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On September 4, Engine Room Recordings will release Guilt by Association, a compilation of awesomely bad infectious pop standards (think Journey, Oasis, Eddie Money) covered and smothered in irony by indie artists like Will Oldham, Mike Watt and Luna. Shortly after the release, the tunes will be tested in the original versions’ natural environment – the bar – for a series of listening parties.

Will tipsy pubgoers throw their arms around each others’ shoulders in a nostalgia frenzy when they hear Devendra Banhart’s cover of “Don’t Look Back in Anger?" Or will they frown at the way Banhart sucked every ounce of joy from the song and replaced it with smirking self-satisfaction?

“Have you ever felt embarrassed listening to one-hit wonders or pop gems of yesteryear?” asks the Guilt by Associated MySpace page. “Fear not. Your favorite Indie superstars are giving the OK.” Well thanks! Thank you for discovering the hidden beauty in these otherwise soulless hits, so superficial despite their extensive production techniques! Not.

Toning down the mockery, it could be enjoyable – I’ve only heard three of the tracks, and Petra Haden’s take on Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” is delightful. She keeps the melody intact, as if belting the '80s anthem is a genuine guilty pleasure. As if she, too, wishes everyone would stop picking on Journey for five minutes.

I vote that every time someone says or hears “heh, nice” at one of these parties, he or she has to take a shot. When it comes to music, what's the good in shedding a bit of guilt if an ounce of pleasure has to be sacrificed? Aren't these songs generally played in bars because alcohol increases their power ten fold? Won't the shame triple when everyone's bawling at Will Oldham's Mariah Carey cover?

Okay. As much as I try to resist, it's already growing on me. Luna covering Paula Abdul? Heh, nice. Here's the tracklist:

1 - Petra Haden "Don't Stop Believin" (Journey)
2 - Devendra Banhart "Don't Look Back In Anger" (Oasis)
3 Mark Mulcahy "From This Moment On" (Shania Twain)
4 - Luna "Straight Up" (Paula Abdul)
5 - The Concretes "Back For Good" (Take That)
6 - Jim O'Rourke "Viva Forever" (Spice Girls)
7 - Goat "Sugar We're Going Down" (Fall Out Boy)
8 - Will Oldham "Can't Take That Away" (Mariah Carey)
9 - Woody Jackson Orchestra ft Money Mark "Love's Theme" (Love Unlimited Orchestra)
10 - Porter Block "Breaking Free" (High School Musical)
11 - Mooney Suzuki "Just Like Jesse James" (Cher)
12 - Geoff Farina "Two Tickets To Paradise" (Eddie Money)
13 - Casey Shea "Chop Suey" (System of a Down)
14 - Superchunk "Say My Name" (Destiny's Child)
15 - Mike Watt "Burning For You" (Blue Oyster Cult)

Anyway, here are the dates, some of which feature special performances.

August:
21 - New York, N.Y. @ Pianos
23 - Birmingham, Ala. @ The BottleTree Café
25 - Scottsdale, Ariz. @ Rogue Bar
27 - Boston, Mass. @ TT The Bear's * with special performance by Geoff Farina *
30 - Seattle, Wash. @ The High Dive
31 - Las Vegas, Nev. @ DiveBar
31 - Washington, D.C. @ DC9

September:
4 - Des Moines, Iowa @ Mars Café
5 - Chicago, Ill. @ AliveOne
5 - New Haven, CT @ Café Nine
7 - New York, NY: Joe's Pub * Album Launch Party with special performance by Petra Haden *