Does this song sound familiar? If you are a fan of MIA (and who isn’t these days?) then it should–she samples this, my favorite song of all time, on her catchy single Paper Planes. Straight to Hell most deftly and beautifully represents everything that makes the Clash so singular and so influential, mixing Joe Strummer’s rusty voice with clever world music instrumentation, wit, and a political message.

Once Again: Girl Talk

The music of Girl Talk reminds me of cheerleading remixes on crack, and I mean that in the very best way. If you aren’t familiar with Girl Talk, it’s basically a DJ named Greg Gillis who mixes, to unexpected delight, any number of seemingly disparate songs together to create a sort of fun, danceable Frankenstein. My favorite part? Mixing The Whisper Song with the Verve’s Bittersweet Symphony. Brilliant.

Machine Gun: Portishead

After 11 years, Trip Hop pioneers Portishead have finally come out with a new album, Third. Portishead was one of my favorite bands growing up, so I was absolutely delighted when they released a new album after so long and even happier when the album turned out to be really, really good.

For me, the band was most successful when they were at their heaviest and darkest, and Third is full of that density. The first single off of the album is the relentless track Machine Gun, which juxtaposes lead singer Beth Gibbons’ rich lilt with persistent and ominous synthesizers. It’s a mixture of hard and soft sounds that is Portishead’s trademark and its done to beautiful, poignant effect in Machine Gun.

Non-Photo Blue: Pinback

Pinback’s third album, Summer in Abaddon, was recorded in a home studio but sounds so full and beautifully produced that you could never tell. The band is comprised of Armistead Burwell Smith IV (Zach) and Rob Crow, both of whom sing lead and their voices work so beautifully together that you often can’t tell them apart. Non-Photo Blue is one of the best songs off of Summer in Abaddon and is made up of Pinback’s trademark esoteric lyrics, which flow beautifully with the laid back, textured atmosphere of the music.

(7/4)/Shoreline-Broken Social Scene

Among Broken Social Scene’s revolving cast of members is Emily Haines from one of my favorite bands, Metric. She does the female vocals on this version of the track (there is at least one other version that I know of, with Feist singing the girl parts. That version also rocks). Broken Social Scene manages to stay on the good side of the thin line that separates earnestness and pretentiousness, especially with this particular track which has a lovely, understated quality and a satisfying climax.

College Candy-June 12

I “spring clean” at least once every season. Nothing thrills me more these days than getting rid of crap I don’t use. It’s refreshing, it’s helpful, and it’s totally impossible without a good playlist to get you up and motivated enough to start, continue, and FINISH the job.

I’ve got a pretty sweet playlist on my Itunes for these special cleaning days and I would highly recommend that you investigate getting some of these songs for your busy bee days, too.

“Blanket” by: Autolux –it’s: Indie/Rock

“Grow up & blow away” by: Metric –it’s: Rock

“Non Photo-Blue” by: Pinback –it’s: Indie/Alternative

“A perfect day Elise” by: PJ Harvey –it’s: Indie/Alternative

“3′s & 7′s” by: QOTSA –it’s: Rock/Alternative

“Straight Lines” by: Silverchair –it’s: Rock/Alternative

“Jumpers” by: Sleater-Kinney –it’s: Pop Punk/Garage

“Bohemian Like You” by: The Dandy Warhols –it’s: Indie/Rock

“Love is Paranoid” by: The Distillers –it’s: Punk/Grunge

“Sideways in Reverse” by: Mark Lanegan –it’s: Rock

Throw on some of these songs and then try to tell me you weren’t motivated to clean!

Currently touring abroad, Pinback is the quitessential indie band with 10 years under their belt in the music biz. Like their stuff? Download it here!