I gotta admit, I love the sweet dance moves.  She also edited the video herself!  Show her your support by following her on Twitter and Facebook.

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Cover: Carmen Reece does Rihanna

Fresh off debuting Don't Ever Leave Me on the radio via KWIN out of Sacramento, the always amazing Carmen Reece dropped another cover on us.  This time, she's covered Rihanna's chart climbing Only Girl (In the World).  Carmen really knows how to take a dance song, slow it down and turn it into an emotional ballad.  Vote for Carmen's recent radio single debut to stay on the radio here.  And buy Love In Stereo here.

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Cover: Postal Service does Phil Collins

Now, I know what you're thinking. What the eff does an ouroboros have to do with pop culture? And why were shots of Wicker Park chosen to articulate this song?

The same way if you leave the daddy hamster in the cage after the kids are born, it eats them and turns it into something else! Time for a new cage! Except in the case, the results are AMAZING. Here's The Postal Service regurgitating Phil Collins' Against All Odds after eating ever delicious bite of it.

Posted by Database

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Download: Maxine Ashley & Will Smooth "Unthinkable"

You may have been wondering who was that half-pink half-brown haired girl in the Alex Gaudino's I'm In Love video we posted a few weeks back.  Her name is Maxine Ashley and she's recently covered Alicia Key's Unthinkable (I'm Ready) with a fellow named Will Smooth.  You can download her cover here.  Happy Sunday!

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Introducing...Mike Tompkins!

The cute & animated Canadian who covers songs using only his mouth for instruments is back with another incredible cover.  Mike Tompkins has been our video of the week, and looks as though he's gonna steal next week's slot as well!  This time Taio Cruz's Dynamite.  Q&A to follow!  Stay tuned cause he's our upcoming Diva Dish.  We'll be speaking with him Friday afternoon!

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Download: Ed Sheeran's cover of "Last Ones Standing"

One thing the US lacks are male pop stars.  Did you notice the ladies were dominating the VMA's on Sunday?  If we could only get the UK to export some of their male talent here.  Supporting act to Brit rapper Example for his upcoming UK tour, Ed Sheeran has covered Last Ones Standing.  According to Example himself, there wasn't enough room left on his LP to put this on there so he's offered it up to his fans via his website.  I have a feeling this isn't the last we've heard about Ed!  Click on the down arrow to download this incredible cover!

Example - Last Ones Standing (Ed Sheeran Cover) by Ministry of Sound

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Flavor of the Month: Carmen Reece

Carmen is at it again, covering a great song by a Top 40 artist.  This time, she has covered Justin Bieber's "U Smile."  Now, I am really not a fan of the Bieberster, but this version is absolutely incredible.  I am once again stunned by the incredible, unique voice of Carmen.  This girl is going places, mark my words!

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