"Twilight Saga: New Moon" soundtrack

Credit: Chop Shop/Atlantic

 Does today feel special? Darn tootin', it does.  Not only do we have new "Twilight Saga: New Moon" posters for all to see, but today is the day that we can pre-order the movie's soundtrack on iTunes.

As my colleague Katie Hasty pointed out here,  folks pre-ordering the "Twilight Saga: New Moon" CD will instantly receive Anya Marina's "Satellite Heart." But wait, there's more: fans who pre-order the soundtrack, which does not come out until Oct. 20, will receive four exclusive bonus songs (and a video)  available only to those who buy the soundtrack early. The tunes are featured in  the movie.

Below are the bonus songs and then, just in case you hadn't memorized it yet, we included the rest of the track listing

BONUS

Lupe Fiasco "Solar Midnite"
The Magic Numbers And Amadou & Mariam "All I Believe In"
APM Orchestra-Die Fledermaus "Duettino: Ach, ich darf nicht hin zu dir"
Death Cab for Cutie "Meet Me On the Equinox" (music video)
Ulg Bastlein "Wandrers Nachtlied II, Op. 96, No. 3, D.768" (pre-order only) 

TRACK LISTING

Death Cab for Cutie-Meet Me On the Equinox
Band of Skulls-Friends
Thom Yorke-Hearing Damage
Lykke Li-Possibility
The Killers-A White Demon Love Song
Anya Marina-Satellite Heart
Muse-I Belong To You (New Moon remix)
Bon Iver & St. Vincent-Rosyln
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club-Done All Wrong
Hurricane Bells-Monsters
Sea Wolf-The Violet Hour
OK Go-Shooting the Moon
Grizzly Bear (w/ Victoria Legrand)-Slow Life
Editors-No Sound But the Wind
Alexandre Desplat-New Moon (The Meadow)

Britney Spears

Can you say "Smash?" "3," the provocative new single from Britney Spears'  forthcoming "The Singles Collection" is a sexy, fast-paced homage to threesomes.  New York's main pop station Z100 debuted the song this morning.

Listen to it in the embed below.

Of course, Spears is so past the point of shocking anyone with anything she does in song that oddly the idea of a ménage a trois with Spears sounds almost wholesome. I'm sure that's not what she was going for, but we all know that nothing she can put in song can seem nearly as captivating as the "circus" that is her real life.

Instead, we get a Max Martin-produced tune that upon first listen embeds itself not only into your brain, but your feet.  With its quick beats and hypnotic, sinewy rhythms, it's impossible not to want to dance --horizontally or vertically.

Spears' vocals are autotuned within an inch of their life-and the lyrics, other than the "1,2,3...not only you and me" are totally inconsequential (although the Peter, Paul & Mary line is still throwing us for a loop a little bit)  Some word is bleeped out, we're pretty sure it's p****, but it doesn't even matter. Trust me, you get the point of the song within the first three seconds.

Bravo Britney... this makes up for the silliness of stupid word games like "If You Seek Amy," plus this is a much better record.  And if three aren't enough for you, well, as Spears suggests at the end-as she sings "four on the floor"-she's more than happy to up the body count.

What do you think of "3"? Share your thoughts below.

In this Sept. 18, 2009 photo, singer Mariah Carey poses for a portrait in New York.

Credit: AP Photo/Charles Sykes

On "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel,"  Mariah Carey takes love and examines  it through various prisms--obsession, desire, fulfillment, bliss, heartbreak and regret.

Hear it here.

While it's not a concept album, so to speak,  love's exaltations and its ruins provide slow jam after slow jam.

Preferring to work with only two producers --  Tricky Stewart and The-Dream-here instead of her usual coterie has provided Carey with a cohesiveness on "Memoirs" that sometimes borders on a musical sameness but otherwise provides a nice sense of continuity in our increasingly singles-driven world.  Most songs, other than the remake of Foreigner's "I Want to Know What Love Is" and first single "Obsessed"  fall squarely into R&B mid-tempo rhythms.  

Opening "Betcha Gon Know (the prologue)" sets up the album's overall feel of duplicity and disillusionment and its insinuating, low-key rhythm delivers a hypnotic groove that eases into the rest of the project.

Even a song with the title "H.A.T.E. U." is hardly the rant the name would lead one to believe it might be. Instead of some vitriolic tirade, it's a bittersweet ballad about how Carey can't wait to get to the point where the pain and love transitions to hate so she can breathe again.  

An old school feel seeps through many of the tracks, especially on "It's a Wrap,"  on which recalls Candi Staton. Carey sounds contemporary, but unlike  on "E=MC2," "Memoirs" has no feeling of being forced to sound hip or salacious just for salaciousness's sake like on "E's" "Touch My Body."  She's 39-and while she told USA Today that she no longer has birthdays, she has "anniversaries"-she sounds refreshingly like an adult and not someone who wishes she were 22 again. There's a confidence here that, mixed with the vocal vulnerability expressed on some of the tracks, is very appealing.

A few of the songs also feature a fine-tuned sense of humor-which is not a trait most would attribute to Carey. On "Standing O," she sarcastically sings about a former lover being "the man of the hour/I have to send you some flowers" for making her believe he loved her when he did not.

Love for the newlywed-she and Nick Cannon have been married for just over a year now-- does have its high points, such as on "Ribbon," one of the song's unabashedly positive love songs, and on "Inseparable," which boasts Carey's strongest vocal on the album. It is also the one where she most recalls one of her musical heroes, the late Minnie Ripperton. The layered, finger-snapping duet "My Love" is an inside look at a couple's sweet secret passion.

But that feeling is fleeting. On "It's a Wrap,"  love has already forsaken her.

To Carey's credit, even though she may be blissfully happy now, she sells heartache like it's going out of style on many of these tracks.  Plus, she keeps the histrionics at bay. Oh, she can still trot out that five-octave range when she wants to, but she's more selective which makes it all the more effective when she does reach for the rafters.

There is also a bonus disc that includes some remixes and videos, plus a 34-page booklet that features some advertising. As record companies strive to find ways to monetize recordings, we can expect more of the same. Or as Brad Paisley sings, "Welcome to the future."

Cover of John Mayer's "Who Says" single

"Who says I can't get stoned?" asks John Mayer in the first line of "Who Says," the lead-off single to Nov. 7's "Battle Studies."

Well, radio, for one, will probably say he cannot get stoned...at least not on their airwaves. It will be very interesting to see what radio stations will play the tune without bleeping out the word "stoned."  We don't think a song has repeatedly mentioned pot smoking so much since Afroman's 2001 "I Got High" We're in a much more conservative time than we used to be. if Mayer had put this tune out in the '70s,  no problem. Now...not so much. Can you imagine what would happened if Eric Clapton put out "Cocaine" in 2009?  Zac Brown Band is getting bleeped for the word "ass" and the line "roll a big fat one"  in the song "Toes." However, the words "beer" and "tequila" are still just fine.

As far as the song goes, "Who Says" is a low-key acoustic, stripped down tune that is only Mayer's gentle voice and a guitar for the first two-thirds.  It sounds very Paul Simon from the "Hearts and Bones" era with a reflective, chugging mid-tempo lovely melody.

Lyrically, Mayer goes through various scenarios of what he might do while stoned: go to Japan alone, drunk dial an old girlfriend, etc. Of course, the line, "I don't remember you looking any better/ then again I don't remember you" might kill any chance of romance there.

(Also: try to hear the "johnmayer.com" shout-out right before the first chorus.)

 The only question is was he stoned when he wrote it and recorded it?

Bono of U2

Credit: AP Photo

Paul McGuinness has managed U2 since the band's inception.  He's always been one of my favorite managers--as he is for many journalists--because he doesn't pull any punches. 

In a revealing interview my former Billboard colleague Ray Waddell conducted with McGuinness  in Chicago on the opening date of the band's U.S. tour, McGuinness gave a rare look at how a gigantic tour by Bono and the Boys rolls.

Among the few nuggets:

U2's current 360 tour, despite selling out across the globe, has yet to turn a profit. "When do we hit the break-even point?  We haven't hit it yet," McGuinness tells Billboard. "But we will sometime between now and the end of this leg."

How is it possible that a tour will go on to gross $300 million and sell around 3 million tickets is still in the red? Because it costs $750,000/per day to keep the operation running. And that's regardless of whether there is a show that day.

"Whether we're playing or not, the overhead is about $750,000 daily," McGuinness says. "That's just to have the crew on payroll, to rent the trucks, all that. There's about 200 trucks. Each stage is 37 trucks, so you're up to nearly 120 there. And then the universal production is another 50-odd trucks, and there are merchandise trucks and catering trucks."

I have covered the concert industry for a long time and I have never heard of that big a daily nut. Nor have I heard of a 200-truck tour before. I don't know for sure, but the math makes it sound like there are three stages out there. It's not uncommon for huge stadium shows to have two identical stages so one can be setting up in the next city on the route, but three stages is a new one on us (unless, and that's not the case here, there are three different venue sizes, such as when the Rolling Stones did their stadium/arena/club tour).

Also, McGuinness tells Waddell that, unlike Bruce Springsteen's manager Jon Landau, he is in favor of a Ticketmaster/Live Nation merger. However, that comment can't be viewed without the knowledge that executives now at Live Nation have promoted the band's last four tour. Plus, last year, U2 inked a 12-year deal with Live Nation to oversee its branding, digital and merchandising business.  

Mariah Carey and Madonna

It's the battle of the female superstars this week as Mariah Carey, Madonna and Barbra Streisand all throw down new titles on Tuesday.   Streisand may be old enough to be Carey's-- or even Madonna's-- mom, but she still has both of them beat when it comes to overall U.S. album sales. Plus, she just appeared on "Oprah" last week, so she's not messing around in terms of ratcheting up album sales.  (We know Carey made a brief appearance on "Oprah" two weeks ago as well).

Who's going to come in at the top of the chart? Our money is on Carey, but we think both Madonna and Streisand will be top 5. What are your thoughts?

AFI, "Crash Love" (DCG/Interscope): California rockers' third major-label album sees a return to their rock roots following the synth-fueled "Decemberunderground." First single, "Medicate," is available for "Guitar Hero 5."

Alice in Chains, "Black Gives Way to Blue" (Virgin): Seminal Seattle rockers are back with their first studio album since 1995 and their first with new lead singer William DuVall.  Who would have thought 13 years ago that they'd be singing with Elton John? First single, "Check My Brain," soared to no. 1 on Billboard's Rock Songs Chart.

The Avett Brothers, "I and Love and You" (American Recordings/Columbia): Next big things from North Carolina release their Rick Rubin-produced major-label debut. Their folk rock is surrounded by acoustic instrumentation, including banjo, but the strongest element is always their strong sense of melody. Check out our interview with bassist Bob Crawford here.

Breaking Benjamin, "Dear Agony" (Hollywood): Fourth album from video game faves includes first single, "I Will Not Bow," which is already a hit at rock and active rock radio.  The song is also featured in the new Bruce Willis film, "Surrogates."

Mariah Carey, "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel' (Island/Def Jam) Mimi returns with a new album for her lambs. First single "Obsessed"-her jab at Eminem-did well, but the best is still yet to come from "Memoirs." See review here.

Chromeo, "DJ Kicks" (K7): Critically adored Montreal duo and remixers (check out the pair's with Vampire Weekend) blends funk, disco, dance and pop on their latest album.  

Ghostface Killah, "Ghostdini: Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City (Def Jam):  a few weeks after Rae won released his new solo album, fellow Wu-Tang Clan member follows with his latest solo effort. However, "solo" is really a misnomer here since the rapid rapper surrounds himself with such guests as John Legend, Lloyd, Fabulous and Estelle.

Selena Gomez, "Kiss and Tell" (Hollywood) Hot off her appearance on Forever the Sickest Kids' album, the "Wizards of Waverly Place" star is the latest Disney Channel creation to grab the brass ring with a solo record.

Madonna, "Celebration" (Warner Bros.): How do you say goodbye to your label home for the past 25+ years? With a greatest hits package that, even at a walloping 36 songs (34 classics and two new tracks), still doesn't cover all your hits.  Configured lots of different ways-single disc, double disc, CD/DVD combo... Madge any way you want her.  The title track just became Madonna's 40^th (you read that right) No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play Chart.  Catch her on David Letterman on Wednesday.

Karen O and the Kids, "Where the Wild Things Are" soundtrack (MySpace/Interscope): Yeah Yeah Yeahs front woman Karen O is hanging out with the beasties for the soundtrack to the Spike Jonze-directed film of the Maurice Sendak children's classic. O wrote a number of tracks for the film, including the sweet first single, "All is Love."  She's joined by her Yeah Yeah Yeahs bandmates, as well as members of the Raconteurs, Deerhunter and the Greenhornes. The soundtrack also features music from composer Carter Burwell.

Miranda Lambert, "Revolution" (Columbia Nashville):  Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood aren't the only young blondes making a fuss in Music City. If you're looking for music that is undeniably country, check out Lambert's third album.  She's feisty, she's handy with firearms and she can sing a blue streak.

Paramore, "Brand New Eyes" (Fueled By Ramen/Atlantic): Nashville-based emo group is having quite the time: two songs on the "Twilight" soundtrack, multiple tours, including opening for No Doubt; a best new artist Grammy nomination and lead singer Hayley Williams hasn't even turned 21 yet.  For their third album, Paramore stayed close to home, recording in Nashville with producer Rob Cavallo, who helmed their "Twilight" hit, "Decode."

Hope Sandoval & The Warm inventions, "Through the Devil Softly" (Nettwerk): Former Mazzy Star lead singer pairs with My Bloody Valentine's  Colm O'Ciosoig for their follow up to 2001's "Bavarian Fruit Bread." Some call her vocal style hypnotic, others call it droning. You either love her or you hate her.  If you fall in the former camp,  you'll be happy to know she's o tour this fall.

Barbra Streisand, "Love is the Answer" (Columbia):  We know she's a bit out of Hitfix's demographic, but a new release from Babs is always a reason for celebration. The voice remains breathtakingly clear and unerring on this collection of jazz standards and classics produced by Diana Krall.  According to the Recording industry Assn. of America, Streisand is the top-selling female recording artist in history... take that, Madonna and Mariah.

Various Artists, "Ciao My Shining Star: The Songs of Mark Mulcahy" (Shout! Factory):  A who's who of the alternative music world-from Radiohead's Thom Yorke (listen here), to REM's Michael Stipe, Frank Black, Dinosaur Jr. and Fountains of Wayne's Chris  Collingwood-pay tribute to Miracle Legion former lead singer Mulcahy. Proceeds from sale of the album will go to Mulcahy to help him continue raising his young daughters following his wife's unexpected death last year.

Zero 7, "Yeah Ghost" (Atlantic):  You may not know their name, but you're heard their music, which has been licensed for numerous commercials and TV shows. Ambient, downtempo British group led by Henry Binns and Sam Hardaker has featured a rotating line up of vocalists, including Sia, Tina Dico and Jose Gonzalez.  Unlike the previous efforts, much of "Yeah Ghost" is instrumental.

Pearl Jam

Have you heard the one about the band who spends its entire career on major record companies, finally is able to release its new CD on its own label and creates a patchwork network for distribution, promotion and marketing?  The punch line?  The group lands its first No. 1 album in 13 years.

That's how it's looking for Pearl Jam with "Backspacer," the first studio album from its own Monkeywrench Records.  We won't know for sure until Tuesday night, but early indicators are that the set will sell around 200,000 copies, according to Hits Daily Double. That's enough to bump Jay Z's "The Blueprint 3" out of the top spot. Former penthouse occupant Whitney Houston drops to No. 5 after jumping back up to No. 2 last week following her "Oprah" surge.

Pearl Jam's success follows the continuum we're seeing with acts like Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails leaving the major label system and seeing no downside as their sales continue to soar. These are acts that in many ways are still in their prime (or just slightly past it, in the case of NIN), who are going this route, but it's also working astonishingly well for veteran acts like Journey and the Eagles, who still have huge fan bases. Like Journey and the Eagles, whose discs were available only through Wal-mart, the exclusive retailer for Pearl Jam is Target (although PJ took care of indie retailers and let them have the CD as well, so the exclusive is only partial).

Jay Z slips to No. 2. But here's the interesting thing. I'm not sure, but my hunch is this is the first time we've seen two technically "indie" releases in the top 2 spots. Jay-Z's record is on Roc Nation, his own label through Live Nation. Of course, it is distributed in conjunction with Atlantic, which technically makes it not an indie, but it's food for thought. His appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" may give him an extra boost.

Also debuting in the Top 10 will be rockers Three Days Grace, who look poised to come in around No. 3 with sales of 85,000.  They aren't the other rockers having nice first weeks: both Brand New and Five Finger Death Punch debut in the Top 10, ahead of such critically acclaimed acts like Monsters of Folk, who hover around 12 or so.

Pearl Jam's stay at the top will be short, however, as Mariah Carey's "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel"  comes out Sept. 29 and is a lock for coming in at No. 1

Morrissey

Mope meister Morrissey will release "Swords," a collection of B-sides, on Nov. 3.

The tunes are culled from the back sides of the singles that were released from 2004's "You Are the Quarry," 2006's "Ringleader of the Tormentors" and "Years of Refusal."  Included are "Munich Air Disaster 1958," about Manchester United soccer players killed in a crash, and a live version of David Bowie's "Drive-In Saturday."  Guests include Chrissie Hynde on "Shame is the Name."

The release comes in a year that has seen Morrissey almost on a tear to tour and spread his music. He's been on a seemingly endless tour. In fact, "Swords" comes in a limited edition package that includes a CD of songs from Morrissey's July concert in Warsaw.

But, oh, he's not done playing yet. Morrissey will continue touring in the U.K. and Europe in October and November before returning to the U.S. for more dates in late November.

The tracklist for Swords:

 Good Looking Man About Town
Don't Make Fun Of Daddy's Voice
If You Don't Like Me, Don't Look At Me
Ganglord
My Dearest Love
The Never-Played Symphonies
Sweetie-Pie
Christian Dior
Shame Is The Name
Munich Air Disaster 1958
I Knew I Was Next
It's Hard To Walk Tall When You're Small
Teenage Dad On His Estate
Children In Pieces
Friday Mourning
My Life Is A Succession Of People Saying Goodbye
Drive-In Saturday
Because Of My Poor Education

 "Swords" Tour Dates:

11/29: Seattle, WA @ Paramount
11/30: Portland, OR @ Roseland Theatre
12/2: Oakland, CA @ Paramount
12/4: Indio, CA @ Fantasy Springs
12/5: Las Vegas, NV @ The Joint
12/7: Pomona, CA @ Fox Theatre
12/8: San Diego, CA @ Copley Symphony Hall
12/10: Los Angeles, CA @ Gibson Amphitheatre
12/11: Ventura, CA @ Ventura Theatre 

Dave Matthews Band will salute Austin City Limits on Oct. 3.

Credit: AP Photo

Happy birthday, "Austin City Limits." You're turning 35 and everyone from Dave Matthews Band to Pearl Jam, Elvis Costello and Dave Grohl's Them Crooked Vultures is stopping by wish you many happy returns.

The 35^th season of the PBS concert series kicks off Oct. 3 with Dave Matthews Band, who makes their first appearance on the venerable program. This season will also feature ACL's first hip-hop episode with Mos Def and K'Naan. While there are some first timers this season, plenty of grizzled ACL vets are also stopping by:  Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel appear Nov. 14. It doesn't get more Texas than that, my friends.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is even getting into the act. On Oct. 1, the Cleveland institution will place a marker at ACL's Austin studio, declaring it an historic rock and roll landmark. Save us a piece of cake.

October 3, 2009    Dave Matthews Band
October 10, 2009    Ben Harper and Relentless7
October 17, 2009    Kenny Chesney
October 24, 2009    Andrew Bird / St. Vincent
October 31, 2009    M. Ward / Okkervil River
November 7, 2009    Elvis Costello / Band of Heathens
November 14, 2009    Willie Nelson & Asleep at the Wheel
November 21, 2009    Pearl Jam

January 9, 2010    Allen Toussaint
January 16, 2010    Mos Def / K'Naan
January 23, 2010    TBD / Heartless Bastards
January 30, 2010    Steve Earle / Kris Kristofferson
February 6, 2010    Them Crooked Vultures
February 13, 2010    Madeleine Peyroux / Esperanza Spalding

The Bravery's third album, "Stir the Blood," will hit stores Nov. 10. But first, the band will hit the road.  The NYC group's fall outing starts Oct. 1 at Denver's Ogden Theater.

"Slow Poison," the first single from the John Hill-produced "Stir the Blood" is at radio now and available on iTunes.

Like OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder, who writes more hits for others than he does for his own band,  The Bravery's lead singer, Sam Endicott, has been spreading his songwriting prowess around. He wrote "She-Wolf" for Shakira.

"Stir the Blood" is the group's first release since 2007's "The Sun and the Moon," which featured the alternative hit, "Believe."

Tour dates for the Bravery are below:

Thu Oct 1 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre  
 Sat Oct 3 - Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line  
 Sun Oct 4 - Chicago, IL - Vic Theatre  
 Mon Oct 5 - Detroit, MI - St. Andrews  
 Tue Oct 6 - Toronto, ON - Opera House  
 Thu Oct 8 - New York, NY - Terminal 5  
 Fri Oct 9 - Boston, MA - House of Blues  
 Sat Oct 10 - Philadelphia, PA - TLA  
 Sun Oct 11 - Washington, CD - 9:30 Club  
 Tue Oct 13 - Norfolk, VA - The Norva  
 Wed Oct 14 - Charlotte, FL - Amos' Southend    
 Fri Oct 16 - Fort Lauderdale, FL - The Culture Room  
 Sat Oct 17 - Saint Petersburg, FL - Jannus Landing  
 Sun Oct 18 - Lake Buena Vista, FL - House of Blues    
 Tue Oct 20 - Atlanta, GA - CW Center Stage  
 Wed Oct 21 - Baton Rouge, LA - Varsity Theatre  
 Fri Oct 23 - Austin, AZ - Emo's  
 Sat Oct 24 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live  
 Sun Oct 25 - Dallas, TX - House of Blues   
 Tue Oct 27 - Aspen, CO - Belly Up  
 Wed Oct 28 - Salt Lake City, UT - Murray Theatre     
 Fri Oct 30 - San Bernadino, CA - Stingers    
 Sun Nov 1 - Anaheim, CA - House of Blues  
 Mon Nov 2 - San Diego, CA - House of Blues  
 Tue Nov 3 - Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theatre  
 Thu Nov 5 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern  
 Fri Nov 6 - San Francisco, CA - The Warfield   
 Sun Nov 8 - Portland, OR - Roseland Ballroom  
 Mon Nov 9 - Seattle, WA - Showbox @ Market       
 Wed Nov 11 - Vancouver, BC - Venue