Perky Pink pops out at VMAs

PINK displayed some JANET JACKSON expressive style boob flashing backstage at the MTV VMA
awards last night.

The singer was just about to perform her new single when she partook in some
harmless popping knocked out fun.

Unlike JANET - who splendidly flashed a boob during a halftime
performance at the Super Bowl - Pink favoured the use of

Legislation To Address Problems With Health Care System Should 'Do No Harm,' Opinion Piece States

�
U.S. residents are "disgruntled with the health attention status quo, and rightfully so," only the system of rules "is not on the verge of collapse," Gary Andres, vice chair of Dutko Worldwide, and James Capretta, a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, write in a Washington Times opinion piece. According to the authors, health insurance "for too many families is unstable, and the provision of wellness care is often inefficient, bureaucratic and of low quality," but most residents "still get good insurance policy and quick access to some of the finest medical institutions in the world."

As a result, the "first rule of wellness legislation, care medicine, should be 'do no damage,'" the authors drop a line, adding, "Moreover, ... our wellness care system is to a fault big, as well complex and too active for Washington politicians to 'fix' in one piece of statute law." The authors cite the health care proposal of presumptive Democratic presidential campaigner Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) as a "case in point." The authors write that Obama would "impose a job-killing 'play or pay' tax on every American employer; require all insurance to meet federally imposed standards; stand up a government-run insurance option built on arbitrary price controls with tens of millions of enrollees; and pile massive new federal entitlements on top of the unaffordable ones he does aught about."

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) "has a far better plan," the authors write. McCain acknowledges that "too much centralized regime control would put quality care at risk" and "favors a decentralized reform, with families exercising more power and control over their health care decisions," according to the authors. In increase, they spell, McCain "would convert today's tax druthers for employer-paid premiums into a refundable tax deferred payment, which would foster the competition to deliver better coverage and services at a get down cost."

Recommendations
However, "even if Mr. McCain wins the presidential election, it testament be difficult to pass a market-oriented plan in a Democratic Congress," and conservatives should prepare to "offer naturalistic options for covering segments of the uninsured regular as they continue to push for the McCain reform vision," according to the authors. They urge the ecesis of a "new, private-sector option for job seekers" who deficiency health indemnity or an "option to stay in a former employer's health plan" in which "employers arranged for the reportage to be funded in advance -- well before the fiscal distress of unemployment hits" (Andres/Capretta, Washington Times, 8/14).


Reprinted with kind permission from hTTP://www.kaisernetwork.org. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email bringing at hTTP://www.kaisernetwork.

Alan Sorrenti

   
Artist: Alan Sorrenti

   Genre(s): 
Other
   

---

Discography:


   
 Aria

   Year: 1972   
Tracks: 5

---

 





Living Legends

Gert Emmens and Ruud Heij

   
Artist: Gert Emmens and Ruud Heij

   Genre(s): 
New Age
   

---

Discography:


   
 Blind Watchers of A Vanishing Night

   Year: 2005   
Tracks: 5


   
 Return To The Origin

   Year: 2004   
Tracks: 5

---

 

The Movement

   
Artist: The Movement

   Genre(s): 
Other
   

---

Discography:


   
 Shut Down Season Has Returned

   Year: 2004   
Tracks: 13

---

 

Franz Ferdinand

   
Artist: Franz Ferdinand

   Genre(s): 
Indie
   New Age
   Rock
   ROck: Alternative
   Alternative
   Other
   

---

Discography:


   
 Eleanor Put Your Boots on CDM

   Year: 2006   
Tracks: 4


   
 You Could Have It So Much Better With Franz Ferdinand

   Year: 2005   
Tracks: 21


   
 You Could Have It So Much Better

   Year: 2005   
Tracks: 13


   
 You Could Have It So Much Bett

   Year: 2005   
Tracks: 13


   
 This Fffire

   Year: 2004   
Tracks: 2


   
 Take Me Out

   Year: 2004   
Tracks: 3


   
 Michael CD01

   Year: 2004   
Tracks: 3


   
 Matinee

   Year: 2004   
Tracks: 3


   
 Live At The Paradiso Amsterdam

   Year: 2004   
Tracks: 10


   
 Franz Ferdinand

   Year: 2004   
Tracks: 11


   
 Darts Of Pleasure

   Year: 2003   
Tracks: 5

---

Glasgow's art-damaged rock candy quartette Franz Ferdinand -- named for the Austro-Hungarian Archduke whose mangle sparked World War I -- features bassist Bob Hardy, guitarist Nick McCarthy, drummer Paul Thomson, and singer/guitarist Alex Kapranos. In late 2001, Kapranos and Hardy had begun working on music in concert when they met McCarthy, a classically trained pianist and bivalent bass player world Health Organization earlier played drums for the grouping disdain no prior go through as a drummer. The three had been rehearsing at McCarthy's home for a piece when they met and started playacting with Thomson, a one-time drummer for the Yummy Fur world Health Organization felt like playing guitar instead. Eventually, McCarthy and Thomson switched to guitar and drums, and the band switched practice spaces, stumbling upon an derelict storage warehouse that they named the Chateau.


The Chateau became Franz Ferdinand's home office, where they rehearsed and held rave-like events incorporating music and art (Brave calibrated from the Glasgow School of Art, and Thomson likewise posed as a life exemplar thither). The bandmembers required a new rehearsal space at one time their illicit art parties were observed by the police force, and they set up one in a Victorian courthouse and jail. By summer 2002, they recorded an EP's worth of material that they intended to liberation themselves, just countersign of mouth about the dance orchestra spreading and Franz Ferdinand signed to Domino in the summertime of 2003. The group's EP Darts of Pleasure, which lED some to label Franz Ferdinand "the Scottish Interpol," was released that fall, and the band exhausted the rest of the year load-bearing groups such as Hot Hot Heat and Interpol. Franz Ferdinand's second single, Train Me Out, arrived in early 2004. The single propelled them to greater popularity in the U.K. and set the understructure for the band's debut record album. Franz Ferdinand was released in February 2004 in the U.K. and a month later stateside. Franz Ferdinand's success followed them across the pond; "Have Me Out" became a sizable new sway hit, in part thanks to the song's cutting edge video, which earned the Breakthrough Video honor at that year's MTV Music Video Awards. The group's impulse continued with the handout of the Michael single and their Mercury Prize win over such artists as the Streets, Basement Jaxx, and Keane. Franz Ferdinand released their second record album, You Could Have It So Much Better in fall 2005.





Ralph Stanley and Friends

UEFA Euro 2008

UEFA Euro 2008
Publisher: EA Sports
Platforms: PS2, PS3, PSP, Xbox 360, PC
Rating: E � Everyone
Game type: sports
**** (out of 5)

What�s the premise?

With the Euro Cup, soccer�s second biggest international tournament, just days away pick your side and take them to the championship. Played every four years, in between the World Cup, the European Football Championship has 52 teams qualify for 16 spots in the final tournament. You can take a squad through a complete qualification campaign or just play the Euro itself. The Captain Your Country mode allows you to create a player and compete to make your country�s team and eventual captain of the squad.

This game is most similar to�

2006 FIFA World Cup, FIFA 08

Can I let my kid/kid brother play it?

The violence in soccer -- in video games at least -- is minimal, especially compared to football or hockey. There won�t be any head butts in this game. However, younger kids might not have the patience to play such a realistic version of soccer where scoring is low and patience is required to be successful..

One player or more?

You can play by yourself against the computer or with up to 3 friends. Perhaps the most intriguing idea is the the multiplayer setup, which EA is calling the Battle of Nations. You can play in a 16-team single elimination tournament where every game you play online earns points for your country. You pick a European country to represent but you don�t have to play exclusively with that team.

What�s missing?

At the end of the day this game is a slightly improved version of FIFA 08 with a gimmick. If you have bought that version you may feel slightly ripped off.

The (not-so) secret to success is�

Don�t expect your teammates to do much for you, either on offence or defence. You can�t just remain a forward and expect your defence to take the ball from the other team for you. However, Be A Pro mode, which allows you to select a player and stick with them through the whole game, gives you that feel is quite well done and lots of fun.

And in the end?

Say you're a fan of England, and your team failed to qualify for the Euros. This gives you a chance to re-write history, but most soccer gamers will probably opt for FIFA 08 and its 600 plus teams.

See Also

• This July 4, New Concert Host Jimmy Smits Invites You To A Capitol Fourth: America’s Biggest Birthday Party Live From the U.S. Capitol
• Kelly Trial Jury Selection Completed With Rape Victim
• Gary Jess
• Sienna Miller - Miller I Want Kids

Kenny Chesney Denies Marriage Rumors

Country singer Kenny Chesney has denied a tabloid report that he's engaged, saying he's "not getting married" and has no plans to walk down the aisle "any time in the near future".

Chesney, 40, who was married to Oscar-winning actress Renee Zellweger for four months in 2005, says he was shocked to learn of his apparen engagement.

"Kenny Chesney is not getting married. He's not engaged. He's not planning on being engaged any time in the near future," his rep told People magazine.

"In fact, he was surprised by the news and isn't sure how or why anyone would've gotten that idea. As he recently told People, 'I enjoy being a bachelor. I enjoy everything that comes along with it.'"

NEXT: Kelsey Grammer Released From Hospital

Photo courtesy of BMG Entertainment. 

No Age

In many ways, the L.A.-based No Age has a fitting name. The guitar/drums duo has a practically indeterminate sound on its debut full-length "Nouns," crossing genres and evoking varying eras in rock's history almost from song to song. The end result is music that embodies an alluring sense of timelessness and abandon.


But once you've had the opportunity to chat with the two fine fellows who make No Age go -- Dean Spunt (drums, vocals) and Randy Randall (guitar) -- it becomes clear that the band's name captures not only the spirit of its music, but also its determination to break with mainstream conventions and traditions.


Rather than being fixated on how many records it is going to sell, Randall earnestly tells Billboard.com that No Age's aim is "to inspire future generations, as well as people alive today from previous generations, to change the world, or at least transform the U.S. into a place that is free and safe for artistic expression and social gathering outside of an exclusively monetary exchange."


Whether through a dedication to playing all-ages, low-cost shows in unexpected places; focusing on grassroots community-building; or taking the view that how they conduct themselves on stage and off is tantamount to a political statement, Spunt and Randall carry on the ethos of L.A.-area forebears like Black Flag, who embraced self-reliance, transparency and close interaction with fans.


Says Randall, "I look at the politics of culture as a personal choice and feel like it is my responsibility to say what I feel about issues I care about. However, we are not interested in preaching to the converted or shoving our opinions on other people," he adds. "For me No Age is an opportunity to talk to other people about going out in the world and getting involved in whatever they are interested in."





Randall also says that he'd like No Age to demonstrate that "you don't have to be remarkably special to make art or music; you just have to believe in yourself and express what you are feeling."


No Age's populist, inclusive approach -- as well as its passionate live shows -- quickly gained the duo a steady following and eventually caught the attention of Sub Pop, which signed the band shortly after it began work on "Nouns." The album, which mixes everything from My Bloody Valentine-style shoegaze to straight-up punk and early '90s alt-pop, started at No. 14 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart.


The bond between Spunt and Randall seems like a special one, which isn't surprising given the intensity and intimacy of the band's music. Spunt says "it took a little time for us to realize that we really enjoyed each other's company... [but] once we realized we were tight pals, the doors opened up for us to understand and appreciate our individual influences. I sometimes think Randy is the only person I can be in a band with or something since we are so interlocked musically now."


Spunt and Randall met when mutual friend Jeremy Villalobos, a drummer, recruited them to complete a hardcore/punk trio called Wives in which Spunt played bass. Spunt remarks, "We like to say [Wives] was a punch in the face, and [No Age] is like a warm, salty wave. . . . Musically, [Wives] became very uninteresting for the both of us and [it] didn't have the open style that No Age has, where we agreed the songs would be ‘whatever we like.'" Randall adds that Wives, which split in 2005, "came to an end in order for us to start a new band with a clean slate."


In keeping with No Age's general gist of doing things, Spunt and Randall decided on a duo format "partly out of necessity and partly out of using the restriction as inspiration." As Randall explains, "We had to see what we could come up with only using instruments and elements that the two of us could operate. I feel like when you embrace your restrictions, you make something new and unique happen."


And of their already legendary live performances, Randall comments, "I love to see people who come see us lose their shit and just freak out and have fun and not worry about how cool they look or what other people will think."


In fact, for Randall and Spunt, "fearlessness of expression" is the bottom line: "No Age is a way to say to anyone interested in pursuing a creative outlet but are afraid that they might look stupid or fall on their face, that it is OK to look stupid and fall on your face because the benefits of making your art and believing in yourself far outweigh the minor embarrassments that just come with everyday life. I look stupid all the time," Randall concludes, "but I also have a sh*t-ton of fun."










See Also

• DMX Arrested Again
• J Mascis
• Una Ramos
• Gary Jess

Sony Corporation of America Completes Gracenote Acquisition

NEW YORK, June 2 -- Sony Corporation of America announced
today that it has completed the acquisition of Gracenote, Inc. The
agreement to consummate the acquisition was previously announced on April
22, 2008.

Gracenote's existing business will continue to operate separately, and
Gracenote will continue to develop new technologies in existing as well as
new areas of operation. The senior management team will remain with the
company.

About Gracenote

Gracenote, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, is
a global leader in embedded technology, enriched content, and data services
for digital entertainment solutions within the Internet, consumer
electronics, mobile, and automotive markets. Formerly known as CDDB(R),
Gracenote delivers a substantially improved consumer experience in digital
media devices and applications, plus media monitoring and other data
services to the recording industry, making it an integral part of the
digital media economy. Gracenote powers leading services including Apple
iTunes, Yahoo! Music Jukebox, Winamp; home and automotive products from
Alpine, Panasonic, Philips and Sony; and mobile music applications from
Samsung, Sony Ericsson, KDDI (Japan), KTF (Korea), Musiwave (Europe), and
others. Gracenote is headquartered in Emeryville, California.
http://www.gracenote.com/corporate.

About Sony Corporation of America

Sony Corporation of America, based in New York, NY, is a U.S.
subsidiary of Sony Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo. Sony is a leading
manufacturer of audio, video, communications, and information technology
products for the consumer and professional markets. Its motion picture,
television, computer entertainment, music and online businesses make Sony
one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world. Sony's
principal U.S. businesses include Sony Electronics Inc., Sony Pictures
Entertainment Inc., Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., and a 50%
interest in Sony BMG Music Entertainment, one of the largest recorded music
companies in the world. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of
approximately $88.7 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, and
it employs 180,500 people worldwide. http://www.sony.com




See Also

• Malevolent Creation
• Shahram Nazeri
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• Casa De La Trova

The Wombats steal We Are Scientists' 'wacky' crown

The Wombats played a headline slot at The Great Escape festival last night (May 16), at the Concorde 2 venue.

The band were given a surprise introduction by We Are Scientists' Keith Murray, who joked that the Liverpool trio may have taken his own group�s crown as the "wacky" band of the Brighton festival.

At 10pm (BST) Murray took the stage to huge applause and said, "Years ago, when we showed up as a goofy-ass three-piece, I thought we�d cornered the market in goofy-ass three-pieces. But it turned out there are others. This band have truly thrown their hat into the ring."

The Wombats then arrived on stage and played an hour-long set to the packed out venue including hits 'Moving To New York', 'Backfire At The Disco' and 'Let's Dance To Joy Division'.

With the venue full and the weather hot the band were sweltering on stage. "I feel like I�m about to faint" frontman Matthew Murphy said late in the set. He and his bandmates' clothes were saturated with sweat and they were visibly suffering in the heat.

Before playing 'Lost In The Post' Murphy paid tribute to Keith Murray and his band, explaining that he had watched the We Are Scientists Shockwaves NME Awards 2008 videos the previous day, and that they had �rescued him from the depths of despair."

The band�s set was rapturously received, but they only got to play their final song after DJ Zane Lowe, who was compeering the event for MTV2 Gonzo, stepped in.

Venue staff had told the band that they had run out of stage time, but Lowe went on stage and led the crowd in a chant for more, convincing staff to let the band play 'Backfire At The Disco' as their closer.

The Wombats played:

'Tales Of Girls, Boys And Marsupials'
'Kill The Director'
'School Uniforms'
'Lost In The Post'
'Party In A Forest (Where's Laura?)'
'Here Comes The Anxiety'
'Untitled New Song'
'Untitled New Song'
'Moving To New York'
'Patricia The Stripper'
'Little Miss Pipedream'




May 23, 2008 at Royal Albert Hall, London -
May 25, 2008 at Cyprus Avenue, Cork -
May 26, 2008 at Whelans, Dublin -
More The Wombats tickets

Q&A: "Idol" contestant Archuleta finds his voice

LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - Just 17, David Archuleta is the youngest contestant still in the running to win Season 7 of the Fox contest series "American Idol." In this exclusive Billboard interview, the Utah native opens up about the vocal paralysis that almost kept him from singing and discusses his desire to attend college.


Q: Neil Diamond called you a prodigy, and a lot of people think you have an incredible gift for music. How does that feel?


David Archuleta: I still feel weird when people say, "You're a good singer," because I've never looked at myself like that. I've always looked at myself as someone who loves music and loves to try and interpret it as I see it.


Q: It seems like you're always emotionally connected to the lyrics you're singing.


Archuleta: When I was younger, I didn't know what made me sing the song differently or how I sang it. I still don't really understand fully, but the lyrics do mean a lot to me now, a lot more than before. I didn't even pay attention to the lyrics when I was 12, 13. Probably around the second year I did "Star Search" is when I paid more attention to the lyrics. I thought the music itself had such a power to it, and now that I've understood how powerful lyrics are as well, I think that has allowed me to progress.


Q: Earlier this season, you talked about suffering vocal paralysis a few years ago. Were you worried you wouldn't be able to sing again?


Archuleta: The year after "Star Search" is when I found out I had vocal paralysis. That's when I was really struggling, barely getting through a minute-and-a-half song. I took a break after that, because I thought, "I can't do this." I was having a hard time singing and I didn't have a range back then, and I didn't know if it was permanent or not. I had no idea what it was. I'd never even heard of it. I didn't know your vocal chords could get paralyzed. After a while, I thought, "I need to start singing again. I just love it too much." You know, there's just something about it that makes you feel something that you can't feel anywhere else. So I kept doing that, just singing here and there, (like) Stadium of Fire, this thing they do in Utah for the Fourth of July at BYU (Brigham Young University) Stadium.


After a while, my voice started coming back. My range started getting bigger. So I started trying to figure out what I could do again. ... I started to write some songs. I thought that was really fun to do. I still can't really do that. I'd like to get into that more. I think this experience on "American Idol," trying to figure out what songs work best with your voice and trying to arrange them has really helped, and I'd like to see if I can write some more stuff, because I've only written like three songs all the way. 

Vromb

   
Artist: Vromb

   Genre(s): 
Industrial
   Electronic
   

---

Discography:


   
 Locomotive VLS

   Year: 2003   
Tracks: 4


   
 InterlG¼der EP

   Year: 2001   
Tracks: 5

---

 





Steve Kujala