Willie Nelson - Just Breathe (Pearl Jam Cover)

Willie Nelson released a video for Just Breathe this morning, the first single off his new album, Heroes. The song was originally recorded by Pearl Jam, a standout track from 2009's Backspacer. The feel of the song remains in tact with minor changes, mostly to accommodate Willie's style - harmonica instead of organ, lap steel guitar substituted for strings.

My only problem with the cover is Willie's son, Lukas and his delivery. Instead of sounding like a younger version of his father, it comes across as a chipmunk, helium-filled imitation of his dad's signature style. Check out the video below, followed by the original from Austin City Limits.

Watch Pearl Jam "Just Breathe" on PBS. See more from Austin City Limits.

RAC - Hollywood (ft. Penguin Prison)

If you've been following the blog (or ANY music blog for that matter), you should be familiar with RAC aka Remix Artist Collective. As their name suggests, for the better part of 5 years they have been releasing remixes for artist such as: U2, Phoenix, Tokyo Police Club & Ra Ra Riot.

However, last month saw the release of Hollywood, the first track to bear their name as a group, and it's pretty awesome. The same qualities you would find in their best remixes have come together to make a perfect song for the summer. A mixture of shimmering synths, breezy guitars and bouncing bass with a little help from Chris Glover of Penguin Prison, on vocals.

If indie pop isn't your thing and you're looking for something with a bit more energy, you're in luck. Last week, a remix by The Magician was released with a stronger beat and hand claps to spare. Both are available for download, courtesy of Green Label Sound.

The Hives - Lex Hives [Full Album Stream]

The Hives will release their fifth album next week, Lex Hives, and you can stream the entire album, courtesy of The New Yorker.

The Swedish rockers manage to squeeze 12 songs into 30 minutes, sticking to their formula of quick, hook-heavy, garage rock/punk. Similar to their other albums, they pack enough energy into a handful of songs and before the freshness wears off, they're already gone.

True to form, there is the lead single, Go Right Ahead, with the same brashness and stomp of their hits (Hate to Say I Told You So, Walk Idiot Walk, Tick Tick Boom). Other highlights include Wait A Minute, reminiscent of Devo, and If I Had A Cent, a minute and a half that would make the Ramones proud.

A deluxe edition is available on iTunes, with two bonus tracks. Insane is streaming right now on Rolling Stone and High School Shuffle is up on RCRDLBL.

Adam "MCA" Yauch 1964-2012

I still remember the day my cousin brought home the Beastie Boys' License To Ill, she immediately took me to the bathroom to look at the album in the mirror. Looking at the cover, I realized the meaningless characters "3MTA3", flipped to spell "EatMe" and we both giggled hoping no one would find out. They had me hooked and I hadn't even heard a note.

As she played the album in my room, I could hardly contain myself. Every song blasted through the speakers, every beat made me want to dance, and every line made me wish I was as cool as them. For the next 4 hours I played Paul Revere, trying to mimic their voices and memorize each line. I was 8.

Over the last 20+ years, I've been a fan of the Beastie Boys, admiring their skills, researching every name dropped in a verse and appreciating their efforts to make this world a better place. One of my first posts here was 3 years ago when Adam "MCA" Yauch announced he had cancer. Sadly, he lost that battle this morning, he was 47 years old.

Adam's raspy voice and signature style are part of hip-hop history, that's a fact. His distorted bass riff on Sabotage is embedded in my generation's DNA. More importantly, his efforts to raise awareness about Tibet and his subsequent benefit concerts ushered in a new level of social consciousness. It may seem like an accepted idea now, but he was fighting back in 1994.

The most amazing thing about him was his ability to try and teach you something without ever being a preacher. Listen to Sure Shot, between its ridiculous flute sample and some of their best lines, he adds "I want say a little something that's long overdue/The disrespect to women has got to be through/To all the mothers and the sister and the wives and friends/I want to offer my love and respect 'til the end." Try finding that on a #1 album today.

No disrespect to Mike D. or AdRock, but on some of their best songs you'll find MCA leading the charge, either by opening the song or handling the hook. I've often wondered if they heard him on Stand Together and just gave up, like 'No way, we're touching that.' They can be heard coming in with 15 seconds left on the song!

For all the songs he started, nothing can compare to the way he ended Professor Booty, my all-time favorite track. It should be taught as Diss Track 101. Changing flows and working one of the dopest transitions ever, it breaks my heart to know I'll never hear him again.

Too many times people get immortalized simply because they were a celebrity; offering no actual worth or change to those around them. Adam "MCA" Yauch was a pioneer, a philanthropist and an incredibly talented individual. He was above hip-hop, above punk, above alternative, above indie. He was a person I've looked up to for so long and I don't plan on stopping any time soon.

Eddie Vedder - Skipping

Starting today, you can pick up Every Mother Counts 2012, a star-filled benefit album with a brand new song from Eddie Vedder. Skipping is one of the 19 tracks, 13 of which are previously unreleased, and features a little help from Eddie's daughter, Olivia.

Other artists contributing to the project include: Dave Matthews Band, Paul Simon, Faith Hill, Beck and Coldplay. Sold exclusively at Starbuck's, $8 from each cd will be given to the organization, in support of maternal health care worldwide. You're probably there every morning, so please support a great cause, with great music.