Kristen Stewart in "New Moon"
Photo: Summit Entertainment

Early last November, weeks before Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart introduced the world to "Twilight" movie madness, the film's soundtrack shot straight to the top of the Billboard albums chart. After conquering bookstores and on its way to a $70 million opening weekend at theaters, "Twilight" had showed it could rock your iPod too.

Fast-forward a year, and it's set to happen again. Little more than a month before "New Moon" premieres, the movie's soundtrack is looking to make a splash when it drops Friday (October 16). MTV News has been mapping the universe of "New Moon" music for months — which bands made the cut, which bands didn't, what the lucky few had to say about being selected — and we've gathered all our reporting together so you will know everything there is to know about the movie's tunes, in MTV's "New Moon" soundtrack cheat sheet:

The First Soundtrack
News about the original "Twilight" soundtrack started to trickle out as early as April 2008, when MTV News visited the movie's Oregon set and reported that to the disc. That summer at Comic-Con, director Catherine Hardwicke confirmed the info, saying he'd composed three songs. While only one RPattz track, "Never Think," made the cut, the Brit actor was joined on the soundtrack by Muse, Paramore, Perry Farrell and Linkin Park, among others.

" 'Twilight' really caught my attention and held it," Paramore's Hayley Williams told MTV News that September. "I'm really excited to see the book adapted to film and excited that our band gets to be a part of the phenomenon."

The soundtrack ended up selling 164,700 its first week on its way to achieving double-platinum status.

Collecting the 'New Moon' Sounds
Which bands would get the call for the soundtrack sequel? For months, there was a whole lot of speculation without much in the way of solid answers. Coldplay, Kelly Clarkson, Thom Yorke and the Kings of Leon were among the names floated early on. The first verified news came in August, when MTV News revealed that Death Cab for Cutie had secured the soundtrack's first single with their tune "Meet Me on the Equinox." We then premiered the song during VMA weekend.

After weeks of guesswork and insider leaks, "Twilight" author Stephenie Meyer unveiled the full track list on her Web site September 21. The artists and bands included Muse, the Killers, Thom Yorke, Lykke Li and OK Go.

The Artists Speak
Ever since the lineup went public, MTV News has been hitting up these musicians for their thoughts on joining the "Twilight" universe and the inside word about the songs they've contributed.

"We were all really excited to be asked to write for it, because it had become such a massive phenomenon," Death Cab frontman Ben Gibbard said. "We wrote and recorded the song and turned it in, and you hoped the people deemed it worthy."

It was indeed deemed worthy, as was the track recorded by Bon Iver and St. Vincent called "Rosyln." "I think there's something vampirey and creepy about the two of us singing together," said St. Vincent, whose real name is Annie Clark. "It's a simple, stripped-down kind of song. It's really elegant and beautiful."

Swedish singer Lykke Li revealed that she caught an early viewing of "New Moon," sat down at the piano and composed "Possibility." "It's almost like a fever haze," she explained. "It's very repetitive, like a mood you go into. ... The lyrics are like, 'When you walk, you walk like a thief with blood on your hands, because I die when you leave me.' "

Returning for the second "Twilight" soundtrack, Muse said they were thankful for the increased exposure. "I think our music has reached out to whole loads of new people that haven't heard us before," drummer Dominic Howard said. "It's great to know that people are discovering our music. It's a nice side project to be involved in."

The Vampire Future
The "Twilight" future is actually arriving a bit early this year — four days, to be exact — after the soundtrack release date was shifted from October 20 to October 16. But what comes next? "Eclipse," the third of the franchise films, is in the midst of shooting in Vancouver. Which musicians might make it onto that soundtrack?

Muse have hinted that the band will be contributing music yet again to the franchise. "We might even do something for the third one," Howard told us. "How about that for a scoop?"

But for now, it's all just speculation. And here's some more: Jackson Rathbone, who plays vampire Jasper Cullen, leads a band called 100 Monkeys, which is providing the soundtrack and score for his upcoming movie "Girlfriend." Could this mean that Rathbone might show up on "Eclipse," as Pattinson did on "Twilight"?

"We'd love it," Rathbone told MTV News in June. "[But] we're not really pushing for it. It's one of those things where if they want to put our song on the album, I'm not going to complain."

Check out everything we've got on "The Twilight Saga: New Moon."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

• MTV News Extended Play: 'New Moon' Soundtrack

• The 'New Moon' Soundtrack Artists

• Death Cab For Cutie
• Muse
• Lykke Li
• OK Go

Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson in "New Moon"
Photo: Summit Entertainment

So here's the thing about vampires: I always thought they had terrible taste in music.

This is mostly because the only vampires I knew were the kids in drama club who wore ruffled shirts and crushed-velvet capes and smoked clove cigarettes behind the 7-Eleven off Wekiva Springs Road. They were very pale and smelled like patchouli and listened to Fields of the Nephilim and "dark cabaret" and "ethereal wave" and crap like that. There were goblets. Weathered copies of "Call of Cthulhu." Ankhs. I seem to remember the occasional Alien Sex Fiend T-shirt too.

Anyway, I always thought they were pretty ridiculous (something about black PVC dresses and Slurpees doesn't seem right), and that went doubly for their music, which seemed downright cartoonish to me. And though today, I realize that, A) those kids were not actually vampires but goths — or some suburbanized, Central Florida approximation thereof — and B) Bauhaus actually made a good record or two, I still can't shake my initial prejudices. I hate vampires, and I hate vampire music.

Stephenie Meyer and Alexandra Patsavas are trying to change that. I think they might actually succeed too.

You are probably familiar with both of them. Meyer is, of course, the author of the fang-tastic "Twilight" series. Patsavas is the music supervisor responsible for putting most of your favorite bands on TV shows over the past decade. They have joined forces on the soundtrack for "New Moon," which might be the best collection of vampire music ever released — mostly because none of it is actually vampire music.

Rather, the "New Moon" soundtrack (which will be released on Friday) is made up almost entirely of indie-rock acts, including songs by Grizzly Bear, Bon Iver, Lykke Li and Thom-Freaking-Yorke (and the Killers too). There is nary a cape or clove in site. Sure, some of the stuff — OK, most — is still dark (perhaps Patsavas' instructions were to "tone it down" or "up the murk"), but the Sisters of Mercy it ain't. This is scruffy, beard-scratching music. The kind of stuff I would actually listen to!

I am not sure how vampires are taking this, but I can imagine there is much displeasure in sepulchers and 7-Eleven parking lots around the world. Whether they intended or not, Meyer and Patsavas have forever changed the game. They have brought vampire music to the masses — or at least the masses who wear glasses and own record players and bought tickets to the Pavement reunion.

And, yes, I know "New Moon" has about as much to do with vampire noir as "90210" has to do with the city of Beverly Hills (and I mean that in whatever way you want to take it), but clearly, something has happened here. I'm not sure if it's even a good thing, but for the first time in my life, there is a chance that I will be listening to the same thing on my iPod as my (not so) friendly neighborhood goth. The "New Moon" soundtrack has bridged the divide. It has ended prejudices by reinventing vampire rock as the kind of stuff you'd read about on music blogs.

Does it matter that nothing on the soundtrack could even charitably be described as "vampirish" or "gothic" or even "spooky?" (Aside from OK Go — those dudes are evil.) I don't think so. We live in fractured times, where authenticity is akin to distressed denim and musical genres are as wobbly as Jenga towers. If I want to consider myself a vampire, who's to say I'm wrong? I may be allergic to patchouli, and I do not possess an unslakable thirst for blood, but according to Meyer and Patsavas, I am now officially a member of the undead. Or at least we have the same record collections.

And that's pretty spooky, when you think about it. Vampire rock is accessible now, which should do wonders for Slurpee sales — and another Bauhaus reunion. Dracula is psyched. You should be too.

Questions? Concerns? Hit me up at BTTS@MTVStaff.com.

• MTV News Extended Play: 'New Moon' Soundtrack

• The 'New Moon' Soundtrack Artists

• Death Cab For Cutie
• OK Go

Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner in "New Moon"
Photo: Summit Entertainment

You hear a lot about albums being pushed back for a bit of track tweaking or new recording, but unless a CD leaks early online, you rarely see release dates for major CDs pushed forward.

But when you're dealing with anything "Twilight"-related, the old rules don't apply. According to a press release issued on Tuesday (October 13), due to "overwhelming and unprecedented" demand, the release date for the soundtrack to "New Moon" is being pushed up by four days from its original October 20 release to this Friday, October 16.

That means the disc will be in stores more than a full month before "New Moon" hits screens on November 20. The heat on the soundtrack has carefully been stoked by a series of slow reveals of the goods, beginning with the unveiling of the Death Cab for Cutie contribution, "Meet Me on the Equinox," during last month's VMAs, followed by the song's video premiere last week.

The full lineup of the soundtrack was released last month, boasting such household names as Radiohead's Thom Yorke, Muse, the Killers, OK Go, Grizzly Bear and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and lesser-known acts such as Band of Skulls, Lykke Li, Anya Marina, Bon Iver with St. Vincent, Hurricane Bells, Sea Wolf and the Editors. And then, just this last week, 30-second clips of all of the songs appeared online on the UK Amazon.com site.

Read our interviews with Lykke Li and OK Go about their connection to the "Twilight" saga, and check back with MTV News all week long for more stories about the "New Moon" soundtrack.

Check out everything we've got on "The Twilight Saga: New Moon."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

• MTV News Extended Play: 'New Moon' Soundtrack
• Exclusive Video Premiere: Death Cab For Cutie's 'Equinox'

• "New Moon"

• Death Cab For Cutie
• OK Go
• Lykke Li

OK Go's Timothy Jay Nordwind and Damian Kulash
Photo: MTV News

For most of the early part of their career, OK Go have been known as "the treadmill band" after scoring a massive viral hit with their video for "Here It Goes Again," a lo-fi affair that featured the band performing a tightly choreographed, all-in-one-take dance on a series of treadmills. Now they hope to graduate to a level that Paramore and Muse both know well: the "Twilight" band.

The group contributed a brand-new song called "Shooting the Moon" to the soundtrack for the upcoming film "New Moon."

"We're flattered," frontman Damian Kulash told MTV News. "It's a really amazing set of bands. It's a huge deal. We grew up listening to the 'Pretty in Pink' soundtrack, and I sort of feel like this 'New Moon' soundtrack is like 'Pretty in Pink' for the new generation — foxy female lead, the kind of loser guy who becomes a sexpot and of course the 1,000-year-old witch/vampire type."

Though the band jokes that their song was selected for the soundtrack based on the title alone, they actually have a bit of history with author Stephenie Meyer. "She asked us to play one of her book-launch parties," Kulash said. "She thanked us in the back of one of the books, because I guess she listens to our music a lot when she's writing. We feel a particular kinship with her, even though we've never met her."

Of course, having a song on the "New Moon" soundtrack comes with responsibilities. For instance: Are they Team Edward or Team Jacob? "I'm gonna go Edward. In that lineup, we're closest to skinny vampire," frontman Damian Kulash explained.

"I'm pretty hairy, so maybe I am a werewolf," bassist Tim Nordwind added.

Kulash finally settled it. "So maybe we're three-quarters Edward, one-quarter Jacob," he said.

Check out everything we've got on "The Twilight Saga: New Moon."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

• MTV News Extended Play: 'New Moon' Soundtrack

• The 'New Moon' Soundtrack Artists

• OK Go

John Legend and Scarlett Johansson in the video for "Yes We Can"
Photo: dipdive.com

While Barack Obama barnstorms the country trying to drum up votes in advance of Super Tuesday, a wildly diverse cross section of musical supporters, including the Black Eyed Peas' Will.I.Am, OK Go and former members of the Grateful Dead, are lending a hand.

One of the biggest Obama-boosting efforts comes courtesy of Will.I.Am, who recently teamed with director Jesse Dylan (son of Bob Dylan) to release a music video called "Yes We Can." The Bob Marley-like anthem turns the Illinois senator's January 8 New Hampshire primary-night address into lyrics performed by Will, as well as almost 40 other actors, celebrities and athletes, including John Legend, Kate Walsh, Aisha Tyler, Amber Valletta, Taryn Manning, Nicole Scherzinger, Common, Scarlett Johansson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Herbie Hancock and Nick Cannon.

The song was recorded less than a week ago in Los Angeles, and the "We Are the World"-style video features the stars reciting or singing along to the Obama speech on top of a stark black background, with intercut clips of the candidate delivering the address as Legend croons the refrain: "Yes we can!" Since it was posted on Friday, it has already garnered more than a million views on YouTube and 10 million on the host site, YesWeCanSong.com, according to a spokesperson for the project.

Explaining his inspiration for the song, Will wrote in an accompanying blog post on the site that he was in a recording studio watching one of the presidential debates and feeling torn between candidates when the idea struck him. "I was never really big on politics ... and actually, I'm still not big on politics," he wrote. But "the outcome of the last two elections has saddened me ... on how unfair, backwards, upside down, unbalanced, untruthful, corrupt and just simply, how wrong the world and politics are. ... So this year I wanted to get involved and do all I could, early."

But lacking a clear choice, as he suspected many people were, Will said he was ready to wait for a candidate to emerge as the (presumably Democratic) nominee without his help. "And then came New Hampshire ... and I was captivated ... inspired," he wrote. "I reflected on my life and the blessings I have and the people who fought for me to have these rights and blessings. And I'm not talking about a 'black thing,' I'm talking about a 'human thing.' Me as a 'person,' an American."

He said Obama's speech made him think of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy, Abraham Lincoln and "all the others that have fought for what we have today ... what America is 'supposed' to be ... freedom, equality and truth." One week later, the New Hampshire speech, which "touched [his] inner core like nothing in a very long time," began taking shape as the song. He called some friends to help out, and a week after that, the song and video were recorded. "I produced this song to share my newfound inspiration and how I've been moved," he wrote. "I hope this song will make you feel love and think and be inspired just like the speech inspired me."

Among the other notables in the clip: Adam Rodriguez, Alfonso Ribeiro, Austin Nichols, Ed Kowalczyk, Eric Balfour, Esthero, Harold Perrineau, Johnathon Schaech, Kelly Hu, Maya Rubin, Tatyana Ali and Tracee Ellis Ross.

Will isn't the only one feeling Obama these days. On Monday night (February 4) in New York, former Shudder to Think bandmates Craig Wedren and Nathan Larson are reuniting for the "Barack Rock" show at the Bowery Ballroom. The gig, presented by GetUpAndVote.com, will also feature OK Go, Nina Persson (the Cardigans), Joan as Police Woman and the comedy troupe Stella (Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter and David Wain), plus some unannounced surprise guests. It comes on the heels of last month's Fall Out Boy-curated Obama fundraiser in Chicago, during which bassist Pete Wentz had kind words for his hometown presidential candidate.

And it's not just indie rockers who are singing the praises of Obama. Monday night will also bring a show at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco by former Grateful Dead members Bob Weir, Mickey Hart and Phil Lesh, who will perform their first show together since 2004 in honor of the Illinois senator. The gig is being promoted as a one-night-only reunion.

Also on Monday, Pearl Jam's members — Eddie Vedder not included — posted online a reworked version of "Rock Around the Clock" called, you guessed it, "Rock Around Barack." Guitarist Stone Gossard, who handled singing duties for the recording, said in a statement that the '50s classic "had a transforming effect on American music. At that time, rock and rhythm and blues music was traditionally only played on black radio. ... So here's to ... the breaking down of cultural barriers."

Obama also picked up an endorsement from the hip-hop community on Monday, when veteran rapper Q-Tip released a statement endorsing the senator. The rapper listed several reasons — including the Iraq war, blows to America's image overseas, toxic products on store shelves and an economic meltdown — which contributed to his feeling that the country needs to "break out of old habits and politics as usual."

[This story was originally published at 3:08 p.m. on 02.04.08]

• Will.I.Am
• Common
• Nick Cannon
• OK Go
• The Grateful Dead

The Shins' Marty Crandall
Photo: Karl Walter/Getty Images

Shins multi-instrumentalist Marty Crandall was reportedly arrested Friday night on a domestic-violence charge after an altercation with girlfriend and former "America's Next Top Model" contestant Elyse Sewell. In a LiveJournal.com post titled "Worst Weekend Olympics" that has since been locked, Sewell, who dated Crandall for several years, wrote that a night of drinking in a Sacramento, California, hotel room ended with her escaping "from the room through a blitzkrieg of violence." According to several reports, the post featured photos of Sewell's heavily bruised arms and bloody knuckles, and noted that Crandall bore bite marks from their alleged scuffle, which resulted in Sewell's arrest as well. Both were reportedly booked after she notified hotel security about the incident — Sewell was reportedly released from jail Saturday, while a search of the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department Web site shows that a man named Martin Lesley Crandall was released from jail Sunday. A spokesperson for the Sacramento Police Department could not be reached for comment at press time. In a Sunday afternoon post, Sewell wrote on her LiveJournal.com page that, "I'm feeling much better on this new day (after sleeping until noon). I've decided to heed the advice of many commenters (lawyerly types) and friends — lock my last entry about the legal foibles between me and my ex-boyfriend." The Shins' label Sub Pop responded to the matter on Monday (January 7), saying in a statement, "Marty Crandall and his ex-girlfriend Elyse Sewell were both arrested over the weekend following an argument at a Sacramento hotel which resulted in hotel staff calling the police. They were both taken into police custody and released over the weekend. There will be no further comment at this time, and [we] would appreciate their privacy being respected." Crandall and Sewell are due back in court Tuesday. ...

Jay-Z, Bono, Al Gore, George Clooney, Jon Stewart and Matthew McConaughey were just a few of the celebrities who appeared in a video poking fun at Microsoft founder Bill Gates on his last day and subsequent retirement. The clip aired Sunday as a part of Gates' last keynote address to his company. In the video, Gates — with newfound time on his hands — explores several alternative post-career options. First he's in the studio cutting a record with Jay at the boards. "You killed it, Billy G," Jay says in the clip. Then Bono gets a phone call that brings him offstage during a concert — on the other end, Gates shares his new high score at "Guitar Hero." The near-eight-minute video ends with the iconic software advocate receiving a cheering ovation. ... Curiously, the Gates keynote event wasn't the only place where Jay and Bono crossed paths recently — the exiting Def Jam prez checked out a screening of U2's new 3-D concert film on Monday (January 7), according to RollingStone.com. Jay reportedly left the "U2 3D" screening early. ... Miley Cyrus, Fergie and John Legend have been roped into the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, which will go down March 3-22. The country-centric event will also feature Faith Hill, Tim McGraw and Rascal Flatts. ...

Kid Rock's scheduled arraignment Monday in DeKalb County, Georgia, has been postponed until February 4, according to the DeKalb County Solicitor's Office. The arraignment stems from Rock's arrest in October on a misdemeanor battery charge after he allegedly got into a brawl over a woman at a Waffle House. According to a Solicitor's Office spokesperson, the postponement was necessary to give officials more time to investigate the matter and determine whether they'll prosecute the case. ... Nicole Kidman is having another, um, kid. The actress, who already has two adopted children with ex-husband Tom Cruise, is expecting her first baby with new hubby Keith Urban. ...

Add Beanie Sigel to the growing list of veteran rappers unhappy with what they see as a lack of support from Def Jam. Jay-Z detractors LL Cool J and Method Man have been the most vocal, but in an interview with DJ Whoo Kid over the weekend, the Philadelphia lyricist revealed his — and labelmate Freeway's — frustration with the label. "It's some f---ed-up sh-- that needs to be addressed," Sigel said. "A lot of questions should be directed to the people in charge. They need to be put on the spot and asked questions. Because I want to know myself. ... I'm waiting to hear the same answers to questions that me and Freeway get asked." Jay-Z has stepped down as president of Def Jam, but he still seemed to draw some of Beans' ire, though he wasn't directly named. Beans, however, explained he will release a mixtape soon titled "True American Gangster," a play off Jay's most recent album, November's American Gangster. ...

According to a post on Entertainment Weekly's Hollywood Insider blog, "American Idol" season-five winner Taylor Hicks is the latest "Idol" to get the boot from J Records. Just weeks after season-two champ Ruben Studdard was dropped, an unnamed label source told the site that Hicks is going to record his next album on his own, because "he is no longer on the J Records roster." A spokesperson for J Records could not be reached at press time. ... Jessica Simpson escaped to Mexico over the weekend, with boyfriend Tony Romo — and her parents — in tow, according to People.com. The two were also joined by some of Romo's Dallas Cowboys teammates, who have apparently warmed up to the actress, who some had criticized for distracting the quarterback. ... Actor Jack Black and wife Tanya Haden are expecting their second child, according to The Associated Press. Black reportedly confirmed his wife's pregnancy over the weekend. Black and Haden, a cellist and the daughter of jazz great Charlie Haden, were married in 2006 and already have one child, a 6-month-old son. ...

BT, an electronic-music producer who has worked with everyone from Britney Spears to the Roots, is speaking out about the alleged abduction of his daughter by the child's mother. According to a statement released by his publicist, 3-year-old Kaia Transeau has been missing for three weeks, and BT has not had contact with her since the first few days she was gone. "I am diligently and delicately working to do everything possible to amend this tragic family situation," he said in a statement. "As a father, my only goal is to get my daughter back home. I appreciate your continued support and understanding in this desperate hour." Kaia is on the National Crime Information Center's missing-persons list (304-625-2000). ...

José González is feeling green — the indie-folk luminary will launch an environmentally friendly trek starting February 29 in Miami. The singer/songwriter has partnered with Reverb for his Green Tour, which will find him neutralizing emissions from venue energy use and calculating his CO2 footprint. Tickets will cost an extra 50 cents each to offset costs for the effort, and the jaunt will end March 31 in Vancouver, British Columbia. ... OK Go have stepped up for a good cause — the band ganged up with New Orleans funk/soul group Bonerama during the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and recorded music at a studio in the city's Upper Ninth Ward. The end result is an exclusive iTunes EP that will drop February 5 and benefit local musicians — including R&B legend Al Johnson — who are still struggling to get their lives back together. You're Not Alone features three reworked songs from OK Go's last album, 2005's Oh No, as well as covers of David Bowie's "Rock 'N' Roll Suicide" and Bob Dylan's "I Shall Be Released," with Johnson contributing vocals to the latter track. The groups are also partnering to play two benefit shows: a gig Friday at Tipitina's and a February 2 concert at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., that will be streamed on NPR. ...

R.E.M. aren't the only big-name rock vets who will perform at this year's South by Southwest festival — Black Crowes will also descend on Austin, Texas, with a headlining show at Stubb's on March 15. The band has lined up seven additional March club gigs, during which it will play the entirety of its first proper studio release in seven years, March 4's Warpaint, in addition to classic material. The Crowes' One Night Only run starts March 2 in Sayreville, New Jersey, and ends March 20 in Los Angeles. Speaking of R.E.M., frontman Michael Stipe recently chimed in on the presidential-nomination race, and while he's not exactly going to pull a Chuck Norris and throw his support behind Republican candidate and Mike Huckabee, he did have a few kind words for the former Arkansas governor. "I can't think of probably a single issue in which I am even remotely in the same universe as that guy ... and yet, he was kind of charming and ... self-deprecating," he said on Sirius Satellite Radio program "Jade Radio." "He was actually kind of a good sport, and funny, and I don't know what that means. Maybe it's a good thing that's he's being lauded right now by the right. He's an evangelical. May God bless all living creatures, but my God ... how weird." ... A Perfect Circle mastermind Billy Howerdel has christened his new band Ashes Divide. The group will release its debut album in March, with the album's first single, "The Stone," due to hit radio January 22. ....

Sony/BMG — home to Beyoncé, Alicia Keys and Carrie Underwood — is finalizing plans to sell part of its collection without Digital Rights Management protection in the first quarter of 2008, BusinessWeek.com reports. The first initiative under the deal will come via a Platinum MusicPass series of digital-album gift cards that will be sold starting January 15 at Best Buy, Target and other select stores. The album cards retail for $12.99 and come with bonus material — titles include Backstreet Boys' Unbreakable, John Mayer's Continuum and Bruce Springsteen's Magic. Also being considered is an upcoming Pepsi Super Bowl promotion featuring Justin Timberlake that will involve the free distribution of 1 billion songs from major labels.

1.4.08

The Hannah Montana tour is definitely one of the hottest tickets in town for tweens and their parents, but one woman admits she went a little overboard in trying to win tickets for her daughter. Texas mom Priscilla Ceballos apologized Friday (January 4) on NBC's "Today" show for writing an essay falsely claiming the girl's father had died in Iraq just so the girl could see Hannah (a.k.a. Miley Cyrus) in person. "I just wanted to help my daughter write a compelling story," she said. The fabricated essay won the contest's grand prize, which included airfare for four to Albany, New York, and four tickets to a sold-out Hannah Montana concert there, as well as a makeover that included a blond Hannah Montana wig. "Please accept my heartfelt apology and please do not punish my child for my mistake," Ceballos urged on the show. ...

What's harder to find than a City of Gold? For "American Idol" rocker Chris Daughtry, it was one of his own songs. Daughtry was commissioned to write a song to play over the end credits of "National Treasure: Book of Secrets," but the single, "Feels Like Tonight," was left on the cutting-room floor, reports Variety. "It's a great song, and probably could have been a good marketing tool, but when we put it up with the movie, it just felt wrong," Disney music chief Mitchell Leib told the Hollywood trade. ...In other "Idol" alumni news, Season Two winner Ruben Studdard and semifinalist Frenchie Davis (who got the boot from the show after Fox discovered that she worked for an adult Web site before trying out) have signed on for the 30th anniversary national tour of the Tony Award-winning musical revue "Ain't Misbehavin'." Richard Maltby Jr. co-wrote and directed the Broadway production, which showcases the music of "Fats" Waller, and he will re-create his original direction. Studdard was in need of some good news after being the first "Idol" winner to be dropped from his label, when J Records let him go in December. Since appearing on "Idol," Davis was in the Broadway cast of "Rent." The "Ain't Misbehavin' " tour will begin in November and run at least through May 2009. ...

Literature probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think of C-Murder, but the rapper — who is to be retried on a second-degree murder charge on February 11 — is taking part in a unique book club that connects readers with authors. On January 19, C-Murder will help christen the New Orleans "chapter" of the Conversations Book Club when he joins the group at the Comfort Inn & Suites downtown to discuss "Death Around the Corner," his recent novel about the city post-Katrina. ...

R.E.M., My Morning Jacket, Vampire Weekend, Daniel Lanois, Tech N9ne and My Brightest Diamond are among the initial slate of bands scheduled to perform at this year's South by Southwest festival. Lou Reed will be the keynote speaker at the fest, which will take place in Austin, Texas, March 12-16. ... Birdman is being sued for allegedly sampling other artists' songs without paying for them. The lawsuit, which was filed in New Orleans, claims that the Cash Money Records co-founder (real name: Bryan Williams) owes several music publishers money for using copyrighted songs without permission. ... Does Britney have some competition? Both Whitney Houston and her estranged husband, Bobby Brown, were no-shows Friday (January 4) at their scheduled court appearance, TMZ.com reports. According to the Web site, Whitney's attorney, Stephen Kolodny, said the singer was sick. ...

Bay Area producer/DJ Amplive won't be putting out his remix of Radiohead's In Rainbows after all. Just a month after announcing his remix album, Rainydayz Remixes, which was to feature a cameo from Too Short, Amp announced on his MySpace page that he had received a cease-and-desist letter from Radiohead's publisher, Warner/Chappell, on December 18 that barred him from releasing the unapproved album, according to a story on Pitchfork linked to from Amp's site. In a video on his MySpace page, a dejected-looking Amp, holding a sign that reads "free," laments, "In Rainbows is one of the top Radiohead albums, and I'm a big Radiohead fan, and it was all done in celebration." He says he wanted to show his appreciation for Radiohead's pioneering pay-what-you-want scheme by doing a hip-hop remix album that would also have featured Del Tha Funkee Homosapien and Jurassic 5's Chali 2na. He says he wishes that Radiohead could hear the free remix album, which he knows they would like, and suspects the band is not to blame for the legal action. "Thom [Yorke], holla at me, man," he pleads to the band's frontman at the end of the message. ...

Australia's first couple of music, Silverchair singer Daniel Johns and singer/actress Natalie Imbruglia, have announced that they will separate after four years of marriage, according to the Melbourne Herald Sun. The pair announced their split in a joint statement released Friday (January 4) that read, "While we are very sad that our marriage has ended, we want to make it clear that our parting is amicable and we remain friends. ... This mutual decision has not been taken lightly or quickly. However, our career demands and our lives in different parts of the world have brought us to the point where unfortunately this difficult decision was necessary for both of us. We have simply grown apart through not being able to spend enough time together." ... On March 25, long-running, genre-spanning party-poppers the B-52s will return with Funplex, their first album of new material since 1992's Good Stuff (and their first to feature co-frontwoman Cindy Wilson since '89's Cosmic Thing). Guitarist Keith Strickland describes the album as "loud, sexy rock and roll for your pleasure zones, with the beat pumped up to hot pink," just in case you were wondering. ...

Josh Groban had a great Christmas, but the music industry? Not so much. For the eighth year in a row, album sales were down, with total album sales diving 15 percent in 2007 to 500.5 million units, according to year-end figures from Nielsen SoundScan. The Los Angeles Times reports that it was the lowest tally and steepest decline since Nielsen began publishing estimates based on in-stores sales data in 1993. There was a bright spot with digital-album sales rising 2.4 percent to 30.1 million units, but even that paled in comparison to the 19 percent uptick in 2006. The overall picture, including albums, singles and individual-song downloads, showed a rise of 14 percent to 1.4 billion units, which, again, was down from the 19 percent gain in 2006. ...

Last year's Live Earth concert and the Roskilde Festival in Denmark will be recognized with environmental honors at the upcoming Midem Green World Awards in Cannes, France, later this month, according to BBC News. The awards pay tribute to events that promote a greater awareness of environmental issues. Live Earth is being recognized for the strict green guidelines it set out in order to create a low-impact worldwide event, while Roskilde, one of the largest European festivals, is earning praise for serving all its drinks in recyclable plastic mugs. ...

Not everyone is psyched about the huge music festival that is slated to touch down in Vineland, New Jersey, this summer courtesy of a hookup between Lollapalooza promoters C3 and the people behind England's Glastonbury Festival. According to the Vineland Daily Journal, a group of citizens, including a former City Council president, have mobilized under the banner of Neighbors Against Rock Concert Site in an attempt to block the show. The first meeting of NARCS is slated to take place Thursday, with the goal of blocking the festival — currently scheduled for August 8-10 — from taking place on a local 570-acre farm. The event is expected to draw 35,000-40,000 people over three days, with mostly on-site camping, which neighbors worry will have a negative impact on the area due to potential increases in traffic, noise, crime and pollution. According to the Journal, NARCS isn't opposed to the festival, just its location. The group is considering a lawsuit to stop the show, while suggesting that promoters move it to a more "appropriate" location, such as the local county fairgrounds. ...

The once-in-a-lifetime New Year's Eve gig at a small club in Surrey, England, that featured Who guitarist Pete Townshend, former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr and guitar god Eric Clapton might not be a one-off after all. The secret show, which the trio performed under the name Totally Abandoned, benefited charity and included mostly "old classics," according to London newspaper The Independent. A Thursday post on the Who's site confirmed that the gig took place and teased that "a much larger gig" could happen in New York before March. ...

Stephen Stills is recovering after having surgery for prostate cancer on Thursday. He is expected to be at the Sundance Film Festival on January 25 for the world premiere of "CSNY/ Déjà Vu," a movie directed by Neil Young that revolves around his and Stills' group, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

• The Shins
• Jay-Z
• U2
• Bono
• Miley Cyrus

The Dixie Chicks at the Grammy Awards
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

LOS ANGELES — In the weeks leading up to the 49th Grammy Awards, many miles of verbiage were unspooled by slick-suited TV pundits and somewhat bitter music journalists to dissect, predict and pick apart music's biggest night.

But as the awards themselves actually unfolded, live from the Staples Center, it was the moments in which very little — if anything at all — was said that carried the most weight.

(Check out photos of Beyoncé, Christina, Justin and many more at the show right here.)

Whether it was the Dixie Chicks' Natalie Maines simply — and somewhat fittingly — quoting "The Simpsons" in a kiss-off to the group's many critics; Chris Brown's footstep-perfect rendition of the late James Brown's famed onstage routine; or the Godfather of Soul's longtime hypeman Danny Ray draping Brown's sequined robe on the mic stand after the evening's "In Memoriam" segment (not to mention the standing ovation that followed), there was very little more that needed to be said.

And those are just the first three moments that sprung to mind. One could also mention Mary J. Blige's quiet elegance and fiery onstage performances (she brought the audience to its feet with "Be Without You," which would earn her two of her three Grammy awards on the night, for R&B song and Best Female R&B Performance.) Or the pair of showstopping numbers Justin Timberlake — who burned up the red carpet earlier in the evening (see "Justin, T.I. And John Mayer's Suits Show Up Ladies' Sequins On Grammy Red Carpet") — unveiled. And the usually goofy guys of Gnarls Barkley, who turned in a soul-drenched, deceptively low-key rendition of "Crazy," which won the duo a pair of awards.

Even Kanye West — so often the source of an infantile awards-show rant — kept it on the quiet, choosing to focus on the award he was brought in to present, Best Rap Album (it should be noted, however, that that award's winner, Ludacris, opted to pop off on frequent nemesis Bill O'Reilly). Of course, many speculated that if the Recording Academy voters chose to shower the Dixie Chicks with awards (which they did, bestowing five Grammys, including Record, Album and Song of the Year, as well as Best Country Album honors, on the Texas trio), it would be seen as a sort of statement against those who Maines spoke out against, including George W. Bush and the entirety of the country-music establishment.

And although they won more Grammys than anyone, the group made no grand statement to speak of.

"To quote the Simpsons: Ha-ha!" Maines laughed while accepting the Best Country Album award. "A lot of people just turned their TVs off." And while accepting their Album of the Year trophy, Maines chuckled, "I've got nothing clever to say, sorry!"

The Red Hot Chili Peppers won four Grammys, including Best Rock Album and Best Rock Song. Carrie Underwood — who performed at Clive Davis' pre-Grammy party Saturday night (see "Aguilera, Hudson Play For Clive Davis; FOB Rock Roots' Grammys Eve Jam") — Justin Timberlake and Gnarls Barkley each won two, though none of them used their winning moments to launch into any diatribes, make any political pleas or even put anyone on blast (the once-decadent Peppers even thanked their families.)

Even Timberlake, the evening's "It" boy, will probably be remembered for his trippy "Blair Witch Project" action (thanks to a handheld camera) during his performance of "What Goes Around ... Comes Around," or for his tag-team performance with T.I. and "My Grammy Moment" contest winner Robyn Troup on a medley of Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" and his own "My Love."

Indeed, the brevity may have been part of the Grammy planners' design: The house orchestra's "hurry-up" music was merciless, hustling along Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder while they accepted the show's first award, and Mary J. Blige when she whipped out several index cards filled with names of people to thank.

In hindsight, we probably should've known things would play out this way from the start. The evening got under way with a much-anticipated performance by the reunited Police, making their first major public appearance in more than 20 years (see "The Police Kick Off Reunion At Grammys — But How Long Will It Last?"). And although their two-decade hiatus has been at times rather acrimonious, the trio simply introduced themselves, ripped through "Roxanne" and took a bow.

Well done, everyone. After all, why talk when you can sing, dance or quote "The Simpsons"? Actions speak louder, anyway.

[This story was originally published at 6:09 pm E.T. on 02.11.2007]

The show's over but there's plenty of Grammy hotness here on MTVNews.com. Check out photos of the hottest red-carpet and onstage action; join our reporters as they hit all the Grammy week parties; and let us know what you think about the performers, winners and losers. Plus see videos of all the nominees on MTV.com and check out exclusive video footage from the big night right here.

• Grammys '07: Who Won, Who Sung?
• Grammys Backstage: Get Cozy!
• Grammys Red Carpet: Fire-Starters
• Video Premiere: Justin Timberlake
• Rick Rubin: The Man Behind The Beard

• It's Showtime!: 2007 Grammy Awards Photos
• What You Didn't See At The Grammys
• Red Carpet Spectacular: Photos From The 2007 Grammy Awards
• Grammy Parties: Scarlett, Christina, Justin, Katharine And More
• Mike Shinoda, Pussycat Dolls, Roots, More At Grammy Style Studio

• Dixie Chicks
• Justin Timberlake
• Mary J. Blige
• Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Ludacris

Katharine McPhee
Photo: MTV News

Katharine McPhee will make a guest appearance on TV's "Ugly Betty" two days after her debut album drops. The "American Idol" runner-up will play herself on the show, which will air February 1 on ABC. Her self-titled LP drops January 30. ...

Until they come up with a way to bottle her voice, Christina Aguilera fans have to settle for perfume. The singer has teamed up with Procter & Gamble to create a fragrance line. "I love trying new things in my music and in fashion," Aguilera said in a statement. "To have a perfume of my own is the beginning of an exciting adventure." ...

Even more presenters have been announced for the Golden Globe Awards, even though the ceremony is right around the corner. Diddy, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Steven Spielberg, Renée Zellweger and Jessica Biel will participate in the show, to air live on NBC Monday at 8 p.m. ET. ... Paula Abdul will have her hands full with "American Idol" and an upcoming movie based on the popular doll line Bratz in the coming months, but she's still managed to find space for a reality show based on her life. The new Bravo series has a working title of "Hey Paula!" and is set to debut later this year. ...

Nelly Furtado stopped by the fictional town of Llanview, Pennsylvania (located in a New York studio), last month to film a guest spot on "One Life to Live." Furtado — who recently played the daughter of immigrant parents on the Portuguese soap "Floribella" — will appear as herself on "One Life," performing the songs "Say It Right" and "Promiscuous." The singer will also have a speaking role, and she said she plans to fit in more "little acting things" in between stops on her world tour, which launches February 16 in Manchester, England. "I've gotten to come closer to a lot of my dreams coming true this year, and this is a goal of mine that's slowly coming true," she said. "I'm just getting my feet wet acting, but I love it. I'm really thrilled, because it's challenging and different. I like anything that makes me feel that fear, where I have to push myself. I'm on cloud nine!" Furtado's "One Life to Live" episode airs February 23 at 2 p.m. ET on ABC. ...

Playing a princess in the animated film "Arthur and the Invisibles" was a very new experience, Madonna told "Today" on Thursday. "I just loved the idea of playing a character where I can create a fantasy world that has nothing to do with who I am or what people associate with me." An artist, a mother, a hard-working Michigan native? Not exactly. "They perceive me as a queen, not a princess." Later that day on "Late Show With David Letterman," the singer addressed the queen-size outcry over her adoption of a Malawi boy. "There's over a million orphans in Malawi, and in my opinion the laws need to change because these children need to be rescued," Madonna said. "My social worker said, 'Good luck. You're going to be making it up as you go along.' She didn't say don't do it, but she just said expect challenges, and, boy, did we get them." ...

The 5-year-old son of James Brown is not included in the late singer's will, The Associated Press reports. Attorneys for Brown confirmed that James Brown Jr., the singer's son with partner Tomi Ray Hynie, was not named in the document, which provides for six of Brown's children. The will was read Thursday in South Carolina but has not been filed in probate court. ... Ciara has sorted out her next single. She'll shoot a video for "Like a Boy" later this month, and the track is scheduled to hit airwaves in early February. An R. Kelly remix of "Promise" debuts on radio next week. ... Rev up the treadmills. OK Go will shoot the video for their next single, "Do What You Want," in Los Angeles next weekend, with singer Damian Kulash directing the clip. The band guests on an episode of NBC's "Las Vegas" Friday (January 12). ...

In March, MJS Music Publications will issue "A Vulgar Display of Power: Courage and Carnage at the Alrosa Villa," a book that examines the murder of Pantera guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott and the events of December 8, 2004. The book "peers into the twisted mind and background of [Nathan Gale,] a killer intoxicated by psychotic rage and driven by the voice of the beast inside his head," and "attempts to make sense of what appears to be a senseless act," according to a press release. The book will also concentrate on "the inspirational selflessness of those who died trying to help others" during the fatal shootout. ... Chevelle will release their third major-label studio album, Vena Sera, April 3. Michael "Elvis" Baskette, who produced 2004's This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In) and 2002's Wonder What's Next, returned to helm the project, which includes the first single, "We Enough Alone." ...

Toni Braxton is suing ex-manager Barry Hankerson, claiming he owes her $10 million after convincing her to leave longtime label Arista and sign to his Blackground Records, AP reports. Hankerson used "underhanded double-talk" to convince the singer that "Arista was not interested in working with her anymore, while telling Arista that Braxton no longer wanted to record for Arista." A telephone listing for Blackground was not in service, according to AP. ... Dispatch have become the first independent band to sell out New York's Madison Square Garden. The jam group, which broke up three years ago, is getting back together for two benefit concerts to be held at the venue. "Dispatch: Zimbabwe" will be held July 13-14, and all proceeds will go toward fighting disease, famine and social injustice in the country. ... The Allman Brothers Band will continue their long-running spring tradition of performing at New York's Beacon Theater with 13 shows there from March 22 through April 7. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers are hoping to make the shows available online via a live multi-camera webcast. ...

The debut album by Perry Farrell's latest project Satellite Party has shifted from a March release to May 15. The LP has also been renamed: Satellite Party is now Ultra Payload. It features Fergie, Flea and many others. ... LCD Soundsystem have pegged March 20 as the release date for their new LP, Sound of Silver. The band's sophomore effort was recorded last summer at a farm in upstate New York and includes "North American Scum," "Get Innocuous" and "New York I Love You but You're Bringing Me Down." ... Yours to Keep, the debut solo album from Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr., has been out in the United Kingdom since October, but it's finally hitting U.S. shores. The disc, due March 6, will feature a dozen cuts, including "Cartoon Music for Superheroes," "Call an Ambulance" and "Postal Blowfish." ... Ex-American Music Club frontman Mark Eitzel has a quick tour mapped out, playing four dates in New York from January 18-21, a pair in Massachusetts the following two days and additional shows in Philadelphia (January 24) and Arlington, Virginia (January 25).

01.11.2007

My Chemical Romance guitarist Frank Iero was forced to return to the U.S. Thursday morning (January 11) due to "a sudden attack of illness," according to a spokesperson for the band. The spokesperson would not discuss Iero's condition or the nature of his malaise. The New Jersey rockers were in Tokyo, where they were expected to launch a four-gig tour, and they've since called on Drive By guitarist Todd Price to fill in for their fallen comrade. After leaving Japan on Sunday, the band is expected to hit New Zealand and Australia between January 19 and February 4, then launch a U.S. tour February 22. ...

Oprah Winfrey had to settle for a satellite feed, but when it comes to New York school kids, Madonna will make the trip across the Atlantic. The London-based singer hosts a special screening of "Arthur and the Invisibles" — which features her voice-acting skills — Thursday for students from two New York charter schools. The animated feature hits theaters Friday. ... What Alicia Keys wants, Alicia Keys gets. John Legend and John Mayer have been confirmed as the "mystery guests" to be featured on the singer's upcoming album. ...

Pink's directorial debut is about to see the light of day. The singer, who partnered with Glamour magazine to put a spotlight on emerging female artists via the Nissan-sponsored Reel Music contest, took the helm for "Hello Bonjour," a music video for winning duo Pretty Boys. (Check out photos from the set right here.) "Pink made us feel gorgeous and charming and fun and we loved working with her!" the band wrote of the August shoot on its MySpace blog. Fans in the Los Angeles area can sign up at Glamour.com/ReelMusic for free tickets to attend Tuesday's video premiere event. The site is also hosting behind-the-scenes interviews from the set and will debut the video Wednesday. ...

Gwen Stefani is a girl in a gilded cage in her video for "The Sweet Escape," directed by Joseph Kahn (Kelly Clarkson's "Walk Away," Britney Spears' "Toxic"). In the clip — which premieres Thursday on "TRL" — Stefani dreams of making a jailbreak with the help of stolen keys, Rapunzel-like braids and a getaway car driven by Akon. Her Harajuku Girls double as accomplices and pursuers/jailers. ... "The Real World" is heading down under. Bunim-Murray Productions announced Wednesday that the 19th season of the reality series will begin production in Sydney, Australia, in the coming weeks. "The Real World: Sydney" will premiere later this year. ... Nine Inch Nails have set Year Zero as the title of their forthcoming album, due in April. ... AFI will perform on "Saturday Night Live" January 20. "Entourage" actor Jeremy Piven is hosting. ... Joaquin Phoenix, Naomi Watts and the cast of "Heroes" have been added to the ever-growing list of Golden Globe Awards presenters. The ceremony will air live on NBC Monday at 8 p.m. ET. ...

Steve-O has teamed up with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to voice his concerns about the treatment of circus animals. "In my career, and in my life, I only intend for there to be one victim — ME!" he explained in an e-mail. The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College graduate said he witnessed the mistreatment of animals firsthand during his time under the big top. "I'm just a guy who used to need to be in the circus to make a living, was horrified by what I saw, and am now in a position to say something about it." Steve-O's video rant is posted at PETA2.com, where you can enter to win his autographed T-shirt. ... Coheed and Cambria have been added to the lineup for this summer's Warped Tour. Bad Religion, Paramore, Cute Is What We Aim For, Tiger Army, the Almost, the Gallows, Big D and the Kids Table, K-os and the Fabulous Rudies are also on the festival's bill. ... Slash will be inducted into Hollywood's RockWalk Wednesday. Metal singer Ronnie James Dio and Frank Zappa drummer Terry Bozzio are also getting sidewalk honors. ...

Months before users even get their hands on Apple's new iPhone, the latest game-changing gadget from the company has inspired a lawsuit. Network equipment leader Cisco Systems filed suit against Apple Inc. in San Francisco federal court Wednesday, claiming that the computer company's iPhone violates Cisco's trademark on the term "iPhone," which it has held since 2000, according to an Associated Press report. Cisco said that it has been using the name for its own Internet-enabled phones, which began shipping last spring and officially launched three weeks ago. It also said that Apple approached the company several years ago with an interest in using the name, and that the two companies have been negotiating ever since to hammer out a licensing agreement, but that talks broke down just hours before Apple boss Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone on Tuesday at the Macworld Conference. Apple has argued that it is entitled to use the name because the products are "materially" different. A spokesperson for Apple called the lawsuit "silly." ...

A California high school has banned the image of late rapper Mac Dre from its halls. Riverbank Unified School District board members voted unanimously on Tuesday to add a Mac Dre ban to Riverbank High School's dress code on the grounds that he glorified drug use, The Modesto Bee reports. Principal Ken Gesick said the decision is an answer to shirts with images of the later rapper apparently smoking marijuana. "It's glaringly obvious," he said. ... Former glam rocker Gary Glitter, who was convicted in March of molesting two Vietnamese children, could end his three-year prison term early, AP reports. Glitter is on a list of inmates whose sentences may be reduced as part of next month's Lunar New Year celebrations. He could be released as early as May. ...

Tegan and Sara continue to work on new material with Death Cab for Cutie guitarist Chris Walla, who has also produced Hot Hot Heat and the Decemberists. The band is working on the follow-up to 2004's So Jealous, but a title and release date for the next LP have yet to be revealed. ... Bright Eyes will head out this spring for a spate of live gigs in support of the act's forthcoming LP, Cassadaga, which drops April 10. The tour gets under way in Chicago on February 25 and runs through a March 11 show in Seattle. ...Kevin Devine and the Manchester Orchestra are supporting Brand New on a 33-date U.S. tour. The trek kicks off March 15 in Buffalo, New York, and wraps April 25 in Philadelphia. ... ATO Records labelmates Gomez and Ben Kweller are joining forces for a co-headlining North American tour kicking off February 15 in Seattle and wrapping up March 11 in Northampton, Massachusetts. Each artist will also perform select, separate headline dates.

• Katharine McPhee
• Nelly Furtado
• Christina Aguilera
• Paula Abdul
• Madonna

Hilary Duff

Hilary Duff has donated 200,000 meals to two Hurricane Katrina victim shelters in Houston. The singer made the donations through USA Harvest, through which she had already donated more than 2.5 million meals for Katrina relief. Duff also visited New Orleans in August on the one-year anniversary of the disaster. ...

The Game is the latest celebrity photographer for Playboy.com. The West Coast rapper snapped pics of one of the magazine's cyber models earlier this week. The amateur lensman told the site of his work: "If she doesn't become a Playmate after this, I'm gonna have to see someone." ... The Killers, Panic! at the Disco and Beck are among the acts announced Wednesday (November 16) for the second night of KROQ's annual Almost Acoustic Christmas, scheduled for December 10 in Universal City, California. Evanescence, Gnarls Barkley, Angels & Airwaves, the Raconteurs, Snow Patrol, She Wants Revenge and a second night of the Foo Fighters round out the bill. ...

Los Angeles' Hollywood Boulevard will shut down on Wednesday (November 22) for Jay-Z's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" performance. Jay will play at the American Music Awards the night before. ... Outkast rapper Big Boi has partnered with Russell Athletic to design commemorative uniforms to be worn by Louisiana's Grambling State and Southern Universities in their annual State Farm Bayou Classic face-off November 25. The game marks the return of the collegiate event to the Superdome for the first time since Hurricane Katrina. ... Just in time for the holiday season, Jim Jones and the rest of the Diplomats collective will release A Dipset X-Mas on December 5. The 10-track stocking stuffer will feature the remix to Jones' hit "We Fly High" as well as yuletide cheeriness like "Have a Happy Christmas," "Wish List" and "Ballin' on X-Mas." ...

Eagles of Death Metal will open for Guns N' Roses on their end-of-the-year trek. The outing begins November 24 in Cleveland and ends December 20 in Universal City, California. ... Triumph the Insult Comic Dog has been named an honorary member of the Las Vegas Police Department's K-9 unit, The Associated Press reports. "I will do my part to get all the drugs and hookers off the street and into my hotel room," Triumph said when accepting the honor. Police Sergeant Danny O'Connell reasoned Triumph would make an excellent addition to his unit. "He's a straight-shooter. He says what's on his mind, and peace officers always appreciate that." ... If Alicia Keys has her way, her next album is going to rock. "It's coming together crazy," the singer said of her in-the-works LP. "In fact, the people I am collaborating with are people I love. Their style isn't exactly my style, but a merging of those worlds." Does that mean she's teamed up with Queens of the Stone Age, the White Stripes, John Mayer or John Legend (all folks that she said she'd like to work with)? "About three of those names have already come together," she confirmed. Which three? "I'm not telling you!" she sang back as a taunt. Keys' album is due next spring. ...

British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen broke from his Borat persona to defend the character against charges of misogyny and anti-Semitism in an interview in the current issue of Rolling Stone. Cohen said he was surprised that "Borat" has caused such controversy and that people have misinterpreted the film's intent. "The joke is not on Kazakhstan," he said. "I think the joke is on people who can believe that the Kazakhstan that I describe can exist — who believe that there's a country where homosexuals wear blue hats and the women live in cages and they drink fermented horse urine and the age of consent has been raised to 9 years old." In some ways, Cohen said, the reaction disappointed him, because he had faith the audience would realize that "the mere purpose of it was to allow people to bring out their own prejudices. I think part of the movie shows the absurdity of holding any form of racial prejudice, whether it's hatred of African-Americans or of Jews." Want more proof? Cohen, a religiously observant Jew, points out that his parents love his Jewish humor and his grandmother, who lives in Israel, went to a midnight screening and called at 4 a.m. to compliment him. ...

Against Me!, the Bronx, the Riverboat Gamblers and a crew of other punks are joining forces for a good cause. All the proceeds from the 2006 Rock to Roll Holiday Bash, to be held December 4 at the Key Club in West Hollywood, California, will go to Wheels for Humanity, a nonprofit group that distributes wheelchairs to disabled people worldwide. The inexpensive benefit event (tickets cost less than $20) will also feature members of Flogging Molly, Bad Religion, Face to Face, Pennywise, the Living End, Social Distortion, Hot Water Music and Agent Orange. ... On December 5, Metallica will unleash "The Videos - 1989-2004," a career-spanning DVD that contains, well, all their videos from the 15 year-period between ... And Justice for All and St. Anger. In addition to the clips, the set also includes extras such as their 1989 VHS-only short film "2 of One," the 11-minute "theatrical" version of their landmark clip for "The Unforgiven," and the trailer for the 2004 documentary, "Some Kind of Monster." Metallica are currently writing material for a new record, tentatively due next year. ...

Part of Whitney Houston's New Jersey estate is slated to be sold at a January 4 sheriff's auction because she is more than $1 million behind on the mortgage and taxes have not yet been paid this year, according to the New Jersey Courier-Post. The office of Houston's publicist denied that the $900,000 property was in foreclosure. ... Snow Patrol have confirmed a 28-city North American tour that will kick off February 26 in Portland, Oregon. The trek is scheduled to run through April 10 in Edmonton, Alberta. OK Go and the Silversun Pickups will open on all dates. ... The Pickups are among the nominees for this year's Plug Awards, facing off with Cat Power, Neko Case, Belle and Sebastian, the Hold Steady, the Knife and J. Dilla for Album of the Year honors. New Artist nominees include the Arctic Monkeys, the Black Angels, Cold War Kids, Spank Rock and Tapes 'N Tapes. The 2007 awards will be held February 10 at Irving Plaza in New York and fans can vote for their favorites through January at PlugAwards.com.

11.15.2006

Michael Jackson's big comeback performance at London's World Music Awards went kaput Wednesday (November 15), according to Reuters. Jackson, singing live for the first time since he was acquitted of child-molestation charges last year, reportedly struggled for high notes and experienced sound problems as he performed his charity single "We Are the World" — not "Thriller," as had been expected. Beyoncé had introduced Jackson by announcing, "Tonight we are celebrating 25 years of Thriller," but oddly, Chris Brown wound up singing the song instead. ...

Yes, it's true: The Clipse really will put out their Hell Hath No Fury LP before hell freezes over. The album leaked online Wednesday afternoon, and even though its official due date has been bumped many times, it's looking firm for a November 28 release. "Enjoy, people, we love you guys!" the Clipse's Pusha T said regarding the leak. "It was expected," Malice added. ...

Now that she's finished her "Chicago" run in London, Ashlee Simpson is going back to making music. When MTV News caught up with her on Tuesday, just before the musical's celeb-packed 10th anniversary performance on Broadway in New York, the singer revealed she has a big meeting with record executives next week to discuss her third album. "I'm going to go back and figure out what I'm going to do and start writing," she said. "I love musical theater, but it's different than the music I want to do on the album." As for what direction she'd like to take, that's still up in the air, but she does have one name on her wish list of possible collaborators. "Robert Smith from the Cure came to my last show in London, and I don't know if I was more excited about him or that it was the last show! To work with Robert Smith would be an honor." ...

Nicky Hilton, who aspires to join her family's business and start a hotel chain, filed suit against former business partner Eneliko Smith in Los Angeles on Tuesday. She claimed that he agreed in 2005 to help her set up a boutique hotel chain called Nicky O but that, after they parted, he misappropriated Hilton's name — without her permission — to apply for a Nicky O trademark for resort-lodging services. Hilton says her first Nicky O Hotel is scheduled to open early next year. ... Nelly Furtado fans who also dig Portuguese soap operas, you're in for a treat. The singer has a guest role on "Floribella," set to air later this month on SIC, a premium TV channel, Agence France Presse reports. She plays the daughter of immigrant parents in the episode. ... Christina Aguilera, John Legend, Taylor Hicks, Sarah McLachlan and Lionel Richie will perform current tracks and holiday favorites on NBC's "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" special, which will celebrate the lighting of the famed New York tree. The show airs November 29 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. ...

Matisyahu, O.A.R. and Blackalicious have hopped onboard the Langerado Music Festival, set for March 9-10 at Markham Park in Sunrise, Florida. Trey Anastasio, Explosions in the Sky, Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks, Disco Biscuits, Los Lobos and Widespread Panic have also been tapped for the gala, which is celebrating its fifth year. ... Kevin Smith has been cast in a new Showtime comedy pilot called "Manchild," based on the BBC series of the same name. Smith, who is slated to play a cynical divorcée in the show, said in his blog: "It should be an interesting exercise that, if the show works as well as the script, will turn into a sweet side gig for me. At the very least, I'll learn a thing or two about acting; at the most, I'll have something to do four months out of every year." ...

Clay Aiken will guest on a holiday-themed episode of the NBC soap "Days of Our Lives" December 22. The singer will perform "Everything I Have" from A Thousand Different Ways, as well as the Christmas classic "O Holy Night," which appeared on his album Merry Christmas With Love. ... Elvis Costello, Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, Will Oldham and other luminaries will appear on the yet-untitled new LP by country legend Charlie Louvin. The self-titled album, due February 20, is Louvin's first in 10 years and also finds him hooking up with members of Bright Eyes and Superchunk, plus Elvis Presley session guitarist Pete Cummings. Louvin celebrates his 80th birthday July 7. ...

Jay-Z will grace the cover of GQ next month as one of three figures representing the magazine's 11th annual Man of the Year issue. The rapper/ record executive joins actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Will Ferrell among this year's honorees. Last year, Jay was named International Man of the Year at British GQ's Men of the Year Awards in London. ... George Clooney has scored a magazine-cover honor of his own, named the sexiest man alive by People, which issued its annual list Wednesday (November 15). "There's pressure to remain sexy," the actor joked. "That's why I do a lot of cosmetic work." Two-time winner Clooney, who first took the title in 1997, wasn't the only one worth salivating over this year — many musicians also ranked on the list, including Justin Timberlake, the man who returned sexy to its rightful place. Also making the grade: Diddy, named sexiest Renaissance rapper; the Killers, sexiest band; Ryan Cabrera, sexiest do-it-yourselfer; and Benji and Joel Madden, sexiest twins. Hilary Duff must be so proud. ...

We can all breathe easier now that Bono has his hoop earrings and Stetson cowboy hat back. A judge ruled that former stylist Lola Cashman illegally acquired the U2 singer's jewelry and hat — as well as a green sweatshirt and pair of black pants — after a 1987 show on the band's Joshua Tree tour, and that she must return them. According to BBC News, Cashman had insisted the items were a gift she received from Bono on the last night of the tour, when he was running around backstage in his underwear and she asked him for the hat. Cashman tried to sell some of the items at auction in 2002, prompting legal action from the band. ... The Wu-Tang Clan will perform Wednesday at New York's Canal Room to celebrate the birthday of late groupmate Ol' Dirty Bastard and preview his posthumous album. Method Man, Ghostface, GZA, RZA and Raekwon are all scheduled to appear at the tribute. ... DMX, Mario and DMC of Run-DMC are set to perform this weekend at New York's fifth annual Day of the Child celebration to encourage the mentoring of at-risk youth. The event will take place at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan and will also feature appearances by members of World Wrestling Entertainment. ...

Much-buzzed Brooklyn, New York-via-New Mexico indie wunderkind Beirut (a.k.a. 20-year-old Zach Condon) has been forced to cancel his world tour after being hospitalized in Paris due to what his reps are terming "extreme exhaustion." The announcement was made via a post on Beirut's Web site, which reads in part, "This is Beirut's first-ever tour, and while the band played some of the greatest shows of their lives, the attendant stress of organizing and traveling with full-blown 'orkestar' took its toll. ... The band hopes to reschedule some of the shows in the future." ... Alice Cooper has just inked a book deal to write a memoir about ... well, golf, for starters. "Alice Cooper, Golf Monster: My 12 Steps to Becoming a Golf Addict" would explore the rocker's devotion to the game and how it helped him battle his demons, including an addiction to alcohol. He promises to be "completely candid about his career, his drinking, and his recovery" in the work, due to be published in May by Crown.

• "Borat"

• Alicia Keys
• Metallica
• Whitney Houston
• OK Go
• Hilary Duff

Jim Jones' <I>Hustler's P.O.M.E.</I>
Photo: Koch Records

Fightin' New Releases: After casting their ballot in the midterm elections on Tuesday (November 7), music lovers will head to a second voting booth: the record store. It's there that they'll show support for either the incumbent candidates or challenging hopefuls. Will it be four more weeks for Gnarls Barkley's St. Elsewhere or OK Go's Oh No? Will Jim Jones and the Foo Fighters throw the bums out? Expect results Wednesday — of next week.

The Challengers:

Jim Jones' Hustler's P.O.M.E. (Product of My Environment):
· Synopsis: The junior rapper from New York is hoping that support from high-profile campaign contributors like Lil Wayne, Cam'ron and Juelz Santana leads to strong voter turnout. With hometown shout-outs on "So Harlem" and elsewhere, he would even have Hillary Clinton up against the wall in the Big Apple.

Various artists' Now That's What I Call Music! 23:
· Synopsis: This series has served almost as many terms as now-departed Senator Strom Thurmond did, but with help from Justin, Beyoncé and Christina, it still has youth on its side. Jessica and Nick are reunited once again here as well — with "A Public Affair" and "I Can't Hate You Anymore," respectively — which should get this candidate even more headlines.

Foo Fighters' Skin and Bones:
· Synopsis: Fans have been urging the Foos for years to run with a live album, and now they're finally entering the race with this tour companion set. Bonus iTunes contributions including a "Skin and Bones" video and "Ain't It the Life" tune fill the band's coffers, but the fact that the accompanying DVD isn't coming for three more weeks could hurt this contender in a dead heat.

PJ Harvey's The Peel Sessions 1991-2004:
· Synopsis: Sure, this CD is no spring chicken — the material is culled from more than a decade's worth of appearances on the late British DJ's radio show — but now these recordings are finally up for a vote. Twelve tracks — including a cover of Willie Dixon's "Wang Dang Doodle" from 1993 and an even rarer performance of "That Was My Veil" from '96 — will pique fans' interest, but candidate Harvey might not see a big turnout until she puts out her in-the-works studio album.

Isobel Campbell's Milk White Sheets:
· Synopsis: Her recent Ballad of the Broken Seas collaboration with Mark Lanegan won over a new voting bloc, but Campbell has an even more prominent supporter on her side in ex-Smashing Pumpkin James Iha, who lends a few licks to this LP. The Belle and Sebastian singer also has endorsements from Vaselines' Eugene Kelly and Soup Dragons' Jim McCulloch, who add extra life to the sparsely arranged songs.

Blowoff's Blowoff:
· Synopsis: Bob Mould (Hüsker Dü, Sugar) and Richard Morel (producer of Nelly Furtado's "Promiscuous") got their campaign off to a late start, as they bumped this release a few times. But they're running on a split ticket — both musicians share equal responsibilities in writing and performing — and are appealing to voters ranging from rock hounds to electronic-music lovers. Don't write this race off yet.

The Incumbents:

Gnarls Barkley's St. Elsewhere - Deluxe Edition:
· Synopsis: Statesmen Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse scored a Barack Obama-like triumph across a wide-ranging demographic with their debut album when they ran in early May. Now they're up for re-election with a limited-edition version, which has a bonus DVD, 3-D album art and a 92-page booklet. With the elderly constituency finally getting the message — "Crazy" is finally making it to adult-contemporary radio — expect some Gnarl-y gains.

James Blunt's Back to Bedlam:
· Synopsis: Despite being well-loved by a wide range of the population, Blunt's positive campaign could be wearing thin. There's been a negative-publicity backlash building against "You're Beautiful" — "to call it 'overplayed' would be like saying Washington is 'influenced by special interests,' " goes the slogan — but a bonus disc encompassing a full gig in Ireland from last year could win over his voter base.

OK Go' Oh No:
· Synopsis: The pop-rockers pulled off an underdog victory of immense proportions by winning over the blogosphere with their viral videos, and now they're hoping for another jolt of approval with their re-election bid. Core supporters will be pleased with a number of new proposals on the bonus DVD, including a performance of "C-C-C-Cinnamon Lips" from public-access TV, 180 fan re-creations of the unforgettable "A Million Ways" clip, public-service announcements and a video game.

Nirvana's "Live! Tonight! Sold Out!!" DVD:
· Synopsis: The band ran with this ticket more than a decade ago — in 1994, when the Republicans retook Congress, actually — but history has treated the candidate well, and it's likely Nirvana will return to office. They don't really have a new message, per se — just five extra performances from an Amsterdam gig — but these days, Nirvana almost always sit well with the voters.

Dave Matthews Band's The Best of What's Around, Vol. 1:
· Synopsis: Will DMB's positive campaign — telling voters to "Hunger for the Great Light" and promoting the "American Baby" — play well with voters? Early poll data indicates yes, and a bonus disc with eight concert cuts should mean that the band will surge down the homestretch.

Pavement's Wowee Zowee: Sordid Sentinels Edition:
· Synopsis: More or less destined to win the indie-rock vote is this pivotal album from 1995, the band's most scattered but one many aficionados consider their most beloved candidate. A staggering 21 bonus tracks on a second disc — including 18 unreleased outtakes, BBC studio session and concert recordings — could even win over some red-state voters outside its home state of California.

Song Title of the Week:

"Thumbs Down Lampit" from Microwaves' Contagion Heuristic

Other Notables:

Josef K's Entomology: This band suffered a similar fate as experienced by Josef K himself, one of author Franz Kafka's doomed characters. Formed in Scotland in the late '70s, the band recorded three studio albums, only one of which ever saw release. But while K (previously named TV Art) didn't last long, their succulent, infectious pop has, meriting another look back at their oeuvre. This 22-track overview culls 7-inch tracks, "Fun 'N' Frenzy" and more.

Stephen Brodsky's Octave Museum's Stephen Brodsky's Octave Museum: You might know Brodsky best as the frontman of post-rock princes Cave In, but he's been sneaking out solo LPs for a while now, starting with 1999's Expose Your Overdubs. His third endeavor finds him boosted by Scissorfight drummer Kevin J. Strongbow and Thee Electric Bastards bassist Johnny Northrup, but the results aren't nearly as deafening as what those bands have put out. Expect lo-fi pop and much to be heartbroken about on "Red Headed Butterflies," "Spirals in Her Eyes" and other tracks of purple prose.

Holy Smokes' Holy Smokes Talk to Your Kids About Gangs: Consisting of seven musicians from various corners of the Earth — the Ladies' Zach Hill and Rob Crow, the Advantage's Carson McWhirter and others — the end product is what you might expect: a cacophony of chaotic noise-rock and free jazz. Listen for trumpets, toys and gadgets on "Don't Squab on God's Tracks," "If You Pull It Out, You Better Use It" and "Too Many Wives (All You Need Is Blood)."

New Releases:

· 31Knots - Polemics EP (Polyvinyl) · 36 Crazyfists - Rest Inside the Flames (DRT) · Acute - Selections (EP; Help) · Arsis - United in Regret (Willowtip) · Mickey Avalon - Mickey Avalon (MySpace/Universal) · Black Elk - Black Elk (Crucial Blast) · Blackmore's Night - Winter Carols (Locomotive) · Blowoff - Blowoff (Full Frequency) · Bon Savants - Post-Rock Defends the Nation (E to the I Pi Music) · Bowling for Soup - The Great Burrito Extortion Case (Jive);
Read: "Bowling For Soup's Latest Muse? A Mouse In A Burrito" · Stephen Brodsky's Octave Museum - Stephen Brodsky's Octave Museum (Hydra Head) · J.J. Cale & Eric Clapton - The Road to Escondido (Reprise) · Isobel Campbell - Milk White Sheets (V2) · The Chelsea Smiles - Thirty Six Hours Later (Acetate) · Danava - Danava (digipak; Kemado) · Linda Draper - Traces Of (EP; Planting Seeds) · Dredg - Live at the Fillmore (Interscope) · El Goodo - El Goodo (Empyrean) · El Perro del Mar - El Perro del Mar (The Control Group) · Europe - Secret Society (Sanctuary) · The Evens - Get Evens (Dischord) · Benjy Ferree - Leaving the Nest (Domino) · Foo Fighters - Skin and Bones (RCA) · Josh Groban - Awake (Reprise) · Holy Smokes - Holy Smokes Talk To Your Kids About Gangs (Skin Graft) · Ill Niño - The Under Cover Sessions (limited-edition digipak EP; Cement Shoes) · Jim Jones - Hustler's P.O.M.E. (Product of My Environment) (Koch);
Read: "NFL Players Shooting Jump Shots During Games? Blame Jim Jones" · Josef K - Entomology (Domino) · Shanna Kiel - Orphan (Thick) · Librarians - Alright Easy Candy Stranger (Postfact) · Lithops - Mound Magnet (Thrill Jockey) · Microwaves - Contagion Heuristic (Crucial Blast) · MoZella - I Will (Maverick) · Nonpoint - Live and Kicking (with DVD; Bieler Bros.) · Sally Nyolo and the Original Bands of Yaoundé - Studio Cameroon (Riverboat) · Jon Oliva's Pain - Maniacal Recordings (Locomotive) · One Night Band - Way Back Home (Stomp) · Owen - At Home With Owen (Polyvinyl) · Polar Goldie Cats - Feral Phantasms (Up) · The Punks - Unanimous Bangers (Kill Rock Stars) · The Residents - The River of Crime: Episodes 1-5 (with bonus CD; Cordless) · Alejandro Sanz - El Tren de los Momentos (Warner Music Latina) · Stars Are Falling - The Consequence of Revenge (Blood & Ink) · Styx and the Contemporary Youth Orchestra - One With Everything (live; New Door) · SugarLand - Enjoy the Ride (Mercury Nashville) · Tech N9ne - Everready: The Religion (Strange) · Joaquin Torres - Joaquin Torres (Universal Latino) · Keith Urban - Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing (Capitol) · Dionne Warwick - My Friends & Me (Concord) · Various artists - A Raga for Peter Walker (Tompkins Square) · Various artists - Laguna Beach: Summer Can Last Forever (Interscope) · Various artists - Now That's What I Call Music! 23 (Sony) · Various artists - This American Life: Stories of Hope & Fear (two CDs; Shout! Factory) · Various artists - "A Good Year" soundtrack (Sony Music Soundtrax/ Legacy) · Various artists - "Shout! The Mod Musical" soundtrack (Rhino) · Various artists - "Stranger Than Fiction" soundtrack (Columbia/ Sony Music Soundtrax)

Notable Reissues and Archival Material:

· Cannonball Adderley - Riverside Profiles (two CDs; Riverside) · Louis Armstrong - Legends of American Music: The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong (box set with two CDs and one DVD; Time Life) · Chet Baker - Riverside Profiles (two CDs; Riverside) · Bee Gees - The Studio Albums 1967-1968 (six-CD box set; Rhino) · Tony Bennett & Bill Evans - The Tony Bennett & Bill Evans Album (Fantasy) · James Blunt - Back to Bedlam (limited-edition version with bonus CD; Atlantic) · Anne Cochran - This Is the Season (Fuel) · Marshall Crenshaw - The Definitive Pop Collection (two CDs; Rhino) · Dick Dale and His Del-Tones - Surfers' Choice (Sundazed) · Bobby Darin - The Definitive Pop Collection (two CDs; Rhino) · The Dirt Band - Make a Little Magic/ Jealousy (BGO) · Bill Evans - Riverside Profiles (two CDs; Riverside) · Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere - Deluxe Edition (with DVD, digipaks and 3-D version of album cover; Downtown) · Merle Haggard - 10 Top 10's Live (with DVD; Compendia) · PJ Harvey - The Peel Sessions 1991-2004 (Island) · Jack's Mannequin - Everything in Transit (with DVD; Maverick) · Kitaro - The Essential Kitaro (two CDs; Domo) · Loverboy - Keep It Up/ Lovin' Every Minute of It (Beat Goes On) · Manhattan Transfer - The Definitive Pop Collection (two CDs; Rhino) · Dave Matthews Band - The Best of What's Around, Vol. 1 (two CDs; RCA) · Memphis Slim - Fuel Presents an Introduction to Memphis Slim (Fuel) · Mighty Baby - Jug of Love (Sunbeam) · Thelonious Monk - Riverside Profiles (two CDs; Riverside) · Wes Montgomery - Riverside Profiles (two CDs; Riverside) · OK Go - Oh No (limited-edition version with DVD; Capitol) · Pavement - Wowee Zowee: Sordid Sentinels Edition (with bonus CD; Matador) · Frank Sinatra - Vegas (box set with four CDs and one DVD; Rhino) · Al Stewart - The Definitive Pop Collection (two CDs; Rhino) · Storyville - Bluest Eyes (Varèse Sarabande) · Sublime - Everything Under the Sun (box set with three CDs and one DVD; Geffen) · Frank Zappa - Trance-Fusion (Zappa) · Various artists - Blue Lights in the Basement: A Body + Soul Collection (Time Life) · Various artists - Only Hits (Rhino) · Various artists - Ruf Records Anthology - 12 Years of "Where Blues Crosses Over" (two CDs; Ruf) · Various artists - Serious Times (two CDs; XL)

Music DVDs:

· Andrea Bocelli - "Under the Desert Sky" (Sugar) · Bobby Darin - "Seeing Is Believing" (The Music Force) · Waylon Jennings - "Nashville Rebel" (RCA Nashville/ Legacy) · The Make-Up - "In Film/ On Video" (Dischord) · Ricky Martin - "MTV Unplugged" (Sony International) · Nirvana - "Live! Tonight! Sold Out!!" (Geffen) · The Pixies - "loudQUIETloud: A Film About the Pixies" (MVD Visual) · Rush - "Rush in Rio" (Rounder) · The Who - "The Vegas Job: The Who Live in Vegas Reunion Concert" (Passport Entertainment) · Andy Williams - "In Concert Series: Andy Williams" (Passport) · Various artists - "Carson Country" (Delta) · Various artists - "Harry Smith Project Live" (Shout! Factory)

Coming Attractions:

November 14: · Army of Anyone - Army of Anyone (Firm); Read: "Army Of Anyone Want To Be Judged By Their Fifth Album, Not Their Debut" · Fat Joe - Me, Myself and I (Virgin); Read: "Fat Joe On September Release: 'Bet The Kitchen Sink On Me' " · The Game - Doctor's Advocate (Geffen); Read: "Game Says Song On New LP Makes Him 'The One-Man N.W.A' " · Plus-44 - When Your Heart Stops Beating (Interscope); Read: "Plus-44 Address Blink Breakup On LP, Want Fans To 'Hear The Truth' " · Tenacious D - "The Pick of Destiny" soundtrack (Epic)

November 21: · Jay-Z - Kingdom Come (Roc-A-Fella); Read: "Jay-Z's 'Retirement' Is Finally Over: New Album Due In November" · Killswitch Engage - As Daylight Dies (Roadrunner); Read: "Killswitch Engage Turn On The Heavy For Glass-Shattering As Daylight Dies" · U2 - U218 Singles (limited-edition; with DVD; Interscope)

November 28: · Incubus - Light Grenades (Epic); Read: "Incubus' Mike Einziger Lends Agent Sparks A Hand Making The Best Brunch LP Ever" · Ying Yang Twins - Chemically Imbalanced (TVT) · Young Buck - Buck Tha World (Interscope)

• Jim Jones
• Foo Fighters
• Nirvana
• Gnarls Barkley
• OK Go

Woodie Awards 2005 Red Carpet

• Death Cab For Cutie
• Muse
• Matisyahu
• OK Go
• Saul Williams

Red Carpet Spectacular: Photos From The 2007 Grammy Awards

• Pussycat Dolls
• Wolfmother
• Ministry
• Jamie Foxx
• Rihanna

What You Didn't See At The Grammys

• Justin Timberlake
• Timbaland
• P!nk
• Shakira
• Kanye West

2006: The Best of Studio Photos

• Lil Jon
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs
• Kelis
• Beck
• Nelly Furtado

Best of 2006: Live Performances Highlights

• Christina Aguilera
• AFI
• Gnarls Barkley
• My Chemical Romance
• Lady Sovereign

2006 VMA Performer: OK Go

• OK Go

Jack Black, Lil' Kim, OK Go, Paris Hilton And More Highlight The Big Show

• Justin Timberlake
• Jack Black
• Lil' Kim
• 50 Cent
• LL Cool J

MTV.com Exclusive: OK Go Photos 08.16.2006

• OK Go

2006 VMA Style: Snazzy Suits

• Panic at the Disco
• Diddy
• Fall Out Boy
• Taking Back Sunday
• OK Go

The 2006 MTV Video Music Award Performers And Presenters

• Justin Timberlake
• Ludacris
• T.I.
• The Killers
• Panic at the Disco