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Jim Borowski  |  by www.tmz.com. All rights reserved. 28.12 | 19:44

While compiling lists has been a human fascination for centuries, this year has seen an explosion of "lists" in the pop culture world, and particularly in music. Making lists is fun, but I think that arguing over them is even more fun. The pure subjective nature of list-making sets the table for arguments that can never be truly settled.

In other words, they are content fillers and conversation starters, and everyone got in on the act this year.
Our friends at Blender have perfected listmania this year, with such gems as the " " and " ." Other compilations ranged from the general ( ) to the very specific ( ) and it seems a new list .

Of course, this time of year is always a period of reflection with "best of 2006" lists popping up everywhere. So, in the spirit of bandwagon jumping, here is my list of the Top 5 Year End Lists for 2006:
5 - " " by Pitchfork. For the uninitiated, Pitchfork seems to pride itself as a coffee klatch of music snobs who go out of their way to use very big words to belittle artists and pat themselves on the back for their taste-making prowess.

Rarely would you see "top 40" or mainstream artists mentioned in a favorable light. But, Pitchfork came down from its high horse to recognize Mr. Timberlake for their top track of the year.

As I've said, nobody is doing it better than JT right now. So, here's to you, Pitchfork, for taking your collective noses out of the air to enjoy some pure pop gold.
4 - " " by Rivers Cuomo.

Although the this year, it seems Rivers still has an eye (or at least an ear) for the ladies. Nelly Furtado, Danity Kane, Shakira, Cassie and JoJo all have the "stuff" Rivers likes. Nice choices, but this one really makes my list for the title alone.


3 - " " by Popmatters. First, this is generally just a great site. After all, pop really does matter.

But, in a world of pop culture where glorified karaoke singers from American Idol sell more records than people who can actually write and perform their own songs, it is nice to see true artists recognized somewhere.
2 - by About.com.

Paris Hilton's "The Stars are Blind" tops this well done slate of pop poison pills. It seemed like the only one who really enjoyed this little diddy was . Indeed, after a few listens the stars no doubt wished they were deaf, not blind.

But even better than their choice for most annoying song is the sage advice dished out to Paris' most surprising BFF of 2006, Britney Spears: "Keep Paris far from the studio." Now, that is a New Year's resolution I can get behind.
1 - " " by the L.

A. Times. If the pen is mightier than the sword, the caustic wit employed by the Times in this annotation is a nuclear weapon.

Bombs get dropped on Janet, Fergie, Dave Navarro's Panic Channel and more. After all, what's a "best of" list if you don't trash anyone?!

And, yes, , our man Fed-Ex made the cut for putting out some of the worst music this year. Something tells me he might be back for more in 2007..

. see you then!

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  • [1]
Justin Timberlake has reportedly said that his song "What Comes Around...

/...

Goes Around," from his smash record, is not about Britney Spears. But, both a quick glance and a study of the lyrics make me think JT did have some inspiration from Britney on this one.
For example, here's a verse and part of the chorus:
Is this the way things are going down?


Is this how we say goodbye?
Should've known better when you came around (should've known better that you were gonna make me cry)
That you were going to make me cry
Now it's breaking my heart to watch you run around
'Cause I know that you're living a lie
But that's okay baby 'cause in time you will find

What goes around, goes around, goes around
Comes all the way back around
That sure sounds like a reference to someone . Many songwriters get ideas for their work based on actual experiences.

This song can't be about his time with Cameron, given that they are still seemingly going strong. Nope, this song, judging by the lyrics in their entirety, is about hurt and disappointment that can typically only come from a first true-love-gone-wrong scenario.

It is a terrifically done song that explores emotional depths few of us men are willing to even think about, let alone put out for public consumption.

JT owns this tune because he seems to deliver it with the feeling of someone who's been there. Maybe he isn't singing about Britney on this one, but that kind of hurt had to come from somewhere.
Even if it isn't about her, the song is at least a bit of a metaphor for how things have gone for each of them since their breakup in 2002.

Britney is obviously still in a . Justin, on the other hand, is skyrocketing. He's been a "star" for some time.

Now he's reaching new heights and is unquestionably the new "King of Pop." JT is even getting some love from . I was one of those who , but from last weekend's Saturday Night Live appearance show how much he's grown as an artist and a professional.

Something his ex hasn't shown any signs of lately.

  • [5]
Noel GallagherNoel Gallagher of has never been one to shy away from self-promotion, and the one thing he seems to like to do even more than tooting his own horn, is to . His latest targets include President Bush, Tony Blair, Green Day and Kate Moss' fiance .


In an interview you'll find in the latest issue of , when asked his opinion of Mr. Doherty, Noel says:
Ouch, tell us how you really feel Noel. Kate's man, however, isn't Noel's only target.

Noel also slags his bandmates for ingesting cheap drugs and takes on the boys in . Noel seems to think Billy Joe and company need to be knocked off their high horse:
"They consider themselves to be - and I quote - "a kick-ass rock 'n' roll band." They could not be less kick-ass if they tried.

"
Green DayWait, that's not all ...

Noel goes even further and calls Green Day musical thieves, saying, "they ripped off one of my songs!" The singer believes that Green Day's big hit, "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," has a strikingly similar arrangement to Oasis' smash, "Wonderwall." Wow, it's one thing to say a band is overrated, but quite another to say they've ripped off your tune.

We'll see if Billy Joe (also not afraid to speak out) responds.
Of course, Noel doesn't seem to care who responds to his rants, he just seems like to hear himself talk. Get the rest of Noel's unvarnished self-indulgence in the January issue of Stuff, on newsstands now.


Halle BerryHalle Berry is one of those hotties who can do just about anything she wants and we'll eat it up.

Whether it's an action film or a serious role, Halle lights up the big screen in a way few in Hollywood can. But, can she sing?
A rumor is floating around the net that A lot of people's first reaction is "Halle NOOO!

!!!

!" Too many times we've seen big screen stars pick up the mic and, shall we say, " ." I mean, we all remember recording career, right?

Or, Halle's "Monster's Ball" co-star ? Ok, I don't remember either. That's because some people shouldn't quit their day jobs or try to " .

" Is Halle one of them? She did play and , so I guess it's possible she could be up for giving it a go.
It has been quite a week for "You" already.

First, "You" have been named Time Magazine's " ." That's a pretty cool honor, but it might not be enough to get you into Hyde or on Star Catcher, but this just might: You can duet with Justin Timberlake at the Grammys!
The interactive Web 2.

0 era is filled with , but this is a huge deal. The Grammy Awards are the biggest night in music, and it is difficult (and considered an honor) for established acts to perform on the show. So, being completely unknown and getting to sing at the Grammys with one of the top pop stars of the day is nothing to sneeze at.

If this opportunity isn't a career launcher, I don't know what is.
The Recording Academy's " " contest allows you to upload a video of your vocal stylings for the world to see and judge. This certainly has an "Idol" flavor, but there is no Simon Cowell to tell you to give it all up because you can't sing.

Rather, a Grammy panel will select the finalists, and the public votes to pick the winner. If you don't want to be a singer, you can play critic. While voting won't start until after the finalists are selected, you can start shaping opinion by leaving your comments on the performances as they are uploaded.


"All of you contestants out there should look at this as more than just a chance to duet with me, because it's really an opportunity to begin your career as a superstar. And I'll be there to help coach you along."
; JT is such a good egg.

If you want to sing with Justin, get your tapes in quick, submissions close Janaury 3rd and you must sing a Grammy-winning . Good luck and hope to see you on stage! Oh, and if you do win and get to club at Hyde be nice to our boys !


CBS is getting back into the music business after a nearly two-decade absence. One of their last projects before selling their Columbia label to Sony in the late 80s was Michael Jackson's "Thriller" -- one of the highest-selling records in history. Given that huge hit, it was a bit of a shock at the time to see them get out of the game, but maybe someone there knew what they were doing.

Since that time, the music industry has struggled a bit, and for the most part, it's still trying to find its way in the digital and Internet era. Don't expect CBS to jump right back into the old way of doing business.
Apparently learning from watching the remaining dinosaur labels lumber through lawsuits over downloads and shrinking CD sales, CBS is reinventing its label with a new model.

Initially, CBS will focus on digital sales for new acts and forgo major budget releases, which can be risky ventures. A key to the new venture's success will be CBS' use of their own newly-signed and future acts as featured music in their television programming. Not even counting daytime television, CBS has over 2,000 unique song placement opportunities.

There will also be synergy opportunities with its Showtime network's stable of original programming, including the critically acclaimed "Weeds." CBS has also been a leader in the new media market with its " ," which will likely serve as a platform to showcase its new artists.
Despite its history and large corporate backing, the CBS label smartly intends to act very much like an indie imprint.

(who along with pop troubadour and indie rock band are the initial signings to the new label) says the approach is "totally exciting." Dailey likes the idea of being on a major label without feeling like a cog in the major label system that runs down so many artists. Will is already benefiting from CBS's synergy strategy, as he was featured in a recent episode of " ," their primetime post-apocalyptic drama series starring Skeet Ulrich.


The label will hit the ground running and expects to sign another handful of acts in 2007. Their scaled down and nimble approach of focusing on digital sales first may be just what the doctor ordered for an ailing industry. Of course, having a slate of popular television shows in which to place your songs is a nice place to start.


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Hip-Hop impresario Russell Simmons is one of those great stories. Along with Def Jam co-founder Rick Rubin, Simmons can be credited with bringing rap into the mainstream and opening doors to the fame and fortune so many hip-hop stars enjoy today.

Simmons has impressively expanded his empire beyond music to business ventures which include a clothing line, a financial services company and a jewelry company. Adding a line of jewelry makes sense given how hip-hop culture has infused accessories into necessary props for any would-be MC.
Ed Zwick and Russell SimmonsFor years, some have questioned hip-hop's bling binges when the major component of so many adornments - diamonds - have such a controversial industry behind their cultivation in Africa. Indeed, earlier this summer Kanye West, who addressed the issue in his " " track, participated in the documentary " " and urged the hip hop community to " .

" Some human rights activists have gone farther and called for all-out .
Russell Simmons thinks that kind of rhetoric goes too far. He recently and says that not all diamonds are so-called "conflict diamonds," and as stated by the likes of Nelson Mandela, some good is created by the .

Not everyone thinks Simmons is right for defending the industry, even if he's only speaking about certain segments.
Ed Zwick, director of the new Warner Brothers film, , starring Leo DiCaprio and Jennifer Connelly, reportedly says Simmons is being used by the industry and that " " by speaking out on its behalf. Simmons took offense to the comment, and issued this statement to TMZ through a rep:

"The entertainment industry, including Warner Brothers and those involved in the film 'Blood Diamond,' need to remember that the message they send about diamonds from Africa out into the world can have serious and negative repercussions for the African people in countries which rely heavily on the revenue from diamonds to sustain themselves and continue to grow.

They need to be responsible and tell the whole story, acknowledging the good diamonds have done in helping to build schools, HIV/AIDS clinics, hospitals , and the jobs the industry has provided for many, many people in southern Africa."

Simmons may be even more fired up when Kanye and other rap stars appear in "Bling: A Planet Rock," and start getting media play when on its release next year. The documentary, according to IMDB, investigates a satirical correlation between hip-hop's increased appetite for bling and conflict diamonds.

From the back and forth this week, it looks like the diamond wars may give way to the PR wars, as we try to separate the "good diamonds" from the "bad" ones. It remains to be seen as to whether the release of "Blood Diamonds" will have a short-term impact on stocking stuffers this holiday season. Either way, it looks like some efforts are being made to take the "sting out of the bling," and even Simmons agrees there is more work to be done.

Kurt CobainIt has been over a decade since the death of Kurt Cobain. I still remember being stunned when I saw reports on television that day in 1994. I always liked and respected the band, but was never a hardcore fan.

Perhaps that's why it was easier for me to accept the coroner's ruling all those years ago that the death was a suicide. For quite a few Nirvana fans, it is still an . Some go even further, still believing
The standard conspiracy theory surrounding Cobain's death is that too much heroin was found in his system for him to have been able to pull the trigger on the shotgun, which was purchased just days before his death.

Doubters also cite other so-called "discrepancies" in the official reporting on the investigation, but the essence of most theories is that Cobain was shot by someone else. The next questions for them are: who and why?
There have been books and documentaries on the subject.

The authors of " " pieced together strings of circumstantial points -- I won't call them "evidence" -- to suggest he was killed, including statements by a man claiming he was hired to kill Cobain. Without directly accusing anyone, there was an obvious insinuation that is was someone close to Cobain. In 1999, Courtney Love who had called her a murderer.

The documentary " " -- which was -- takes a close look at the circumstances surrounding Cobain's death, but despite having some disagreements with Courtney over his making the picture, the filmmaker that the coroner's office was correct in its ruling of suicide.

Now, a man reported to be a friend of both Cobain and Love, is coming out with a new book called " ." Galleys of the upcoming book are reportedly circulating, although a call to the purported publisher went unanswered.

Everett True, the author and reported friend, is said to have written about a major fight between Kurt and Courtney shortly before his death, that lead to Cobain moving toward divorce proceedings. In a reported excerpt, True says Cobain "phoned Courtney, got into a fight, and immediately called his lawyer, Rosemary Carroll, to tell her he wanted a divorce. Carroll tells True, "Did he ever say that to me?

Yes, he did, but I don't know how serious he was."
This is not the first time allegations have been made that Cobain was considering divorce at the time of his death, but this rehashing by True will surely stir the folks keeping vigil at sites like JusticeforKurt.com.

Like all that has come before, this type of inconclusive innuendo does nothing to substantially further the argument that Cobain did not take his own life. However, fans holding onto the original suspicions don't seem to need much to cling to. It'll likely be one of those "mysteries," that in some eyes never gets solved -- no matter how little actual evidence there is.



Reports that a new Guns N' Roses studio record titled "Chinese Democracy" was in the works first began to surface way back in 1997. In the years that rolled past since then, Axl and crew performed new songs and tracks have been leaked on the net, but no new record found its way into stores.

Earlier this year, reported a possible November release date. Despite the long wait, Guns fans, who've been snapping up concert tickets on the current Guns tour, seemed ready for the stocking stuffer. Now, here we are, just two weeks before St.

Nick makes his rounds, and there is still no record from Axl and crew.
Grinch 'n RosesGuns fans in Italy, who say they've manned the site for six years have had enough. They've posted a message on their fan forum saying they are stopping all posting and forum moderation on the site until they get some "clear" communication from the Guns camp on when the new record is coming out, and if they're not satisfied, they may soon stop the site altogether. A message on the site indicates that the fans who run the site seem quite unappreciated by a "band that does nothing to recognize the[ir] efforts.

"
Not a peep from Axl or anything on their , except to say tonight's show in Fresno is canceled. Guns' guitarist "Bumblefoot" thanking fans for their support, but also seemingly chastised them for complaining about the record not being out yet, saying, "Life's too damn short to be upset about what you don't have - enjoy what you do have."
Easy for him to say, since he hasn't been waiting as long as the diehard "gunners" - but hey, at least he didn't tell them all they "need is just a little patience.

"

For the last three decades, Madonna has reigned as the Queen of Pop, and she's had an amazingly broad influence on pop culture, fashion and the career of nearly every young female pop starlet ( ). When royals begin to age, there is the inevitable talk about an heir to the throne.


Gwen StefaniFor the first few years of the new millennium, it seemed as if Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera would battle it out for the crown.

As we all remember, there was the infamous performance by the two young lovelies at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards, where each shared a liplock with Her Madgesty. Since Spears appeared to get just a little more tongue that X-tina, it seemed the torch was passed to Britney, who even took up Kaballah to emulate her highness. Then came Brit's quickie marriage and equally quick annulment to childhood friend , which was the precursor to a downward spiral to be forever known as "The Federline Years.

" As we've seen, Britney after dumping FedEx, but her attempts to regain her spot in the line of pop succession have derailed. Everyone knows that a mother of two doesn't for the world to see.
Meanwhile, another blonde has quietly planted herself on the top of the heap.

Gwen Stefani, while slightly beyond "princess" years, is worthy of being considered pop royalty. Her is doing very well on the charts, which is no surprise, given that everything she's touched turns to gold. From her mega-selling "Love.

Angel.Music.Baby.

" to her monster collaborations with Eve and Moby, Gwen has the magic touch. Like Madonna, Gwen's influence now stretches beyond music. She's renowned for her edgy fashion sense and has her own successful , complete with matching .

Gwen even has her own doll line and is creating her own perfume to market under her L.A.M.

B. brand. She's even taken a turn on the big screen.

Stefani made a brief acting debut playing Jean Harlow alongside Leo DiCaprio in "The Aviator," and made a cameo appearance in "Zoolander." While other contenders have faulted, Gwen is clearly on the path to pop's top spot.
Gwen is everywhere these days; the VH1 "Big in '06" awards, this past weekend, and next on MTV's New Year's Eve show.

She does it all while , proving that you can be sexy and classy at the same time. She's got a happy marriage with a , and never seems to be far from her her son. Yep, Gwen has it all.

Perhaps Miss Britney should stop and take a cue from Stefani. If she did, she'd learn a valuable lesson: you don't need a sex tape or panty-less outings to be a megastar -- something even Madonna learned a long time ago.

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It's tough to tell whether the troubled relationship between former Blink 182 drummer and Shanna Moakler is . One relationship Barker can be proud of these days is a professional one. By teaming up with rapper "The Game," the alternative rock drummer has pulled off one of those sonic marriages of rock and rap, inspired by the 80s union of Run DMC and Aerosmith, and Anthrax and Public Enemy.

Since then, we've seen many such collaborations; Jay Z and Linkin Park, N.E.R.

D. and Good Charlotte, as well as Korn, who teamed on separate occasions with Ice Cube and NAS.
Game and Travis Barker
Travis Barker, in between verbal jabs with his ex in October, while shooting a video for his band +44's, " ." Although he was ordered to take some time off, the break didn't stop Travis from beating on the skins for long.

Barker, still in a cast, impressively plays one handed while the newly teamed up duo reinterpret select cuts The Game's latest record.
Both Barker and The Game have done very well on the charts this fall. The Game's " ," released a few weeks ago, debuted at #1 on Billboard.

Barker's band +44 saw their record, released the same day, hit #10. Not bad for these Southern California natives.
Posted Nov 30th 2006 1:29PM by
Filed under: ,
The Goo Goo Dolls, who were nice enough to invite TMZ to a earlier this summer, are very busy with a cross-country tour.

Despite being on the road nearly non-stop, Goo Goo Doll Robby Takac took some time out for TMZ again today. Always in a good mood, Robby quickly professed his admiration for our humble site: Beyond celebrity flashings, Robby talked about the Goo Goo Dolls early days. Although he now has a house in L.

A., Robby is still very much a hometown guy and bases much of his business and out of Buffalo, where he met fellow Goo Goo Doll nearly 20 years ago.
A couple of decades ago, MTV used to be a key promotional platform for new bands trying to breakthrough to the masses.

Somewhere along the line, MTV stopped playing videos. Sure, you still have MTV2, MTVU and FUSE that play videos on television. but the real action for music videos is now online.

AOL, MySpace and Yahoo all have a great selection of new videos, but they're dominated by major labels and established acts. YouTube may be the place to be to discover new music.
YouTube launched a major viral talent search this fall; today the winners of the first " " video awards were recognized on Good Morning America.

YouTube had indie bands upload their own footage and fans got to swap and vote for their favorites. After thousands of entries and, according to Diane Sawyer, millions of votes were cast. The winners are.

..
Best Video: " " by .

For those who remember when MTV played videos, this will remind you of Aha's seminal video for "Take on Me" that featured cartoon sketch animation. Maldroid takes that concept and modernizes it. This is exactly the type of band that should benefit from YouTube stepping into the breach for video promotion.


Best Live Performance : " " by . This is not about the Screech sex tape. Pawnshop is one of the making a stir with their great live show.

They fit nicely into the renaissance going on in both the U.S. and abroad.


Best Song: " " by . With an Arnold Schwarzenegger claymation-like action figure introducing the band, this video will also remind viewers of MTV days gone by, when Peter Gabriel was dominating the network with his videos for songs like Sledgehammer. Greenland writes Beatles-esque pop songs with harmonies and catchy hooks that obviously impressed the YouTubers.


Most Creative: " " by . This L.A.

based hip-hop outfit certainly has one of the most interesting group names I've heard in a long time. While they may remind you of the Black Eyed Peas in some ways, they definitely have a style all their own.
All four bands will play before a host of major labels tonight, so one or more of them could be on the breakout list for 2007.

There is no question that OK Go! to become a breakout band this year, and I have no doubt that many more will come from the upstart online network.
This Friday is World Aids Day, and to bring more attention to the fight to save millions from early death, MTV and some top artists are doing their part to help the cause. There are many ways for the rest of us to get involved as well, like !


MTV Flux is inviting viewers to get some hands-on producing experience to help commemorate the day. You can take over the MTV London studios and help schedule programming during the entire day on World Aids Day. You can enter to score that cool prize at the .


Seventeen Magazine and Teddy Geiger will perform an acoustic show at a Macy's Herald Square event on Friday, and will announce the winner of the . Execs from MTV, Maxim Magazine, Teen Vogue and Seventeen are judging creative fundraising ideas submitted by high school students across the country.
Hanson (yes, those pop kids from the 90s that have grown into some formidable musicians) was inspired by a trip to South Africa and the AIDS devastation there; they released a new single called " ," which features an African children's choir.

All proceeds from the download will go to the Perinatal HIV Research Unit in Soweto, South Africa -- a hospital that helps reduce the transmission of pre-natal HIV/AIDS. It is also the first track from their upcoming record, "The Walk."
"Our trip to Africa was a personal awakening," says Taylor Hanson.

"Our experience there made clear that the fight against AIDS is an urgent cause that requires action, whether you're in the ghettos of Soweto or suburbs of America. That is the message we want to help deliver through whatever means we can, and encourage others to do so as well."
Posted Nov 27th 2006 8:44AM by
Filed under: , ,
Lindsay Lohan has released a couple of records, but is still much better known for her acting roles and .

She's yet to deliver a smash hit to transform her into a bona fide music star. Stevie Nicks and Lindsay Lohan
To increase her chances of making a breakthrough on the charts, she might take a page out of Jamie Foxx's book and use a movie role to boost her music cred. Foxx, of course, was brilliant in "Ray," and as , used the role as a vehicle to launch his music career.
Earlier this week some "new" Beatles music was released by Apple Corps and Capitol Records.

It wasn't completely new material, just new takes on some Fab Four classics. After recruiting the surviving Beatles, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, along with widows Olivia Harrison and Yoko Ono, for a collaboration with . Longtime Beatles producer Sir George Martin and his son Giles searched through the Beatles catalog of recordings to come up with " " -- a remixed and reworked collection of hits.


"This album puts the Beatles back together again, because suddenly there's John and George with me and Ringo," said Paul McCartney. "It's kind of magical." Not everyone is as excited about it as Sir Paul.

I have previously busted on the music corporations for -- and some say this release is worthy of that same criticism. as "studio trickery" and lamented what he dubbed a "corporate takeover of the Beatles." Another reviewer was : "'All you need is money' seems to have been the noble inspiration behind the release of Love, a 26-track album released in time for Christmas; a chance to milk dry the Beatles-obsessed public by flogging them songs they already have but with which someone has tinkered at the controls.

"
I understand the reaction. It is somewhat sacrilegious to mess with what some view as masterworks of music. For example, the reworking of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is lacking (Listen here: or ).

It is still a beautiful song, but you don't quite feel that lover's ache the same way you did with the better known version. I respect the Beatles' legacy, but don't have any vested interest in the complete set of works the way the generation before me does, so I don't react as strongly as the above referenced critics. But there is already a handful of Beatles greatest hit anthologies.

Do we really need another one? For me, the answer is no. When you have something near perfection it is best to simply .

.. let it be.


- The former Van Halen frontman and one-time master showman proved there was one thing he couldn't do very well: host a radio show. Granted, Roth faced high expectations by trying to fill the void left by Howard Stern, and nobody really expected him to be as good as Howard, but this guy was just awful.

Hence, a very short career as a big-time syndicated morning host. His only hope for redemption would be if Eddie took pity and .
- Sir Paul has had a , so I hate to pile on, but .

.. no pre-nup?

Are you kidding? I want to believe in love as much as the next person, but when you're sitting on one of the biggest fortunes in music history and coming out of a longtime marriage, you have to be a little careful in protecting yourself. I'm not saying Heather Mills is/was a gold digger, but something tells me if Paul was a 60+ year-old street musician, the attraction may not have been as strong.

So "Macca," as they say across the pond, doesn't make the list for something he did, but for something he didn't do.
- What can you say about this guy? He simply continues to blow it (no pun intended).

Even after vowing to kick his and (he somehow manages the latter), he still . The shameful part is that the guy is pretty damned talented and could become legendary for his music, instead of his misdeeds, if he managed to keep his head out of his butt long enough to make more records.
I'd put Tyrese on this list for his , but he's really not a big enough star to warrant the attention.


- From his performance to his , K-Fed has been one jive turkey all year long. No list would be complete without him! As Jimmy Kimmel said, he's the world's first " .

" That kind of says it all, doesn't it? Time to put this bird out of our his misery.
An extremely earnest manager at Bank of America got what he thought was a great idea: to rewrite U2's heartfelt anthem, "One," into a cheesy public relations pitch about BofA's merger with MBNA.

At a large corporate gathering, the manager and his sidekick performed their rendition of the song to polite applause. Universal is not applauding and is a little miffed that a video of the performance was posted to YouTube and is now making its way around the Internet.
A Universal lawyer (who declined to speak to me when I called) apparently posted a public "cease and desist" letter in the comments section of a that linked to the video, claiming the song was an unauthorized use of a copyrighted composition.

Universal's point seems to be that the widespread playing of the video is tantamount to Bank of America using the song as a commercial, and it did not have permission to do so. The greater tragedy here, however, is not so much the unauthorized use, but the bastardization of such a great song. Check out the new "lyrics" this guy came up with:
"And it's one bank
One card
One name that's known all over the world
One spirit
We get to share it.

.."
Do you like the Cowboys?


Or your university?
Do you like the Yankees?
Or is NASCAR more your speed?


Well it's your choice
Your right
To pick a card that shows
Your heart and your pride.."
Yikes, that's bad!

This might be funny if the marketing guy was doing this as a complete spoof. But, from the , this dude's taking it way too seriously, and he considers himself a singer, . There may not be a copyright violation here - since this is arguably a parody -- but there is a good taste violation -- and BofA is guilty as charged!


HBO is rolling out a new music called "Off the Record," hosted by of Eurythmics fame. It seems like it's intended to be a hipper version of "Inside the Actors Studio" and will feature conversations with top recording artists and legends. Each show is set to be filmed in front of an audience that includes other musicians and fans.

The bands will reveal their inspiration for various songs, with all genres expected to be represented over the course of the series.
Dave Stewart and The Edge and BonoU2's Bono and the Edge appear in the premiere episode. A provides some insight into U2's creative process, and how despite having a , the band still attempts to function as a team. Their segment will air Friday November 24 at 11:00 PM ET/PT on HBO.

This special preview show will be the only episode aired this year, until the series begins a regular schedule in 2007.
The appearance is part of a series of media events the lads will participate in to promote their latest 'greatest hits' offering, "U218 Singles." The collection is the first to include songs from the band's entire career, starting with their first record, "Boy" (1980), through to their most recent smash, "Atomic Bomb" (2004).

The set also features two new tracks recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London, including their on "The Saints Are Coming" and another brand new track, "Window in the Skies." U218 Singles hit stores today.

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Many were surprised to see Britney Spears in Vegas the other night. The pair, despite being tabloid favorites, are not BFFs and had very little in common prior to their "girls night out." On second thought, there is that "story" floating that Britney and Kevin may have documented their love for each other on video.

Depending on how you look at it, if it actually exists, a sex tape could hurt or help Britney.
As we all know, Paris Hilton is a bit of an expert in charting the waters of amateur porn. While we have no way of knowing what the two girls , it may make sense for Brit to solicit advice from someone so experienced in having herself out there for the world to see.

Paris became even more of a media sensation after the release of her sex tape. While Hilton-style coverage probably isn't the type Britney wants, Paris does have some insight as to how to send a "no big deal" message about this sort of thing.
Britney's "surprise" , and her subsequent adventures in and just after her divorce announcement, show signs of a coordinated public relations effort designed to move Britney's image back into the stratospheric realm it was in pre-Kevin.

For years, Britney was the virginal girl next door. As she blossomed into a woman, she sought to transform from teen queen to adult pop star. The infamous is an example of Britney trying to show the world that she was no longer a little girl.

There's another way of getting that same message out that would serve her well: leaking the rumored "love" tape herself would keep K-Fed from making as much as $100 million on it.

If it does exist, it's going to end up public, one way or another. This is the Internet era; it has to happen.

Why not take control of the situation and get it out there and get past it? From what has been written, the tape is of two consenting adults who were about to be (or already were) married when it was filmed. Spears should be able to manage the damage control, assuming there's nothing absolutely over the top going on.

Brit porn might make some people uncomfortable, but we know that Paris hasn't suffered any losses since her porn tape made people squirm.
The most rewarding benefit of Britney releasing the tape herself would be voiding Fed-Ex's ability to cash in and " " her. If Britney gives it away, there's no money for K-Fed or porn peddlers who'd buy it.

That would be a bittersweet kiss-off. Sure, Federline would try to find a way to make a few bucks off this thing, but who wants to listen to anything this guy has to say anymore, if they ever did? He's headed for the reality TV has-been pile faster than you can say "PopoZao.

"
Do it Britney. If you have the tape, put it out there and own it. Ride out the frenzy and then get back to making music.

The tape and the whole K-Fed era will become a blip before you know it. If Paris Hilton could make it work, so can you!

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Just like Bill Nighy's character did in the movie "Love Actually," British artists battle it out every year for the #1 Christmas song in the UK. Come Christmas day, we may find George Michael (who's had trouble this year, ) sitting on top. If that happens, it won't be George who landed himself there .

.. "Crazy Frog" has put out a ringtone version of Wham!

's "Last Christmas." And for those who don't recall, was George's band before he went solo and started hanging out in public restrooms and had .
George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley
"Last Christmas" was originally released in 1984, hitting #2 on the UK holiday charts just behind Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas," which features both Michael and Andrew Ridgeley -- the other half of Wham. This time, Last Christmas may just make it to the top on the back of the Frog.

Last March, Crazy Frog's " " ringtone famously beat out Coldplay for the top spot on the UK charts. The Wham boys may be happy to see the Frog do it again!
Speaking of Wham!

, George includes a few Wham! classics on his new greatest hits compilation, "Twenty Five," which is . George seems to have made up with his buddy Elton John, who had , as their duet on Elton's "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" is included.



Beyond Michael's previous big-sellers like "Faith," the two-disc set includes three new songs, including a duo with Sir Paul McCartney, who has also had a bit of a . The title: "Heal the Pain." Good luck to both on that one!


Johnny CashYou know how respected someone was by seeing how many people turn out for their funeral. If the wake-like celebration for Johnny Cash in the new video " " is any indication, The Man in Black was worshiped by many. Bono (sporting a fancy paper hat), Kid Rock, Jay Z, Chili Peppers Flea and Anthony Keidis, Kanye West, The Dixie Chicks, Chris Martin of Gwyneth Paltrow and Coldplay fame, Sheryl Crow, Kate Moss ( ), Justin Timberlake and Rolling Stone Keith Richards are just some of the nearly three dozen stars with a cameo in the video.


The song is from the latest installment of Cash's "American Recordings" from producer Rick Rubin. The new disc is called, " ," and contains the last song Cash wrote before his death in 2003. It's an odd juxtaposition, using celebs in a video for a song describing how Johnny Cash identified with the "poor and the downtrodden.

" Rubin says, "These songs are Johnny's final statement. They are the truest reflection of the music that was central to his life at the time. This is the music that Johnny wanted us to hear.

"

People are listening; the record hit number one on Billboard.

With all the facial contortions musicians make onstage, sometimes it looks as if they're gettin' busy with something besides their guitar. From the looks on their faces, these rockers are clearly enjoying themselves.

asks if they're gettin' down or gettin' off.
Sheryl Crow, for example, looks as if she's visiting a very special place, but my guess is she's gettin' some six string action, not the other kind. Avril looks as if she may be ..

. perhaps she's just self-involved and not going to work backstage?
has a panoply of porn and rock star faces for your perusal.

Your job: !

My Chemical RomanceMy Chemical Romance is one of the hottest rock bands in the game right now. Their latest disc, "The Black Parade," is their third major label release. With hit #2 on the Billboard 200 last month, coupled with a rabid fan base they cultivated on the web, concert tickets are snapped up whenever these guys play.

If lead singer Gerard Way hadn't gotten control of some demons, the young band's runaway success might have been derailed.

Experimentation and controlled substance issues have In a tell-all sit-down with Blender Magazine, Way talks about his substance abuse problems and how he found that alcohol is not his friend. Gerard revealed, "What we achieve keeps me sober.

I know the minute I touch a drink again is the minute I lose everything that I've got." Over the last several decades, we've seen some bad outcomes when artists couldn't conquer certain urges. Gerard seems to be on track for continued rock glory, and hopefully won't go down as one of those "what could have been" stories.


The band has also had to deal with explosive success. Beyond the attention, the guys have a balancing act of keeping their early fans happy while drawing new fans into the fold. Big-name bands, particularly with modern or indie rock acts, always go through a period when the initial fans have a bit of a problem sharing their heroes with the rest of the world.

Green Day, for example, went through a bit of a backlash when they exploded on the national scene. Early fans sometimes feel betrayed or left behind and begin to think of the band as a "sellouts." It is a weird irony, since you'd think they'd be happy for the band, but that's not always the case.

There is a snob factor that forms among early adopters and they often shun new fans who they perceive as "jumping on the bandwagon." Indeed, Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong has become a mentor to the band on dealing with the good and bad of success.
MCR recently toured with Green Day and Way shared some of the lessons learned: ".

.. Billie and I talked about what happened to them after Dookie.

He said the biggest mistake they made was to be angry about the success. What I got from him was personal: Don't hold back; be what you are and don't be ashamed of it. Don't be afraid to take it by the balls.

" It looks like Way and MCR are heeding that advice.
Blender's December issue, with the full interview, hits newsstands on November 21.
Jay-ZTwo major artists, Jay-Z and Michael Jackson, are on the comeback trail, but each seem headed in different directions. This makes sense, given their very different reasons for mostly disappearing from the music scene.

Jay-Z chose to take a break after his last smash record and related tour. While Jackson has been in what you might say is a "forced retirement," given the legal proceedings he's had to deal with over the last several years. Between these two, it is not hard to see who will be successful in resurrecting his career and who won't.


In many ways, it seems as if Jay-Z never really "retired" or even left the scene. Since the Black Album, he's stayed in the headlines via his high profile romance with Beyonc e , his various business ventures, and by popping up as a TV pitchman. Had he not announced a retirement from performing, this wouldn't be called a comeback since it's common practice to take some time between records and tours.

Jay-Z does everything big, so the un-retirement adds a little something extra to the release of his latest record, " ." While some say this record may not be on par with his last effort, Jay-Z is still bigger than life and is clearly at the top of the rap scene. He's continually proving himself as a shrewd businessman, and he is involved with " .

" Yes, it is good to be Shawn Carter.
Michael Jackson, who is now pushing 50, looked absolutely diminutive at the World Music Awards. Not only did he look bad, but according to just about everyone that saw it, , and that's something of which MJ has never been accused.

He's looked and acted strangely for nearly two decades, but even though his last few releases weren't spectacular, at least his voice was intact. I'm not sure if he was just nervous or if something else was bothering his throat. Over the last couple of years he has floated trial balloons of how his comeback might, including the possibility of a go at a -inspired sound.

While Micheal has had an impressive, and at times brilliant career, the sad reality is that he may have gone too far down Crazy Street to make a return trip. Amazingly, there are still plenty of people who are . In some ways, it would make a great story of redemption if he does something brilliant again, but it just doesn't seem like he has anything left to give, and may be relegated to being a for years to come.


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Keywords: Hip Hop, Jay z, Green Day, Britney Spears, Goo Goo, k Fed, Last Christmas, Paris Hilton, Justin Timberlake, Sir Paul
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