music

A half-dozen cool things in music, from two points of view:

R.E.M., "Fables of the Reconstruction" 25th anniversary CD. The band was halfway through its terrific 1980s output, and this reissue provides a nice reminder of how great R.E.M. was. "Driver 8," "Can't Get There From Here" and the rest are joined by such bonuses as the demo "Throw Those Trolls Away."

"Song of the Day" iTunes podcasts from the Current (89.3 FM) and KEXP (Seattle). These free tunes keep me and my iPod awash in fresh, free new music. So far in July, my favorites are new singles by Tame Impala, Mates of State and Phosphorescent.

MOG Music Service. I pay $5 per month for unlimited music streaming, plus a radio function and playlist feature led me to (finally) drop my more expensive Rhapsody online music subscription. You can check out MOG.com for a free trial and stream away.

PHIL INGRASSIA, VIENNA, VA.

To contribute: popmusic@startribune.com

Preservation Hall Jazz Band at the Dakota. It's never the same as seeing the group at its namesake venue, but the French Quarter vibe was still strong last week for the Dixieland stalwarts' first-ever Dakota stint. Saxophonist Clint Maedgen fared especially well standing in for Tom Waits on the wild romp "Tootie Ma Is a Big Fine Thing," from the new all-star CD "Preservation."

M.I.A., "Born Free." The hip-hop/electronic heroine's new disc "Maya" is overindulgent and underthought, but this revolution-spouting, amp-blowing single still stands out the way "Paper Planes" did on the last one. And like "Planes," it's built off a cool classic-punk sample (Suicide, instead of the Clash).

Fort Wilson Riot, "Predator/Prey." This arty Minneapolis ensemble's high-concept rock opera "Idigaragua" seriously made me cringe, but I'm joining the Riot squad with this more laid-back and serene follow-up disc, full of soft-to-crunchy, Grizzly Bear-like arrangements and co-leader Amy Hager's Jenny Lewis-like purr. Release party is Friday at the Kitty Cat Klub.

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER, STAR TRIBUNE