Could it be three albums in less than two years for Beck? He released both Guero and Guerolito in 2005 and is now finishing up yet another album, according to a spokesperson for him. The album was recorded in a week with Nigel Godrich before Guero, and is said to be the bridge between that album and Sea Change. There's no official release date for the currently untitled record. Meanwhile Beck continues to use his Web site to showcase new songs. Most recently he posted two covers from Nick Drake's Pink Moon: "Which Will" and "Parasite." ...

Common will be among the recipients of the Chicago chapter of the Recording Academy Honors Award, celebrating those who have "improved the environment for the creative community." Chaka Khan, Les Paul and the late Lou Rawls will also be honored at the gala, to be held March 23 at the Sofitel Chicago Water Tower. ... On Friday Saved Latin will perform at the Knitting Factory in New York. Why is this news? Well, because Saved are actually Fall Out Boy's super-secret pseudonym. The double-platinum pop-punkers had been promising a spate of secret shows for months now, and the Friday gig at the tiny Knitting Factory is the first. Tickets are long-gone (sorry) and fetching upward of 60 bucks a pop on various online bidding sites. As far as the name? Well, a spokesperson for the band's label, Island Records, claims it's taken from the film "Rushmore" (at one point, Jason Schwartzman's Max Fischer declares "I saved Latin, what did you ever do?"). ... Ciara's working on her second album, and according to producer Rodney Jerkins, she's trying some new things. "I told her, 'Let's push the envelope the way Janet Jackson did back in the day,' and she wasn't afraid to try," he said. ... Joe Simpson has big things planned in 2006 for his new Papa Joe Records. "We've got Barefoot, that's our first one," he said recently. "We've got a girl named Valeria, who's a beautiful Latina girl. We've got a guy named Chris James, who's Craig David-ish, he's got a great record he wrote, produced and did all himself. And then we've got a surprise coming. We won't let you know who it is yet, but you'll be familiar when you see it." ...

Garage rockers are starting a war -- or at least a war of words. Underground garage rocker Billy Childish -- who has released more than 50 records in his various bands (Pop Rivets, the Milkshakes, Thee Headcoats) -- has called out the White Stripes in the latest issue of GQ magazine, saying of the Detroit duo: "I can't listen to that stuff. They don't have a good sound. ... Jack's half into the sound and music, but then he wants to be a pop star as well, so you've got a big problem." Jack White shot back on the band's Web site: "As for Billy Childish, Meg and I really feel sorry for you. It must be lonely sitting in all of that garage-rock bitterness, Billy." ... Pearl Jam have set a May 2 release date for their eighth studio album and first in four years. The self-titled release, produced by Adam Kasper, will be their first on J Records. The first single, "World Wide Suicide," will be made available as a free, unrestricted download on PearlJam.com for two days beginning March 8. ... While Scott Weiland has said he wants to make a concept album for Velvet Revolver's second release, bassist Duff McKagan was hesitant to confirm it. "I think a lot's been said, but when it comes down to it we have to make the best record all of us collectively, and separately, ever made," he said. "Now we know who each other are and who we are as a band. The first record was really just us coming together and being straight in the studio, but now it's gonna be deeper and bigger and all that. Concept record? I don't know, but it's gonna be killer." ...

Anthony Hamilton plans to return to his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina, to shoot the video for his next single, "Ain't Nobody Worryin'." "Some people compare it to Marvin Gaye 'What's Going On,' " he said. "It talks about the political state of the world right now and the spiritual state of the world, and I think it's necessary. I like to just remind people like, 'Hey, don't forget to pray and don't forget to reach out and make sure somebody else is OK.' " ... Natasha Bedingfield is still promoting her 2004 record Unwritten in the States (the album came out here in 2005), but the New Zealand pop star is taking any free time to work on the follow-up. "I've been touring for the last six months in America and I'm kind of due just to write," she said recently. "It makes me the happiest girl in the world." ... Janet Jackson is expected to re-emerge sometime in 2006, and according to the co-producer of her new album, fans can expect the singer to return to her Control roots. "We're celebrating 20 years since the Control album, so it would be crazy not to at least acknowledge that a little bit," Jimmy Jam said. "So we're digging out all the old sounds that we haven't used in years and she sounds fantastic. It's a record for the hardcore Janet fans: It's very danceable, very upbeat, very happy." ... Russian-born, Bronx-bred singer/songwriter Regina Spektor will release her second major-label effort, Begin to Hope, June 13. Produced in New York with David Kahne (Tony Bennett, the Strokes), Hope is the follow-up to 2004's critically lauded Soviet Kitsch. ...

A second show has been added to Rufus Wainwright's upcoming stint at Carnegie Hall in New York, during which the crooner will perform the 1961 Judy Garland live album Judy at Carnegie Hall in its entirety. Fans now have a chance to hear Rufus sing "Over the Rainbow" on both June 14 and June 15. No word yet on whether Wainwright plans to re-enact Judy's banter with the audience, but judging from his previous charismatic live appearances, it'd probably be a safe bet. The online-only presale for both dates begins Thursday at CarnegieHall.org. ... Helmet have reunited with the producer of their first two albums, Wharton Tiers, to helm their next record, due in early summer before the band heads out on the Warped Tour. "Wharton was my only choice to co-produce this project with me," singer Page Hamilton said in a statement. "I want to get back to my roots with this release, and what's really cool is that we are actually using the same tape machine that we recorded our first two albums with." ... The Essential Judas Priest, a two-CD retrospective chronicling the career of Rob Halford's band of British heavy-metal heroes, will drop April 4. The collection ranges from 1976's Sad Wings of Destiny through 2005's reunion record, Angel of Retribution. Look for the discs to feature the Priest classics "Breaking the Law," "Hell Bent for Leather," "Ram It Down," "You've Got Another Thing Comin'," "Turbo Lover" and "The Ripper." ... Poison are celebrating their decades-long career with The Best of Poison: 20 Years of Rock, also out April 4. The collection features 18 of the most popular Poison specimens, including "Talk Dirty to Me," "Nothin' but a Good Time," "Every Rose Has Its Thorn," "Something to Believe In" and "Unskinny Bop." The LP will include one fresh cut: a cover of Grand Funk Railroad's "We're an American Band." ...

02.28.2006

Britney Spears is "in control" -- or at least her perfume is. The singer's got a third fragrance on the way, a limited-edition perfume called In Control. Like Curious, it'll have a vanilla base, but this one will also include crème brûlée, loquat fruit, midnight orchid, sugared sandalwood and musk. It'll hit stores in April and be available throughout the year. Meanwhile, Spears surprised a few fans on "Good Morning America" on Tuesday, when she showed up in New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Four Metairie, Louisiana, students who survived Hurricane Katrina were treated to a meal and shopping spree with the singer, who said it was "an honor" to be there with them. ...

Mariah Carey's also farming out her name -- Mimi's started a jewelry and accessory line called Glamorized, available now in Claire's stores. The singer also recently sat down with Barbara Walters for "The Barbara Walters Special," in which she shows off what Walters calls "the biggest closet I've ever seen in my life." Make that the biggest three closets: Mariah has one each for her shoes, clothing and lingerie in the 12,000-square-foot Manhattan apartment that also includes a festive Moroccan room, mermaid room, Hello Kitty bathroom and living room with Marilyn Monroe's piano. The special airs Wednesday at 10 p.m. on ABC. ... 50 Cent's next movie is official: He'll co-star with Samuel L. Jackson, Jessica Biel and Christina Ricci in "Home of the Brave," the story of three soldiers trying to readjust to life back home after a tour of duty in Iraq. "Home of the Brave" starts principal photography March 6 in Morocco and will then shoot in Spokane, Washington, before coming out later this year. ... Seeing as how she's pregnant, Gwen Stefani didn't shoot a narrative music video for her new single "Crash." But she's got one featuring live footage, thanks to her Harajuku Lovers Tour stop in Anaheim, California. The clip directed by Sophie Muller -- who also did Love, Angel, Music, Baby's "Luxurious" and "Cool" clips -- can be seen on Stefani's Web site. ...

Though Nick Lachey has split from Jessica Simpson, the former newlywed is soldiering on with his life, he tells Teen People for its April cover story. In his first interview since the breakup, Lachey says, "I can't wait until the day I have kids. Obviously, it's not the right time for me to be a father. But the one thing I haven't had the chance to do is be a great dad." Lachey is also hooking up with Teen People for an awards luncheon March 10 in New York called "20 Teens Who Will Change the World." Natasha Bedingfield will also attend, as will a group of young activists, scientists, athletes and musicians featured in the April issue. Each of the teens are receiving a $1,000 scholarship. ... Red Light District Video's lawyer claims that the Kid Rock sex tape wasn't stolen, but was in fact filmed with no restrictions given to the videographer about how it could be used. Peter M. Falkenstein said his client plans to defend its rights to distribute the 1999 sex tape it purchased from the filmmaker in proceedings scheduled for late March, since the videographer "owns the rights to the video." He says it was shot not as a "private event" but "in the presence of several non-participants ... with the knowledge of all involved." ...

There was no bombshell announcement like the recent unveiling of the video iPod and Nano, but Apple did offer iPod fanatics a new gadget on Tuesday when it took the wrapper off the iPod Hi-Fi. The square, boombox-like device was touted as the first Apple-branded accessory with hi-fidelity sound. It works with the Apple Remote and is compatible with all iPods with a dock connector. ... The Recording Industry Association of America announced its latest round of copyright-infringement lawsuits on Tuesday, this time targeting 750 unnamed individuals. The suits for illegally distributing music through such P2P services as LimeWire and Kazaa come on the heels of actions earlier this month against 210 named defendants from California to Wisconsin. Additionally, the RIAA praised the U.S. Department of Justice for securing the first guilty pleas as part of its "Operation FastLink" crackdown against members of pre-release music piracy groups. Among those pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit copyright infringement by posting songs on the Internet prior to their official release dates were three members of organized pirating groups Apocalypse Crew and Chromance, each of whom faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. ... Arctic Monkeys' British invasion is set to hit U.S. televisions on March 11, when they'll be the musical guest on an episode of "Saturday Night Live" hosted by Oscar nominee Matt Dillon. The performance kicks off an 11-date North American tour hitting cities including Chicago, Montreal and Philadelphia throughout March. ...

Howard Stern is lashing out against former employer Infinity Broadcasting (now CBS Radio) for filing a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against him for breach of contract, fraud and other claims regarding his switchover to Sirius Satellite Radio. According to The Associated Press, the lawsuit -- which was filed against Stern, his agent and Sirius on Tuesday -- claims the shock jock violated his contract's terms when he failed to notify Infinity he was in discussions with Sirius, and then used the network's airtime to push his Sirius show. Stern called an impromptu news conference early Tuesday, during which he said, "I'm offended. I really do think this is a personal vendetta. [CBS head] Les [Moonves] has had it in for me for a long time. I don't deserve it." A spokesperson for CBS did not return calls for comment as of press time. ... Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider is slated to undergo emergency throat surgery on Wednesday to remove a polyp from his vocal cords, his publicist said Tuesday. It will put the singer out of commission for the next two months and force Snider -- who also hosts a nationally syndicated weekly radio show -- to cancel a host of concert dates, public appearances and recording sessions while he recovers. Snider seems to be taking the news in stride, judging from a statement he released: "All of you people out there, including my wife Suzette, who has been hoping I would just shut up, are finally getting your wish ... at least for a couple of months." ...

George Michael says he has no one but himself to blame for Saturday's arrest on suspected drug possession in London. The 42-year-old singer called the incident "my own stupid fault" in a statement released on Monday. "I was in possession of class C drugs, which is an offense," he explained. "I have no complaints about the police, who were professional throughout." ... The National Museum of American History, part of the Smithsonian Institution, will help immortalize the impact of hip-hop culture with an exhibit titled "Hip-Hop Won't Stop: The Beat, the Rhymes, the Life." Vinyl records, turntables, mixers, microphones and boomboxes donated by hip-hop legends including Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa and Fab 5 Freddy will be part of the presentation. The project is expected to take up to five years and $2 million to complete. ... Spin magazine was sold to San Francisco publishing company Hartle Media and its partner, the McEvoy Group, on Tuesday, allegedly for a fraction of the $42 million it was originally sold to another publisher back in 1997. The New York Post reported the sale could have gone for as little as $5 million, but a spokesperson for the magazine declined to comment on the details, only confirming the monthly music mag was changing hands and a new staff lineup was in the works. Tom Hartle will step in as Spin's president, Malcolm Campbell as the mag's publisher and former Blender editor Andy Pemberton will reign as editor-in-chief, replacing current head Sia Michel. The new company, Spin Media LLC, will be headed by Nion McEvoy, who said in a statement, "Spin has been an authoritative voice for contemporary rock music for over 20 years [and] I have every confidence that Tom, Malcolm and Andy will secure and expand Spin's role as the pre-eminent music magazine in America."...