So, And Thus...

Dubstar Is Back!

Dubstar have reformed! The trio, featuring lead singer Sarah Blackwood (recently of Client) are recording an album with Stephen Hague. It has the working title of United States Of Being.

XO's Middle Eight

Thanks for the info, xolondon!

I've been on this Dubstar kick for the past two weeks. How funny that this comes out. Even the other day, I told Ein Oso that Dubstar's first US release is among my top 20 albums of all-time.

I'm glad Sarah Blackwood decided to work with Dubstar again (and with the same great producer!). Though I did enjoy a handfull of songs that Client did, I found most of it too basic. I was spoild from the highly melodic songs Dubstar delivered. And Sarah's lyrics were sometimes so twisted!

Not sure what this means for Client. I see from the official Dubstar website that they started recording in August. I also see a new single and video out for Client. Is Sarah leaving Client or just doing the Dubstar project on the side? Hummmm. Perhaps she is manic now.

That was fast: Madonna & Ritchie Settle

Report: Madonna & Guy Ritchie's $60M Divorce Settlement - omg! news on Yahoo!

LONDON, U.K. -- Guy Ritchie and Madonna have settled their divorce, according to the U.K. publication, The Sun.

The "RocknRolla" director will reportedly walk away with assets totaling around $60 million, including a 1,200-acre country estate, a London pub, and a cash settlement.

Madonna will hold on to her New York and Los Angeles homes and most of her considerable fortune, The Sun reported.

"The negotiations were relatively painless," The Sun quoted a source as saying. "Guy knew what he wanted and Madonna knew what she was keen to keep. There was a spell when Guy was in a mood to dig his heels in, but he decided this arrangement seemed reasonable and a long battle over money would make life unbearable."

Wow, for someone who likes drama, this was so uneventful for her.

It's Official!

Madonna's spokeswoman says the singer and her husband, filmmaker Guy Ritchie, will divorce after seven-and-a-half years together.

Madonna, Guy Ritchie To Divorce

Speculation grows over Madonna divorce

LONDON (Reuters) - Speculation that pop singer Madonna and her husband Guy Ritchie plan to divorce grew on Wednesday after a report in a British newspaper said the couple would announce the split "imminently."

When asked about the report in the Sun tabloid, Barbara Charone, Madonna's London-based publicist, replied: "No comment."

Madonna and British filmmaker Ritchie have denied previous reports that they planned to end their eight-year marriage.

The Sun quoted a "highly-placed source" as saying Madonna, 50, and Ritchie, 40, "just couldn't live together any more" and could "no longer bear to live with the pretence" of being happily married.

Speculation grows over Madonna divorce | U.S. | Reuters Surprise!...?...?? Okay, I wouldn't be surprised either. I've read time and time again that she's a difficult person. If it's true, I'm sorry things didn't work out for them.

Seal Sings From His 'Soul' On New Album

Exactly a year on the heels of his last album, Seal will unveil another new project Nov. 11 via Warner Bros. "Soul," as its name indicates, features the artist covering 11 vintage soul numbers with production from David Foster.

Seal Sings From His 'Soul' On New Album

Seal and David Foster?! New album? I wonder if this was Warner's idea. I'm just glad he won't be covering "Don't Go Breakin' My Heart" with his wife.

I really liked his last album, System, but apparently, not enough people did.

Here's the track listing:

"A Change Is Gonna Come" (Sam Cooke)
"I Can't Stand The Rain" (Ann Pebbles)
"It's A Man's Man's Man's World" (James Brown)
"Knock on Wood" (Eddie Floyd)
"I've Been Loving You Too Long" (Otis Redding
"Here I Am (Come And Take Me)" (Al Green)
"If You Don't Know Me By Now" (Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes)
"It's Alright" (the Impressions)
"I'm Still in Love With You" (Al Green)
"Free" (Deniece Williams)
"People Get Ready" (the Impressions)

Sunday Conversation: Wendy & Lisa - Los Angeles Times

You guys have worked together for years. How do you not kill each other?

Lisa: We've slaughtered each other a few times. Very much like "Life of Brian." We're limbless and legless. Come on, sucker, I'll get you!

Wendy: No, that's "The Holy Grail." "I'll bite your legs off!" You know there is no secret. We batter the hell out of each other. But we love each other more than we batter.

Sunday Conversation: Wendy & Lisa - Los Angeles Times

If you talk music with me, then you know how much I LOVE these gals. Came across this Los Angeles Times interview with them about the "Heroes" soundtrack coming out.

I quoted this part of the conversation 'cause I loved how Wendy casually mentions that they love each other.

Sara Hickman - Mad World

For Muskie - His new jam.

Great song from a great group, Tears For Fears.

Girls Aloud - The Promise

Love this song!

Clay Aiken To 'People': 'Yes, I'm Gay'

Clay Aiken is finally confirming what many people already knew: He's gay. The cover of the latest People magazine shows Aiken holding his infant son, Parker Foster Aiken, with the headline: "Yes, I'm Gay." The cover also has the quote: "I cannot raise a child to lie or hide things."

Clay Aiken To 'People': 'Yes, I'm Gay'

Surprise! Oh, you mean you weren't shocked?

I wonder how this is going to affect his fan base...

Spectrasonics Omnisphere at last ! - MacMusic

Spectrasonics has finally released its long-awaited new virtual instrument : Omnisphere Power Synth.

This new instrument is the first to be based on Spectrasonics newly developed STEAM Engine. According to the company, this epic 'Power Synth' breaks completely new sonic ground by combining a wide variety of hybrid realtime synthesis techniques, an epic library of remarkable 'Psychoacoustic' sounds, and many innovative features that have never been seen before in any hardware or software synthesizer.

Spectrasonics Omnisphere at last ! - MacMusic

OOOOOOHHHH!! Got to get this!