Print this page

Pick at the pops: 11 December 2006

Our weekly round-up of the weird and wonderful world of pop music...

The Christmas party season is well under way with Britney Spears flying the flag for liberated young mums everywhere and getting sozzled with Paris Hilton every other night.

Britters is having such a good time that Californian social services are apparently investigating her amid concerns that she’s neglecting her children. Erm, perhaps she has a babysitter? That Federline chap isn’t busy, maybe she could give him a call?

Also putting his feet up is embarrassing kohl-eyed bird’s nest-haired, 47-year-old Robert Smith of The Cure fame. The whiny singer with the wonky lippy has failed to pen lyrics for any of the band’s 33 new songs recorded for their forthcoming album. How about an instrumental set, lads?

Another band likely to have a rather empty new album in 2007 is the Kaiser Chiefs. Lead singer Ricky Wilson has pledged that they’ll “get rid of the novelty element”, but “keep the rest intact”. The rest?

Rather more heartening is news that Razorlight have survived an alleged KGB attempt on their lives. In a bid to deny the world more aggressively focus-grouped rock, traces of Polonium-210 were planted on a jet used by the band for a recent flight.

Well, traces from some previous flight were found, anyway. Fortunately, despite feeling a little bit poorly, Johnny and the boys have been given the all-clear.

No such lucky escape for Beyoncé who may be marrying long-term boyfriend Jay-Z this week. Mr Z is celebrating his 37th B’Day in the Caribbean, but rumour has it that this is just a smokescreen for a secret wedding between hip hop and r&b’s golden couple. What can she see in the multi-millionaire music mogul?

Lastly, Christmas No.1 watch - Take That still have the top spot sewn up, but Ray and Leona are waiting in the wings for a fairytale cynical marketing ploy ending. Fair warms the heart.

Matthew Horton

• 4/12/2006: Potty Pete pays the penalty >>
• 27/11/2006: Nelly says no to Playboy >>
• 20/11/2006: Queen's greatest-selling hits >>
• 13/11/2006: Ms Dynamite's high speed crash >>
• 06/11/2006: Glastonbury to go "gay"? >>
• 30/10/2006: McFly hit top spot yet again >>
• 16/10/2006: Girls Aloud v All Saints in war of words >>
• 09/10/2006: Razorlight ready for world domination >>
• 02/10/2006: Madonna's record breaking millions >>
• 25/09/2006: When pop stars reunite >>
• 18/09/2006: Robbie's new footballing chum >>
• 11/09/2006: Monkeys' Mercury delight >>
• 04/09/2006: Foo Fighters save miners >>
• 28/08/2006: Britney gets banned in Asia >>
• 21/08/2006: Radiohead's grumpy greatest hits >>
• 14/08/2006: Natasha Bedingfield's Rocky return >>
• 07/08/2006: The heavyweight return of Meat Loaf >>