X Factor Watch: Alexandra Burke

Five words: LOUIS WALSH IS AN IDIOT

Listen to this gorgeous girl, who was tossed off the show before the finals three years ago:

Happy 50th Birthday Michael Jackson!

Along with my one of my good friends, Justin Forman, Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, turns 50 today.

Regardless of the tabloid stories and the quirky behavior, there is no contesting the fact that Michael Jackson is one of the most influential forces in music history. Even at a half-century old, he is more relevant to pop than all of his successors, combined. His style is iconic and his music is timeless, and there is no music star right now who can match his level of celebrity, and I doubt there will be ever again.

An example of his insane popularity, here is Michael performing in Bucharest, Romania in 1997:

I have never seen fans react like that ever during a concert. It's a Jackson concert staple; fans passing out and crying.

Its hard to believe that 26 years ago on the Motown 25 television special, Michael Jackson delivered another electrifying performance that would become a piece of television history:

Here's to you Michael, the absolute King of Pop. A legend. A musical genius. Happy Birthday!

"Just Stand Up" Available On iTunes!

The charity single "Just Stand Up" is currently available on iTunes. The song features 15 of the biggest female artists in the country, including Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Mary J Blige, Rihanna, Leona Lewis and more!

I heavily recommend buying this single to help support those with cancer.

Jennifer Hudson Performs at Democratic National Convention

THIS is why her American Idol elimination was criminal:

Music Video Spotlight: "My Beautifully Elegant Flower Of Evil" by Ali Project

One of my favorite new things is the anime Code Geass, and one of the best things about it is its soundtrack.

Now, being the slightly impatient person that I am, I have been looking at the second season in Japanese (it will air later this year in the US). At the end of every episode is this ending sequence, and the current one is very artistic. It's elevated by the song "My Beautifully Elegant Flower of Evil" (or "Waga Routashi Aku No Hana" in Japanese) by the group Ali Project. It's a haunting, weird, interesting song, with a video you wouldn't believe.

American readers, if you thought Rihanna's "Disturbia" was very dark, then you have no clue what you are about to see:



The person in me who appreciates things completely out there is absolutely transfixed by this song and video. However, I don't know what the hell they're saying. If you're in the same boat, here is the English translation:

The corrupt world is a monster; "What is justice?"
Struggle against it before you ask that, oh wicked flower
Gaze at the eyes that look to a hypocritical dream
There's no such thing as being able to distinguish between holiness and evil

Light ceases; like a fetus
You sleep in the womb of darkness
Indeed loneliness is dear
It'll become your sole ally, right?

One by one, they were smeared by bloodshed
And born into this era
Oh, chosen princes
Indeed fighting is a banquet

Ah, I am a beautiful omniscience
The mother of love gives birth to you
What nurtures you in this milk
Is your brethren of hell

The mark of a revelation; "What is the truth?"
Without even knowing that, the seed is buried and concealed
With a double-edged sword, turn your sword on a pulled sword
Only believe in the things that you must protect
You release yourself as you are

Swallowed and having their intent killed
By this overripe world
That bathes in the screams of their last moments
The groups of corpses merely live

That's what you stomp flat
It's easy to pity
But without being saved, you are scooped up
On the path of people who betray

Ah, I am an elegant virtue
A mother's love consumes you
Is what continues to be carried in this stomach
A strangely shaped wing?

A prison guard's key; reality exists
Even if you search for it, the cage of chaos is endless
Touch the hands of the shooter who fires the arrow of judgment
The fake and the real break, bend, and mix together
Until dawn breaks, you are addicted to yourself

Prosper! Bloom!
Don't be quick to fall apart

The mark of a revelation; "What is the truth?"
Without even knowing that, the seed is buried and concealed
With a double-edged sword, turn your sword on a pulled sword
Only believe in the things that you must protect

The corrupt world is a monster; "Where is justice?"
Bloom fully from asking it, oh wicked flower
Gaze at the eyes that look to a hypocritical dream
There must be a limit for life and death
In your final moment, realize that you'll die for yourself
And embrace everything

2008 Olympics Closing Ceremony Review

Note to the London Olympics organizers: you HAVE to come better than this!

The 2008 Beijing Olympics ended Sunday with the Closing Ceremony, which includes the extinguishing of the flame and the handover to the next Olympic host. After the spectacular display put on during the Opening Ceremony, everyone was expecting a real show.

The Chinese delivered on their end, with another visual masterpiece, directed by the same man behing the opening show. Once again, the entire stadium was used to deliver a truly 3-dimensional experience. It was colorful, precise, and absolutely perfect. It may not have been of the same scale of the Opening Ceremony, but it was still amazing.

If only London held up the quality. To be honest, the London set was a true mess. First off, the double decker bus thing was pretty lame, even when it evolved into the stage. I also didn't really get all of the dancers and the two little girls passing off the soccer ball. The best part of the sequence was Leona Lewis and Jimmy Page performing "Whole Lotta Love", and even that was screwed up a bit. Leona looked GORGEOUS in both the super-long dress connected to the stand and the mini-dress when she came out of it. She also sounded amazing, of what we could hear of it. Unfortunately, we could barely hear her, thanks to a crappy sound system. They can make up for it by releasing the song on iTunes.

Finally, David Beckham came up from the double-decker bus with a bunch of kids and taking the aforementioned soccer ball, he kicks it into the crowd. That was it? They hyped up the appearance of David Beckham so much and all he did was kick a ball? Seriously?

Kudos to China for a spectacular Olympics experience that won't soon be forgotten. London, you've got four years to match that. If the handover ceremony was indication, you've got A LOT to work on!

American Idol Adds Fourth Judge

The producers of American Idol have made a curious decision; they have hired a fourth permanent judge.

Instead of hiring guest judges like they did in the past (Quentin Tarantino, Gloria Estefan, and Gladys Knight, to name a few), the show has tapped Kara DioGuardi to be the second female judge, next to Paula Abdul.

Never heard of her? Don't worry, you're not alone there.

Kara DioGuardi is a very famous songwriter and producer, one of the most sought-after in the industry. She has written and produced for Celine Dion, Leona Lewis, Jonas Brothers, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Carrie Underwood, Miley Cyrus, David Archuleta, and many more.

Obviously she is very qualified, but I'm not sure about this choice. I like the chemistry that Paula, Simon, and Randy has, and I feel that she could possibly upset that balance.

Maybe she can help write an Idol winning single that doesn't suck.

Anyway, congrats on getting the job Kara!

Here's An Idea....Release Leona Lewis and Jimmy Page's Version of "Whole Lotta Love" as a Single!

For those who aren't aware, Leona Lewis and Led Zepplin guitarist Jimmy Page did a duet for the Closing Ceremony of 2008 Beijing Olympics today. They performed the classic "Whole Lotta Love", and its REALLY good. The performance (which I'll talk about later on) was great, and it had me wondering...

Why don't they release it as a single?

As of right now, there is no Leona Lewis single right now (Forgive Me is released on October). Wouldn't it be awesome if they released this song? The fans will eat it up, and I'm sure some LZ fans will at least be curious to see how the diva interprets such an iconic song.

She wouldn't be the first to release a song from the Olympics. Whitney's "One Moment in Time" from the games in Seoul in '88 was a big success.

It would be very smart (and an easy #1) for Leona to record this song with Jimmy and release it.

Here is the video of Leona and Jimmy performing "Whole Lotta Love" (sorry for the annoying-as-hell French commentators):

Britney Spears Cameo on Madonna's Sticky and Sweet Tour

It's here.

Thanks to YouTube, we get to see the anticipated Britney Spears cameo thing for Madonna's new tour:



I've gotta say, this comeback seems to be in full force, because she looks really good in this video. I particularly liked the ending, where she said, "It's Britney, bitch!"

Our little pop princess trainwreck seems to be getting back on track, and I'm very happy for her. How much difference a year makes, huh?

Download of the Day 8/23: "Faded" by Cascada

It's been awhile since europop act Cascada has delivered anything really good. "What Hurts The Most" was underwhelming compared to their breakthrough hit "Everytime We Touch". However, their new single, "Faded", changes this around for them.

The second single of the Perfect Day album, "Faded" is actually a song with substance that you could dance to. The song is about a girl who has been changed by her controlling boyfriend, unrecognizable to herself. Usually songs like this are harder-edged, with dramatic vocals. Cascada takes a different approach. "Faded" is a light dance-pop song, a good one at that. It's double-sided; it's empowering and danceable. Natalie Horler, the lead singer, is a good singer, and she sounds very good on this song. What works for her is that she doesn't try to stretch her vocal capacity. She just sings what she can, and she does that just fine.

"Faded" is a great song from one of the most promising crossover acts from the obscure dance genre (the other being Lady GaGa).It may not be as sharp as "Everytime We Touch", but sometimes, light and easy goes a long way.


Rating: 7/10

X Factor Watch: Austin Drage

If there is anyone who could be compared to Leona on the X Factor, its Austin Drage.

His voice is absolutely phenomenal, showcased in an amazing rendition of Boyz II Men's "End Of The Road".

I definitely expect to see him go through to the finals, with my other X-Factor fave Rachel Hylton.

Check out his performance below:

Video Premiere: "Get Back" by Demi Lovato

Camp Rock star and Jonas Brothers touring buddy Demi Lovato premiered the music video for her new single "Get Back", from her upcoming album Don't Forget:



New York is a great backdrop for music videos, so I thought it was a smart choice to use it as the setting. That being said, I'm sure Disney could've been a little more creative. I mean, why couldn't she run around NYC or something? I mean, she's just singing on a stage. That's a concept they should've saved for later. This video doesn't really do much for her, although she does look very pretty.

She definitely has some pipes, moreso than any Disney queen ever (yes, I include Lindsay and Hilary in that wrap-up). It's just that their wasted on an oversaturated genre (teen pop/rock) and a really subpar song.It's, quite frankly, a blatant "S.O.S." rip-off. For someone who can actually sing well, she deserves better material (word of advice, don't let the Jonas Brothers write stuff for you ever again, Demi).

Soap Scene of the Week: Patrick's Proposal to Robin on General Hospital

The pairing of Patrick Drake (played by Jason Thompson) and Robin Scorpio (played by vet Kimberly McCollough) is the only good thing on that mobfest called General Hospital. Yesterday and today, the two took a major step when Patrick proposed in front of the entire staff (and her mom and uncle). The former commitment-phobe basically poured his soul out to Robin in front of everyone. The moment was pretty perfect, even with the annoying cynicism of Mac Scorpio and the jerky Matt Hunter.

The situation took an ugly turn when Robin, ever the stubborn mule, left Patrick there in the middle of the hospital floor, on bended knee. Watching Patrick fall to the floor and the look of sadness and humiliation on his face was very hard. Still, he finds Robin in the park and tries to convince her that he really wants to marry her. The words fall on deaf ears, as Robin officially turns down his proposal, leaving Patrick crying on the park bench.

Jason and Kimberly are magic on screen and they continue to prove why they deserve their immense fanbase. Jason proves why he is the king of the monologue; everything Patrick is feeling is splayed across his face. The cracking voice, the tears (he's one of the best male cryers, hands down), it all comes together in one of his best performances since joining on 2005. He needs to submit this for the '09 Emmys. His partner, Kimberly (who has been on and off with GH since she was a little kid) is also fantastic. She, who is no stranger to the Emmys, showed how devastated Robin was turning down the proposal, as well as the joy she felt receiving it amazingly. Together, the two are a force that, if TPTB have any brains about, should not be screwed with, ever. It's unfortunate that the other parts of the show paled in comparison to "Scrubs". I would rather watch them then the annoying "Bonnie and Clyde" wannabes Johnny and Lulu any day of the week.

Here are the two parts:

UNBelievable! Dr. Phil Calls For Jonas Brothers/Hannah Montana Addicts!

Apparently, OJD (Obsessive Jonas Disorder, according to the fans) is a legitimate illness.

Enough so that Dr. Phil is calling for parents of children who are obsessed with the current album chart-toppers and Hannah Montana, both under the Disney umbrella. This is the official release:

Is your son or daughter obsessed with Hannah Montana or the Jonas Brothers?  Do they have posters ALL over their room?  Do you have to make sure you keep up with their latest releases because if not, your kid won't talk to you?  Are you worried their obsession is becoming TOO extreme?

If your son or daughter has an obsession, and you'd like Dr. Phil's help, send us an email today! Please only respond if you're willing to appear on national television.

It's ironic, because I was just thinking about writing a feature about the obsessive fans and haters. Now, I definitely will.

This actually seems like an interesting show topic. It would be even better if the Jonas Brothers and Miley were there to discuss it. I would definitely watch it!

New Music Alert: "Just Stand Up" by Various Artists

This is a dream.

An excellent group of female artists teamed up for charity single "Just Stand Up", supporting cancer. The full list includes: Leona Lewis, Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Carrie Underwood Mary J. Blige, LeAnn Rimes, Ciara, Keyshia Cole, Rihanna, Melissa Etheridge, Fergie, Natasha Bedingfield, Ashanti, and (inexplicably) Miley Cyrus.

The charity single, which will be released on September 2nd and performed live September 5th, is an uptempo, inspiring song. It sounds phenomenal, thanks to wonderful production by R&B legend Babyface and Arista head L.A. Reid. Everyone sounds great, making for one of the best group songs in years (the last great one was the "What's Going On" charity single early in the decade). I think Fergie kinda oversang her part, it shouldn't distract from the song at all. It's all good to hear no one trying to upstage anyone (there are A LOT of divas in that group). The voices sounded seamless together. Almost too seamless.

My only little nitpick is the distribution of the lyrics. For example, how does Mariah have first billing on the single cover, yet she only has two lines? Call it Mimi love, but I think she could've had a few more. Same goes for Natasha Bedingfield and LeAnn Rimes. She barely had a line. I think it would've been better if the song was structured like "We Are The World" in the sense that a set of consecutive lyrics went to each singer, insteas of breaking it up. It would've been fairer that way.

Regardless, it's an awesome single. It should be a huge hit. I will definitely downloading my copy. I suggest doing the same to support the Stand Up To Cancer campaign.

BWU Hot 40: Three Weeks of Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga spends a third week on top of the BWU Hot 40 with "Just Dance". She is behind Leona Lewis' "Better In Time" for most weeks at #1, and I expect her to tie the record next week.

This week's highest debut goes to Taylor Swift, whose new Olympic soundtrack single "Change" enters at #3. This sets a three-way tie for highest non-#1 debut, with "So What" by Pink and "Hot N Cold" by Katy Perry.

Little Jackie's "The World Should Revolve Around Me" shoots up 21 places from #25 to #4. Last week's big climber David Archuleta moves into the top 10 with "Crush", peaking at #9 this week.

"Single" by New Kids on the Block, "Bad Girl" by Danity Kane, "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis, and "Just a Dream" by Carrie Underwood all fall out of the top 10 this week.

For more, visit the BWU Hot 40 page (link on top of the blog).

Billboard 200 Update: Jonas Brothers Top Chart with 525K

Below expectations but still huge, the Jonas Brothers new album A Little Bit Longer debuts at the top of the Billboard 200 with over 525,000 copies sold. A Little Bit Longer is their first album to go to #1, and is currently in third place for the biggest sales week of the year, behind Lil' Wayne's Tha Carter III and Coldplay's Viva La Vida. It should be noted that they outsold Miley Cyrus' album Breakout, which is quite ironic since they reached their massive levels of success while on tour with her an alter-ego Hannah Montana.

At #2 is the Mammia Mia soundtrack, which sold around 109,000 copies this week, bringing its six-week total to 686,000. Kid Rock's album, Rock N Roll Jesus comes in at #3 with 101,000 copies sold, after 45 weeks on the chart. The large sales are likely being stimulated by sleeper hit "All Ssummer Long", which Kid Rock won't release as a digital single.

Michael Phelps On The Cover of Sports Illustrated

Michael Phelps celebrates his history-making 8 gold medal performance at the Beijing Olympics by gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated, on newsstands tomorrow. The cover shows him standing with the 8 medals he won hanging on his neck, an update of the iconic Mark Spitz image with his 7 medals. Sunday (in Beijing time), Phelps beat Mark's record of most medals in one year.

It's very possible Phelp's issue could be one of the best selling magazine issues of the year, considering th millions who have watched his Olympic performance. It should definitely outsell the infamous People Magazine issue of Brad and Angelina's twins, which shockingly flopped.

Will you be buying it?

Picture from justjared.net

X Factor Watch: Rachel Hylton

In the UK, the new season of the X Factor (the show that gave us Leona Lewis) has begun, and Simon Cowell, Dannii Minogue, Louis Walsh, and my girl aloud Cheryl Cole are searching throughout Britain for the next superstar.

One person who really caught my eye and ear (for good reasons) is Rachel Hylton. She is a recovering drug addict with 5 kids, trying to make a fresh start. She also has a phenomenal voice. I think she definitely think she has the potential to go far in the show.



I'll be watching the X Factor closely (thanks YouTube), so for the Americans looking for the next Leona, check the blog often.

UK Download of the Day: "Changes" by Will Young

Will Young is a testament to the strength and longevity a reality competition winner/contestant can have if its done right.

For the Americans who don't know him, Will Young was the winner of the UK's Pop Idol, the show that inspired American Idol (diehard AI fans will remember him appearing on Season 1). He's released three albums in the UK, all of which have gone multi-platinum. He's sold 3 million albums (in US standards, that's 10 million) there, making him pretty much a pop star.

Will has released the video for his new single "Changes", from the upcoming album Let It Go.The video was nice and all, but what really impressed me was the song itself. When you consider his contemporaries Justin Timberlake and Usher, you begin to wonder if Will is a bit mature than them. Its a fantastic ballad, following the British music pattern of pulling from the past and updating it. I hear some soul influences, but it still clearly pop record. Even with some dramatic flourishes in the chorus, it's still a very cool, mellow track. It's very reminiscent of early 2000's Robbie Williams.

Will delivers a pitch-perfect vocal here, but that's to be expected. He sounded pitch-perfect on "Evergreen" (his coronation single). The difference is that song was a bit predictable and schmaltzy (even by my standards). "Changes" is far more creative and interesting of a song; very unexpected when you look at the pop landscape now. He's come a long way since being crowned the UK's idol.

Chances are, he won't be coming over to the US, so we'll just have to settle for YouTube. For those living across the pond, you can purchase it online or in the shops on the 22nd of September (that's the European date format, Americans). I definitely recommend doing so.

Rating: 9/10

Video Premiere: "Sandcastle Disco" by Solange Knowles

OK, where the hell has she been?

First, she wows me with "I Decided", and now she does it with "Sandcastle Disco".

Seriously, she has the VMAs next year on lock. This is one of the best videos of the year. Its colorful, the outfits are cool, and the special effects are very creative. In fact, it like Mika's "Relax (Take It Easy)", except more live action is involved. The song itself is great, so great that you wonder where the hell all this creativity came from (she directed the video herself). If she started her career like this, she would be HUGE right now.

Better late than never, they always say.

Here's the video below:

Download of the Day 8/18: "Let It Rock" by Kevin Rudolf featuring Lil' Wayne

If you like "Black and Gold", you will LOVE this!

"Let It Rock" a song by Kevin Rudolf, is infectious without being annoying. The space age sound with the heavy beat sounds too perfect for radio, and it will explode in clubs. The hook is simple, yet effective. Not only will you be dancing to the chorus, you will be chanting "Let It Rock" every time you hear this song. Plus, having Lil' Wayne on the record never hurts, but he doesn't overshadow Rudolf. You're dancing because of Rudolf, not because of Weezy.

Interesting change, huh?

Rating: 8.5/10

Michael Phelps Makes History With 8th Medal!

HE DID IT!

Michael Phelps has won his 8th gold medal, the most won in a single Olympic year. Yesterday, he tied Mark Spitz's record of seven.

He is now the greatest Olympian who has ever lived.

Congratulations to Michael Phelps and the entire US team!

Live at the Olympics: Serbian Team Filing Protest Against Phelps

The Serbian team is currently in the Resolution Room as I type, filing a protest against the end of the 100 m butterfly race, which Michael Phelps won within this hour.

It appeared that Serbian team member Milorad Cavic was about to win the gold, but the touchpad on the wall recorded that Phelps indeed touched the wall before him, by 1/100th of a second.

Cavic's coach is currently contesting the results.

More news as it comes via NBC.

UPDATE: The Serbian protest against the 100m butterfly race has been denied, because of sufficient evidence proclaiming Phelps as the winer, according to Don Bloom, the chairman of the Technical Committee. Michael Phelps will retain his gold medal, while Cavic keeps his silver medal.

Live at the Olympics: Michael Phelps Wins 7th Gold Medal!

Just now, Michael Phelps wins his seventh gold medal tonight (EST) in the 100m butterfly.

Beating his competition by 1/100th of a second, Phelps wins ANOTHER gold medal, tying the record set by Mark Spitz.

It's official, Michael Phelps is the greatest athlete in the world.

Plus, he may be superhuman.

Congrats to Phelps!

Whitney: Road to the Comeback (Part 3)

This next post in the Whitney series focuses on the best period of her career: The Bodyguard Era.

I Will Always Love You (1992) - It was the song that made her a pop icon. Her remake of the Dolly Parton classic quickly turned Whitney's stalling career around in a heartbeat. "I Will Always Love You" became her biggest hit ever, spending a mind-blowing (at the time) 14 weeks on top of the US charts, as well topping charts across the world. Her voice never sounded better before, with a heart-stopping climax that is so legendary, hundreds have tried and failed to match it. This song helped solidfy Whitney's stance as one of the greatest voices in music history. Rating: 10/10

I Have Nothing (1993) - It may be hard to believe, but The Bodyguard Soundtrack didn't become the best-selling soundtrack of all time because of the aformentioned song. This one definitely helped push the album into diamond territory. Again, Whitney sounds top-notch here, and under different circumstances, this song would've been another #1 hit. Unfortunately, "IWALY" was still burning up airwaves and shelves, keeping this song from the penthouse. Still, Top 5 isn't bad, huh? Rating: 9.5/10

I'm Every Woman (1993) - Pop divas can dance, too. Or that's what "I'm Every Woman", a Chaka Khan cover from the soundtrack implied. Whitney was known for her rousing ballads, but this was nice change of pace, sounding as funky as she'll ever get. The uptemo, New Jack Swing-like style didn't deter "The Voice" at all. Taking a break from the acrobatics, her voice is full of attitude, perfect for a song about being every woman. Rating: 9/10

Run to You (1993) - The fourth single from the Bodyguard soundtrack didn't perform to expectations, peaking at a lowly #31. To be fair, the album had already sold 8 million copies at that point, so sales would be reasonably low. The song was deserving to be a hit, though. Although not as good as "I Have Nothing" or "IWALY", it was a very good song. Again, Whitney sang fantastically on the record, and its a nice song lyrically. Call its flop an unfortunate situation. Rating: 7.5/10

Queen of the Night (1993) - Remember "I'm Every Woman"? Well, this song takes it to another level. The title was taken from the movie within the movie, and Whitney sings about being everything she essentially wasn't (at least to the public, at the time). The song was a bit of a detour, with a guitar-laden edge  to match the dramatic vocals. It's something that was easy to dance to, without sounding (god forbid) cheesy, like many of her uptempo hits from the past were accused of being. Rating: 8/10

Harry Potter Film Pushed Back to '09

Blame the damn Writer's Strike!

In a move that will surely pissed off Harry Potter fans across the globe, the sixth film, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is being pushed back from its original November release.

Warner Bros. studio revealed yesterday that the movie has to be pushed to a release date of July 17th, 2009 to help anchor a near-dead movie season. The Writer's Strike left a hole in the summer schedule next year, and the Harry Potter films is one of the biggest franchises the studio has.

Sorry HP fans. You'll have to wait one more year before you can see the world's favorite wizard teen in his latest exploits.

Album Review: A Little Bit Longer by Jonas Brothers

It was revealed today that the Jonas Brothers are expected to sell around 725,000 copies of their new album, A Little Bit Longer, officially making them power players in the music industry.

To many, the idea that the Jonas Brothers could outsell Coldplay, Mariah Carey, Madonna, Usher, etc. is a travesty. How did three Jersey kids become the leaders of the teen pop craze?

By catering to their audience.

A Little Bit Longer is nothing if not a gift to their millions of tween fans (and their credit-card wielding mothers). While the trio attempt to push forward, the album is still largely directed towards the screaming girls who make their concerts minute sell-outs. For the rest of music-buying public, there isn't much to appreciate.

Back to the "pushing forward". Their last, self-titled album contained songs that sounded the same. This time around, the brothers try at diversifying their sound. Whether its Maroon 5-style funk, Jack Johnson-like soft rock, or Backstreet Boys-flavored balladry, each song seems to have its own identity. Their basic sound is still a mix of pop and rock, which I'm not a big fan of. Still, the album's variety is a sign that maybe they can do more as they get older and the fanbases change. Along with expanding their musical horizon, they also dabble in more intricate and complicated production. Some of their songs are layered with a variety of instruments. Sometimes, it works (the title track and "Tonight"). Other times, it fails ("Pushin' Me Away" and the fourth quarter of "Love Bug"). You can appreciate the hit and miss as their growth as musicians.

That's when the growth pretty much stops.

Remember when I noted that the album would please the tweens, but not everyone else? Well, its pretty much the truth. Virtually every song on the album (save for the title track) deals with teenage love, relationships, etc. To be fair, they are teens (except for Kevin), but if only the same attention given to production value was given to lyrical content. "BB Good", the opening track, sounds like something they would do a year ago, completely below the rest of the album. "One Man Show", a kiss-off to a girlfriend, sounds more petulant than its meant to be. "Pushin' Me Away", while it is one of the most interesting songs production-wise, does nothing lyrically. Those noted, there are some songs that show lyrical growth. "A Little Bit Longer", Nick's song about diabetes, has more depth and complexity than is expected from a 15-year old. "Video Girl", a teen version of "Gold Digger", is pretty clever in its scolding of gold-diggers.

Along with the lyrics, there is one more thing keeping this album from true goodness; their voices. To be frank, they're not good singers. They are talented, no one's denying that (and if you do, you're just being a jerk). Singing just isn't their thing. Regardless of that fact, the two lead singers Joe and Nick tend to go out on a singing, stretching their thin vocal chords, releasing screeches and squeals that are hard to tolerate. They sound better when they don't push their voices to the limit, like they believe rock stars do. "Love Bug" is a good example of their voices sounding okay, when they just play it safe. "Pushin' Me Away" is a great example of their voices sounding tragic when they push things too far. Nick is more guilty of this than anyone. On "Sorry", he sings the second verse, and its excruciating (and I'm being polite).

Song-wise, the album is a mixed bag of good, terrible, and okay.The best song on the album, no contest, is "A Little Bit Longer", with its unabashedly poignant lyrics. The worst on the album is a tie between "BB Good" and "Pushin' Me Away". The first is a step backward for the group, while the second is a vocal disaster. The other songs fall somewhere in between (Burnin' Up toward the top).

Before I end this, let me make a few things clear. One, I am not dissuading the fans from buying this. It's perfect for them. For the rest of us, I can't be too sure. Two, I do not hate the Jonas Brothers. For personal reasons, I just can't (Nick and diabetes). I have listened to this album (thanks to MTV's The Leak) and I have done my best to write a unbiased review, from what I believe makes a good album. This review was written without malice, because I have none for them. Three, hating the Jonas Brothers is both pointless and pretentious. While I'm not jumping for joy over this album, the random hate for them is dumb. They are talented, and they have appeal (they sold 201,000 copies of an album in one day, for God's sake). That should be respected. Plus, insulting a group who are still practically kids for no real reason sounds not only pathetic, but obnoxious and tactless.

Now, I give this album a 6 out of 10. It is by far much better than their last album (it was practically impossible to listen to), but they still have a lot of growing as musicians to do. They showed that they can grow and expand their sound, but they still lack both the vocal ability and the complete lyrical maturity to cross over. Disney's support won't last forever (in fact, the head honchos are probably auditioning their replacements as I type), so they need to take bigger steps into the pop world. Hopefully for them, it will only take "a little bit longer".

BWU Recommends: "A Little Bit Longer" (#2 on the BWU Hot 40 as of 8/13), "Burnin' Up", "Love Bug" (try to ignore the ending), "Got Me Going Crazy"

BWU Hot 40: Lady GaGa Tops Again, David Archuleta Skyrockets

On this week's BWU Hot 40, Lady GaGa remains on top with "Just Dance", after becoming the second artist in history to debut at #1. She is the first artist to retain the #1 spot after debuting there.

"A Little Bit Longer" by Jonas Brothers moves up to #2, supported by a #1 placing on the Song Play chart. This is the trio's second top 5 single; their first, "Burnin' Up", falls down to #22 this week.

This week's highest debut is Pink, whose new single "So What" enters the chart at #3, tying with Katy Perry for the second highest chart debut. Other songs debuting this week include "Just a Dream" by Carrie Underwood (#10), "No Substitute Love" by Estelle (#21), and "Miss Independent" by Ne-Yo (#30).

David Archuleta sets a chart record this week, by jumping up 29 spots to #11 this week, after debuting last week at #40. The original chart record belonged to the Pussycat Dolls, who jumped 22 spots from #24 to #2 two months ago.

For the full chart, visit www.freewebs.com/brandonbestworst/bwuhot40.htm

Jonas Brothers Expected to Sell 725,000 In First Week!

Don't underestimate the buying power of tweens.

Trade publication Hits Daily Double expect the new Jonas Brothers album A Little Bit Longer to sell around 725,000 copies in its first week after examining first week sales. Those numbers don't include the "Complete My Album" feature on iTunes.

If it makes those numbers, it will be the second best-selling first week sales, behind Lil' Wayne's Tha Carter III.

Rolling Stone and Blender gave the album four stars. Don't forget to check out my album review later today.

Congratulations Michael Phelps!

After yesterday's performance during the Beijing Olympics, US swimmer Michael Phelps is now the most decorated Olympian in history, with 11 gold medals in his career. He is trying to break Mark Spitz's record of most Gold medals in one Olympic year by trying for 8. He currently has 5 gold medals.

Congrats on the success!

Download of the Day 8/12: "The World Should Revolve Around Me" by Little Jackie

Narcissism has never sounded this fun!

Little Jackie comes out with her first single, "The World Should Revolve Around Me", a song about believing she is the center of the earth. The last song about loving oneself was "Too Cool" from Camp Rock. Unlike that filth, the song doesn't sound pretentious or cheap. Instead, this one is filled with rich instrumentation and very fun, clever lyrics. She compares herself to an endangered species and she debates which came first, the Egg McMuffin or the Chicken Nugget, all behind a creative arrangement of horns, beats, and piano.

The song is like a happy pill; if you don't feel good about yourself listening to this song, check your medicine cabinet to see if you're taking Prozac by accident. With a song so full of energy, you'll soon believe the world revolves around you too.

Rating: 9/10

Britney Spears and Russell Brand's VMA Commercial

Britney's back!

Looking healthy and more like the real Britney compared to last year, she and VMA host Russell Brand star in a pair of fun commercials, below. (BTW, the elephant there represents the "elephant in the room". If you know Britney's VMA history, you should know what that is).

RIP: Issac Hayes Passes Away At 65

This is a sad weekend in African-American culture.

First Bernie Mac, now music legend Issac Hayes has died. He was 65.

The man was known for Oscar-winning theme to the movie Shaft as well as his infamous role as "Chef" on iconic animated series South Park.

Hayes was reportedly found unconscious next to his treadmill, which was still running. He was pronounced dead at 2pm today.

May he rest in peace.

Whitney: Road to the Comeback (Part 2)

One Moment In Time (1988) - This song was released as the official theme to the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea, and helped return Whitney to the Top 5. "One Moment In Time" was perfect for the Olympics, talking about that single moment where everything you have worked hard for is within your reach. Her rousing vocal performance only helped lift the sentiments of the song. I regard it as one of her best vocal performances ever, and this song is one of my all-time favorite songs. Rating: 9/10

I'm Your Baby Tonight (1990) - This song, and its album of the same name, was a respond to the critics who called her music "too pop" (or cruelly,"too white"). Whitney was out to prove that she could have the amazing voice, while still remaining edgy and with R&B. Produced by genre legend Babyface, the song was a success, giving her first #1 single since '88. I am a bigger fan of the Whitney ballads, but the funkier sound of "Baby Tonight" was very cool. Rating: 8/10

All The Man That I Need (1991) - Ballads are Whit's bread and butter, plain and simple. So it was no shock when this song went to #1. This song showed Whitney stretching those amazing vocal chords of hers even further, delivering a powerful climax to a rather dull beginning and middle. Unfortunately, that dullness has caused to the hit to fade into some obscurity when Whitney's discography is pulled out for reference. Rating: 7.5/10

My Name Is Not Susan (1991) - Many considered the song an utter flop. It peaked at #20 on the US charts (#8 on the R&B charts), a far cry from her #1 hits. That being said, Whitney is at her sassiest on this record. Previously known as the "Black Barbie", she showed she wasn't a doll to play around with. This harder-edgied Whitney probably surprised fans, which caused it to fail. Yet, her voice excelled with the attitude. File this one under the hit that should've been.

John Edwards on ABC's Nightline

If you were watching TV last night, you were probably watching one of two things: NBC's coverage of the spectacular Olympic Opening Ceremony in Beijing, or you were watching former presidential hopeful John Edawrds admit to his affair on ABC's Nightline. For those watching the good stuff, here's the bad:





Check back for a recap later today...

UNBelievable! Code Geass' Nina's "Love" For Princess Euphemia Li Britannia

OK, I completely missed this the first time around!

So, for those who do watch Code Geass (you should if you haven't), Lelouch's classmate Nina has a little thing for Princess Euphemia after she "saved" her during the hotel hijacking. Well, it turns out that thing is a bit of a lesbian obsession/crush. I feel bad for that table!



(BTW: If you haven't figued it out, she masturbating using a table. I know, freaky, huh?)

R.I.P.: Bernie Mac Passes Away at 50

Legendary comedian Bernie Mac has died at age 50.

CNN reported that he died early this morning of complications from pneumonia in Chicago, Illinois. He had been in the hospital for a week because the lung infection.

The popular comic was known for his roles in the Ocean's Eleven movie series and his own show, The Bernie Mac Show.

One of the best comics ever, he will be truly missed. I offer my condolences to all his family and friends.

Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony: The Best Ever!

Seriously, I can't even remember previous Opening Ceremonies when compared to this one.

The 2008 Summer Olympics, hosted by the city of Beijing in China, started off with a spectacular opening ceremony. Directd by Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou, the ceremony was a stunning piece of work, unlike anything I've ever seen at the Olympics before (my memory goes up to 1998, with the Winter Olympics in Nagano).

The truly amazing part came before the always-awesome Parade of Nations. The segment was sort of a "history lesson" on Chinese culture, taking us through both the ancient and modern times. What was impressive was how the most miniscule detail was paid attention to. When the 2008 performers were playing those drums that lit up, it was awe-inspiring to see how precise they all were. Another visual wonder were those boxes that lifted up and down, whether to show water or the Great Wall of China. It was amazing to see at the end that the boxes were being moved by people, not machines. It boggles the mind to consider how much pratice all of that took in order for everyone to be synchronized the way they were.

The Chinese people's appreciation to such detail, precision, and perfection is definitely something to be admired. That dedication helped create one of the most awe-inspiring sights I have ever witnessed. The mix of past and present, the recurring theme of peace and openness, it all came together in a ceremony that will go down in Olympic history as one of the best.

An NBC commentator described this year's Olympics, and the opening ceremony in particular, as China's "coming out" party. With one like this, China has definitely succeeded.

To watch the full ceremony, click here

John Edwards Admits To Cheating On Cancer-Ridden Wife!

Former presidential hopeful John Edwards will admit on an upcoming episode of ABC's Nightline that he had an affair.

Tabloid The National Enquirer revealed the affair weeks ago, with Edwards staunchly denying that reports which also claimed he was the father of the woman's child. Now, speaking to Bob Woodruff, reveals that the tabloid wasn't lying.

In the interview, he says that while he did sleep with Reille Hunter, he did not love her. He also denied that he was the father of her child, Hunter Quinn. Although he has not taken a paternity test, he claims the affair ended before the conception of the child.

About the affair, he says that it began after she was hired to put together website documentaries for his presidential campaign in 2006. The fact that she had little experience suggests that the hiring was for suspicious reasons. The two traveled together, around the US and even to Africa.

His wife, Elizabeth Edwards, has known about the affair since 2006, but did not known of the encounter that The National Enquirer reported about. She was diagnosed with cancer, but she was in remission around the time of the affair. The cancer has relapsed and is now incurable.

Just when I thought politicians couldn't stoop any lower. What worse: cheating on your wife with a hooker, or cheating on your wife while she is fighting cancer?

And to think, he could've become our president. Well, not gonna happen. His career is D-E-A-D.

Song Review: P!nk's "So What"

Summer music just got a swift kick in the ass.

And who better to deliver it than Pink? Pop/rock's queen is back with her new single "So What", the first off of her yet-to-be-titled album. When news of the record came out, people were frantic to hear the new track, courtesy of the woman who gave us last year's amazing "U + Ur Hand" and "Who Knew". Fans of those two will definitely not disappointed.

"So What" is an anthem for the lovers of the middle finger, with the "I don't give a damn" lyrics and the edgy arrangement. It's something that you can blast from your stereo (or computer, or car, depending) and sing along to whenever you feel like punching someone in the face.

The lyrics are classic Pink, singing about not caring and just having fun. She still pokes fun at her favorite celebrities ("The waiter just took my table, and gave it to Jessica Simps, shit") and even her husband (which I'm sure is just in fun). The chorus is pop headbanging, fist shaking genius, perfect for summer.

Pop radio, in its obsession with pop and rock fusion, will simply eat this song up, along with the rest of the country. While kissing girls is fun and all, sometimes we just to yell "so what" and "start a fight".

Oh, and Pink farting at the end of the song is just badass.

Rating: 8.5/10

The Montauk Monster Mystery Solved!?!

Is it finally solved?

We've heard MANY theories about the Montauk Monster. It's a racoon, it's a demon, it's a science experiment gone wrong, it's a guerilla marketing tactic from Cartoon Network.

The truth may finally be revealed, though. And it's as boring as hell.

According to further analysis of new pictures, the guys at Wired.com believe its a pitbull that's been involved in dogfighting (the vicious, PETA-dispised "sport" that Michael Vick made famous?). Apparently, the Monster looks a lot like a pitbull, and the bindings around its legs can be related to dogfighting.

This may sound weird, but I really hoped it was something really cool, like an undiscovered animal or something. It's not confirmed yet, so there still may be hope. For right now, just throw that in with the other theories.

I still can't believe that Jeff Corwin thought it was a freakin' racoon.

Click here to read the article.

Usher Sacks Entire Management For Mom

Remember my post about R&B singer Usher's fury with Benny Medina over his album sales?

Well, the inevitable has happened.

Usher, in a really smart move, has dropped his entire management team at Benny's Handprint Entertainment in favor for his mom's J-Pat Entertainment.

The decision to bring his mama back into the fold comes after he was reportedly furious that his album was outsold by Lil Wayne. While his album currently stands at around 940,000 sold, Lil Wayne has sold over 2 million in only two months. The numbers are even more embarrassing considering his last effort, Confessions, sold almost 10 million in 2004. Its not just albums. His second single, "Moving Mountains", is on the verge of flopping, with tepid radio play and disappointing sales (he is being outsold on iTunes by, among many more, Lil' Wayne, Leona Lewis, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Miley Cyrus, Shwayze, Madonna, Jonas Brothers, Katy Perry, and The Game).

I'm sure he's hoping his mother can kiss the ginormous boo-boo his career has, but I think it might be too little too late (since the album sucks).

Nick Jonas Holds Press Conference About Diabetes Struggle

I may not support the Jonas Brothers musically (save for "A Little Bit Longer and "Burnin' Up"), but I will definitely support Nick in regards to diabetes.

Yesterday, the younger Jonas held a press conference in New York City to discuss both his diabetes and his partnership with Bayer to help spread awareness about the serious illness. They have established a website, www.nickssimplewins.com, that will share with the world how Nick handles his illness, in an effort to inspire others who suffer from diabetes. If you aren't well-versed in the basics of diabetes, then I suggest visiting the site to learn.

His song about his diabetes, "A Little Bit Longer", is #1 on iTunes and is #6 on the BWU Hot 40 (with a platinum certification to boot). You can check out my review of the song below.

Keep up the good work, Nick!

Download of the Day 8/6: "Just a Dream" by Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood knows how to deliver a heart-rending ballad.

We've known that since "Jesus, Take The Wheel", her first of many country #1 singles. Her voice, full of power and emotion, perfectly carries words of both inspiration or sorrow in a slow arrangement. So it makes perfect sense that Carrie would tackle a very touchy subject for her next single.

It's a loved one's worst nightmare to hear that their soldier was killed in combat. The torrent of emotions that must flood their minds must be hard to describe. In "Just a Dream", Carrie tries to convey those complex feelings for those of us who have had the good fortune to never feel such a loss. For those who have, her heartbreaking vocal performance is a painful reminder of a pain that never goes away.

The story told in the song is sad enough, but the magic of the song lies with Carrie. Her voice is a tidal wave of anguish, with undercurrents of desperation, denial, and anger. You never have to speculate; she lays it all out there for us. Vocally, its probably her most unrestrained, and that full-throttle voice makes the sadness all the more present.

In an industry where going platinum is almost a pipe dream, there should be little doubt as to why Carrie can do it so easily. She is, quite frankly, the best contestant to ever come out of the American Idol franchise. She's so good, that I will no longer reference the show when speaking of her. This song is proof that she's more than a reality show contestant.

She's a star.

Rating: 9/10

BWU Hot 40: Lady GaGa's #1!

On this week's BWU Hot 40, Lady GaGa becomes the second artist in chart history to debut at #1, with "Just Dance". She dethrones Whitney Houston, whose buzz single "Like I Never Left" falls to #2. Danity Kane's "Bad Girl" moves up to #4 this week after debuting at #10 last week.

"A Little Bit Longer", the Jonas Brothers song about Nick's diabetes, moves up 14 spots to #6, with the release of the single. Their highest charting single, "Burnin' Up", falls to #11. They also see another song debut, 3rd single "Tonight" at #33.

The second highest debut of the week is Secondhand Serenade's "Fall For You" which enters at #12. Other debuts this week include Duffy's 4th UK single "Stepping Stone" and Seal of Approval song "All Summer Long" by Kid Rock.

To see the full chart, visit the BWU Website at http://www.freewebs.com/brandonbestworst

Note To John McCain: Don't Piss Off Paris Hilton!

Republican presidential candidate John McCain just got his ass handed to him... by Paris Hilton!

I don't know what funnier; Paris calling him old, her energy policy (which isn't that bad, lol), that she actually knew their energy policies, or that Rihanna would be her vice president.

Seriously, genius.

Here's the Paris' "campaign" video:

The Dark Knight Passes $400 Million in 18 Days!

Seriously, TDK is the biggest movie of the year, no contest.

In less than three weeks, the epic film has grossed over $400 million. It was released on July 18th and went to have the highest grossing opening weekend of all time. It's now broken another record, becoming the movie fastest to get to $400 million. The original record holder was Shrek 2 which hit the $400 million mark in 45 days. Titanic, the largest grossing film of all time, took 66 days to get to $400 million. In the US alone, it has grossed over $600 million.

Will TDK break that? It's definitely possible!

MTV Creates Best UK Video VMA, Leona and Duffy Among Nominees

MTV has noticed the large stream of talented British artists, and in an effort to reward them for their talents, they have created the "Best UK Video" award at this year's VMAs.

The nominees are Coldplay's "Violet Hill", Duffy's "Mercy", Estelle's "American Boy", Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love", and the Ting Tings' "Shut Up and Let Me Go".

Now, I know I'm biased, but Leona NEEDS to win this category!

The award is up for public vote, so don't forget to vote for who you think should win (LEONA!!!)

Download of the Day 8/5: "A Little Bit Longer" by the Jonas Brothers

The time has come.

For those who have been reading my blog for a while, you are very well aware of my feelings about the Jonas Brothers. At first, I despised them, like most other Disney factions. Then, I found out Nick had Type 1 diabetes. Seeing that I have Type 2, my hate for them dissipated a bit. Still, their music still sucked.

A few months ago, I wrote about the Jonas Brothers' upcoming record, and the song Nick wrote about his diabetes. I was intrigued, because I wasn't sure what to expect. I would've forever hated Nick Jonas if he even dared to make light of such a terrible illness like diabetes. An hour or so after writing that post, I found the two live versions of the song on YouTube. The concert version was impossible to listen to, so I stuck with the Stripped version. When I heard the song, I was utterly shocked. The lyrics were poignant, sad, lamenting. How the hell could the same trio who unleashed "S.O.S." on the unsuspecting world create this?

I was very impressed when I first heard the song live, so I was expecting to be even more so after hearing the recorded version. So, did it?

Yes.

Truthfully (and I am not even a fan of the Jonas Brothers), this is unarguably, without question, their best song to date. The growth between this song and the crap that was their last album is exponential.

Of course, the biggest achievement of this record is the lyrical content. Hearing the recorded version, it still is surprising how poignant, somber, and beautiful the lyrics to this song are, especially when you consider the bouncy, teenybopper material they've released in the past. His feelings about his diabetes (reportedly written in a hotel's ballroom) seem completely unfiltered, as he takes the listener through his experience in the beginning verses. The recurring line "A little bit longer, and I'll be fine" is a promise to himself, one that he repeats as that little becomes bigger than he hoped. The ending is the true kicker:

So I'll wait till kingdom come

All the highs and lows are gone

A little bit longer and I'll be fine

In case you don't know, the highs and lows he mentions are the highs and lows that a diabetic's blood sugar levels go through. The implication that he'll only be truly okay when he goes to Heaven is unnerving, striking, and tragically beautiful all at the same time. It makes you realize how much of a toll all of that touring and recording could take on someone, and even if you hate their music, not admiring both his bravery and strength is unspeakably cruel.

The arrangement of the song, compared to the live version, isn't better. In fact, I felt that the extra instrumentation took a little bit away from the mood he was trying to convey. Maybe he was trying to lighten it, but it wasn't necessary. The piano and the guitars coming into the middle were enough. It sounds good regardless, especially with the welcome addition of the violin. It's good to see them expanding their musical horizons; they just overdid it a bit.

My only vice with this song is the vocals, but its not big enough to detract from the song's greatness. Thanks to studio magic, Nick's voice sounds much better than its does live. I may not like his voice, but I can appreciate the passion-filled delivery. The light harmonies of his brothers when the second chorus comes around is a nice touch.

When everything together is considered, "A Little Bit Longer" is a triumph for the brothers. They finally made a song that can't be easily thrown away when (or if, when this song is considered) the Disney novelty wears off. If they continue developing their craft for a more mature audience, then they could easily move past teen idols, into true, respected performers.

To those who declare the Jonas Brothers utter failures, put the hate in a box of 3 minutes and listen to the song. Listen to the story of a kid whose world was turned upside down by a terrible illness. If you can't even listen to the song, at least read the lyrics. If you still feel nothing, then I question your taste in music.

To Nick, I commend him on writing a song this personal. As a fellow juvenile diabetic, I could easily identify with everything he wrote. I may never completely like their music, only time will tell. He does have my respect, which counts more in the long run.

Rating: 8.5/10

Whitney: Road to the Comeback (Part 1)

Just like I did to commemorate Mariah Carey's 18th US #1 single, I am doing special post to celebrate Whitney Houston's return to music, coming this fall. To do that, I have gone back in history and chosen her most memorable songs:

How Will I Know (1985) - It wasn't her first single, but it was the single that brought her to the masses. There was the colorful music video, the fun R&B/dance-pop arrangement, and then of course, "The Voice". Even without a ballad, Whitney's career-making vocals shone in this number-one hit, which would began a record-setting string of them. It may sound dated today, but don't lie; you like it, just a bit. Rating: 9/10

Greatest Love of All (1986) - OK, so what if Blender Magazine listed it as one of the Worst Songs Ever? If even if the lyrics toe the line between inspirational and schmaltzy, Whitney's voice truly shines through here. Her later live performances continually breathe life into this 80s classic. Rating: 8/10

I Wanna Dance With Somebody (1987) - How many American Idol contestants have covered this? Wanna know why? Because its the easiest Whitney song to sing (and that's not really saying much). Both the song and video are terribly dated, but its still a fun track if you ever want to go retro. Plus, Whitney's voice sounds amazing, as usual. Rating: 7.5/10

Didn't We Almost Have It All (1987) - This song is the third most played of my Whitney songs on iTunes. I LOVE this song, because, like most Whitney ballads, she sings with such passion and energy that somehow matches the tone of the song. In fact, whenever I leave home, I fight the urge to play this song and pretend that I'm leaving forever, with this song as my soundtrack, Corny, huh? Weird, huh? That's how much I love this song. Rating 9/10

So Emotional (1987) - I'm guessing this song (with the guitar riffs and everything) was supposed to show that Whitney had some edge. She even donned a leather jacket in the video. It's pretty hard to prove that point when she's singing about being "so emotional" whenever her lover is around. Again, its another nice upbeat Whitney record, but I definitely wouldn't call it a true standout. Rating: 6.5/10

Where Do Broken Hearts Go? (1988) - Sometimes, a stellar voice can't save a song. Whitney mania brought this song to #1, but it probably didn't deserve it. She sang beautifully, but the lyrics are boring and uninspiring. Where do broken hearts go? Either to a bar to get drunk or to their bedrooms with a pint of ice cream, a copy of Titanic, and some Kleenex. Too bad the answer wasn't included. Apparently, Whitney did not want to record this song (same reasons as me), but Clive Davis told her she would go to #1 with this. He was right, but he shoudn't have been. (NOTE: This was the song that got her infamously booed at the Soul Train Awards). Rating: 5/10

Brandon's Best and Worst...of the 2008 Teen Choice Awards

BEST

Blake Lively - Just her being there....(and she won some stuff too!). Best Dressed Female

Mariah Carey performing "I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time" - one of her best performances in the last few months

The "Do Something" Award Winner - It's nice to see normal kids rewarded for the good things they do.

Jonas Brothers' bodyguard getting a mini-surfboard - It's nice to see normal bodyguards rewarded for keeping three musical brothers from being mobbed/kidnapped/attacked/clothes torn off by crazed fans

Jojo - She hasn't done anything in awhile, but she looked fantastic

Jonas Brothers - Among their six awards tonight, they won something about Red Carpet Fashion. Tonight, they deserved it (even with Nick channeling Don Johnson from Miami Vice). Best Dressed Male(s).

The Dance Crew stuff - The ACDC Dance Crew kicked some serious ass.

Gossip Girl Dominance - It was no brainer that Gossip Girl would end up winning big at the TCA.

WORST

Miley Cyrus - I have seen some bad hosts before (Ryan Seacrest at last year's Emmys, for one), but she sucks. She sucks so bad, that she can barely get the audience hyped.

Ask The Jonas Brothers - I was bored by the second question. I know that the TCA people moderate the questions, but come on! Ask them anything, and those are the ones they are asked? GMAB.

Miley Cyrus Winning Choice Music Female Artist - OK, WTF!?!?!?!

Mariah's Outfit - I love you Mimi, but Blake Lively is dressed classier than you are, and right now, there are ads circulating across the country of her in mid-orgasm. If she is dressing classier than you are, and you are like 15 years older than her, there is a SERIOUS problem!

Lil' Mama's Outfit - What the HELL is was she wearing? I didn't know Little Bo Beep was hood!

Lauren Conrad winning ANYTHING - Isn't her 1/2 hour of fame up yet?

The Overall Show - Quite frankly, I was bored. I used to watch the TCA along with The Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, and it used to be really cool and exciting. Now that I'm actually a teen, hmmm, not so much.

[Picture of Blake Lively provided by JustJared]

The Dark Knight: Three Weeks At The Top

For the third week in a row, The Dark Knight has topped the box office weekend chart, knocking expected #1 The Mummy 3 to second place. Batman and pals brought in an estimated $43 million this weekend, coming in second place to Spider-Man for all-time third weekends. The movie has now brought in over $394 million in only three weeks, making one of the fastest grossing movies in history. It's currently in eighth place for the highest gross movies in the United States, and industry insiders are suggesting that, at this pace, the movie could surpass Titanic as the highest grossing movie in the US.

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor brought in $42 million this weekend, which is quite good considering the terrible reviews that surrounded the film. it was expected, however, to bring in at least $50 million. At #3 is the Will Ferrell film Step Brothers, and at #4 is Mamma Mia.

Emmy Nominee Christina Applegate Diagnosed With Breast Cancer

One of my favorite people, Christina Applegate, has revealed to the world that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

The actress, who was nominated for an Emmy for Samantha Who?, made the sad announcement through her spokesperson yesterday.

The good news is that the stage of cancer is early and not life-threatening. According to the statement, she is following the doctor's instructions and she is expected to make a full recovery.

She will be participating in the Stand Up For Cancer telethon on September 8th, which will air on the three big networks ABC, NBC, and CBS, alongside Meryl Streep and Jennifer Aniston.

Christina is known for many roles, including Kelly Bundy in Married...With Children and Rachel's sister on Friends (where I became a fan of hers). She also starred in the Broadway show Sweet Charity.

I hope very much for a speedy recovery. She's already gone through a lot this year, including the death of her boyfriend last month of a drug overdose. Don't forget to send your well-wishes her way.

Here is my favorite scene from hers, as Amy on Friends:

Mariah Performs "Side Effects" on Jimmy Kimmel

I preface this by saying I am a HUGE Mariah fan.

That said, this performance blew.

First off, it sounded like she was lipsyncing through 3/4 of the whole song. The only time it seemed like she wasn't was at the end. Even if she wasn't, that had to be one of the most boring Mariah vocals ever. For such a personal (and a bit angry) song like "Side Effects", she sang it as if it was nothing. No vocal inflections. No truly powerful moments. Nothing. It sounds just like it does on the album, but a bit worse.

When I am paying more attention to Young Jeezy at a Mariah performance, there is a SERIOUS problem!

What is going on with Mariah? Sick? Exhaustion? Something has to explain these (quite frankly) lackluster performances from this album era.

Classic Download of the Day: Nelly and Kelly Rowland's "Dilemma"

In the first half of the decade, Nelly was it in terms of hip-hop. Back then, Nelly was one of the genre's most innovative artists, bringing hip-hop further in the mainstream dominance. In 2002, he spent a cumulative 17 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, more than any artist that year. One of his chart-toppers was "Hot In Herre".

The other was "Dilemma".

His duet with Destiny Child's Kelly Rowland spent an amazing 10 weeks at #1, further solidfying him as chart royalty, and he deserved it. The song, which sampled a Patti LaBelle hit, stills sounds current 6 years later. His rap on the song is slick and reveals a sensitive side to the man who commanded listeners to take their clothes off. Kelly Rowland sounds great on the record, proving that Beyonce wasn't the only big talent in their group. The song's groove was perfect, and the hook is infectious (don't pretned you weren't singing it). Many songs from that year were disposable, yet if this was re-released, it would be a hit once again.

The success of the song had a serious effect on how hip-hop was received by mainstream. Soon, 50 Cent and Kanye West took to the airwaves, a path definitely made easier by "Dilemma". The song also showed the industry that collaborations with other genre artists were successful. Songs like "Over and Over" (Nelly and Tim McGraw), "Promiscuous", "Homecoming" and even SexyBack" were in someway affected by this song's smash success.

Rating: 8.5/10

You've Gotta Be Kidding Me: NYC MTA to Make Standing Only Train Cars!

Are they serious?

The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), which controls the one of the largest mass transits systems in the world in New York City, has revealed plans to implement standing-only train cars during rush hour, to allow more people on the train.

The Daily News reported that a portion of the train will have these cars, which still have seats for regular use. However, during rush hour, the seats will be folded and locked, in an attempt to fit more people on the train.

Um, DUMBEST IDEA EVER!

The biggest problem with the subway is the overcrowding. Please, the 6 train at 9 am can be an utter nightmare, and there are seats available. Imagine being on a train with no seats, everyone crammed into a car. There could be oxygen issues, pushing and shoving, B.O., and more pickpocketing.

No wonder the MTA is so deep in the red! They're idiots!

The test run begins in the next few months, although the lines have yet to be selected.

As long as the E and 6 trains are left alone, there won't be a problem.

First the fare hikes, now this. Push us any further MTA, us New Yorkers may end up walking to work or school!

Single Battle: David Cook v. David Archuleta

Now, I'm sure some will argue this single battle isn't fair because David Cook's first single was the coronation single, but it seems like the top 3 hit "Time of My Life" is getting a second wind.

In that case, what single is truly better?

Here's David C's:



And here's David A's:



After hearing both, which one do you like the most?

Facebook: Heath Ledger's Oscar Facebook Group

Fans of Heath Ledger's portrayal as the Joker in The Dark Knight have put together a group on Facebook to support his bid for a posthumous Academy Award.

The group is at 19,369 members (including myself).

If you think he deserves an Oscar (which he does) and you have a Facebook, join the group!

Here's the link: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22042728545

WORST: Does General Hospital Hate Rick Hearst?

He's been in bad story after bad story for months, and whenever his character shows a bit of growth, the story is scrapped.

Rumors have been escalating about Rick Hearst leaving ABC soap General Hospital for the past few weeks, and I can't help but wonder whether or not the writers (Robert Guza in particular) has been deliberately driving him out.

Rick Hearst is unarguably one of daytime drama's most gifted performers. He has received 3 Daytime Emmys over the course of his career, two of them from his current home at GH. One of Hearst's greatest talents is his ability to make the viewer sympathize with him, even when his character did bad things. That skill came in handy with many of his roles, especially Alan-Michael Spaulding on Guiding Light, Whip Jones on Bold and the Beautiful, and his current role as Ric Lansing. Despite his many heinous crimes, including chaining a pregnant woman in a panic room and cheating on his cancer-ridden wife with her daughter, people still love Ric Lansing and his portrayer, because of his multi-layered performances. You would think that his acting prowess would make him an asset to the writers.

Nope.

Since his arival in 2002, Rick's character has continually played second-fiddle to his half-brother Sonny Corinthos, played by Maurice Benard. The character has been sacrificed repeatedly for the sake of maintaining the show's focus on "lead" characters Sonny and Jason Morgan (played by fellow Emmy winner Steve Burton). Despite their waning popularity, the duo, along with their peripheral characters, have always won out against Ric. Many of his storylines have been terrible and almost irredeemable to viewers. The possible last straw was when Ric's love interest Marianna was thrown off the show and, in retaliation, he got psycho Anthony Zacchara out of jail. Since then, Ric has become a secondary character, despite Sonny's continued dominance (and Benard's continued uninspiring performances).

Now, whispers about Rick Hearst's contract negotiations have been grown louder, and many are suggesting he's leaving. Internet soap spoiler queen Raven has alluded to the possibility months ago, but never before has the possibility been more real.

It's pretty clear GH doesn't really like Rick Hearst or his character very much, hence his storylines (and lack thereof), and they may be getting what they want if Rick doesn't resign later this year. If that's the case, its the show's loss. Rick (and former screen partner Nancy Lee Grahn, for that matter) deserves much better, so if or when the time comes, I'm sure he'll find a much better role (Guiding Light, you better get that money ready).

TV Alert: French First Lady Carla Bruni on 20/20

Remember my post introducing the French president's wife Carla Bruni (the British media was toting her as the new Diana)?

Well the woman who set Britain into a tizzy is making her US television debut in an interview with Barbra Walters on 20/20.

Will she be well-received? Will people even care?

If you do, check it out at 10 PM EST

UNBELIEVABLE! The Montauk Monster!

People here in NYC are in a frenzy over the freakiest looking thing ever to wash up on the shores of Montauk, Long Island.

The creature, named "The Montauk Monster", has become an internet sensation after Gawker.com put it up on their website.

The question is, of course, what the hell is it?

I have heard people call it a decomposing dog, or a raccoon. Honestly, I don't think it looks like either. That has to be something we've never seen before.

I'll be updating continually about this story. Wouldn't it be cool if it was some undiscovered species?

DOTD Repost: Duffy's "Warwick Avenue"

Duffy is releasing her new single "Warwick Avenue" to pop radio this week, so I have decided to repost the song's Download of the Day (it was originally UK only).

This song, titled "Warwick Avenue" is absolutely fantastic, almost better than "Mercy", her breakout single. Her voice has a real platform to shine here, sounding hauntingly beautiful in this sad song about her dumping a boyfriend. If anyone had doubts about her voice before, this song dispels them. It also dispels the belief that she's an Amy Winehouse knock-off. Her voice is smoother, lighter than the anguished soul present in Amy's voice. That doesn't mean she can't sing soul; it makes listening just a bit more pleasant.

Lyrically, its a nice song about a girl having enough of her hurtful boyfriend, ready to dump him on Warwick Avenue (I'm assuming its a place in Wales). Its nice to hear a breakup song that isn't overt and confrontational; it shows the mutual anguish of a dying relationship.

"Warwick Avenue" is a fantastic follow-up to "Mercy", and I hope this song propels Duffy to even more US success.

RATING: 8/10