Cyndi Lauper Has No Love Affair with Bush

In an interview with The Times, Cyndi Lauper lashed out at George W. Bush while speaking of her love for gay people:

"This community for me is my beloved community. This is not a money-making venture. I have been running with this community all my life, and when I hear people like George Bush talk about the gay community being anti-American it makes my blood boil. The guy who saved the White House, one of the heroes who crashed that plane on 9/11, was gay – the rugby player Mark Bingham, who died on United 93. And does Bush ever mention that? Does he f***! That gay guy saved his lousy ass. And this guy who says he prays to God, this guy who promotes hate and fear, this guy we call our President...This guy is the true anti-American."

She also tells them how she tried really hard to be gay but was eventually forced to come out as straight:

"My sister was gay, my best friends were gay, so I figured I had to be gay. So I did everything they did. I tried kissing girls. But it didn’t feel right for me and eventually I was forced to come out as a heterosexual."

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News: Prisoners Of War, On Set With Cyndi, Servicing Obama, Aren't Ross & Rachel Like 45 Now?, Unfriendly Skies & More

Freedom: Ingrid Betancourt, a Colombian presidential candidate held by the "Marxist-inspired" insurgents FARC in the jungle since 2002, has been rescued along with 14 other captives. Interesting that this happens while John McCain is in Colombia. In totally unrelated news, it's been revealed that a top John McCain fundraiser, Carl H. Lindner, Jr., has a history of supporting terrorist groups. The Cincinnati billionaire oversaw the payment of $1.7 million to a Colombian paramilitary group now defined as terrorists by the U.S. government and described as an "illegal right-wing anti-guerrilla group tied to many of the country's most notorious civilian massacres." Conspiracy theories aside, there's also been a long-overdue McCain campaign shake-up.

Rush Limbaugh is the $400 million-dollar Elvis of talk radio.

Bodybuilder Matus Valent shares recipes and visual access to his physique at connex24.7. And he's got quite a way with words: "My most often food I eat throughout the whole year is grilled chicken breasts with rice, but I would say my most favorite is a Steak, preferably from an upscale steakhouse. It can be Fillet Mignon, Ribeye or New York strip prepared medium so my muscles can get some of the highest quality protein." High-quality meat really does contain the best protein.

After Cyndi: Rocker and gay-rights activist Cyndi Lauper welcomes After Elton for an As the World Turns set visit.

Ask Obama not what your country can do for you, ask Obama what you can do for your country.

Does it pay to get gay-married?

For the first time, Army and RAF troops in the UK will be allowed to march in Gay Pride parades wearing their uniforms. Controversially, gay soldiers will be reimbursed their traveling expenses in getting to the parades, even though soldiers are not reimbursed for other functions—like attending the Queen's Garden Party.

Will the cast of Friends be there for you?

FOX deliberately alters images of New York Times reporters Steven Reddicliffe and Jacques Steinberg to enhance their point that they are "attack dogs."

Cuppa Joe...Bob...Bill...: WEtv set loose 15 shirtless, coffee-serving men in Midtown Manhattan to build awareness for its new show Hot Coffee Break, on which studly guys perform mundane tasks. Did I mention the network is aimed at women?

Openly gay Bishop Gene Robinson is set to preach at London's historic St Mary's, Putney, in the diocese of Southwark, at the invitation of church rector Rev. Giles Fraser. Says Fraser, "I am delighted that Gene Robinson is preaching in Putney. His exclusion from the Lambeth Conference, a meeting for listening, is an absolute scandal. He is a gracious and deeply courageous man of God."

Cindy McCain is very, very spendy.

Barack Obama shores up Hispanic support, so Bill Richardson might be off his short list. Obama also has the "grudging respect" of former Vice President Dan Quayle. There's a ringing endorsement.

Okay, so Pete Wentz is not gay and damn him for being on the cover of Out. But he's got a (cute) gay business partner...does that help?

American Airlines may be laying off up to 900 flight attendants beginning August 31—and if you don't get why this is a gay story, you must take the train.

Sunscreen is annoying to put on and most of it might not even work adequately.

Madonna is allegedly having an affair with Alex "A-Rod" Rodriguez. Denied. Now A-Rod's wife, Cynthia, is allegedly shacked up with Lenny Kravitz. Word to the wise: Madonna, Rodriguez and Kravitz all share a manager—Guy Oseary.

If "hotheaded" John McCain is elected president, his first trip to visit volatile French President Nicolas Sarkozy might be a real smackdown.

And the people who live on Gay Street think they have it hard...check out New York's newest awkward avenue.

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Towleroad Guide to the Tube #318

PRESSING THE FLESH: Beefcake & politicians at NYC Pride.

PUNCH DRUNK: Troubled Amy Winehouse cracks, slaps fan.

NOTHIN’ MORE TO SAY: Frenchie Davis belts “One Night Only” at Chicago’s Gay Pride.

AS THE WOILD TOINS: A fun preview of Cyndi Lauper’s appearance on As the World Turns this Thursday, July 3.

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Cyndi Lauper Will Take You Till You're All Spun Up

Cyndi Lauper just released the video for her new single "Into the Nightlife" which she shot at New York's gay bar Splash. Adult film actor-turned-singer Colton Ford loaned his body out for the shoot.

Lauper will be participating in daytime TV's first gay pride episode as she's written into the Luke and Noah storyline on As the World Turns, airing on July 3rd.

She also

Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...

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Cyndi Lauper Offers Her True Colors to Luke and Noah on ATWT

Cyndi Lauper taped a special gay pride episode of As the World Turns on May 27 which is set to air on July 3rd. It's a first-of-its-kind moment for daytime TV, and it's hard to argue for a better advocate than Lauper to come swinging through Oakdale.

Lauper told Entertainment Weekly: "'I think they're young, these guys, and they're sweet. They're taking their time and struggling with the heart issues, which is even more endearing than just being like the straight couples, half-naked and having sex all over the place. The best way to people is through the heart, and that's why I think it's kind of interesting the way they've done it. It's about love."

I've transcribed her brief interview for Entertainment Tonight and clipped it, AFTER THE JUMP: "I'm here to do an intervention for true love. And uh, I think true love should always win out. I think it's actually a monumental show that I'm on. And I think CBS should be commended. Noah and Luke are in love, so I'm just gonna say 'Hey, you gotta be there for each other because you walk away from your chance sometimes. you don't get that back.' As the World Turns is really doing something monumental. It's including a community of people who are our extended families. You know, it's our uncles, our cousins, our sisters, our brothers. It's about opening your heart and understanding that people are different and perhaps your kids aren't always going to be exactly who you want. They're always oppoiste. It's always your Achilles heel. But you love em. And see, that's the heart. And these two, they're in love with each other, and that's how they've nurtured each other, and I'm proud to be included, you know. I think it's a great thing."

Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP...

And if you haven't heard Lauper's new single "Into the Night Life" yet, it's her best in years and deserving of plenty a play on the dance floor this summer.

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Music News: Cyndi Lauper, Hercules And Love Affair, Smashing Pumpkins, Ne-Yo, CSS, Gorillaz

Photo taken at Splash NYC, courtesy "Workit" at the Cyndi Lauper Forum.

Robbie Daw presents a weekly pop music update here on Towleroad! Robbie runs his own site called Chart Rigger.

Cyndi Lauper shot the video for her next single, "Into The Nightlife," at New York's Splash nightclub on Tuesday last week, and there was an open call for extras. Did anyone make it?

"Into The Nightlife" is one of the tracks on Cyndi's new album Bring Ya To The Brink which she flew to Sweden to work on, this one being with the Murlyn production team's Peer Åström (who also co-wrote and co-produced Brink's "Echo"). While in Sweden, Lauper also worked with Andreas Kleerup (on "Lay Me Down"), who crafted Robyn's international hit "With Every Heartbeat," and Axwell ("Rain On Me").

The singer talked to Newsday about travelling abroad last year to work with the various co-writers and producers: "I wanted to go and experience life there. It really helped me as a writer. It's the first time I've taken a sabbatical to write, taking a sabbatical from being a mom and a wife, from this and that. It was just me, living a different life, having a moment for myself. It was extraordinary to me."

Other collaborators on the record include Basement Jaxx, The Scumfrog, Dragonette and U.S. songwriter, DJ and remixer, Richard Morel. Given the amount of cooks in the kitchen, if you ask me, Brink Ya To The Brink is a very mixed bag that actually works, give or take maybe two tracks. Personally, I keep hitting repeat on "Rain On Me"; you'd half expect to hear it chirping atop some high drama scene with Carrie in Sex And The City were it sill on. Oh well. There's always Grey's Anatomy.

In the meantime, Cyndi Lauper and Co. kick off the True Colors Tour this week. Here's a special message she taped for Towleroad readers about the concerts:

This week's free iTunes single of the week is "Blind" by Hercules And Love Affair, featuring Antony Hegarty of Antony And The Johnsons on vocals. Hercules And Love Affair is basically New York-based DJ Andy Butler's project, which features a rotating line-up of singers. "Blind" cracked the Top 40 in the U.K. earlier this year, and, curiously, Wikipedia notes that Butler "began his musical career at 15, DJing in a Denver leather bar run by a hostess called Chocolate Thunder Pussy." The act is signed to LCD Soundsystem frontman James Murphy's DFA Records.

Billy Corgan to celebrate the Smashing Pumpkins' (pictured left) 20th anniversary this fall with a handful of U.S. gigs and a collection of the band's early, unreleased recordings: "We're hoping to put out some early demos at the end of this year to start a rolling boxed set. There's an audience out there that wants to hear the fourth show we ever did with the song we only did that one time. Maybe it's only 500 people, but maybe you find a way."

Ne-Yo on writing for Lindsay Lohan's upcoming album: "We gave her a quality record and she did a ridiculously fabulous job."

Cansei de Ser Sexy, aka CSS, have added several U.S. dates to their summer tour. The Brazilian five-piece grew in popularity stateside last year after their song "Music Is My Hot, Hot Sex" was used in ads for Apple's iPod Touch.

The Sun claims that Sam Sparro says the following about Madonna in an interview for the June issue of U.K. gay mag, Attitude: "Madonna is wretched at the moment -- absolutely vulgar. Put it away! You're not young and sexy anymore. She went thoughtful and mature for a while, and now she's chucked it away in some desperate attempt at being hot again. It's just a bit vile." Then again, this is The Sun we're talking about...

American Idol winner David Cook dating former contestant Kimberly Caldwell?

Blogger Brad at MuuMuse waxes on why M83 stand out in the sea of New Wave revivalists.

Despite previously stating that their act won't be doing any new music, singer Damn Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett, better known as cartoon band Gorillaz, have written theme music for the BBC's coverage of the Summer Olympics: "The idea is you tell the story of Journey to the West in a two-minute sequence. Their treatment will kick-start our coverage in a different, energetic way."

THIS WEEK'S NEW RELEASES:

Usher's fifth album, Here I Stand, featuring guest vocals from Beyonce and Jay-Z.

Lay It Down, a new studio album from Al Green, on which he worked with The Roots' Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson.

Singles from the Pussycat Dolls ("When I Grow Up") and Timbaland protege Keri Hilson ("Energy").

The Sex And The City motion picture soundtrack, featuring Fergie, Jennifer Hudson, Nina Simone, Kaskade and Morningwood.

Songs In A&E, from English rockers Spiritualized. It's the band's first album since 2003, as frontman Jason Pierce fell seriously ill with a respiratory disease in 2005.

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Music News: Cyndi Lauper Creates A Residence For Homeless LGBT Youth, Plus NIN, Jay-Z Vs. Oasis, Pete Burns, Ace Of Base

Robbie Daw presents a weekly pop music update here on Towleroad! Robbie runs his own site called Chart Rigger.

Many of you -- yes, that means you, buster --are probably reading this while at work. But while some of us are counting the minutes as the day wears on, as Cyndi Lauper points out in a Q&A with Newsweek, things could always be worse.

The singer discusses some of the odd jobs she had before she became a successful recording artist: "I tried to work in an office. Apparently, my clothes weren't right. I was a Gal Friday the 13th. I would answer phones and people would call up very upset. Then they'd call back screaming and yelling because I had to go to the file room and I would get sidetracked. I used to fall asleep reading the mail. I didn't want to. But it was so boring to me and I hated it."

One job Cyndi might be more happy to do is collaborating with Colleen Jackson and New York's West End Intergenerational Residence to create the True Colors Residence, "a permanent supportive housing program for homeless LGBT youth 18-24 years old."

Lauper notes in an open letter: "In New York City, a very disproportionate number (up to 40%), of homeless youth identify as LGBT. Even more disturbing are reports that these young people often face discrimination and at times physical assault in some of the very places they have to for help. This is shocking an inexcusable... We'll be building from the ground up so our residents will have a brand new, modern building with studio apartments for each resident and both indoor and outdoor community space to socialize or attend education and recreation programs. Each resident will be responsible for paying affordable rent based on their income and will receive ongoing assistance in obtaining employment best suited to their individual interests and skills."

As well, Cyndi Lauper's first studio album of original material in 11 years -- Bring Ya To The Brink -- will be released in two weeks, from Epic. The first single, "Same Ol' Story," was added to iTunes last week.

In 2001, Lauper was set to release an LP called Shine stateside, but plans with the label fell through, and the album eventually only saw the light of day in Japan, while she self-released an EP of some of the tracks domestically a year later.

Props to Towleroad reader Crispy, who in last week's music column commented that I forgot to mention Nine Inch Nails' digital release of new album The Slip, completely free of charge, on the band's website: "[lowercase sic] as a thank you to our fans for your continued support, we are giving away the new nine inch nails album one hundred percent free, exclusively via nin.com. the music is available in a variety of formats including high-quality MP3, FLAC or M4A lossless at CD quality and even higher-than-CD quality 24/96 WAVE. your link will include all options - all free. all downloads include a PDF with artwork and credits. for those of you interested in physical products, fear not. we plan to make a version of this release available on CD and vinyl in july. details coming soon."

As a fellow Western Pennsylvanian who grew up only a county away from him, I hope Trent Reznor can forgive me for not mentioning it sooner!

Can you name three reasons why Dannii is better than Kylie?

It's Jay-Z vs. Noel Gallagher over a "controversial" Glastonbury headlining gig: "We don't play guitars, Noel, but hip-hop has put in its work like any other form of music. This headline show is just a natural progression."

But if jetting off to England to see Oasis and Jay-Z's pissing contest isn't your thing, why not catch this summer's Regeneration Tour, headlined by the Human League and featuring Belinda Carlisle, ABC and Naked Eyes on the bill? Those heading to dates on the West Coast will be lucky enough to catch Pete Burns of Dead Or Alive, who's joining the tour from August 2 - 11.

Finally -- what we've all been waiting for! Gnarls Barkley's Cee Lo Green and Jack Black to cover disco classic "Kung Fu Fighting" for Dreamworks' Kung Fu Panda.

Not content to just give away their music for free, Coldplay now doing two gigs free of charge in New York and London next month.

Has it really been 14 years? Below is the video for the #1 single on Billboard's Hot 100 chart this week in 1994:

Jeez, and they thought life was demanding without understanding in the '90s...! Ace Of Base's "The Sign" initially spent four weeks at #1, beginning in March of '94, before being knocked off by R. Kelly's "Bump N' Grind." After a four-week stretch for the latter, "The Sign" returned to the top for two more weeks that May.

The Swedish quartet's same-titled album would go on to tie with Disney's Lion King soundtrack for the year's best-seller, at 7 million copies moved.

TODAY'S NEW RELEASES:

Death Cab For Cutie's Narrow Stairs. (And, hey, how about a new Postal Service album while you're at it, Ben?)

We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things., a collection of three EPs Jason Mraz had released in recent months.

New singles from the reunited New Kids On The Block ("Summertime") and Kaskade & Dedmau5 ("Move For Me").

Two new singles from The Cure (The Only One"" and "NY Trip"), who plan to release songs on the 13th of each month until the August release of their as-yet-untitled 13th album.

Brit blue-eyed soul singer Duffy's debut LP, Rockferry, which contains her current hit, "Mercy."

11, the appropriately-titled 11th studio album from Bryan Adams.

Hot Chip's four-song EP for single "One Pure Thought."

A remix EP for American Idol runner-up Blake Lewis' woefully overlooked "How Many Words."

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News: Al Reynolds, Tel Aviv, Rent, Tucker Carlson, Attitude

Kathy Griffin ordained into the clergy of the Universal Life Church so that she can marry a straight couple: "People asked if I was concerned that I might upstage the bride. But Elka didn't have to worry. I'm wearing a green gown I wore to the Golden Globes a few years ago - which got me on one of those 'Worst Dressed' lists!"

Star Jones divorcing Al Reynolds: "They hadn’t been seeing eye to eye for months and had already spent a great deal of time apart. Finally, Star decided it was over. She told Al at the end of January that he had 30 days to get his act together or ‘get out.’"

Not over yet: Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal to reprise their roles in Rent for 2009 national tour.

Security camera developed that sees through clothing: "A camera that can "see" explosives, drugs and weapons hidden under clothing from 25 metres has been invented. The ThruVision system could be deployed at airports, railway stations or other public spaces. It is based on so-called 'terahertz', or T-ray, technology, normally used by astronomers to study dying stars. Although it is able to see through clothes it does not reveal 'body detail' or subject people to 'harmful radiation', according to the designers. 'It is totally and utterly passive - it receives only,' said a spokesperson for Thruvision."

Robbie Williams says he has seen three UFOs and wants to study them when he retires.

Paper reports on gay life in Afghanistan: "There are no organised gay associations in Afghanistan, but contrary to many Western countries, men can freely walk the streets holding hands. This was especially shocking for foreign troops who became fascinating for the Afghan men. Armed and ready to engage in conflicts with Al-Qaeda, the only conflicts the foreign troops had were with local men who only wanted to stroke their hair. 'It was hell. Every village we went into we got a group of men wearing make-up coming up, stroking our hair and cheeks and making kissing noises,' 20-year-old Corporal Paul Richard uttered."

The underground drag queens of Tel Aviv: "In an effort to carve out a space for themselves, Palestinian drag queens gather every few months at a club in the heart of Tel Aviv to take part in underground shows. These parties offer a rare forum for them to explore complicated and convoluted ideas about sexuality, politics, nationalism, militancy and religion. They're forging their identities at the center of what some consider an occupying power. The Palestinian nationalists among them recognize the irony in the fact that Israel has become their sanctuary. 'I didn't choose this place; it's the place that I found I could be myself in,' said M, a 24-year-old Arab-Israeli woman with short black hair who's performed at the club. 'That's my only refuge.'"

Cyndi Lauper asks Britney Spears to join her on the True Colors tour which starts on May 31.

What's Justin Timberlake's problem with women?

Tireless battle to save Laguna Beach's Boom Boom Room goes on: "Supporters of a beachside nightclub that catered for half a century to Hollywood's gay stars are hitting its owner with a blizzard of yellow postcards urging that the shuttered bar be reopened. Supporters, including 'Brady Bunch' co-star Florence Henderson and former National Basketball Association player Dennis Rodman, have sent about 500 yellow postcards emblazoned 'SAVE the BOOM!!!' to [owner Steven] Udvar-Hazy's Los Angeles office..."

Tucker Carlson's show gets dumped: "The official announcement, expected tomorrow, will include details about who will replace Tucker at 6pmET as well as other political programming additions. Sources say the network is going to beef up its schedule with more NBC News talent."

Olympic ambassador and former British silver medallist hurdler Colin Jackson: I'm not gay. " “I don't mind having people say what they like in that circumstance. I know that I am not but I don't think it's for me to be going round screaming it from the rooftops. I think it's just rubbish. It makes no real sense to me. It's quite strange and bizarre but people say what they say."

A gay and lesbian hotel brand with Attitude.

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Music News: Sally Shapiro Bites The Big Apple, Plus Annie, True Colors Tour, Janet Jackson, Keane, Lou Pearlman, Pet Shop Boys

Robbie Daw presents a weekly pop music update here on Towleroad! Robbie runs his own site called Chart Rigger.

The U.S. will get a rare glimpse of Sally Shapiro, Swede pop's own version of J.T. Leroy, in the coming days...sort of. "Sally Shapiro," an alias for producer Johan Agebjörn and the elusive blonde female vocalist that fronts the act, will be appearing at New York's Mercury Lounge Friday night and the Windy City's Sonotheque on Monday.

If you've not checked out Sally Shapiro, her/their album Disco Romance got a stateside release last fall, and it's the finest collection of non-Italian/German/Spanish, '80s-sounding Italo disco since the Pet Shop Boys' early B-sides (collected on their own 1995 compilation, Alternative). Additionally, a new single, "Spacer Woman From Mars" -- billed as Johan Agebjörn Featuring Sally Shapiro -- was made available on iTunes last week.

Here's the video for "Jackie Jackie (Spend This Winter With Me)," off Disco Romance:

Of course, it should be noted that Johan and Sally's appearances in the States are billed as DJ sets, and even the producer himself has apparently never seen the singer record her own vocals. In a rare interview with Pitchfork last October, she stated the following: "I actually have some recordings-- because I do it at Johan's place, because he has the [equipment]. So there are some recordings where I'm singing to the computer, and Johan comes into the door because he has to fetch something and then you hear on the tape that I am disturbed and I am saying with an angry voice, [mimics] Oh, you are coming in here when I'm singing; you're not supposed to do that! Very nice, I have that on tape now. I saved it."

Sally Shapiro's U.S. label is set to release a remix album, Remix Romance Vol. 1, on April 15.

The lineup for this summer's 24-date True Colors Tour was announced today, with tickets going on sale March 15. Cyndi Lauper will co-headline the events with The B-52s. Last year she and Erasure shared the top billing. Billboard.com notes: "TV personality Carson Kressley will host the shows, which will also feature appearances by Rosie O'Donnell, the Indigo Girls, Joan Jett and Regina Spektor... Organizers plan to stress the need to vote in the fall presidential election and will also be raising funds for gay, lesbian and transgendered advocacy groups through the True Colors Fund of Stonewall Community Foundation." Additionally, Joan Armatrading, Tegan & Sara, Wanda Sykes, Nona Hendryx, Deborah Cox and the Cliks will appear on certain dates of the tour.

Well, it's about time! Four years after enthralling dancefloors and electro hipsters the world over, Norwegian artist Annie popped a new song, the Richard X-produced "I Know Your Girlfriend Hates Me," up on her MySpace on Monday. (Richard X also produced her hit single, "Chewing Gum.") But just as quick as it appeared, the track was removed. Annie's next full-length album is due out next month from Island Records.

Miss Jackson unseats Jack Johnson with her first #1 album in seven years.

Former *NSync and Backstreet Boys impressario Lou Pearlman, now jailed for orchestrating bank and investment fraud scams totaling $300 million, is set to enter a guilty plea tomorrow in an Orlando court. By entering into a plea deal, the charges against him carry a maximum of 25 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Journalist Bryan Burrough wrote a detailed story on Pearlman in last November's Vanity Fair titled "Mad About The Boys," which also explored Pearlman's alleged sexually predatory nature with certain males in the acts he managed.

British three-piece act Keane raise speculation about a new, fourth member after a mysterious image crops up on the band's website.

Been wondering what's up with the Pet Shop Boys lately? "Chris and Neil have been writing new songs for much of this year," reports their official website, "and will continue until they feel they have enough songs for a new album. The writing sessions have proved very fertile with, so far, seven new songs being completed. Some of the songs they wrote early last year are also likely to feature on the album. Meetings with potential producers are already being lined up for March. The release date for the new album will probably be early 2009.

THE WEEK'S NEW RELEASES:

Warpaint by The Black Crowes, which was the subject of recent controversy when Maxim ran a lukewarm review of the album in its March issue without the writer having ever heard it.

Go Away White, the first studio album from goth rockers Bauhaus in 25 years, and their pledged final one as a band.

Billy Bragg's Mr. Love & Justice, which is available in two versions -- one with his usual backing band on accompaniment, and one that's a straightforward acoustic affair.

Good Time, the 15th solo album by country crooner Alan Jackson.

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Music News: Kylie Hops Into Robyn's Box, Plus Leona Lewis, R.E.M., Yahoo Music, Cat Power, NKOTB, Shelby Lynne

Robbie Daw presents a weekly pop music update here on Towleroad! Robbie runs his own pop music site called Chart Rigger.

Either these two pop dames are trying to give us déjà vu, or they're both just really into boxes. Kylie Minogue's new video for "In My Arms" (below, left) made its way online yesterday, and it bears more than a passing resemblance to Robyn's video for "Handle Me" (right) from last fall.

Of course, all these years later, it's worth revisiting what might be the silent inspiration for both clips.

While "In My Arms" is Minogue's second single off X throughout most of Europe, the U.K. and Australia will get "Wow" instead. Videos for both "In My Arms" and "Wow" were shot while Kylie was recently in Los Angeles by director Melina Matsoukas. The U.S. version of X is tentatively scheduled for a March release on Capitol Records.

Meanwhile, two EPs from Robyn were made available stateside yesterday -- the five-track Rakomonie EP and the single package for her U.K. chart-topper, "With Every Heartbeat." Robyn's full-length album from Cherrytree/Interscope will drop in April. The singer is doing three sold-out club performances next week in New York, San Francisco and L.A.

Along with Madonna, Mariah and Gnarls Barkley, successful U.K. belter Leona Lewis to throw her hat into the crowded ring of April album releases.

R.E.M. shoots their new video in New York at "the best sex shop [they've] ever been in."

Despite the company's current woes -- or perhaps in spite of them -- Yahoo Music to offer non-digital rights managed (DRM) songs by the end of the year.

Music sales are dismal all over, but Cat Power (pictured right) scores her best week ever with newly-released album Jukebox.

With an updated website boasting past achievements and playing a schmaltzy new ballad, is the latest musical reunion... New Kids On The Block? Group member Danny Wood initially denied it on his MySpace blog, but has since written: "Hi to all the New Kids On The Block fans, I wanted to clarify since my first post this morning regarding the NKOTB reunion. I loved being a part of the group, and have always thought 'maybe someday we'll get back together' – you just never know when your someday will come. I can guarantee all the fans that if this reunion were to happen, they would hear about it first on www.NKOTB.com."

"Glass-smashing garage punk and genre-mashing pop. Weed-infused hip-hop and Ivy League-schooled geek rock." Get to know Spin's Who's Next In '08. (In particular, Duffy and The Wombats already have huge buzz overseas, Santogold seems just crazy enough to crossover and Margot And The Nuclear So And So's really dig cello.)

Girls just wanna have fun: Cyndi Lauper, Natalie Cole, Bonnie Raitt and Bette Midler to be award presenters at the Feb. 10 Grammys.

... and baby makes four for Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale.

THIS WEEK'S NEW RELEASES:

Grammy-winner Shelby Lynne's album of Dusty Springfield covers, Just A Little Lovin'.

Stage diva Sarah Brightman's first album in five years, Symphony, which features guest vocalists Fernando Lima, Paul Stanley of KISS (!!) and Andrea Bocelli.

Rent and Wicked star Idina Menzel's foray into pop, I Stand.

A remix EP of the Thom Yorke songs "Atoms For Peace" and "Black Swan."

New singles from Estelle (the slightly electro "American Boy"), Spin artist to watch Santogold ("Creator/L.E.S. Artists") and Making The Band vixens Danity Kane ("Damaged").

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Music News: Simon Cowell's Star Struck, Madonna, Darren Hayes, Spice Girls, Shayne Ward

Please welcome Robbie Daw, who will be penning occasional music posts for us here on Towleroad! Robbie runs his own pop music site called Chart Rigger.

   It looks as if next year will be your chance to finally judge how much talent Simon Cowell really possesses. The American Idol and X Factor pop mogul told The Hollywood Reporter that he's producing a feature film revolving around the angst of 10 young hopefuls competing on a fictional TV singing contest. Titled Star Struck, it's scheduled for a summer 2008 release.

Simon says: "We want it to be the musical version of Rocky -  an underdog story, a feelgood film."

Cowell plans on wrangling the 10 actors the same way the contestants are herded in for Idol auditions. "To enjoy the film, you've got to watch the actors and believe that they are contestants on a reality show. We always believed that a TV show like Idol would be successful. I have the same feeling about doing the movie."

   As Madonna continues working on her new album, she's hit a roadblock with the adoption of one-year-old David Banda. "The whole adoption process may crumble and David [may be] sent back to his village," social worker Penstone Kembe told the Reuters news service.

   While on an Australian promotional tour last week for his forthcoming album This Delicate Thing We've Made, Darren Hayes spoke candidly with The Sydney Star Observer about the process of coming out of the closet during his Savage Garden days: “My coming out to myself was very reluctant. It was a thorn in my side as it was something I did not want to be and so when I call it a violent reaction, it was one of shame. But I can only admit that now, as I really could get more gay – and be happy about it.”

After the jump, hot Brit export Shayne Ward, Rob Thomas reunites with Matchbox Twenty, the Spice Girls slightly extend their tour and today's new releases.

   The Spice Girls announced the lucky location of their  "Spice City" contest on their website. The reunited fivesome offered fans a chance to suggest one additional stop on their upcoming world tour, and the chosen city was Toronto. Said the Girls in their spice statement: "We set this up to give all our genuine fans the chance to turn their hometown into a SPICE CITY. This was all about making your own city a SPICE CITY and since we launched there have been literally millions of votes for us to play in hundreds of cities including places like Rio, Chicago, Melbourne, Manchester, Paris, Alice Springs, Baghdad, and Diss (in Norfolk England)! But one city had to win and we are now delighted to announce the winner is... TORONTO. Thanks to everyone in Canada who voted for us to play there - we’ll work out the date over the next few weeks and let you know."

   In other reunion news, Rob Thomas recently got together with his Matchbox Twenty bandmates to record a dozen songs. Billboard reported at least six of the tracks will be included on the group's Exile On Mainstream greatest hits compilation, due out October 2.

   After winning Britain's X Factor two years ago, Shayne Ward came across as just another scruffy-cute bloke from Manchester. But in the video for his new single, "If That's OK With You," Shayne's kicked up the sex appeal about 25 notches:

"If That's OK With You" is written and produced by Max Martin, who seems to have chucked his Kelly Clarkson and Britney-brand pop sound of the last decade for one more resembling his early work with Ace Of Base.

   August is typically a "no man's land" for new releases, but out today is True Colors: The Tour CD, which contains music by the artists featured on Cyndi Lauper's recent traveling show benefiting Human Rights Campaign, such as Rufus Wainwright, The Gossip, Indigo Girls, Cazwell and The Cliks. Among the mostly previously-released material is a new duet from Erasure and Lauper called "Early Bird."

Also out is How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul?, the 10th studio album from Public Enemy. It marks the 20th anniversary of the influential hip-hop legends.

A week before the High School Musical 2 soundtrack bombards shelves and digital stores, Disney's Hollywood Records is issuing the self-titled sophomore release from Jonas Brothers. Think of it as Hanson: The Next Generation.

James Blunt's new single, "1973," is available on iTunes, as is the video. Unlike "You're Beautiful," this one actually takes a stab at having a beat...albeit a mid-tempo one.

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News: Patrick Dempsey, Heimlich AIDS Cure, Paris Hilton, Twins

Paris Hilton sends prison plea to the public: "During the past several days, I have had a lot of time to reflect and have already learned a bitter, but important lesson from this experience...I must also say that I was shocked to see all of the attention devoted to the amount of time I would spend in jail for what I had done by the media, public and city officials. I would hope going forward that the public and the media will focus on more important things, like the men and women serving our country in Iraq, Afghanistan and other places around the world."

Patrick Dempsey the pink princess.

Separated at birth: Anderson Cooper and porn star Mike Power?

Inventor of Heimlich maneuver floats new theory: cure AIDS by injecting patients with malaria. "'We allow the malaria to run for three weeks, and then we cure it,' says Dr. Heimlich, now 87 years-old. In a study commissioned by Dr. Heimlich, eight human subjects have already been injected with a form of malaria in China in the 1990s, and he is now involved with a research project involving AIDS patients in Ethiopia who are initially left untreated for malaria with available medicines. 'It gives off substances that strengthen their immune systems,' says Dr. Heimlich. But leading AIDS researchers and medical ethicists say they are appalled. 'It is scientifically unsound, and I think it would be ethically questionable,' said Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health, who has been seeking a cure for AIDS since it was first identified in the 1980s."

Moscow Gay Pride organizer Nikolay Alexeyev fined 1,000 rubles: "The court session looked like a farce. The judge refused to admit photo and video evidence proving that we had not disturbed law and order." Background...

Most-ever politicians march in Albany Gay Pride as legislature considers gay marriage measure: " Thirty-five groups and about 300 marchers participated in Sunday's parade, which was sponsored by the Capital District Gay and Lesbian Community Council. Keith Hornbrook, executive director of the Council, said it was the biggest parade yet, drawing marchers from Glens Falls, New Paltz and Bennington, Vt. The rally at Washington Park after the parade was attended by Mayor Jerry Jennings and six other politicians -- the most ever, Hornbrook said."

JFK Jr.'s "numerous bisexual encounters" detailed in new book: "I know he was attracted to me because when we danced he played with my a - - and stuff. He kissed me on the dance floor, and I kissed him back."

Cyndi Lauper wows at opening of True Colors tour. Some excellent coverage over at NewNowNext.

Live at the Gyllenhaal's for $20,000 month. Jake not included.

Check out these initial reactions from Mac fanatics to the iPod introductionback in 2001: "hey - heres an idea Apple - rather than enter the world of gimmicks and toys, why dont you spend a little more time sorting out your pathetically expensive and crap server line up? or are you really aiming to become a glorified consumer gimmicks firm?"

World's first identical twins born to two different women.

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Cyndi Lauper on Discovering She Was a Gay Icon

John Polly at NewNowNext chats up the singer/activist about her soon-to-start True Colors Tour as well as the early days of her career, hate crimes, and when she discovered she had a huge gay fanbase:

"I never really noticed until I started reading the emails, way back in about 1996. That's when I started reading emails -- because I was pregnant, and email, back then was like, unbelievable! And I start reading not one, not two, not ten, but every other email I got was about how when people came out and how they were mistreated and disenfranchised from their families and their jobs and their friends, and totally cut off. And I just thought, 'No one should ever be that depressed about who they are!' But really the first big event was at Yankee Stadium, when it was the first Gay Games in 1994. And I’d never done something that big at Yankee Stadium, and I thought it was just fantastic! And I had all of these drag performers with me, and it was really fun."

The True Colors Tour is set to start June 8 in Las Vegas.

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