Single Survey 05-14-11: Blue October, Cobra Starship, Death Cab’s best so far, Yuck, and Panic! At The Disco with fun.

Every week, The Tune will publish a survey of the newest songs making their way around the internets and the music world in general. Despite the name, it is not just reserved for newly-released CD singles, but rather for any new songs from albums that have not been released yet. The songs will mostly be ones that have leaked/been published over the former week, but occasionally we will throw in little-known tracks from the last few weeks or months that never made it onto our survey. Again, the only condition is that the album has not been released yet. EPs and singles are okay. We are also introducing a new rating system for singles, one that is somewhat unique. Rather than rating the songs based on a 5-star scale, a thumbs up/down scale, or having no rating system (isn’t that annoying?), we will give them prizes not unlike sporting events: Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Shit.

Here in May, we’re just starting to try out this conceptuzz of an entire week’s worth of new songs in one place, with streaming links and our new rating system, so make sure to leave us some feedback and let us know what you think! You can comment at the bottom of the post or email us with the form on the right (and slightly down). This week’s survey includes new songs from Lady GaGa, Cobra Starship, Panic! At The Disco with fun., Blue October, Arctic Monkeys, and Death Cab For Cutie. This is a huge Single Survey, so take your time and make sure to listen to some of the unreviewed tracks at the bottom! If you’d like to write a review for any, go to our Staff page and apply to write for The Tune. Also, look for the red MP3 tag for free and legal downloadable songs!

Lady Gaga – “The Edge of Glory” (Pop)

The third song from Gaga’s upcoming May 23 release drops the agenda of “Born This Way” and the self-imitation of “Judas” in favor of a good old-fashioned 80s ballad. Think somewhere between ABBA and Whitesnake, plus a sax solo.

Blue October – “The Chills” (Modern Rock)

It may destroy what little scene cred I have, but Blue October used to be my favorite band. They certainly haven’t manufactured the best music out there, but the personal lyrics appeal to many of us who feel crazy half the time. Unfortunately, the newest release from my former favorites, when asking “why do I only feel the chills when I’m with you?”, sends absolutely no chills through me. The lyrics are some of Justin Furstenfeld’s weakest, and Ryan Delahoussaye’s violin is (to everyone’s dismay) almost nowhere to be found.

Arctic Monkeys – “Reckless Serenade” (Alternative Rock) MP3

It’s a pleasant slice of BritPop, but it doesn’t pack the punch of the other Arctic Monkeys singles from upcoming June 6 release Suck It And See.

Cobra Starship – “You Make Me Feel…” (Electropop)

… … … O_o … … … Gabe, what happened?

Death Cab for Cutie – “Underneath the Sycamore” (Indie Pop)MP3

A new Death Cab cut straight off of Plans, “Sycamore” contains the driving force of “Crooked Teeth” but also the assuring melancholy of “Marching Bands Of Manhattan.” It may just be the best track on the album.

Farewell Flight – “Out of Blood” (Indie Pop-Rock)

This Pennsylvania group released one of 2008′s most underappreciated album, Sound. Color. Motion., and after a brief name-changing fiasco, they’re back with an indie-folky anthem that’s half-doo-wop.

Yuck – “Milkshake” (Alternative Rock) MP3

Think Dinosaur Jr. or any other ’90s guitar rock group, and then mix in some of 2011′s best melodies, shake it up, and you’ve got…Yuck. Well, actually, it tastes quite good.

YACHT – “I Walked Alone” (Electronic)

Panic! At the Disco & fun. – “C’mon” (Pop-Rock)

In the music world, the old adage “the sum of the parts is greater than the whole” never predicts a damn thing. So the Vegas-style collaboration between Brendan Urie’s group and Nate Ruess’ group falls somewhere between the two, playing on Panic’s carnival sound but utilizing fun.’s raw talent to create a scene imitation of The Killers‘ album Sam’s Town.

Memory Tapes – “Wait in the Dark” (Indie Pop) MP3

New Jersey native Dayve Hawk released his debut album, Seek Magic, in 2009 to thunderous applause from a very few hands, but now he may be ready to break into the indie mainstream with this laconic pop piece.

Pictureplane – “Real Is a Feeling” (Electronic) MP3

The newest song from Denver artist Travis Egedy is no “Beyond Fantasy,” but it pulses with a summer rhythm that makes it perfect for riding your bike with your headphones stuck far into your ears.

The Dangerous Summer – “Dark Chocolate” (Pop-Punk-Rock) MP3

A few days ago, a demo appeared on a mystery band’s PureVolume page (yes, that site is still around), and it turned out to be a new Dangerous Summer song. It’s very true to their roots, and we hope to see it on the upcoming album!

Patrick Stump – “Explode” (Electropop)

The Fall Out Boy lead singer proves once and for all that he’s nothing without Pete Wentz’s songwriting…

Cee-Lo Green – “Thank You” (re-recording of “Fuck You” for volunteer firefighters) (Pop)

Theophilus London – “Last Name London” (Rap) MP3

Soft Metals – “Psychic Driving” (Indie) MP3

Edelweiss - “Icarus” (Indie Pop)

Big Talk (Ronnie Vannucci of The Killers) – “Getaways” (Pop-Rock)

Swimming with Dolphins – “Good Times (ft. Mod Sun)” (Electropop)

Jim Jones – “Believe in Magic” (Rap) MP3

Here We Go Magic – “Song in Three” (Electronic/Indie Pop) MP3

When Saints Go Machine – “Kelly” (Electronic/Pop) MP3

Agnes Obel – “Between the Bars (Elliott Smith cover)” (Folk)

The War on Drugs – “Baby Missiles” (Indie Pop) MP3

I and I – “Should Have Been a Beekeeper” (Electronic/Indie Pop) MP3

Release the Sunbird – “Always Like the Son” (Folk) MP3

DJ Shadow – “I Gotta Rokk” (Electronic/Weird)

Mayer Hawthorne – “Mr. Blue Sky (ELO cover)” (Indie Pop) MP3

Modest Mouse – “That’ll Be the Day (Buddy Holly cover)” (Indie)

The Boys of Summer – “War in the Dark” (Alternative Rock)

Farewell Fighter – “Love, Lust, Or Losing It?” (Pop-Punk)

Of Mice and Men – “Still YDG’N” (Harcore)

Is Tropical – “The Greeks” (Electropop) MP3

The Reveling – “Left at Forkright” (Punk Rock)

Ocean Is Theory – “Best Intentions” (Pop-Rock) MP3

That’s Outrageous – “Teenage Scream” (Hardcore/Pop)