Talking Heads - Psycho Killer (Drop Out Orchestra Rework) (2012)

Another tasty Drop Out Orchestra remix.

Talking Heads' 'Psycho Killer' given a gentle, rolling chilled House makeover.

Talking Heads - Psycho Killer (Old Grey Whistle Test, 1978)

Lumpy but thrilling live version.

Major props to Tina Weymouth whose primitive but perfectly-judged bass propels this live version of 'Psycho Killer' forwards before taking centre stage in a Krautrock jam of a coda which has to be heard.

A great Talking Heads song, of course, but where this version loses a little in terms of razor sharpness, it gains massively in terms of the interplay between the guitars and the aforementioned Can-tastic coda where the drums cut loose and David Byrne almost pops the top button on his polo shirt.

Download Talking Heads - Psycho Killer (Old Grey Whistle Test, 1978, Talking Heads mp3) (Divshare)

Japan - Suburban Berlin (Hansa, 1978)

Pioneering New Romantic pop with edgy, Cold War vibe.

Whilst being a band with a very defined visual aesthetic, Japan were musically diverse, developing through a range of styles on their way to the icy, jazz and classical-influenced sound of 'Tin Drum' that became the starting point for David Sylvian's solo career.

Back in 1978, they were resolutely glam with a strong Roxy Music influence, mixing storming pop with edgy anthems like 'Suburban Berlin'.

The song creeps along on an electric piano line, skanking guitars and bass creating an atmosphere of skulking and subterfuge before bursting into an anthemic chorus.

Download Japan 'Suburban Berlin' (Glam, Roxy, New Romantic, mp3) (Box.net)

The B-52's 'Give Me Back My Man' (Island, 1980)

Offbeat, new wave pop moment.

The B-52's have been responsible for some very suspect musical moments over the years but this is a gem from their early period. I was introduced to it as a b-side on one of the reissues of  'Rock Lobster'.

'Give Me Back My Man' is a real ear-worm that combines elements of new wave pop (think The Cars rather than Klaxons, Talking Heads at their most joyous, Blondie's cool older brother) but subverts them gently with random noises and adroit melodies. Cindy Wilson's vocal sits at the centre of it all, impassioned and compelling.

Download The B52s 'Give Me Back My Man' (alternative, new wave mp3) (Mediafire)

Green Man 2011: Hannah Peel 'Electricity (OMD Cover)' (Static Caravan, 2010)

Catchy music-box take on OMD's early masterpiece in anticipation of Green Man 2011.

I'm posting a few rarities from people playing the Green Man Festival this weekend - to get me in the mood.

This OMD cover is from Hannah Peel's excellent 'Rebox' EP of New Wave covers that Static Caravan released as a seven-inch last year. The music box treatment works really well for the selection of songs that used relatively primitive synths as their foundation. 'Blue Monday' and 'Tainted Love' work nicely.

The cover of Cocteau Twins' 'Sugar Hiccup' is great too though that, of course, isn't a synthpop track.

The EP is available as a download bundle at Boomkat.

Download Hannah Peel 'Electricity (OMD Cover)' (folk mp3) (Mediafire)