Madonna's Sticky & Sweet concert poster

Who’s that Girl? Why, it’s Madonna and she’s back with a new DVD on her “Sticky & Sweet” concert tour, out on March 30.

The outing, produced by Live Nation as part of her gazillion-dollar deal with the concert promotion company, was one of the top grossing tours of the decade and was seen by more than 3.5 million fans in 32 countries, according to the promoter.

The “Sticky & Sweet” DVD, also available on Blu-Ray and CD, captures Madonna performing during her four concerts in Buenos Aires. She, of course, sings ‘Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina” from “Evita,” which, we’re sure, caused Argentines to openly weep. The DVD also includes 30 minutes of behind-the-scenes footage.

Warner Bros. Records will distribute the title.

Kings of Leon

As we continue to look at the upcoming Grammy Awards, today we look at the contenders for Best rock performance by a duo or group with vocals.

Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals

Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood, “Can’t Find my Way Home”
Coldplay, “Live in Technicolor II”
Green Day, “21 Guns”
Kings of Leon, “Use Somebody”
U2, “I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight”

Why is a live recording of a 40-year old song in here? It doesn’t seem fair to me. Or why don’t the Grammys start a live category since they also saw fit to nominate Hall & Oates’ live version of “Sara Smile” for best pop performance by a duo or group with vocals. There are deserving acts that should have gotten that slot, such as Ben Harper & the Relentless 7. Otherwise, there’s little padding here. Coldplay’s year was last year, so this is a three-way race between Green day, Kings of Leon and U2. Perennial faves U2 may snare the trophy if too many geezers vote, but Kings of Leon 100% deserves the Grammy, as much as we adore Green Day. “Use Somebody” has a great vocal performance by Caleb Followil and it was one of the biggest rock hits of the year.

The Grammys goes to: Kings of Leon, “Use Somebody.”

Madonna is not hooking up with Bruce Springsteen's favorite producer.  Odd mix anyway, no?

Credit: AP Photo/Evan Agostini

Internet rumors have been swirling about whom Madonna has pegged to produce her next album, the follow-up to 2008’s “Hard Candy.”  Among the more surprising--and exciting-- names bandied about over the past two weeks was Grammy Award-winning rock producer Brendan O’Brien, of Pearl Jam/Rage Against the Machine/Bruce Springsteen fame.

We reached out to O’Brien for another story, but couldn't resist asking him about Madonna. He goodnaturedly reminded us not to believe everything we read. “No one has contacted me about working with Madonna,” he says. “Someone actually showed me something today that said that Bruce Springsteen was going to fire me because I’d worked with Madonna. It was awesome. It’s really hilarious. I’m a huge fan of Madonna’s but no one has talked to me. The internet is bulls***. You can write that down.”

Duly noted.  Similarly, after reports also mentioned DJ A-Trak, he reached out to say his comments about working with Madge were taken out of context. Representatives for both David Guetta and Fernando Garibay told MTV that comments about their involvement with Madonna were also inaccurate.

So who is O'Brien working with? He's finished My Chemical Romance's new set and is now working with another female songbird: Faith Hill. We're very eager to hear what that collaboration yields.

Mary J. Blige

Credit: AP Photo

Mary J. Blige will headline the Esssence Music Festival, set for July 2-4 in New Orleans.  Blige released her latest album, “Stronger with Each Tear” in December.” Usually a lock to come in at No. 1, Blige was blocked out of the top spot by Susan Boyle.

In addition to performing for the eighth time at the festival, Blige will serve as the official spokesperson for the event, which features music as well as panels with influential speakers, artists, authors and African American leaders.

Other performers will be announced soon. Weekend packages for the event are on sale now at essence.com.

Maxwell

In our continuing countdown to the Jan. 31 Grammy Awards, today we look at the nominees for Best male pop vocal performance.

John Legend, “This Time”
Maxwell, ”Love You”
Jason Mraz, “Make It Mine”
Seal, “If You Don’t Know Me By Now”
Stevie Wonder, “All About the Love Again”

Oh, where or where have all the pop boys gone? We have pop girls: Lady GaGa, Pink, Katy Perry… all of whom work almost exclusively in the pop idiom. For the gents, other than Jason Mraz, we have to lean over into R&B and borrow men (very talented ones, no doubt) and songs that weren’t  pop hits. This is a  weak category for lots of reasons, but primarily because we’re in a musical cycle where there are very few solo male artists in pop and rock.  What’s a crying shame here is that the Grammy voters saw fit to ignore artists like Rob Thomas and "American Idol" David Cook, both of whom are legitimate “pop” artists in this category for acts like Wonder. Yes, he’s legendary, but shouldn’t criteria for the category be that you actually get played on pop radio now? 

Another factor is pure timing, John Mayer, who has won or been nominated for this award for the past three years running didn’t release a single or album in time to be eligible. Plus, Justin Timberlake seems to be content to keep appearing on other folks’ records rather than make one of his own. To be sure, he’s all over the nominations. He’s up for best rap/sung collaboration and best rap song with T.I. for “Dead and Gone” and best pop collaboration with vocals with Ciara for “Love Sex Magic.”  Then you have the weird case of acts like Owl City or Five for Fighting, who are basically solo guys, but they count as groups.

So let’s look at who we do have here. Mraz got robbed last year with when “I’m Yours,” still in heavy rotation on lots of stations, didn’t get the Grammy so he may get a make-good with “Make It Mine.” We’re not even sure it was released as an official single. Same with Maxwell’s “Love You.” It didn’t chart in the eligibility period. Yes, the criteria is a single or a track from an eligible album, but this category is padded. Seal did have a modest AC hit with his very nice cover of “If You Don’t Know Me By Now,” but we’re not particularly happy about it.

Winner : Seal, “If You Don’t Know Me By Now”
 

The desert is the new black. Whether it’s Rihanna’s “Hard” or Sade’s “Soldier of Love,” the desert is the go-to place for any self-respecting artist who ties in a combat theme to his or her video. (Okay, it’s not that new: Sting’s “Desert Rose” takes place in a desert as do a number of other videos).

More remarkable than the gorgeous photography here which creates a completely ethereal, otherworldly setting, is the fact that Sade has not aged one day.  It would seem impossible, but she must have been cryogenically frozen while she’s been away for almost 10 years.

But we digress, the clip for “Soldier of Love,” is really two videos in one. There’s the Sade who joins her fellow soldiers in the desert with her hair typically pulled back in a tight pony tail showing about as much emotion as a cardboard box. Then there’s the Sade who rides in on a white horse, literally, like something out of a Harlequin romance, in a shiny, glittery chaps, hair down and flowing, swinging -- we kid you not -- a lariat. The song does mention the wild, wild west, after all.

Like the song, the video is spare (although it looks like it costs high six figures), but no shot is wasted. We like it when the dancers do calisthenics, all to the perfect beat; especially when they do push up. Drop and give us 20, boys!

"Soldier of Love" was one of our top 20 favorite singles from 2009. Check out the others.

Sade's new album, "Soldier of Love," is due Feb. 9.

Vampire Weekend's "Contra"

Credit: XL

When Vampire Weekend burst on the scene with its self-titled album in 2008, the group's ascent to indie pop savior was meteoric. It was somewhat justified: the New York indie band crafts tight, quirky pop songs just one shade short of being too precious.

Plus then, as now, the drowning music industry grabbed onto anything that slightly resembled a lifeline.
The album was a strong, if not terrific, seller, moving close to 500,000 units and leaving the blogosphere salivating for what the clever quartet would come up with next. The answer is here with "Contra," a tight, nine-song, 36-minute pop record that draws upon the African rhythms that influenced "Vampire Weekend," and expands into other world beats.

There's a reason "Contra" is streaming on NPR. Vampire Weekend comes as close to being the perfect NPR band as can be. They're hip so NPR's 40-year-old typical supporter feel edgy and au currant listening to them, their lyrics are elliptical and somewhat vague but still accessible and the music is pop, but with various intriguing flavors and spices that ensure that Top 40 radio will always stay just out of reach.

"Contra" opens with "Horchata." I don't know what that is, but it sounds yummy, especially when served up surrounded by steel drums and layered vocals as it is here. Lead singer Ezra Koenig's vocals remain open and delightfully inviting. The song is the perfect anecdote to winter's chill. But the pop ride is just beginning or as Koenig sings, "Here comes a feeling you thought you'd forgotten," as the album brings back the feelings evoked by carefree summer days. 

Virtually every song here has some flourish: strings, creative time signatures or just Koenig's vocal turns and twists.

Need a pick-me up? Blast "Holiday," with its Caribbean rhythms, and just try not to smile and dance around your office? Much of the album has the same effect. “Run” is a south-of-the-border-spiced pop song that falls just the right side of being twee, even with its '80s Brit pop-synth bounce. First single “Cousins” is a full-bore blast complete with surf-guitar licks, ringing bells and nonsensical lyrics.  "Giving up the Gun” would sound right at home at on a Peter, Bjorn and John album. "Diplomat's Son" gets its reggae flavor from an M.I.A. sample.

A few of the songs, such as "California English," recall Paul Simon-era "Graceland," while remaining utterly contemporary. Nice touch. Only two albums in, it's hard to truly define a band, but this seems to be Vampire Weekend's strong suit: instead of sounding derivative, the band takes its influences and twists them into something new and uniquely their own.

Album closer, "I Think Ur A Closer," is a dreamy, gauzy song (which has a few musical lines that sound like the intro to "Baba O'Riley"--or maybe that's just because I've listened to the Who a lot lately). The lyrics are, of course, clever as they declare if you want a friends with pools, you're not a contra. Guess I'm in the clear.
For fans who grabbed onto Vampire weekend two years ago and haven't let go, "Contra" will prove worth your devotion. For those first hearing of them now, climb on board. It's a great ride.

Taylor Swift and Beyonce

Let the countdown to the Grammys begin! The 52nd Grammy Awards take place Jan. 31 in Los Angeles. Seldom have the leading Grammy nominees dovetailed so perfectly with commercial popularity. The top nominees this year are Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Lady GaGa and Kanye West.

Each week day between now and Jan. 29, we’ll take a Grammy category and swirl it around, dissect it and decipher whom we believe will win. We take a look at the ladies first because we have a feeling that the night is going to be all about a showdown between Beyonce and Taylor Swift (Someone better go ahead and sedate West now).

Nominees for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance:

Adele, “Hometown Glory”
Beyonce, “Halo”
Katy Perry, “Hot N Cold”
Pink, “Sober”
Taylor Swift, “You Belong With Me”

Before we start, a little clarification here. A song cannot be nominated in more than one field. For example, Swift’s “You Belong With Me” cannot be nominated here and for best female country vocal performance. (That’s why her tune, “White Horse,” is slotted in that spot). The exception is that a tune can be nominated for song and/or record of the year in the general categories and still be eligible in a genre field. Are you confused yet? Welcome to the Grammys.

Guess who’s missing in this category? Lady GaGa. “Poker Face” is up for best dance recording, so it couldn’t get a nod, but why not “Love Game” or “Paparazzi?” As far as who is actually nominated, Adele is handsdown the best vocalist in this category, but “Hometown Glory” is from “19,” and that project got its due last year. The Grammy voters didn’t see fit to even give Perry a best new artist nod last year, so they aren’t going to go for her here. This is a race between Beyonce and Swift. Swift is not a particularly strong singer, but that doesn’t seem to matter anymore. “Halo” is nice, but doesn’t feel like a particularly inspired performance by Beyonce.

Predicted Winner: Taylor Swift, “You Belong With Me."

Credit: XL

The year got off to a rousing start with the release of “Animal” from Ke$ha, which looks poised to knock Susan Boyle off the top of the Billboard 200 later this week. We can safely say that while there are some strong releases coming on Tuesday, Jan., 12, none of them are likely to come in at No. 1. Nonetheless, there’s a new album from Vampire Weekend, which is enough reason to rejoice.
 

O.A.R., “Rain or Shine” (Everfine): College favorites O.A.R. do what they do best--play live—on this 2-CD live set recorded in Chicago this summer.

OK Go, “Of the Blue Color of the Sky” (Capitol): On its third studio album, this quartet, still best known for its mesmerizing treadmill video, “Here It Goes Again,” returns with a beat-laden set. They still bring the pop, to be sure, but the band reaches back to early influences like Prince, while sounding completely progressive through its work with producer David Fridmann (MGMT and Flaming Lips).   

Omarion, “Ollusion” (Starworld Entertainment/EMI): After a very short stint on Lil Wayne’s Young Money Label, Omarion started his own EMI-distributed label with this, his first solo album since 2006’s “21” (He partnered with Bow Wow for 2007’s “Face Off.” Rap go-to guest star Gucci Mane is featured on the set, as is Fabulous.

Ringo Starr, “Y Not” (Hip-O) Who doesn’t want to record with an ex-Beatle? Apparently no one. Starr’s set includes guests Paul McCartney (which marks the closest we can come to a Beatles reunion) on three tracks, Joe Walsh, Joss Stone, Richard Marx and Ben Harper. Harper and his band, Relentless 7, will also back Starr on a short set of promotional appearances behind the album. Remarkably, “Y Not” marks the first time he has produced himself.

Vampire Weekend, “Contra” (XL): Indie rock poster boys return with their second set, “Contra,” exactly two years after the release of their self-titled debut. The 10-song set was prefaced by somewhat nonsensical first single, “Cousins.” The track was recorded in Mexico City. We blame the tequila.

Kesha,  Ke$ha -- whatever -- may be on her way to No. 1.  Does Gaga have some competition or is she just a one hit wonder?

 “Tik Tok,” indeed. The clock has run out on Susan Boyle’s six weeks at the top of the album chart. The British reality show discovery has been stopped in her tracks by America’s new party girl, Ke$ha, whose debut album, “Animal,” is slated to come in at No. 1 later this week. Holla!

“Tik Tok,” indeed. The clock has run out on Susan Boyle’s six weeks at the top of the album chart. The British reality show discovery has been stopped in her tracks by America’s new party girl, Ke$ha, whose debut album, “Animal,” is slated to come in at No. 1 later this week. Holla!

“Animal,” on the strength of singles chart-topper “Tik Tok,” will move around 140,000 copies, according to Hits Daily Double. That’s enough to handily beat Boyle’s “I Dreamed a Dream,” which will surpass the 100,000 mark and move its seven-week tally to about 3.2 million copies in the U.S. alone.