Surfing the Web for new music, video...

Surfing the Web for new music, video and MP3 downloads can be a serious time investment. Picks from Times staff and contributors will help take the drag out of click-and-drag music choices. Some downloads may contain explicit lyrics. All are free, except as noted.

CHRIS LEE

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“Gold Lion”

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

s62.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=

14I7B5573BB4O1E4MON0AJITUS

Lead singer Karen O’s modulated yowling and the absence of Nick Zinner’s usual finger-in-theelectric-socket guitar playing on this yet-to-be-released single hints that the Brooklyn trio has decided to blunt some of its edge. It’s ethereal acousti-punk for recovering hipsters.

“Stupid Girls”

Pink

popsugar.com/5256

Call it feminism for the tweens. Pink lampoons the Olsen twins, Jessica Simpson’s “Dukes of Hazzard” role, the Paris Hilton sex tape and billboard queen Angelyne in this hilarious video, singing: “What happened to the dream of a girl president? She’s dancing in the video next to 50 Cent!”

“Thing Called Love”

Bonnie Raitt and Lyle Lovett

www.cmt.com/shows/dyn/cmt _crossroads/100002/episode.jhtml

This video excerpt from Raitt and Lovett’s joint concert at 9 tonight on CMT features their duet on this John Hiatt song that Raitt recorded in 1989 on her hit “Nick of Time” album. There’s something magical as she looks at the craggy-faced Lovett and sings how “ugly ducklings don’t turn into swans.”

“New Orleans”

Polecat

www.kickinchickenrecords.com /download.html

Multi-instrumentalist/producer Polecat conjures something of the bayou’s muddy majesty -- but also its current sense of helplessness -- in this bare-bones blues stomp dealing with levee breakage and post-Katrina heartache.

“Publish My Love”

Rogue Wave

www.iriveramerica.com/music

The Oakland quartet (whose leader is, in fact, named Zach Rogue) specializes in sonic dreamscapes, but “Publish” showcases delicate guitar pop with a sun-drenched ‘70s FM radio sensibility.