OK, let's update you all on the CMU Track Of The Year poll. Thanks for all your votes. At the end of this week we'll publish the final top ten, and next week ask you to vote for a second time to pick the overall Track Of The Year.

To give you an indication of how things are going, here's the top ten as it currently stands. But don't forget, this is not the final ten - you can still vote and alter things. If you haven't already voted, just email us the name of your favourite track released this year and a couple of sentences saying why you love it to [email protected]. Don't forget to include your name and company too.

Here's the top ten as it currently stands...

1. MGMT - Time To Pretend
2. Elbow - One Day Like This
3. Glasvegas - Geraldine
4. MGMT - Kids
5. Santogold - L.E.S. Artistes
6. Foals - Cassius
7. Hot Chip - Ready For The Floor
8. Timbaland - The Way I Are
9. Katy Perry - I Kissed A Girl
10. Florence & The Machine - Dog Days Are Over

But as we say, you can change this. Email us your vote to [email protected] before the end of the week. And look out for more vote updates each day in the Daily.

92 INDIES TERMINATE CONTRACTS WITH PINNACLE, ASK FOR CDS BACK
Lawyers for the Association Of Independent Music have written to the administrators of Pinnacle informing them that 92 indie labels wish to terminate their contracts with the distribution firm and to collect any CDs that are currently sitting in the company's warehouse.

As previously reported, independent distributor Pinnacle went into administration last week. As the distributor for numerous independent record companies, and the physical product distributor for other distribution firms, Pinnacle's downfall could hit the indie sector hard. Affected labels need to reclaim any stock currently in the distributor's possession, figure out how to get their current releases into record shops and brace themselves for financial losses given most are still owed sales revenues collected by Pinnacle on their behalf, with payments owing to some for up to three months.

As also previously reported, representatives from many affected labels attended an emergency meeting at AIM's West London HQ on Thursday. It was following that meeting that AIM's lawyer wrote to administrators BDO Stoy Hayward informing them of the intent of 92 of the labels the trade body represents.

AIM boss Alison Wenham, meanwhile, told reporters: "It is hoped that the administrators will not seek to prevent labels from collecting their stock as they are entitled to do. If necessary, the labels will make an application to the Court to protect their position".

Rumour has it Pinnacle's lease on its warehouse is nearly up so there is an added urgency for labels to retrieve their stock before the distributor's landlords sweep in. AIM says it is also advising other indies who have appointed their own lawyers on what action to take, while also looking into alternative storage facilities for those labels who manage to get their CDs back from Pinnacle.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

SATRIANI SUES COLDPLAY
Wanky, fast-fingered guitarist Joe Satriani is suing Coldplay for plagiarism. Last Thursday he filed a lawsuit with the Los Angeles federal court claiming that Coldplay's song 'Viva La Vida' "copied and incorporated substantial original portions" of his 2004 instrumental 'If I Could Fly'.

Whether or not this is the case is a matter of debate (or trial, if you like). Chris Martin tends to be fairly open about "borrowing" the odd riff. He didn't mind telling everyone that Coldplay's 'Talk' lifts a riff from Kraftwerk's 'Computer Love' when that came out. Although, maybe he does that to distract us from all the more obscure stuff he pinches. I dunno. Anyway, if you want to see the similarities between the two songs, this link is worth checking out.

uk.youtube.com/watch?v=1ofFw9DKu_I&feature=related

Satriani is seeking damages and "any and all profits" made from the song. He has also requested a jury trial.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

WARRANT OUT FOR DMX, AGAIN
A judge in Pheonix has issued a warrant for the arrest of DMX after he failed to appear at a hearing on Friday at the Maricopa County Superior Court. As previously reported, the rap star, real name Earl Simmons, is presently facing a number of different charges in relation to different offences, and presently stands accused of drug possession, identity theft and animal cruelty. He was, of course, extradited in September to Arizona from Miami, where he was, for a time, held in custody in relation to further drugs charges. Lawyer Charles Kolzelka says that his client is in presently in rehab, hence his no show last week.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

SUGE KNIGHT CHARGES DROPPED
A judge has dismissed those drug and battery charges that had been filed against Suge Knight.

As previously reported, the former Death Row Records chief was accused of hitting a woman in the car park of a Las Vegas strip joint back in June. He also allegedly threatened her with a knife. The drugs were found on his person when he was stopped in relation to the assault allegations.

A spokesman for the Clark County Court confirmed the charges had been dismissed, without prejudice, last week. According to Knight's lawyer charges were dropped because the prosecution had both "discovery problems and witness problems", whatever that means. The Court official added that the District Attorney's office may as yet try to reinstate the charges by taking them to a grand jury hearing.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

TEDDY AFRO SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS
Ethiopia's biggest pop star Teddy Afro has been sentenced to six years in prison at a court in Addis Ababa.

As previously reported, Afro stood accused of killing a homeless man, Degu Yibelte, in a hit and run incident, but many believe that the charge was politically motivated; the singer, real name Tewodros Kassahun, has released albums which were considered to be critical of Ethiopia's government, and one of his songs became an unofficial anthem for the opposition in the country's recent, contentious elections.

According to reports the main hole in the case for the prosecution is the fact that the autopsy report on Yibelte indicates that he died the day before Afro is supposed to have killed him, but there is also no forensic evidence of any kind. Supporters claim that Kassahun was tried by a kangaroo court, instructed by Ethiopian prime minister Meles Zenawi.

Judge Leul Gebremariam told the court: "The defendant fled the scene when the victim could have been saved. This shows cruelty".

--------------------------------------------------

LES KACZMEREK DIES
Les Kaczmerek, original bassist for Australian band Cold Chisel, has died from liver failure. Kaczmarek was one of the founder members of the Aussie rock band, but left after just two years, in 1975, and was replaced by Phil Small. The band did not release a debut album until 1975. The guitarist, who had been on a transplant waiting list, died in his home city of Adelaide.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

8 MILE ACTOR COMMITS SUICIDE
De'Angelo Wilson, who appeared in hit Eminem movie '8 Mile', has committed suicide in Los Angeles. AllHipHop.com report that the actor, who also appeared in Denzel Washington's directorial debut 'Antwone Fisher', apparently hanged himself on 26 Nov. It transpires that Wilson's mother couldn't afford to transport her son's body back to his home in Dayton, but friends - including the real Atwone Fisher - have stepped in to help.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

NIN SCRAP 3D TOUR FILM
Trent Reznor has revealed that he has scrapped plans for a Nine Inch Nails 3D concert film, which was to be shot with director James Cameron after one of the band's former labels (presumably Interscope, although Reznor doesn't specify which) effectively pulled the plug on the project.

On Nine Inch Nails' official website, Reznor explained: "File this one under lost opportunities. I'm very proud of the show we've put together for this tour and have been working hard the last few months to find a way to capture it. I had an amazing situation lined up that would have allowed me to film the show in 3D with James Cameron's team for a theatrical release as well as DVD/BluRay, etc. We had an extra date added to the tour that we were going to give away all the tickets for and have a filming party/thank you show".

He continued: "I made two critical mistakes. One was to approach a certain record company that owns some of the song rights about producing/funding. The second was to allow said company to fuck around as usual for months before saying um... no. We then achieved the impossible by finding alternate production/funding but the timetable is too rushed to get it filmed comfortably with the remaining time left on the tour. This tour and a lot of the personnel involved finish at the end of this leg, so we can't push filming into Jan/Feb.

American CMU readers who have seen the latest NIN tour inform us that it's one of the most amazing live shows they have ever seen. So, with that in mind, you can assume that Reznor's hyperbolic final statement is probably correct. He said: "This was an amazing tour and production - certainly the best thing I've ever been involved with and likely the final tour for NIN on this scale. Thank you to those who came out to see it and forgive me for having a Kanye West moment, but this was FOR SURE the best show of the year and any bullshit end-of-the-year poll you may read in the next few weeks that says otherwise simply has it wrong. Those of you who saw it know I'm right. The shows we have announced in 2009 and any more that may be announced will be a completely different approach with some different personnel and will likely be the last for the foreseeable future".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

BON SCOTT'S SON WOULD LIKE TO PLAY HIS DAD
Ben Scott, the son of AC/DC's Bon Scott, has said that he'd like to play his dad in that previously reported planned film about the late Australian rock star. Scott junior, who isn't actually an actor, has contacted Aussie website Undercover, who originally reported on filmmaker Eddie Martin's hopes to make a biopic of the AC/DC man, to let them know that he'd like to be considered for the role.

The 35 year old is quoted as saying: "Upon seeing in the papers last week the articles of how Eddie would like to do a bio of my Dad I wondered what Bon would have thought about this and I also wondered what some of Bon's mates would think too. Right then I decided that I really needed to 'put my hat into the ring' so to speak; because I believe that if I were given the chance there would be a lot of people who would really enjoy seeing Bon's son on the big screen. Realistically though... I really understand that I have no training in acting so my chances are pretty slim. But hey, you gotta be in to win it".

He also explained his father's relationship with his mother Gloria Torrance, saying: "They were never in a full bodied relationship. They knew each other via a friendship/family circles where partys/bbq's and stuff would happen at regular houses. Mum and Bon remained good friends up until the last time he attended our house in Mordiallic. On this occasion he told me he was 'going overseas'. Looking back, he went overseas before, but on this occasion he chose to mention it. I think on this occasion he never really planned to return to Australia. I think he, like other members of AC/DC, had planned to leave Australia and chase success overseas permanently".

Bon Scott died in London in 1980 at the age of 33.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

ADELE WOULD RATHER NOT WIN A GRAMMY
Adele says that she doesn't want to win a Grammy for her debut album, despite being nominated for four. She says she'd rather get an award for a subsequent album instead.

The singer told 6Music: "I imagine it's like winning an Oscar and I don't think on this record I should get one. I think it should be with my second or third record that I should get the Oscar, like from your third or fourth film when you're amazing".

She continued: "If I won one, it would be really important to me but I can't even think about that. Sorry, it's making my heart race really fast. It would be lovely to get one but I don't feel like I need awards and stuff to feel good about my music. I can't see how this album life span could get any better and I don't feel like it needs to be. I'm already over the moon and blown away with people's response to it".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

PREGNANT MIA IS DUE ON GRAMMY DAY
Talking of Grammys, pregnant grime queen MIA has revealed that the baby is due the same day that the award ceremony takes place. Of course, as she's a first timer, it's most likely the baby will arrive a week after the due date. Unless she's going to do the celeb thing and book a c-section.

In a post on her MySpace page entitled 'Baby + Grammy', she wrote: "IS DUE THE SAME DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, so either way I figured I'll win".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

SINGLE REVIEW: Metronomy - A Thing For Me (EMI/Mute)
'A Thing For Me' is Devon-based electropoppers Metronomy's fifth release from sophomore LP 'Nights Out', and is a cracking slice of midnight neon pop gone dirty. Angular and rough-around-the-edges, the track is a lovelorn ode that speaks to all of those who have been out on a Friday night and have fallen forehead-over-ankles for a complete but beautiful stranger. The single includes a generous handful of impressive remixes by the likes of Fontan, Sinden, Breakbot and Nightmoves - Fontän's offering is in particular dance-till-you-drop worthy. A little bit Late Of The Pier, a little bit Clor, this tune has indie dancefloor anthem written all over it. TW
Release Date: 15 Dec
Press Contact: Nile-On [O] EMI IH [CP, CR, RP, RR, NP, NR]

Buy from iTunes
Buy from Amazon

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

OASIS MEMBERS SIGN TO SONY/ATV
Major publisher Sony/ATV has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Oasis members Liam Gallagher, Gem Archer and Andy Bell, meaning they now have the complete rights to administrate the band's songs - principle songwriter Noel Gallagher already being signed to the publishing firm. All four band members get some writing credits on this year's album release 'Dig Out Your Soul'.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

PASSION PIT SIGN TO COLUMBIA UK
Passion Pit are currently being tipped for big things in 2009 (including by us back in September, I'll have you know), so it's handy that they've just signed to Sony's Columbia in the UK to release their debut EP, 'Chunk Of Change', in February. They will continue to release on French Kiss in the US, though.

The band are currently recording their debut album, the progress of which you can follow on their blog, here.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

MJ HIBBETT XMAS VIDEO ONLINE
MJ Hibbett & The Validators have uploaded the video for their Christmas single, 'The Advent Calendar Of FACT', to YouTube. The single, which is available from download stores around the known world from today, was originally written for one of Steve Lamaq's 6Music Christmas shows and was performed live on air with 20 friends who had wandered in from a nearby pub. The finished single was recorded in a proper studio and in a far less drunken manner. It comes backed with a special bonus Christmas song, 'Give Us A Kiss (For Christmas)'.

Watch the video here.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

DOHERTY TO PLAY WITH DALTREY
Pete Doherty is reportedly set to perform a number of Who songs with Roger Daltrey at a gig in Bristol in January.

Daltrey reportedly invited Doherty to collaborate on a live show after seeing the Babyshambler perform at the wake of a young cancer sufferer this summer. The former Libertine had got to know teenage fan Daniel Squires after learning of his illness, and had dedicated songs to him at gigs while he was still alive. After learning of Squire's death, Doherty asked if he could play a few songs at his wake, which he did.

A source told reporters: "Roger was really impressed and touched when Pete performed for Daniel. He has told Pete to choose a list of Who songs and they will perform them together. They are both really excited".

Daltrey, of course, is a big supporter of the Teenage Cancer Trust, and the gig with Doherty will be held in aid of the charity.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

RATM MAN MORELLO SAYS BAND HAVE NO ALBUM PLANS
Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello has said that the band are not planning to make a new album, despite their having reformed for a number of live shows last year after a seven year hiatus. Asked about the possibility of a new LP, he told Billboard: "There are no plans for that. We've had a wonderful year and a half of playing shows, and I don't see any reason to not play more shows. The thing is there's only so many hours in the musical day, and mine are very occupied right now".

Going on to explain that it's his Nightwatchmen project that's occupying, he confirmed that it would be "my principal musical focus, as I see it, for the remainder of my life. From the earliest days of playing open mic nights at coffee houses, it was apparent to me that this music was as important to me as any music I've ever been involved in. It really encapsulates everything I want to do as an artist".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

SIMPLE MINDS PLAN CASTLE GIG
Simple Minds are to play their 1982 album 'New Gold Dream' in full, at a gig at Edinburgh Castle on 18 Jul as part of their thirtieth anniversary tour. Frontman Jim Kerr says this: "To play at Edinburgh Castle is more than a dream come true. Particularly since we have been looking for a sensational backdrop in which to film and record this tour where we play our landmark album 'New Gold Dream' in its entirety".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

ALBUM REVIEW: Yellow Moon Band - Travels Into Several Remote Nations Of The World (Static Caravan Records)
It's a well trodden path: Boy meets boy (at birth, to be fair); boys listen to The Grateful Dead; boys brew some specially imported tea; boys suddenly think they can be rock megaliths. Welcome to the stage, Yellow Moon Band. What The Yellow Moon Band seem to have forgotten along the way to their debut is that the mere actions of rock stars are not sufficient adverts for a band. So, yes, it's pretty interesting that they one day plotted a histogram "Using Jaffa cakes and Pink Wafers", but that does not give them the authority to produce a very mediocre guitar solo for five minutes in between generous tokes and call it an instrumental song. Although this pretty much sums up every song. As an example, opener 'Polaris' trundles through a sixties back catalogue at snail's pace with a tedious riff drawn out far from its sell-by date. 'Chimney' includes a one minute solo that's about as original as Beverly Hills Cop 3. Their minor saving grace is the beginning of 'Focussed', a beautiful exposition on acoustic guitar. But even then it begins to carry all the hallmarks of power ballad like a weighty burden, and ultimately drags the album further into their own dilated pupils. It's not that The Yellow Moon band make so many mistakes they can't recover. They just need to know that no market niche can accept such a number of clichés dragged out for such a long time with barely any vocals at all. GB
Release Date: 19 Jan
Press Contact: Hermana PR [all]

Buy from iTunes
Buy from Amazon

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

UNIVERSAL KOREA APPOINT AD MAN AS MD
Another major label appointment from outside the traditional record industry for you now, this time in Korea. Universal Music have appointed a former ad man to head up their Korean business. Beom-Joon 'BJ' Yan, previously of mobile advertising agency AirCROSS and before that a GM at advertising conglom McCann Ericsson, will become MD of Universal Music Korea on 1 Jan, reporting to the major's Asia Pacific boss Max Hole.

Hole says this: "Beom-Joon's background makes him ideally suited for the challenges of today's music business, combining previous experience of the industry with significant credentials in the telco and advertising sectors. Considering that these are playing an increasingly vital role in the new industry landscape, we are perfectly positioned for growth and success in Korea with BJ at the helm".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

VINYL SALES SLUMPING
As we all know, CD sales are slumping but vinyl has seen a resurgence, meaning that old fashioned records, once the music format destined for the dustbin any day now, should outlive its younger rival format. A victory for vinyl junkies everywhere.

Though, unfortunately current sales stats aren't doing much to support that tale of poetic justice. We reported on Thursday last week that German based vinyl distributor Neuton had declared itself insolvent, and the company's MD, Siegfried Zahn, has told reporters his company is struggling because of a 60% slump in vinyl sales in the German market.

Although the vinyl records business has been a niche industry for sometime, it was able to rely on a pretty loyal customer base, especially in the dance music market. But it seems that loyal customer base is now disappearing, mainly because once vinyl-loyal DJs are starting to use higher quality MP3s or FLAC files, which are generally cheaper and easier to transport.

Zahn says vinyl sales have slumped not just in Germany but in other important markets too, in particular Japan and the UK, and that that is making the future of many more labels and distributors who specialise in vinyl releases look somewhat uncertain. The Neuton boss say some labels have compensated by releasing more titles in a bid to keep overall sales up, but that reduces the profitability of each release which, coupled with economic uncertainty, is making it very hard for companies to make the vinyl release model add up.

So, more doom and gloom for a Monday lunchtime. Just what we needed.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

FIRST JOBS GO AT WOOLIES POST-ADMINISTRATION
Talking of which, Woolworths has made its first major job cuts since going into administration. Administrators for the collapsing retail chain have announced 450 job cuts at the company's support operations in London and Rochdale. No jobs will go on the high street just yet though, as administrators try to keep the Woolies retail chain in business while they look for a buyer.

No redundancies either at Woolies entertainment distribution firm eUK, which is good news for the record companies who rely on them to get their releases into the supermarkets and onto the high street. Despite problems elsewhere in the distribution sector, eUK is considered to be stronger than most, and its financial woes a result of problems in the wider Woolworths group. It's hoped it can be sold as a going concern sooner rather than later in a bid to bring a bit of stability to the music distribution world. The fact that no jobs are to go at eUK suggests administrators are optimistic about finding that buyer.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

REAL CUT 130 JOBS
More job cuts, and RealNetworks are going to lay off 7% of its workforce, which works out at about 130 jobs. A statement from the web firm says the job losses are part of a "cost-cutting measure taken in response to the current economic climate". Despite the cuts, Real denies gossip that it is considering closing down the New York offices of its Rhapsody digital music service.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

ITV TO REBRAND ON DEMAND SERVICE
ITV is to rebrand its online catch-up-on-demand service as ITV Player. The commercial broadcaster's video-on-demand service currently sits within the 'Catch Up' section of its itv.com website, though I'm not sure many people realise it even exists (as a Mac user, it doesn't work for me anyway).

The rebrand comes as ITV starts to make its catch up service available via third parties for the first time - through a deal with BT Vision - and is probably part of ITV's attempts to gain a higher profile in the video-on-demand market, which is currently dominated in the UK by the BBC iPlayer and possibly Channel 4's 4OD.

Confirming the rebrand, ITV's Director Of Online, Ben McOwen Wilson, told reporters "The new logo is part of our aim to create a recognisable and consistent brand for video-on-demand content across the web and TV. It is part of our overall ambition to make our content as widely available for audiences through whichever platform suits them best".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

BBC ADD LOCAL RADIO TO IPLAYER
Talking of on-demand services, the BBC have added all forty of its local radio stations to the iPlayer, meaning programmes are available live or on demand as with the national stations. The local stations weren't previously available via the iPlayer because there was no central scheduling system, which is required to make the service work. Or something like that. The local stations are already available online, but are not currently available via mobile.

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

CHART UPDATE
Sometimes, the UK charts can be a little boring. I know I shouldn't crave seismic changes every week, but it's nice to have something exciting to write about. So how does a pair of record-breaking new number ones in both charts grab you? Yeah, that's what we're dealing with here. It almost doesn't matter what all the other singles and albums out there did. I don't care. It's number ones all the way this week.

Kicking off with the singles chart, Leona Lewis made up for that mini-disaster the other week, when SonyBMG forgot to release her cover of Snow Patrol's 'Run' to coincide with her performance of it on 'X Factor', by going top anyway, even though its release came a few weeks later. In fact, not only is it number one, Lewis' version of 'Run' is the fastest selling digital release ever, racking up 131,593 downloads in its first week. To put that in perspective, the previous holder of that record was Estelle, with 'American Boy', which earlier this year managed 51,857 in its first week.

What about the rest of the singles chart? Who cares? Oh, right, I see. Well, it's pretty dull. And I don't just mean dull in comparison to Leona Lewis' record-breaking number 1 spot, I mean D.U.L.L. The top 10 has a grand total of zero other new entries. The closest we get is Kings Of Leon's 'Use Somebody' moving from 15 to 10 and pushing those pesky X Factor finalists out to 11. Oasis move from 171 to 12, with 'I'm Outta Time', which isn't really as exciting as it sounds, Wiley is in at 18 with 'Cash In My Pocket', Britney Spears goes in at 32 with 'Circus', despite the fact it hasn't actually been released as a single yet (I suppose that's kind of interesting), and, er, that's pretty much it. Basshunter just misses out on the top 40, going in at 41 with 'Jingle Bells'. Seriously.

So, after that barrage of boredom, let's get right on with the next bit of excitement; Take That's 'The Circus' has become the third fastest selling album of all time, managing a massive 432,000 sales in its first week. To put that in perspective, last week's number one, The Killers' 'Day & Age', sold 200,000 copies in its first week, while Guns N Roses' 'Chinese Democracy', shifted around 120,000 in the same period. Take That are beaten only by Oasis' 'Be Here Now', which became the biggest disappointment in music history when 663,000 bought it in its first week in 1997, and Coldplay's 'X&Y', which sold just 32,000 more than Take That, getting to 464,000 first week sales in 2003.

And the rest of the album chart? Oh, it's even worse than the singles chart. Britney goes in at 4 with the other album called 'Circus' released last week, Same Difference go in at 22 with 'Pop' and Josh Groban and Akon go in at 30 and 31 respectively. Yawn. Yeah, records are all well and good, but if everyone invests in just two records, it doesn't make for the most interesting of charts.

The chart comes from the Official Chart Company - www.theofficialcharts.com

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

TOTAL ROCK WORLD ALBUM CHART
It's the Total Rock World Album Chart, as counted down on Total Rock over the weekend - www.totalrock.com. New entries and re-entries marked with a *.

1. AC/DC - Black Ice (Sony/Columbia)
2. Metallica - Death Magnetic (Universal/Mercury)
3. Nickelback - Dark Horse (Warner/Roadrunner)*
4. Kid Rock - Rock - N Roll Jesus (Warner/Atlantic)
5. Slipknot - All Hope Is Gone (Warner/Roadrunner)
6. Rise Against - Appeal To Reason (Universal/Geffen)
7. Mudvayne - The New Game (Vibrant)*
8. Hinder - Take It To The Limit (Universal)
9. Disturbed - Indestructible (Warner/Reprise)
10. Nickelback - All The Right Reasons (Warner/Roadrunner)
11. AC/DC - Back In Black (Sony/Columbia)
12. Status Quo - Pictures 40 Years Of Hits (Universal)
13. Linkin Park - Minutes To Midnight (Warner Bros)
14. Cradle Of Filth - Godspeed On The Devil's Thunder (Warner/Roadrunner)
15. Queen - Greatest Hits 1,2,3 (EMI)
16. Guns n Roses - Appetite For Destruction (Universal/Geffen)
17. Shinedown - The Sound Of Madness (Warner/Atlantic)*
18. Metallica - Metallica (Universal/Mercury)
19. The Offspring - Rise And Fall, Rage And Grace (Sony Music)
20. David Gilmour - Live In Gdansk (EMI)

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

SUB.TV PLAYLIST
Yes, it's the Sub.tv playlist, the videos played on the Sub.tv network of screens in students' unions around the UK this coming week. New entries marked with a *. More info from [email protected].

A-List
Britney Spears - Womanizer
Dan Black - Yours
Florence And The Machine - Dog Days
Frankmusik - 3 Little Words
Glasvegas - Please Come Back Home
Gym Class Heroes feat. Estelle - Guilty As Charged
Katy Perry - Hot N Cold
The Killers - Human
Kings Of Leon - Use Somebody
Lady Gaga - Just Dance
Ladyhawke - My Delirium
Oasis - I'm Outta Time
Outsiders feat. Amanda Wilson - Keep This Fire Burning
Rihanna - Rehab
Wiley feat. Daniel Merriweather - Cash In My Pocket
The Wombats - Is This Christmas?

B-List
Akon - Right Now (Na Na Na)
Chipmunk feat. Loick Essien - Beast
The Fratellis - A Heady Tale
Iglu and Hartly - Violent and Young
Kanye West - Heartless
Keane - Perfect Symmetry
Lil Wayne feat. Bobby Valentino & Kidd Kidd - Mrs. Officer / Comfortable
Official Secrets Act - So Tomorrow
Portishead - Magic Doors
Rolo Tomassi - I Love Turbulence
Slipknot - Dead Memories
Snow Patrol - Crack The Shutters
Sugababes - No Can Do
Telegraphs - Your First Love Is Dead
The Tunics - Cost Of Living
The Virgins - One Week Of Danger

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

MTV2/MYSPACE CHART
It's the MTV2/MySpace chart, based on votes by MTV2 viewers on MySpace. The top ten this week is as follows...

1. [6] Paramore - Decode
2. [2] Kings Of Leon - Use Somebody
3. [1] Stricken City - Lost Art
4. [3] Apocalyptica - I Don't Care
5. [NEw] Kaiser Chiefs - Good Days Bad Days
6. [7] The Killers - Human
7. [NEw] Eagles Of Death Metal - Wanna Be In LA
8. [4] Oasis - I'm Outta Time
9. [9] Panic At The Disco - Northern Downpour
10. [NEW] Boys Like Girls - Thunder

Meanwhile, added to list for viewer voting this week are...
Archangel - How To Lose Your Best Friend
Coldplay - Lovers In Japan
Official Secrets Act - So Tomorrow
The Fratellis - A Heady Tale
The Raconteurs - Old Enough

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

THE STUDENT RADIO CHART
Yes, it's the Student Radio Chart. Complied by the Student Radio Association and based on the playlists of student radio stations across the UK, here are the biggest songs in student radio this week.

1. [2] The Killers - Human
2. [3] Alphabeat - What Is Happening
3. [1] Katy Perry - Hot n Cold
4. [9] Cage The Elephant - In One Ear
5. [6] Kings Of Leon - Use Somebody
6. [10] Coldplay - Lost
7. [7] Snow Patrol - Crack The Shutters
8. [15] Britney Spears - Womanizer
9. [NEW] The Fratellis - A Heady Tale
10. [13] MGMT - Kids
11. [4] Ladyhawke - My Delirium
12. [5] Razorlight - Wire To Wire
13. [11] Kanye West - Love Lockdown
14. [8] Kings Of Leon - Sex On Fire
15. [NEW] Keane - Perfect Symmetry
16. [16] Pink - So What
17. [NEW] Gym Class Heroes - Guilty As Charged
18. [18] Iglu & Hartly - In This City
19. [12] Girls Aloud - The Promise
20. [19] Fall Out Boy - I Don't Care

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

WINEHOUSE, DIVORCE RUMOURS, CLASSROOM CLARIFICATION
Rumour has it Amy Winehouse's husband Blake Fielder-Civil has demanded a million pound pay off in order to agree to a quickie divorce.

As previously reported, Winehouse has reportedly been planning to divorce her husband ever since his recent release from prison. According to the News Of The World, Fielder-Civil has said he wants a million off his possibly-soon-to-be-ex, otherwise he'll write a tell-all book about their relationship. They quote one of those sources as saying: "He's so two-faced. He just wants a pay-off. Money's his driving force". It should be noted, however, that another source told the tabs last week Fielder-Civil wasn't interested in Amy's money, so I'm not so sure we should believe either of these stories too much just yet.

What we can reliably tell you, though, is that Amy Winehouse will not be the subject of a new course at the University Of The West Of Scotland. This despite reports to that effect on Friday. It seems reports of Winehouse Studies 1 came about as a result of that previously reported educational project involving Island Records, in which the diverse and rather interesting history of the one time independent record company is being studied as part of cultural and music courses at universities and colleges around the country, to coincide with the label's 50th anniversary. As an Island-signed artist, Winehouse may come up, but she's not the primary subject of the course.

As reported on Friday, University Of The West Of Scotland course leader Allan Dumbreck was quoted in a Times Online interview last week in such a way as to suggest his students were studying Winehouse in isolation. He was quoted thus: "Amy Winehouse is a great example of the potential pitfalls in the music industry. She is recognised as a multi-award-winning great artist. But the by-product of that lifestyle can be stress and illness. We would look at how the industry is often not a supporter of longevity".

But a spokesman for the wider Island education programme told CMU this weekend: "Allan Dumbreck, in the interview that was quoted out of context, was talking about the Island 50 Music Education Project, in which around 50 contemporary music colleges and courses nationwide are participating. Co-ordinated by promotions company 1917, on behalf of Island Records, the label is currently a subject of intense study over the entire academic year building up to its 50th anniversary in May. With a wealth of resources provided by the label, students will indeed take a look at Amy Winehouse's work, as they will also look at work by artists such as Keane, Tom Waits, Bob Marley, U2, Cat Stevens, Free, Grace Jones, Stereo MC's, PJ Harvey, Pulp, Steve Winwood, Tricky, Toots and the Maytals and many many more".

He continued: "Tutors at the colleges are using the resources provided to look at all aspects of the music industry during this case study, and we have talked to a wide array of Island staff past and present as well as artists, managers and journalists in order to give them as in depth an insight as we can. It's a groundbreaking study of a seminal label that is providing a great contribution to the education programme".

back to top

--------------------------------------------------

AUSSIE PARENTS OUTRAGED BY BRITNEY VULGARITY
According to reports, some parents in Australia (I'm not sure why specifically Australia) are right pissed off about one of the songs on Britney's new album 'Circus', because it's allegedly encouraging their little ones to say rude and vulgar things. A mother's group has spoken out against the track 'Seek Amy' because of the chorus line, which apparently contains a spelled out obscenity: "all of the boys and all of the girls are beggin' to F - U - C - K me".

Aussie mum Leonie Barsenbach Undercover: "I was astonished and totally taken aback when I heard my five and seven year old kids walking around the house singing, 'F-U-C-K. When I asked them what it was, they told me it was Britney Spears. I was horrified. I got them the 'Circus' album because little kids are Britney fans, but there was no warning on the album and none of the songs listed had F-U-C-K in the title. Listening to it, it is extremely blatant and offensive. I feel I have been deceived into believing that this was acceptable content for children but instead it is objectionable."

Personally, I don't think it's safe to assume that a Britney album would have content suitable for children after the year she's had. But perhaps that's just me.

back to top