Bay Area’s own, indie rapper (come group) WHY? of Anticon covering ’80s pop legends The Cure. WHY? drops his umpteenth album Alopecia, on March 11.

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MP3: WHY? – Close to Me (The Cure cover)

Frenchman rocker Philippe Uminski, covering his most famous techno countrymen Daft Punk. Plus, more of the same from French indie-electro group Hektor.

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MP3: Uminski – Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger (Daft Punk cover)

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MP3: Hektor – Technologic (Daft Punk cover)

Scottish folk songstress KT Tunstall freaking rapper Missy Elliot’s ‘Get Your Freak On’:

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MP3: KT Tunstall – Get Your Freak On (Missy Elliot cover)

Sweedish singer/songwriter Jose Gonzalez covering the trip hop classic ‘Teardrop’ by Bristol’s Massive Attack:

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MP3: Jose Gonzalez – Teardrop (Massive Attack cover)

New Wave group The Network covered horror punk legends The Misfits track ‘Teenagers from Mars’ back in 2004. The Network, if you didn’t know, released one the finest records of 2003 (seriously), ‘Money Money 2020′, and is rumored (with great evidence) to be Green Day incognito. (Similar to the recent emergence of Foxboro Hot Tubs in late ‘07—also a likely Green Day “secret” side-project).

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MP3: The Network – Teenagers from Mars (Misfits cover)

Covering Freddie Mercury of British supergroup Queen is no easy feat. NJ/NY rocker Jimmy Gnecco of Ours is one of the few to hold a candle to the original on ‘Bohemian Rhapsody. Ours are a favorite of mine (like Queen) and set to release their third LP this year, as well as supporting Marilyn Manson on his upcoming tour.

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MP3: Ours – Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen cover)

New Yorker indie/electronic rock band Cassettes Won’t Listen covering Blind Melon’s ‘Change’. This is part of a free 5-track covers EP titled, ‘One Alternative’ featuring the aforementioned, plus Pavement, Liz Phair, Sebadoh and Butter 08. Notice the ’90s theme. ‘One Alternative’ is a rip on the infamous cut-out bin favorite (and AIDS benefit compilation) ‘No Alternative‘. Download ‘One Alternative’ on Cassettes Won’t Listen’s official site while it’s available!

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MP3: Cassettes Wont Listen – Change (Blind Melon cover)

And I’ll leave you with this fun take on Britney Spears heyday hit ‘Toxic’. It comes from British electro-pop cool guys Metronomy. When I listen, I picture Brit doing a fancy little polka dance in some fashionable short-pants.

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MP3: Metronomy – Toxic (Britney Spears cover)

How y’all dig these “Under the Covers” posts? Who’s down to start a Slayer-style Radiohead cover band with me? We can call it “Slayerhead” and play at airport lounges (in hell). \m/ \m/