Okay, I know that Britney has been a mess ever since her divorce. I remember the collective sound of hope when she went on David Letterman with her cute bob and announced the split. And then she started hanging out with Paris Hilton, went to rehab, shaved her head, was called a habitual drug user, lost custody of her kids, and keeps hitting things with her car. Her extensions are a mess, she has no stylist or management, and even her mom quit talking to her for awhile.

But I’m still holding out hope for Britney. I think she’s probably a good person who got famous too young and doesn’t know how to handle it. Plus, her music makes me happy. Whenever I need motivation to work out, I can count her tunes to pump me up. So I’ve been waiting for a new album for ages. And now it’s here.

And you know what? It’s good. Her VMA performance was so lackluster that it totally overshadowed the catchy lead single “Gimme More.” But with the exception of the boring “Why Should I Be Sad” the whole album is upbeat and catchy. For me, the standout tracks are “Toy Soldier,” “Ooh Ooh Baby,” “Radar,” and “Hot as Ice.”

Also her hair looked pretty on Halloween (above), and she was wearing makeup, so maybe we’re on the way back to this Britney. Yay.

Ba da pa pa ba da pa pa…
Come here
Pretty please
Can you tell me where I am
You won’t you say something
I need to get my bearings
I’m lost
And the shadows keep on changing

And I’m haunted
By the lives that I have loved
And actions I have hated
I’m haunted
By the lives that wove the web
Inside my haunted head

Ba da pa pa ba da pa pa…

Don’t cry,
There’s always a way
Here in November in this house of leaves
We’ll pray
Please, I know it’s hard to believe
To see a perfect forest
Through so many splintered trees
You and me
And these shadows keep on changing

And I’m haunted
By the lives that I have loved
And actions I have hated
I’m haunted
By the promises I’ve made
And others I have broken
I’m haunted
By the lives that wove the web
Inside my haunted head

Hallways… always

I’ll always want you
I’ll always need you
I’ll always love you

And I will always miss you

Ba da pa pa ba da pa pa…

Come here
No I won’t say please
One more look at the ghost
Before I’m gonna make it leave
Come here
I’ve got the pieces here
Time to gather up the splinters
Build a casket for my tears

I’m haunted
(By the lives that I have loved)
I’m haunted
(By the promises I’ve made)
I’m haunted
By the hallways in this tiny room
The echoes there of me and you
The voices that are carrying this tune

Ba da pa pa…

My secret’s out: I really like Maroon 5. I used a little bit embarrassed by this, but I’m over it. Songs About Jane is a great record, and I’m finally starting to explore the new album It Won’t Be Soon Before Long. I’m really digging the new single, Wake Up Call. The song is hot, Adam is hot, and the video is campy good fun. Enjoy!

I’ve been hearing a lot about Amy Winehouse lately. There’s her tumultuous romance, her somewhat disturbing behavior, and her completely whacked-out style. I’ve also heard a lot about how she’s really talented, and her album is good, and her sound is a refreshing throwback. You know what I haven’t heard, though? Her actual music. For all the hype surrounding the British singer, where’s the airplay? I’ve started hearing her single Rehab on one station, about once a week. But that’s it. I tried putting one of her tracks on my myspace page, but it only plays a short sample. So I finally caved and downloaded the album. And you know what? It is really good. I know Rehab is the song that gets the most hype (Winehouse is a bit of a lush, and her old record label tried to send her to rehab. She refused, changed labels, and recorded a great song about the whole thing. Nice.), but my personal favorite is You Know I’m No Good. It’s sultry, sexy and dark, with a great beat. Have a listen:

His stuff is good.