Holiday Break

I need about 7 days to eat all the turkey I can, so More Than Musiq will be back next week!

Susan Boyle's Big Debut

It's being projected that Britain's Got Talent runner-up Susan Boyle could sell around 500,000 copies of her first CD I Dreamed a Dream in its first week, beating out new releases from Rihanna and Lady Gaga.

If this is true, this is BIG news! 500,000 is not just good, it's very good! That is Britney territory for those of you wondering how that stacks up (Britney is the only artists to have 4 albums sell over 500,000 in their first week).

Congratulations to Boyle, although these are just predictions it's safe to say that she will have a very successful album!

(Image courtesy of thedewview.files.wordpress.com)

If You Don't Know Already

This was announced yesterday, but it's news that spreads fast. Oprah will be ending her historical talk show in 2011, after 25 years of being TV's top dog.

Oprah has said that after 25 years she feels it's time to end the talk show, which made her a billionaire.

I actually think this is a very smart move. Oprah's numbers have been falling steadily over the last couple of years, and I think it's best that she finish on top, while she is still considered a Day Time TV powerhouse.

I bet Tyra Banks is hysterically crying out of pure joy right now...

(Image courtesy of www.gearfuse.com)

Dance Track of the Day

Lily Allen is one of my favorite British imports. The singer/songwriter may not have super strong pipes, but her songs and lyrics are clever and fun, not to mention a little sassy.

Allen's single "F*ck You" moves in to the #1 position on Billboard's Dance/Club Play songs, and although it is probably a remixed version for the clubs, the original is great!

Some people (Perez Hilton) think Allen is a train wreck in the making with no talent, but she is legit talented!

Check out the tune below!

Lily Allen F*ck You

(Image courtesy of gossipcheck.com)

New Moon Delivers Lovey Dovey Cheesy Greatness

I was fortunate enough to catch the midnight showing for New Moon last night, and let me tell you, I was in cheesy vampire heaven the whole two hours!

I forgot how fantastically ridiculous these books and movies are. The teen angst, the undead depression, it's all so over the top that you can't help but be glued to your seat the entire time.

The theater was packed (and there were 3 other theaters open for the midnight showing as well) and this time around the crowd was a bit older, and a bit more diverse.

Last year's Twilight premiere was filled with 14-year-old girls and their moms, this time around the audience was older, mostly college students and much more guys than the previous year. Could this be a sign that the series is reaching a wider audience?

Who knows. Who cares really. As long as Edward and Jacob appear shirtless in the next film for an hour, all is well in the world.

(Image courtesy of 1.bp.blogspot.com)

You Want Your Freaks

The Poll is now closed and you have chosen Freaks and Geeks and the show that you wished was still on the air!

The cult classic was only on for one season, but was a critical darling and featured the young talent of of now superstars James Franco and Seth Rogen. The show ran from 1999-2000, with Entertainment Weekly naming it the 13th best television series of the past 25 years.

Too bad no one watches good TV shows.

Well, here's to hoping that perhaps we'll see the kids of William McKinley High School walking the halls once more!

(Image courtesy of images.fanpop.com)

Bon Jovi Back at #1

Veteran rockers Bon Jovi score the fourth #1 album of their career, with their latest set "The Circle" selling 163,000 last week.

The band has been consistent over the years, selling out stadiums around the world and releasing relatively successful albums, although they've never reached the success of their debut Slippery When Wet, which sold over 10 million records in 1986-87.

As a sign that the holidays are upon us, the #2 album of the week is Andrea Bocelli's "My Christmas", which sold another 136,000 copies.

Last week's #1 album, "Play On" by Carrie Underwood, falls to #3 with 128,000.

The soundtrack to New Moon is sitting at #10, but I expect a huge bump in sales next week as the film is released this Friday.

(Image courtesy of www.disc-connection.com)

IT'S TIME

Be prepared for full on Twilight PANDEMONIUM this week, as the second film in the franchise New Moon is set for release this Friday.

Pre-ticket sales are already through the roof for the film (I've got my midnight showing tickets!) and industry experts say that its opening weekend is going to be HUGE. The first movie made $191 million in North America alone, expect this one to be even bigger.

This week the three stars, Taylor Lautner, Robert Pattinson, and Kristen Stewart grace the cover of Entertainment Weekly, all looking smokin' hot!

These kids are set for life, and just think, a year ago they were unknowns!

(Image courtesy of ew.com)

Only 2 Days Left!

If you haven't already, don't forget to vote for the More Than Musiq Poll, that has only two days left until it closes!

Voting is still open on what show you want to see back on the air, with the candidates as follows:

Friends
Freaks and Geeks
Seinfeld
Will and Grace

At the moment Seinfeld and Freaks and Geeks are in a tie for first place, both receiving 30% of the votes so far. Friends is next with 23%, while Will & Grace trail with only 15%.

Don't forget to vote!


(Image courtesy of NBC.com)

Owl City Reclaims #1 Spot, Rihanna earns 12th Top 10 Hit

Owl City's "Fireflies" moves back into the pole position of the Billboard Hot 100 this week, replacing Jason DeRulo's "Watcha Say", which held the top spot for one week.

Rocketing 75-9 this week is Rihanna's "Russian Roulette" giving the star her 12th top hit, the second most out of any female artist this decade (Beyonce is in the lead with 13.)

While that is an impressive feat, the jury is still out on if Roulette will be as big of a smash as her previous hits, like Umbrella, S.O.S. and Disturbia.

Here's a rundown of this week's top 10 singles:

1. Owl City "Fireflies"

2. Jay-Z and Alicia Keys "Empire State of Mind"

3. Jason DeRulo "Watcha Say"

4. Iyaz "Replay"

5. Jay Sean "Down"

6. Miley Cyrus "Party in the U.S.A."

7. Lady Gaga "Paparazzi"

8. Britney Spears "3"

9. Rihanna "Russian Roulette"

10. Beyonce "Sweet Dreams"

Swift Makes History at the CMA's

Taylor Swift made history last night at this year's Country Music Awards, taking home the coveted Entertainer of the Year award, becoming the youngest artist ever to do so.

The country titan also took home the awards for Female Vocalist of the Year, (beating out Carrie Underwood, who took home the award the last few years), Music Video of the Year, and Album of the Year.

The only downside to Swift's night? Her awkward "rocker" performance which opened the show. Seriously Taylor, please don't try to dance, and always have a guitar with you...

Other winners of the night include Lady Antebellum, who took home the Vocal Group of the Year as well as Single of the Year for their #1 hit "I Run to You."

The other big winner of the night was former Hootie and the Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker, who won the CMA for New Artist of the Year. If it's any indication for future award show wins, Rucker may be nominated for the Grammy for Best New Artist, which he already won way back in 1996 with the Blowfish.

(Image courtesy of evilbeetgossip.film.com/)

Twilight Leads People's Choice Nominations

The nominations for this year's People's Choice Awards were announced yesterday, and no surprise, the mega-popular film Twilight leads all with 6 nominations.

Aside from the nods for Favorite Movie and Favorite Movie Franchise, stars Kristen Stewart (Favorite Movie Actress), Robert Pattinson (Favorite Movie Actor), Taylor Lautner (Breakout Movie Actor), and Anna Kendrick (Breakout Movie Actress) all received nominations.

In the music category, our very own Miss Britney Spears receive two nominations, one for Favorite Female Artist and the other for Favorite Pop Artist.

Check out the entire list of nominees here!

(Image courtesy of 4.bp.blogspot.com)

'Precious' Already Earning Oscar Buzz

Hollywood is already buzzing about Precious, this little independent film starring newcomer Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, and Mariah Carey. Now, I know you may be thinking, 'WTF, Mariah Carey?' But this movie shows you a side of the pop icon that you have never seen.

Based on the novel Push by Sapphire, the story of a high school girl who has already gotten pregnant twice by her father and lives with her abusive mother (Mo'Nique), has people thinking that some Oscar nominations are in order for some of the stars.

Mo'Nique, best known for her comedic prowess, is a complete MONSTER in the film, chilling audiences to the bone with the way she treats her daughter Precious (played by Sidibe). Most critics are saying that Mo'Nique is a sure thing in this year's race for Best Supporting Actress.

I recommend that everyone go check out the film!

(Image courtesy of media.daemonsmovies.com)

Underwood's "Cowboy" Slides into the #1 Position

Although it's not my favorite Carrie Underwood song, the American Idol winner's latest single "Cowboy Casanova" will move into the #1 spot on the country charts this week, making it her 8th chart topper.

WOW. Underwood has not lost any steam since winning the AI crown in 2005, becoming the most successful idol EVER, selling over 12 million albums in the US alone.

Time to step it up Kelly.

(Image courtesy of www.bittenandbound.com)

Evanescence Return to the Stage

Goth Rockers Evanescence performed in New York City this weekend, giving an intimate performance to a small crowd of fans eager to see the band, who hasn't released a new album since 2006.

According to Rolling Stone, lead singer Amy Lee sounded as strong as ever, and the band (which has gone through countless lineup changes) sounded crisp!

This good news to fans, who were afraid that the band were on a hiatus indefinitely, but here's hoping the band will release some new material soon!

Amy Lee has one of the strongest voices in pop/rock, and although some may feel otherwise, there really is no Evanescence without Amy Lee.

Check out their performance of My Immortal from this weekend!

(Image courtesy of www.popcrunch.com)

Aussies Pissed at Britney

Some Britney Spears fans in Australia are none too happy with the pop queen's decision to lip-sync during her 14 date tour around the country.

After her kick off performance in Perth last week, some concert goer's left after a couple songs, saying that the show was boring and that she was lip-syncing the whole time.

Two things...

First of all, DUH. These people are idiots if they expected to go to a Britney show and hear her sing live. It's something all of us die-hard fans have come to expect, and although it's not the perfect situation we feel she makes up for it in many ways (i.e. dancing, putting on a great show, etc)

And secondly, even if she was lip-syncing there is NO WAY these people left because her concert was boring; The Circus Tour is anything But! With magician's, circus performers, martial arts artists and TONS MORE, no one could go see that concert and be bored.

These people are just looking to complain, they should shut their mouths, and be banned from any more Britney concerts.

They don't deserve to see her!

(Image courtesy of britneyspears.com)

Another Reminder Why Cascada Doesn't Suck

A while back an entry was posted on More Than Musiq, with an acoustic version of Cascada's most recent hit "Evacuate the Dance Floor." It was live and awesome, and the vocals were phenomenal!

Well here's another one for you guys, an acoustic, slowed down version of Cascada's original hit "Everytime We Touch."

It's GREAT.

Check it out!!

Cascada "Everytime We Touch"

(Image courtesy of askmen.com)

Jackson Scores 6th Number One Album

With over 373,000 copies sold this week, Michael Jackson's This is It album easily tops the Billboard 200. This is Jackson's best sales week since 1995 when his hits collection HIStory sold 391,000.

The album is the companion the Jackson's musical Documentary of the same name, which topped last weekend's box office and has $36.9 million in North America alone.

In other big chart news, Creed scores a surprising #2 debut with their comeback album Full Circle. The band's first set of new material since 2001, the disc sold 110,000.

And we can't mention the music charts without Taylor Swift. Last week she re-released the platinum edition of her already 4x platinum album Fearless, which sees a whopping 225% increase in sales to 109,000, good enough to move up to #3.

Here is a rundown of the top 10 albums this week:

1. Michael Jackson "This is It" (373,00)

2. Creed "Full Circle " (110,000)

3. Taylor Swift "Fearless" (109,000)

4. Rod Stewart "Soulbook" (84,000)

5. Trans-Siberian Orchestra "Night Castle" (82,000)

6. Sting "If On a Winters Night" (80,000)

7. Michael Buble "Crazy Love" (71,000)

8. The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack (69,000)

9. Tim McGraw "Southern Voice" (59,000)

10. Jay-Z "The Blueprint 3" (41,00)

(Image courtesy of Billboard.com)

Britney Heading Down Unda'

After a well deserved month of from touring, Britney Spears is back in action, flying to Western Australia to perform 14 shows around the country.

This is Brit's first tour down under, and most venues sold out in a matter of minutes. I'm sure you Aussies will be pleased with The Circus: Starring Britney Spears Tour, it is one of the best pop outings in recent memory!

After these 14 dates, the tour will officially be complete. After kicking everything off on March 3rd, this Britney tour will be one of the top grossing concert tours of the year!

I wonder if Spears will add any new numbers to the show, she did just release her most recent #1 smash "3", so perhaps it will be included!

(Image courtesy of www.listown.com)

Shakira Seeks World Domination

The new issue of Rolling Stone Magazine is out, and Latin bombshell Shakira graces its cover.

I like Shakira, but to be honest I'm surprised about this; the first single off of her upcoming album "She Wolf" failed to crack the top 10, and her 3rd English language album has been pushed back so her record label can release a new single that will hopefully catch on better with American fans.

I think there are some more noteworthy musicians that could have been on the cover (I was actually hoping it would be Rihanna, who if is smart should give the magazine her first legit interview since she was beaten by ex-boyfriend Chris Brown.)

But aside from that, I'm also dissapointed in the new Rolling Stone format as a whole; why on EARTH would the most popular music magazine in history have a sports section?! Can anyone tell me??

(Image courtesy of Rollingstone.com)

Some Non-Pop Culture News...WORCESTER ELECTIONS TODAY

I felt the need to say a little something about today's municipal elections here in Worcester, just because as a reporter I have been following these candidates for the last 5 months and for the first time I kind of know a little bit about it!

Although turnout for Worcester elections is usually low (last election only about 20% of all registered voters in the city actually voted) but this year we have an actual race for mayor, which hopefully will bring some new people out!

The contenders for mayor are as follows"

- Konnie Lukes (incumbent)
- Joe O'Brien
- Kate Toomey
- Emmanuel Tsitsilianos

It could be a tight race: It's really come down to incumbent Lukes and O'Brien, who will be the front runners in the election. If I could vote (I am still registered in NH) I would fully support O'Brien. It's time for something new, and he has the ideas and the energy to successfully take over this position. As incumbent, Lukes will receive a large chunk of the votes to start with, but I think Worcester is ready for a change. As for Toomey, she's been successful on city council and the school committee but it's just not her time; she's a little bit out of her league. As for Tsitsilianos, this guy is a joke; a native of Greece with no prior political background, who I think is a little sketchy. My votes goes to O'Brien.

(Image courtesy of 3.bp.blogspot.com)

Say Ya for Iyaz

You probably don't know who Iyaz is, or even how to pronounce his name, but his new single "Replay" has been slowly climbing the charts, and looks like it could break the top 10 this week.

Iyaz is the 'protege' of Sean Kingston, and is from the British Virgin Islands.

He definitely has that same sound as Kingston, but this song is way better than anything his predecessor has ever come out with.

Take a listen to "Replay."

(Image courtesy of 2.bp.blogspot.com)