The Like Live at Rolling Stone: Watch the Set

After the release of their 2005 debut album, Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking?, the Like became known for sugary pop-punk, but over the last five years, they've radically overhauled their sound. With the help of producer Mark Ronson and the Dap-Kings, the group's new disc Release Me is a throwback to classic '50s groups like the Shangri-Las, with charmingly girly harmonies and Phil Spector-inspired production. Still, the Like have hung on to their punk-y roots: tough-as-nails tracks like "Release Me" show these ladies aren't afraid to step all over a dude's heart. The band recently dropped by the Rolling Stone offices to play stripped-back versions of three new tracks: "He's Not a Boy," "Release Me," and "Don't Make a Sound." Check out the clips above.

• 
  MUSIC 100 Greatest Debut Albums
• 
  MOVIES 'Star Trek' Is Crazy Good
• 
  TV 10 Shows to Watch This Summer
• 
  POLITICS No Price Big Banks Can't Fix

Song Stories

“Time to Pretend”

MGMT | 2008

Listening to MGMT’s breakthrough song, one might interpret it as being about the excesses of rock stardom, but it’s actually about the duo’s pet praying mantis. Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden told Rolling Stone they got the idea from the insect's jerky movements. The mantis died, but the two bandmates kept the egg sack and allowed the hundreds of eggs to hatch. “We tried to name them all, but they died after a day,” said Goldwasser, with VanWyngarden chiming in, “But the praying mantis dance inspired us.”

More Song Stories entries »

Twitter