Katy Perry, Kanye West and Billy Joel tackled with Guilt

Published at 2:47 PM on December 4, 2008

By Jeremy Medina

Katy Perry, Kanye West and Billy Joel tackled with <em>Guilt</em>

Last time around, Guilt by Association brought us such diverse nuggets as Will Oldham covering Mariah Carey, Devendra Banhart doing Oasis and indie rock updates of Destiny's Child's "Say My Name" and Journey's "Don't Stop Believin." Since once is never enough—especially given the abundance of guilty pleasure pop gems—Engine Room Recordings has announced two new installments in the series.

The premise: collect a smattering of predominantly New York-based indie artists to cover one of their favorite Top 40 hits from the '80s, '90s and today. Vol. 2 hits stores Feb. 17, but is already available on iTunes, complete with a bonus cover of "Lady in Red" from The Bloodsugars. A third volume is already in the works.

Those interested can head here for a sampling of tracks, including a reworking of Justin Timberlake's "Lovestoned" companion "I Think She Knows" and a piano-driven cover of Katy Perry's ubiqutious "I Kissed a Girl," sung by Max Vernon. Yes, Vernon is male, and the track takes on a whole new meaning.

The Vol. 2 tracklist:

1. My Brightest Diamond - "Tainted Love" by Gloria Jones/Soft Cell
2. The Bloodsugars - "Self-Control" by Laura Branigan
3. Robbers on High Street - "Cool It Now" by New Edition
4. Frightened Rabbit - "Set You Free" by N-Trance
5. Matt Pond PA - "I'm Not Okay" by My Chemical Romance
6. Takka Takka - "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins
7. Kaki King - "I Think She Knows" by Justin Timberlake
8. Francis And The Lights - "Can't Tell Me Nothing" by Kanye West
9. Lowry - "Africa" by Toto
10. The Forms - "We Didn't Start The Fire" by Billy Joel
11. Rafter - "If You Leave" by OMD
12. Cassettes Won't Listen - "Need You Tonight" by INXS
13. Jukebox the Ghost - "It's A Beautiful Life" by Ace of Base
14. Max Vernon - "I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry

Listen to My Brightest Diamond's "Tainted Love" from Guilt By Association Vol. 2:

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