Spit me out from your cosmos. Draft me into your troops.

It's been gorgeous and sunny the past few days here in Chicago, albeit a tad chilly here and there, but I've been inside for days thanks to [TMI alert!] debilitating cramps and the fact that the only painkillers I have contain opiates. The cramps are gone, but so is everything else. Are my fingers really attached to my hands? And my brain makes them type? Freaky!!!

First, reader Melanie pointed me to Tiffany's* recent cover of Poison's* "Talk Dirty to Me." Get it while the getting's good, I'm not sure how much longer it will be there.

(*I saw Poison at the Holiday Star Plaza in Merrillville, Indiana, for $5 in 1987 or 1988. It was a Toys for Tots benefit and it ruled. I was once also supposed to see Tiffany at the Star Plaza, along with Glass Tiger and The Outfield, I believe, but I dissed my friend who bought the tickets and went to a school dance instead. Do I regret my decision? Sometimes.)

Also, singer/songwriter Arif has some covers up by acts such as the Smiths, Tears for Fears and Bob Marley that you can download here.

Devin and the Straights "My All" (Mariah Carey cover)
This was sent to me via a reader named Landon, a friend of this local [Chicago, in case you didn't know] act. It really is the year of the gay cowboys, and I approve! I'm definitely going to try to check them out live, as their MySpace site proves they are not only talented but adorable!

Cadmium Orange "Over the Neptune/Mesh Gear Fox" (live Guided by Voices cover)
Sadly, this Bloomington [Indiana, in case you didn't know] band's heyday began just after I departed for greener pastures. Or, more accurately, no pastures. I did have the good fortune of seeing them play once at a Who tribute set during a visit, and they were quite fun. Really, any band that covers my favorite GBV song is okay by me. If you like what you hear, they have a few other covers and a slew of originals over at Musical Family Tree, one of my favorite sites ever.

Fresh Cherries from Yakima "Communist Daughter" (Neutral Milk Hotel cover)
Here's another MySpace cutie who sent a track my way that I like.

Roger Nichols and the Small Circle of Friends "With a Little Help from My Friends" (Beatles cover)
Sunshine pop on a sunshine day? Don't mind if I do.

Damien Rice "Talking About a Revolution" (Tracy Chapman cover)
I'm a big fan of this Irish singer's covers, and St. Patrick's Day is near, so I'm tacking this one on as well. That Tracy Chapman album was pretty damned good, come to think of it. I should pull that baby out soon.