Tidbits

-Yesterday, La Roux hit number 1 in the UK for the first time with their fantastic new single Bulletproof. Their album is released today in the the UK. Congrats! Florence + the Machine debut at #12 with Rabbit Heart (Raise it Up), their wonderfully odd new single. This song would never even crack the top 100 here.

-Sales of Michael Jackson albums and singles have shot through the roof since his death last Thursday. 8 songs in the iTunes Top 10 are MJ, the number 1 spot occupied by Man in the Mirror. 7 of the top 10 albums are his as well.

-Here's a clip of a Jordin Sparks demo called Vertigo that should totally be on her new album which comes out July 21. It's super fun and dancey.



-The Spanish version of Shakira's new single has appeared online. The song is called She-Wolf and it is a big change of pace for Shakira. It's got a funky bassline, a disco feel, and it's overrall very pop. It suits Shakira well. I'm really loving it. Can't wait for the English version.

Michael Jackson

Like many, many others the news of Michael Jackson's death at age 50 shocked me. I heard it on the radio last night, but the source for it was the questionable gossip fiends at TMZ.com. Then it was on the news and they played his songs all night on the radio. I discovered the Thriller cassette tape at the beginning of seventh grade and fell in love with the album. It's the most consistent pop album ever I would say. From the giddy Baby Be Mine to the shimmy shake of Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' to the rush of P.Y.T to the slightly silly but charming The Girl is Mine with Paul McCartney to the legend of Thriller to the riffs and hard hit of Beat It to the smooth funk and sexiness of Billie Jean to the glorious beauty of Human Nature. I had a friend of mine make a CD version from the cassette tape recording. I grew up in the time when Michael Jackson's bizarre life was more prevalent then his pop genius life, but I also grew up with other pop singers who all listed him as an influence like Justin Timberlake for instance. Thank you for making us dance, Michael. You set us free with your music.