The Rules for Battle: Each week, we pit versions of the same song by two different artists in a head-to-head death match for musical supremacy. (Sometimes it will be the original recording vs. a cover version; other times it will be two different covers.) Then it's up to you to decide: Listen to and vote on which version you think should emerge victorious and which should be sent packing. May the best band win!



The Song: 'Are U That Somebody'

The Contestants: Aaliyah vs. The Gossip

In This Corner -- Aaliyah: Timbaland's protege was captapulted to superstardom with this beat-heavy hit for the 1998 film 'Dr. Dolittle.' He was also responsible for adding the baby babbles on the backtrack. Genius? Not really. Just appropriate, given the late singer was only 19 at the time of its release. And her nickname was Baby Girl.

Aaliyah, 'Are U That Somebody'


In This Corner -- The Gossip: No bells and whistles on this 'un -- just a thick bass line and Southern frontwoman Beth Ditto's soulful howl. Where Aaliyah's breathy pipes evoke a feeling of indifference to the question's answer, Ditto's chokehold and demand some fessin' straight out the gate. Squealing baby sold separately.

The Gossip, 'Are You That Somebody'

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The Rules for Battle: Each week, we pit versions of the same song by two different artists in a head-to-head death match for musical supremacy. (Sometimes it will be the original recording vs. a cover version; other times it will be two different covers.) Then it's up to you to decide: Listen to and vote on which version you think should emerge victorious and which should be sent packing. May the best band win!



The Song: 'Lovestoned'

The Contestants: Justin Timberlake vs. Kaki King

In This Corner -- Justin Timberlake: Nothing says "hit" like a Timberlake/Timbaland collabo. With lustful -- if a little ridiculous -- lyrics and a load of intricate beats, this hip-shaking track matches its hype. We're not sure where it went (backpacking through Europe, maybe?) but the sexy is most definitely back.

Justin Timberlake, 'Lovestoned'

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In This Corner -- Kaki King: The prodigal guitarist borrowed from the best of JT's tongue-wagging tune: the elastic 'n mellow outro that caps the club banger around the 4-minute mark. King's whispery vocals yearn without begging, though her slick guitar is seducer enough. The best part? Her omission of the song's original cheese: "She looks like a model/Except she's got a little more ass."

Kaki King, 'Lovestoned'

The Rules for Battle: Each week, we pit versions of the same song by two different artists in a head-to-head death match for musical supremacy. (Sometimes it will be the original recording vs. a cover version; other times it will be two different covers.) Then it's up to you to decide: Listen to and vote on which version you think should emerge victorious and which should be sent packing. May the best band win!



The Song: 'After the Gold Rush'

The Contestants: Neil Young vs. Thom Yorke

In This Corner -- Neil Young: With a career that spans five decades and as one of the most recognizable voices in music, Neil Young released this environmentally conscious piece as the title track of his 1970 album. The legendary singer now performs the line "Look at Mother Nature on the run in the 1970s" as "Look at Mother Nature on the run in the 21st century" -- fitting for the new, vamped green movement.

Neil Young, 'After the Gold Rush'

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In This Corner -- Thom Yorke: The outspoken politically and socially active frontman of Radiohead released his first solo project in 2006, and since then he has performed 'Gold Rush' at several live shows. Not only using his music to raise awareness, Yorke is an active supporter of Friends of the Earth as well as The Big Ask, a group seeking to lower carbon emissions.

Thom Yorke, 'After the Gold Rush'

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The Rules for Battle: Each week, we pit versions of the same song by two different artists in a head-to-head death match for musical supremacy. (Sometimes it will be the original recording vs. a cover version; other times it will be two different covers.) Then it's up to you to decide: Listen to and vote on which version you think should emerge victorious and which should be sent packing. May the best band win!



The Song: 'Gravity Rides Everything'

The Contestants: Modest Mouse vs. Lenka

In This Corner -- Modest Mouse: This long-running trio from Washington state released this tune on their major-label debut, 'The Moon and Antarctica.' Adored by hipster bloggers, 'Gravity' was catapulted into the mainstream by its featured spot in Nissan's 'Moms Have Changed' minivan campaign.

Modest Mouse, 'Gravity Rides Everything'

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In This Corner -- Lenka: Within moments, you can tell there's a distinct difference in the two versions. However, unlike other acoustic covers, the Aussie singer and her breathy voice retain the spacey feel (with a folk twist, of course) of the original but without all the electronics.

Lenka, 'Gravity Rides Everything'

The Rules for Battle: Each week, we pit versions of the same song by two different artists in a head-to-head death match for musical supremacy. (Sometimes it will be the original recording vs. a cover version; other times it will be two different covers.) Then it's up to you to decide: Listen to and vote on which version you think should emerge victorious and which should be sent packing. May the best band win!



The Song: 'Soul Meets Body'

The Contestants: Death Cab for Cutie vs. Catie Curtis

In This Corner -- Death Cab for Cutie: Off their major label debut 'Plans,' this song from the Ben Gibbard-fronted band introduced its emo-esque sound to the masses. 'Soul Meets Body' utilizes a mandolin, creating a magical feel. The accompanying video captured that feeling, too -- floating musical notes and all!

Death Cab for Cutie, 'Soul Meets Body'

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In This Corner -- Catie Curtis: Known for her alt-folk sound, the Maine-bred singer-songwriter demonstrates her hidden pop side. Although her version is slightly more melodic and a tad slower, she still manages to create the magical feel that the original had cultivated.

Catie Curtis, 'Soul Meets Body'

The Rules for Battle: Each week, we pit versions of the same song by two different artists in a head-to-head death match for musical supremacy. (Sometimes it will be the original recording vs. a cover version; other times it will be two different covers.) Then it's up to you to decide: Listen to and vote on which version you think should emerge victorious and which should be sent packing. May the best band win!



The Song: 'Owner of a Lonely Heart'

The Contestants: Yes vs. Grizzly Bear

In This Corner -- Yes: After a short hiatus (read: breakup) in 1981, the progressive rock ensemble got back together with a reinvented sound for their '90215' release. 'Owner of a Lonely Heart' -- written by Trevor Rabin who at the time was new to the group -- was the second single from the album but has become Yes' most successful tune.

Yes, 'Owner of a Lonely Heart'

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In This Corner -- Grizzly Bear: The Brooklyn indie rockers took the tune and added their own spacey folk influences to it. Retaining Yes' focus on harmonies, all four members of Grizzly Bear contribute to the vocal track on their version.

Grizzly Bear, 'Owner of a Lonely Heart'

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The Rules for Battle: Each week, we pit versions of the same song by two different artists in a head-to-head death match for musical supremacy. (Sometimes it will be the original recording vs. a cover version; other times it will be two different covers.) Then it's up to you to decide: Listen to and vote on which version you think should emerge victorious and which should be sent packing. May the best band win!



The Song: 'Panic'

The Contestants: The Smiths vs. Spoon

In This Corner -- The Smiths: Hailed by many as one of the most influential indie rock groups to emerge from 1980s England, the Morrissey-fronted Manchester quartet rose from indie-rock unknowns to superstardom in no time. 'Panic' was never released on a studio album but has been included on several Smiths compilations and was named No. 21 on NME's list of 50 Greatest Indie Anthems Ever.

The Smiths, 'Panic'


In This Corner -- Spoon: The indie rockers, most associated with the Austin scene, have performed their version of the Smiths classic at several shows. They add a little of their twangy sound to the original's very '80s synth-sounding vibe. Though there's really no way to re-create Morrissey's voice, it's not too shabby.

Spoon, 'Panic'

The Rules for Battle: Each week, we pit versions of the same song by two different artists in a head-to-head death match for musical supremacy. (Sometimes it will be the original recording vs. a cover version; other times it will be two different covers.) Then it's up to you to decide: Listen to and vote on which version you think should emerge victorious and which should be sent packing. May the best band win!



The Song: 'When I Get to the Border'

The Contestants: Richard & Linda Thompson vs. She & Him

In This Corner -- Richard & Linda Thompson: Before their complicated professional and personal breakup, the guitar virtuoso and the folk icon were able to put aside their differences long enough to create this beautiful ditty.

Richard & Linda Thompson, 'When I Get to the Border'

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In This Corner -- She & Him: Singer-songwriter M. Ward and actress turned vocalist Zooey Deschanel take this folk tune and add a little modern indie feel to it. Nothing says indie folk rock like a few well-placed flat notes.

She & Him, 'When I Get to the Border'

The Rules for Battle: Each week, we pit versions of the same song by two different artists in a head-to-head death match for musical supremacy. (Sometimes it will be the original recording vs. a cover version; other times it will be two different covers.) Then it's up to you to decide: Listen to and vote on which version you think should emerge victorious and which should be sent packing. May the best band win!



The Song: 'Last Nite'

The Contestants: The Strokes vs. Adele

In This Corner -- The Strokes: Hipsters claimed this single from 'Is This It,' the debut album from the New York garage rockers, as their dance anthem for the summer of 2001. Seven years on and we're still into it.

The Strokes, 'Last Nite'

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In This Corner -- Adele: The music world has been captivated by '60s soul revivalists -- Sharon Jones, Amy Winehouse and now Adele. The 20-year-old British vocal powerhouse takes on the Strokes with an opening soulful solo but quickly jumps into the guitar-heavy tune.

Adele 'Last Nite'

The Rules for Battle: Each week, we pit versions of the same song by two different artists in a head-to-head death match for musical supremacy. (Sometimes it will be the original recording vs. a cover version; other times it will be two different covers.) Then it's up to you to decide: Listen to and vote on which version you think should emerge victorious and which should be sent packing. May the best band win!



The Song: 'Oh! You Pretty Things'

The Contestants: David Bowie vs. Au Revoir Simone

In This Corner -- David Bowie: Just before Bowie morphed into his alter ego, Ziggy Stardust, he took a giant step away from his folk-rock sound with the 1971 album 'Hunky Dory.' Demonstrating the power of the piano, Bowie endeavors to prove that the pretty things "drive their mothers and fathers insane." (We could have told you that, but he makes it sound so much better.)

David Bowie, 'Oh! You Pretty Things'

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In This Corner -- Au Revoir Simone: Covering Bowie is risky. Very, very risky. But this Brooklyn-based trio of indie rockers joined several other electronic groups, including Matthew Dear and Joakim & the Disco, to record a full album of Bowie covers (which will be available later this summer). And, let's be honest, once those Au Revoir Simone gals turned Bowie's piano into a synth, this version really started speaking to us. Gotta love electronic remixes!

Au Revoir Simone, 'Oh! You Pretty Things'