Which Albums Are You Looking Forward To In 2011?

There are lots of superstars and indie faves slated to release new albums this year!

The one I'm most excited for is Lady Gaga's Born This Way, due May 23. Elton John says the title track will be a gay anthem like no other, that single releases on the eve of Valentines Day and rumor has it Gaga will be performing it at the Grammy's that night. Her last two albums have been nothing short of perfect, and I expect good thing!

Another Pictures & Conversations fave, the legendary Ms. Britney Spears, has just released a lead single from her as-yet-untitled seventh studio album. "Hold It Against Me" leaves a good taste in my mouth for the rest of the album, especially if her producers continue in this dub-step vein. Rumored to release March 15.

No Doubt are set to release a new one this year as well. Details are skimpy, and I can't help but wonder if Gwen Stefani's solo work will be an influence on the bands sound.

Other pop stars rumored to be releasing new shizzle in 2011 are Beyonce and Kelly Clarkson. Let's hope there are no "Already Gone"/"Halo" issues this go round! Also, new discs from Avril Lavigne, Gorrillaz and comedy music troupe The Lonely Island. Amy Winehouse in performing again, which may lead to a new album.

From a less glossy pop world, I'm very excited for new music from Adele. Her sophomore disc 21 comes out in less than two weeks. "Rolling In The Deep" landed on my top songs of last year, it's a departure from "Hometown Glory" and "Chasing Pavements" but feels like it comes from the same headspace.

Santigold and Patrick Wolf have albums in the works, and REM is slated to release Collapse Into Now this spring.

From the rap scene, Jay-Z and Kanye West have teamed for a EP called Watch The Throne. I'm not sure I can handle any more Yeezy. But what about Wheezy? The prolific Lil Wayne is also working on a possible new album.

So, what albums have you marking your calendars?

Sooooo... Do We Like The New Britney Single?

Britney Spears' new single has arrived!

The lyrics are classic Britney: tarty, flirty and bouncy. Yeah, the chorus is a repeat of a classic pick up line, but who cares? I'm kinda digging it. And she looks so pretty in the single cover.

9 Things About The New Britney Single & Singles Collection

Britney dropped a naughty new single a few weeks ago in prep for a new singles collection. These are the things you need to know:

1: The song is called "3"

2: It was co-written by longtime Britney Spears collaborator Max Martin, writer of "...Baby, One More Time," "Oops... I Did It Again" and "If U Seek Amy"


3: Yes, it's about three-ways.

4: Peter, Paul & Mary are mentioned in the chorus. The folk trio have never admited to having a threeway. Mary Travers, lone female member of the group, passed away September 16 - thirteen days before "3" was released to radio. That gives her ample time to roll over in her grave.

5: "3" will be included as the only newly recorded track for The Singles Collection. This is the second hits package from Britney.

6: "3" debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the first time a single has done so since Taylor Hicks' "Do I Make You Proud?" in 2006.

7: Britney's first hits package, Greatest Hits: My Perogative, included two new singles, "My Perogative" and "Do Somethin'" Neither single is included on the regular The Singles Collection.

8: The Singles Collection Box Set will include all 29 singles and a b-side or remix for each. I want it.

9: The box set also includes a DVD of 26 of Britney's videos, including the shitty ones. "Boys" is missing, and the fans are PISSED.

Now you know. And knowledge is power.

Britney Has Horses and Eurotrash On Her "Radar"

Little Miss Workhorse Brit-Brit is releasing a fourth single from Circus, this time a reheated Blackout track called "Radar." I was not a fan the first time around, but since it's Britney, bitch, I figured I give the video a try. It's a weirdly slow paced horse-racing themed video, with slow pans over horses being sprayed down and jockeys braiding horse tails. In fact, the whole video reminds me of the music videos they play at gay bars of random euro-pop singles, like it was directed by a Italian former Eurovison contestant or something. (Actually it's frequent Britney director Dave Meyers.) The song is also oddly paced, I would have prefered "Unusual You" as the next single. But what can you do, but watch:

Britney Spears : Radar (Official Video) HQ
by wonderful-life1989

Britney Is Begging To "If You Seek Amy" In Saucy New Video

OK, so Britney is hosting this orgy in her suburban house the other night. And there's these shirtless guys wearing suspenders and hot dancers dressed as cheerleaders having a bit of a circle jerk. Then the dancers are bumpin' and grindin' and chillin' on the staircase while Britney changes into a pink sweater set. Her hubby throws a sweater over his shoulders and her and the kids take a pie out to the paparazzi. Y'know, just a typical day in West Hollywood.

Oh, and she has a new video, too...

Britney Spears If U Seek Amy [Official Musiq Video]
by lilwayneTV

A Coupla Thoughts On "Circus"

I didn't buy it, but I wanted to! Britney Spears' sixth studio album, Circus, was released last week and is poised to hit number one on the Billboard charts. Little wonder, her comeback is really in full swing. iMeem.com has had the full disc for preview since before Thanksgiving (I listened while baking pies) which gave me a chance to sample, since I have place a moratorium on new CD purchases until after Christmas. Last year I went ahead and bought Blake Lewis's Audio Day Dream and also got a copy for Christmas. I will not repeat that mistake!

I have just a few thoughts, a full review will wait until after I get the disc and live with it for a while. "Unusual You" is my clear favorite, it reminds me of my favorite off of Blackout, "Heaven On Earth." Slow, seductive, softly electronic; the track has some killer lyrics: "Didn't anyone tell you, you're supposed to break my heart. I expect you, so why haven't you?" and a great Pet Shop Boys-style slow electronic sound. Bloodshy & Avant really did a hellava job producing this track.

I'm also loving the two first singles, "Womanizer" and "Circus" as well as the ridiculous wordplay of "If You Seek Amy" (say it fast, you'll get it...) It's seriously dancefloor friendly, although not as heavy and experimental as Blackout. It does have at least one major dud - "Mmm, Papi" is awful.

Also, tacking on "Radar" from Blackout at the end is weird, it's just a reminder that if Britney had been able to promote Blackout, that album could have been a major pop force. If Fergie and PCD could go 5 and 6 singles deep of their albums, so could Britney. She just didn't have the videos and TV appearances. Blackout is better than Circus, but Circus is still a fabulous electronic collection.

Um, Is 'Womanizer' The Best Britney Video Ever?

Joseph Kahn's 'director's cut' version of Britney Spears' "Womanizer" just posted over at MTV's Buzzworthy Blog, and it may just be her best clip ever. Which is saying a lot, since Britney has made her career by constantly shocking us and turning us on with her music videos. As much as her idol Madonna, Britney has used the camera again and again to capture the public's attention.

In this new clip we get Britney in wigs, (like her brilliant "Toxic" clip) naked Britney, (really, totes nude!) Britney as office worker, waitress and chauffeur (I have a feeling Patrick from Coupling would enjoy this music video muchly) and a half naked dude (always welcome, thanks Brit!) and all the Britneys attacking the title cad at the end.

It's a frenetic clip, which matches the song's sound, with some of the sexiest dancing Britney has done since "I'm A Slave 4 U" and I for one am beyond ecstatic to have the crazy-good Britney back. Plus the in-jokes are fabulous; like when the womanizer checks his phone and he has a "product placement meeting" in his calendar and the office drone in the copy room appears to be the same dude Britney joined the mile-high club with in "Toxic." Watch:

Those Are The Videos Of The Year?

It's true, I am an old person trapped in an almost 25-year-old body. I will freely admit this. But please tell me I'm not the only one disappointed in the 2008 Video Of The Year nominees! Check out the noms here.

First off, the Pussycat Dolls had some hot videos off their first disc, I'm not gonna lie. I loved "Buttons" and "Beep." But "When I Grow Up" is the dumbest "song" I've heard in ages, and the video does absolutely nothing for me. They dance on top of cars (just like in "Wait a Minute") and on scaffolding (just like Paula Abdul) and on the sidewalk (just like "Singing In The Rain") The shot of them dancing in front of a lit-up "PUSSYCAT DOLLS" features some decent dancing, but I've seen better in a Danity Kane video. And the Day-Glo outfits? That pink jacket worn by Nicole should be reason enough to bar this video from being seen by people who are not legally blind.

The Jonas Brothers are an unstoppable force, I get it. I heard "Burning Up" played twice at a gay bar this weekend, which makes me think the DJ was a Boy Scout going for his pedophile badge. But the video treatment that's nominated is NOT the one they are playing on MTV. I've seen the JoBros way too many times on the MTV and all they do is play by the pool. But the version on the Nominees page is cut between the poolside pickups and some goofy fake action movie scenes. It's cute, but it should hardly stand next to "Video Of The Year" winners like "Nothing Compares 2 U" or "Work It"

I'm in love with "Forever" by Chris Brown. The video is pretty meh, but I can't hate on the amazing song. Never gonna win, though. And Britney's surprisingly self-aware look at the tabloids that she toys with and engages in a torrid love/hate affair with in "Piece Of Me" would be my pick for "Video Of The Year" if it weren't for the stunning Chic-meets-White Stripes fun of The Ting Tings' "Shut Up And Let Me Go." That song is catchy, quirky, new and worthy of being nominated. The video is cool, too...

So who should have been nominated? First big snub is Leona Lewis, who may not have had a showstopper of a video in "Bleeding Love" but that song is so freaking major, I would have nominated it anyway. And Eryka Badu's "Honey" was one of the coolest things I've seen all year, with the recreation of classic album covers like Let It Be. Duffy got all emotional and real with her second single "Warwick Avenue" which deserves some love. Who can forget Robyn? Any one of her videos are miles ahead of the competition. Mariah Carey got silly with 30 Rock's Kenneth The Page in "Touch My Body"'s nerd-centric fantasy gags. And for giving even gay guy's wood with her lipstick lesbian ways, Katy Perry deserves a nod for "I Kissed A Girl."

Five Songs On Shuffle, Volume 20

This is the nineteenth installments of my weekly blog entry series "5 Songs On Shuffle." I’ll put my iTunes on shuffle and blog about the first five songs that play.

"Boys (Co-ed Remix)" - Britney Spears feat. Pharrell Williams Greatest Hits: My Perogitive
"Boys/Sometimes a girl just needs one" Brit-Brit coos over a hot Neptunes beat (the same one as ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake's "Senorita") before her love for a certain ghetto fabulous one took her over the edge into insanity. Remember when Britney was the pop princess with perfectly sexy/sweet hooks? Yeah, we like that one better.

"Crazy on You" - Heart The Essential Heart
The acoustic guitar intro that leads up to Ann Wilson going crazy on you is sleek Cali rock at it's finest. But once Ann hits the chorus, you know she done went and sang it! Not as intense as "Alone" or insane as "Barracuda" but there is nothing wrong with any Heart track, in my opinion.

"Walk Away" - Kelly Clarkson Breakaway
From the burned copy my sister gave me, on which she wrote "Kelly Clarkson - Break Way" comes the song with the best video from that modern classic pop album. We've all done it, rocked out to some Kelly in the car, while at work or in the public restroom. Kelly, I don't think I can walk away.

"Lovestoned/I Think She Know" - Justin Timberlake Future Sex/Love Sounds
The last two and a half minutes or so of this track, the "I Think She Knows Interlude" is a perfect pop song in and of itself. The soft falsetto of Justin's voice riding on a swirl of strings, beat and guitar strumming is perfect. I could listen to just that part all day.

"Sexual Eruption (Fyre Department Remix)" - Snoop Dogg feat. Robyn Sexual Eruption [Fyre Department Remix] - Single
The hottest remix this year, hands down. The beat is not self-conciously retro anymore, Robyn brings her Scadinavian cool to a new naughty chorus, and a perfect dirty-pop track is born.

Five Songs On Shuffle Volume 16

This is the sixteenth installments of my weekly blog entry series "5 Songs On Shuffle." I’ll put my iTunes on shuffle and blog about the first five songs that play.

"Summertime" - Nina Simone Trouble On My Mind
This jazzy interpretation of the Gershwin classic has one of the longest instrumental intros of any song on my iPod. The vocals don't start until about halfway through the song. It has a more free form style than her version on Verve Jazz Masters 17 disc, or the Billie Holiday, Sandi Patty or Fantasia versions that are also on my iPod. I do love me some jazz standards!

"Lucky Star" - Madonna The Immaculate Collection
One of the Material Girl's earliest hits, "Lucky Star" is just post-disco fun. Bubblegummy and sweet, it just makes you want to bop around the kitchen while you do the dishes or sing along at the top of your lungs in the car. While she has had better pop hits, this one started it all and I must give my props.

"Stronger" - Britney Spears Greatest Hits: My Perogative
Not one of my favorites among Brit's pop hits, but an OK girl power/breakup song. I much prefer Kanye's Stronger to Britney's, though.

"Big Girls Don't Cry" - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons Malt Shop Memories: Save The Last Dance [Disc 1]
I just downloaded this box set on my iTunes this afternoon. I borrowed it from my Grammy, cause I don't have enough old school music in my iPod, and that just won't do. I listened to the oldies stations a lot as a teenager, and I have no patience for those who dislike the "old junk." The boy bands of today couldn't have happened with out the blueprint of groups like this, the "indie" rock scene takes a lot from the garage bands of the sixties. As Solomon said in, "There is no new thing under the sun."

"The Lighthouses Tale" - Nickel Creek Reasons Why: The Very Best
This is a sad bluegrass ballad, which tells the tale of lighthouse keeper meets girl, girl falls for keeper, girl dies at sea, keeper jumps off lighthouse. I love the more non-traditional bluegrass-meets-alternative songs of Nickel Creek, but there is nothing wrong with something more traditional and folksy.

5 10 Songs on Shuffle - Volume 14/15

This is the fourteenth & fifteenth installments of my weekly blog entry series "5 Songs On Shuffle." I’ll put my iTunes on shuffle and blog about the first five songs that play. Since I didn't post last week I'm doing a double post this week, called Five Ten Songs On Shuffle.

"A Deeper Love" - Aretha Franklin Sister Act 2: Back In The Habit Soundtrack
This is actually my favorite movie of all time, mostly due to Lauryn Hill's amazing version of "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" and the stupid/funny opening Vegas number. This song is a dance track which was produced by '90s superproducers C & C Music Factory. It's fun to dance to, but nothing more than that.

"She's Not Me" - Madonna Hard Candy
This is the longest track of the new Madonna album, produced by the Neptunes and featuring funky basswork from Prince protege Wendy Melvoin. It's a funktified disco track about a girl who tries inmitate Madge while stealing her man. Perfect for a rollerdisco!

"A Foggy Day" - Sandi Patty Together
I borrowed this album from the library when I was 19, and learned the glories of the Gershwin brothers masterful creations. Gospel superstar's Sandi Patty and Kathy Trocolli performed standards on the disc, Patty did mostly compsitions by the Gershwin's and Trocolli did songs performed by Judy Garland as well as a few duets and original jazz songs. While my favorite Ira Gershwin lyrics are from "The Man I Love" I do enjoy this one to. It's makes me want to move to London even more than I usually do.

"Smell Like Teen Spirit" - Nirvana Nevermind
One of the most iconic tracks from the most iconic album by the iconic grunge band. I may be a pop fan through and through, but who can deny the power and emotion behind the vocals, despite the fact the lyrics make no sense, and the title was an insult about smelling like chick deoderant. The guitars and drums and vocals combine on a serious pop record dressed in grungy flannel. Seriously, if Kelly Rowland loves it, why can't I?

"No" - Shakira Fijicion Oral Vol. One
The English language Volume Two may have yeilded the monster hit "Hips Don't Lie" but on this disc one finds pop tracks worth hearing like the original Spanish version of the minor hit "Don't Bother" and this gorgous acoustic ballad. I have no idea what Shakira is saying on the follow up single to "La Tortura" but her vocals convey enough emotion and power to let you know something painful is happening. I really love this song.

"Must Have Done Something Right" - Relient K Five Score And Seven Years Ago
The first single from the latest studio album by the Ohio natives, it's not one of my favorites from the album. It's a little cheesy, but with a catchy Sound Of Music-quoting chorus. The rest of the album is better.

"Immigrant Song" - Led Zeppelin Early Days: Best Of Led Zeppelin Vol. 1
I'm not much of a classic rock fan, but the opening riff is so memorable you almost have to have this song on your iPod. So I do.

"Stuntin' Like A Black Rock" - Birdman & Lil' Wayne vs Black Rock The Hood Internet Mixtape Vol. 1
Black Rock provide a funky garage-pop backing to Birdman and Lil' Wayne's boastful raps that put me in mind of Nancy Sintatra as a thug. Don't ask, my mind goes places it shouldn't when the music is bumping.

"Crash And Burn Girl" - Robyn Robyn
"I should write a song about you/and all the shit you do" is the opening line of this track off Robyn's stellar pop record, current front-runner for my album of the year. So Robyn does write a song about a girl who fucks up her love life over and over again, but not without admitting: "Everytime you mess it up like that I see myself in you"

"Gimme More" - Britney Spears Blackout
It's Britney, bitch! The comeback single from the pop-diva-cum-tabloid-baby zigs with quirky synth lines, zags with vocoded vocals and a beat to cause gaysted club boys and girls to lose their shirt and grind on the nearest pole. You want more? I've give you more!

Britney on HIMYM

Last night was the eagerly anticipated "How I Met Your Mother" with Britney Spears making a special appearance. It was a great episode, but that had little to do with Brit. Sarah Chalke (from "Scrubs" and "Roseanne") also guested as a dermatologist who removes Ted's tramp stamp (he got it in the Mandy Moore epi) and was the center of sweet story of mutual crushing that ultimately can't go anywhere. Britney was her receptionist. She falls for Ted, and while her acting was a little wooden, it worked since she was playing a ditz. Although, I think it was the same character she played on "Will & Grace" but whatever works. She didn't overtake the episode, but she didn't exactly establish herself as being "back."

Two Pop Culture Predictions

Prediction one: On tonight's "How I Met Your Mother" Britney Spears will be competently funny, but still not prove she is a comedic actress. But we will all love her cause she's not all crazy and shit. I'll review the epi tomorrow, cause that's how I roll. I love me some Britney, and I really hope gets her act together.

Prediction two: On tomorrow night's "American Idol" (if it is Songs From The Year You Were Born night) cutie D. Arch will do "Everything I Do (I Do For You)" I swear that boy loves a tender ballad, and he already did "Heaven" on Hollywood week.

So, predictions cast in Internet stone, let's see if I'm the next Nostradamus or the next Miss Cleo.