R.I.P.

Benazir Bhutto
Former Pakistani Prime Minister and the country's current opposition leader. She was assassinated today at a political rally in Rawalpindi. This is a sad and troubling day that will have a greater impact later.

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Red alert in Pakistan

image source: www.harrywalker.com

The Queen's Christmas Speech

Queen Elizabeth, a.k.a The Queen of England, gave her annual Christmas speech this year but posted it to YouTube simultaneously with the television broadcast. It was 50 years ago that she first delivered her speech via television and noted "...the speed at which things are changing all around us."

To an American, what the English Royalty have to say may mean only 'rubbish', but the English are deeply enthralled by this once-a-year chance to listen to the Queen speak. Al Gore can't even command this kind of audience.



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Queen Elizabeth's first televised broadcast 1957

Holiday Message

Song: Carol Of The Bells - The Bird And The Bee
Download it from iTunes

Hillary's Presents

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Hillary Clinton's website
Contribute to Hillary

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The Hillary I Know

2007 Shortlist Music Prize

The 2007 nominees for the Shorlist Music Prize were announced yesterday (Dec. 21). Albums released between January and November 2007 and not yet having been rated gold by the RIAA for shipments in the US for 500,000+ were eligible.

IAB mentions that are nominees are Feist, M.I.A., LCD Soundsystem, Blonde Redhead, Iron & Wine, Keren Ann, Of Montreal, Peter Bjorn & John, PJ Harvey and The Bird and The Bee.

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The Shorlist of Music

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RIAA Certifications on Billboard

RollingStone's Top 50 Albums of 2007

RollingStone, in addition to Q, has released their idea of the top 50 albums of 2007. There are some surprises, at least in my opinion. The top 10 is posted below.

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RollingStone's Top 50 Albums of 2007

1. M.I.A. - Kala
2. Bruce Springsteen - Magic
3. Jay-Z - American Gangster
4. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
5. Kanye West - Graduation
6. Radiohead - In Rainbows
7. LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
8. Rilo Kiley - Under The Blacklight
9. Against Me! - New Wave
10. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

Q Magazine's 'The 50 Best Albums of 2007'

Q Magazine has posted their choices for the top 50 albums of the last year. You can also send your top 5 album choices to Q@emap.com and you'll be entered for a prize. They will compile the submissions into the Q Reader's Top 10 next year (2008). Below is the top 10.

I have heard or own most of the albums in the top 10 including Arcade Fire. But number one?? Does Chris Martin's name reside in Q's masthead? Arcade Fire is as overrated as their groupie-band, Coldplay. But I am happy to see The Boss and Arctic Monkeys back for critical acclaim in addition to Rufus Wainwright, even if I think his latest album is weak.

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Q Magazine's 'The 50 Best Albums of 2007'

Neon Bible THE ARCADE FIRE Average user rating: More>

Icky Thump THE WHITE STRIPES Average user rating: More>

Favourite Worst Nightmare ARCTIC MONKEYS Average user rating: More>

In Rainbows RADIOHEAD Average user rating: More>

The Good, The Bad & The Queen THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE QUEEN Average user rating: More>

Magic BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN Average user rating: More>

Because Of The Times KINGS OF LEON Average user rating: More>

Wincing The Night Away THE SHINS Average user rating: More>

Boys And Girls In America THE HOLD STEADY Average user rating: More>

Release The Stars RUFUS WAINWRIGHT Average user rating: More>