Music in March: Five Songs on Repeat

1. Franz Ferdinand Feat. Marion Cotillard, "The Eyes of Mars": When you ask art rockers Franz Ferdinand to write a commercial jingle, you won't just get a simple catchy tune; you'll get a very deep, poetic rock song. Not sure if that's what fashion house Dior wanted but with vocals by actress Marion Cotillard, "Eyes of Mars" begins with a faltering crack in her voice as an acoustic guitar plays; then it suddenly builds up into a dizzying rock song with prosaic lyrics like, "I feel perfection in my chaos." With Franz Ferdinand's lead singer Alex Kapranos doing backing vocals, Cotillard doesn't seem out of place in a Franz Ferdinand song that is not one to miss.

2. Two Door Cinema Club, "I Can Talk": Take the guitar sound of Editors and Bloc Party's style and you get these guys. Alex Trimble's voice is so mousy and soft that the lyrics are barely audible, which isn't really of much importance. After he whispers, the guitars amp up and blindside you into a danceable beat that makes you not care what he says and instead makes you want to boogie. Its danceable groove really makes this song and band stand out, possibly making them the next big thing of '10.

3. Gorillaz, "Stylo": When it comes to Gorillaz, they can make catchy tunes that stay in your brain for weeks on end (Remember "Dare" and "Feel Good Inc.?"). Their upcoming album "Plastic Beach," features "Stylo," a song that begins with a memorable and constant synth beat. With guest vocals by Mos Def and Bobby Womack, along with singer Damon Albarn, the song sounds more like mood music than something poppy and groundbreaking. We hear Womack's vocals at full force but Def's rap vocals, which should be the center of the song, sound faded and crackled while Albarn's singing only cements the fact that this song should be background music while cruising in your car or waiting in the elevator.

4. MGMT, "Flash Delirium": Drenched and soaked in Technicolor acid water, MGMT's new song from their upcoming album, "Congratulations" is full-on psychedelic and nostalgic. It begins slow with a synth shanai (a north Indian oboe), then it gets upbeat with flutes, mellotrons and organs, instruments used on such psychedelic classics like the Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" and The Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations." "Delirium" gives a slight resemblance to "Weekend Wars" from their debut album, (emphasis on the word "slight"), but the song sounds like a lost tune from the 1960s. If you are into acid rock or an MGMT fan, this song will not disappoint.

5. The London Souls, "The Sound": Garage rock bands are a dime a dozen in New York, but what makes this group so special is that they integrate garage rock with hard rock reminiscent of Led Zeppelin and Wolfmother. This three-piece band rocks hard in "The Sound," with great guitar riffs, an awesome melody and solid drum beats. If you are in a head-banging mood, these guys are the ones to listen to.