I'd say it's nice to talk about Britney Spears for her music rather than her bizarre personal antics but I pretty much hate her music. I guess I'm glad that we're not getting reports of her endangering her children. See, look at me all grow'd up and looking for the silver lining! Conspicuous in her absence from the singles and album charts is Mariah Carey. Staying power? Not so much. Well, not so far. The only other notable adds to the chart are Iyaz, Justin Bieber, and Owl City. That's more shakeup than we've seen in recent weeks. I'm going to make a note to go listen to clips of those songs.
Crooner Michael Buble lands the top spot on the albums chart this week with his latest, Crazy Love. Of most interest to on the list is the new album from Paramore. I've been immersed in the buzz about this band and their album. I've read some of the articles but I'm still not sure I have a sense of what they're all about. I get the impression I'm supposed to be listening to them but I'm not sure I'm compelled to do it just yet. In that way, they're like The Decemberists. They seem to be on that unwritten list of bands you're supposed to be listening to. I'll make a mental note to consider them.
No surprise to see the New Moon soundtrack on the list. That has become a cash cow at a time when the entertainment world would have you believe they need it. It's tough for me to feel sorry for these labels and studios. The Roseanne Cash album is a welcome surprise. That's not the kind of album I'd have expected to see make the Top 10. It's got a compelling story behind it, too. Her father gave her a list of songs she should know before she started her own career. Now she's recorded those songs and recruited Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, and Jeff Tweedy to duet with her. The least welcome surprise on this list is the Backstreet Boys' comeback album This Is Us. BSB probably took more than their share of the shit for the boyband craze but I still carry a burning hatred for their music in my heart.
Article comments
1 - Mark Saleski
the only Brittany i've liked was "Oops, I Did It Again"...but that was only when Richard Thompson covered it.
gotta get the Roseanne Cash.
2 - Tom Johnson
True story, only tangentially related to this piece: I was behind a car at a stop light with a Michael Buble window sticker, which I thought was weird by itself, but on the opposite side of the window was a sticker proclaiming "GROBANITES." Doesn't that sound like a disease? "Urgh, man, I'm not feeling so well. I think I'm coming down with grobanites." From what I've heard of his music, it's a painful affliction either way.
3 - Mark Saleski
Buble is like watered down Sinatra. sort of. actually, that's not really fair, as the guy is not without talent...he's just mining old territory.