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Tim Urban Of 'American Idol' Will Keep His Shirt On: The MTV News Quote Of The Day

Posted 3/24/10 4:40 pm EST by in Music


"I was involved in a competition — it was for acting, modeling and singing. One of the competitions was a swimsuit competition. And, obviously, I entered a swimsuit competition and obviously there are photos from that. And they've definitely gotten out there. I will not be performing shirtless at any point in the competition. I'm sorry. I had to make this decision. It took a lot of time; it was tough but I've decided I can't do that."

-"American Idol" contestant Tim Urban, cheekily responding to the fact that he took shirtless modeling photos that have ended up online. Urban was a member of Actors, Talent and Models for Christ (AMTC), a talent-development agency that also counted "Idol" alum Diana DeGarmo as a past participant. The singer isn't sure whether or not the shots have helped him or hurt him, but he has taken the whole experience in stride. "I don't know what [the photos] did but I can't get it back, so it's out there," he told MTV News' Jim Cantiello at the "American Idol" Top 12 party a few weeks back.

After sneaking into the Top 12 at the eleventh hour, Urban has had a rough time on the show. He found himself in the bottom three last week and did not receive good marks for his performance of Queen's "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" on Tuesday night (March 23). Still, according to our "American Idol" experts, he'll be safe for at least another week.

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Rihanna Teams Up With Blink-182's Travis Barker In An MTV News Mashup

Posted 3/24/10 4:15 pm EST by in Music


By George Loomis

When most people learn to play the drums, they hire a tutor, watch videos online or buy a how-to book. Rihanna took a decidedly different (but certainly more awesome) path: She hired Blink-182 star Travis Barker for private lessons. A source confirms to People that the "Hard" star needed to develop some chops for her upcoming European tour and didn't want to settle for anything less than the real deal, which gave rise to the best new collaboration we've heard of in a while.

As strange as it seems now, signs that Rihanna and Travis Barker are destined to collaborate date back to 2007. After all, Travis added snare drums and guitar to a well-received remix of "Umbrella." More recently, Rihanna showed off some killer air drumming skills in her recently-debuted "Rude Boy" video. Travis appears to be enjoying the gig, as he has posted multiple updates to his Twitter page.

But what would a fresh collaboration between Rihanna and Barker sound like? Genius MTV News digital producer Rich Sancho has the answer. He used his various knobs, dials and magic wands to meld Rihanna's "Hard" with Blink-182's "Feeling This." In many ways, the two make an ideal pair: Rihanna is based in R&B and often strays toward rock, while Travis is based in rock and often strays toward hip-hop and R&B.

Don't they go together like peas and carrots? Find out if Rihanna will show us what Travis has taught her on Saturday (March 27) when she performs at the 2010 Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards!

What do you think of the mashup? Should Rihanna and Travis Barker collaborate on an album? Let us know in the comments!

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'American Idol' Eliminations: Is Paige Miles Headed For A Long Trip Home?

Posted 3/24/10 3:45 pm EST by in Music, Television


Before Paige Miles' "American Idol" performance on Tuesday (March 23), Ryan Seacrest announced (in what is surely the result of some creative accounting) that alums of the show had notched some 261 Billboard #1s since the show's start in 2002. If Miles has dreams of adding to that total, her wobbly rendition of Phil Collins' "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" might well provide a problematic counterpoint to her artistic aspirations.

From the first note, her voice suffered through some Ritcher scale-level shakiness. It was enough to make me pine for her laryngitis-afflicted "Honky Tonk Woman" last week. What else is there to say about a singer so clearly not ready for primetime?

Yet while Miles tanked, so did a slew of others contestants still hanging around the "Idol" stage. If there were any justice in the world, Tim Urban would have packed up his dimples and left us long ago. But he, Aaron Kelly and Katie Stevens seem to have deep fan bases devoted to keeping them on the show. And has there ever been a faster fall from front-runner to has-been than the rollercoaster plummet by Andrew Garcia?

That being said, I can see no way around it this stance: Miles will be the one packing her bags after Wednesday night's elimination show. Two of our "Idol" experts — MTV's Jim Cantiello and MJ Santilli of MJ's Big Blog — are in agreement.

"After narrowly avoiding elimination during Rolling Stones week, Paige Miles was in danger coming into the Top 11," Cantiello said. "She needed to bring it big time in order to avoid the writing on the wall. But anyone who saw her disastrous 'Against All Odds' last night knows the only thing she brought to the table was painfully bad singing. At least if she had fallen on her ass (like she said she was worried about in her pre-performance interview), it would have been exciting television. Instead it was just sort of awkward. My only concern: Will the judges' merciless comments inspire pity votes? The last time she delivered a vocal this bad ('Smile') she skated through into the Top 12. Nah, I think this one's a done deal."

MJ concurs, with a few caveats. "I keep waffling between Paige Miles and Andrew Garcia," she said. "Garcia hasn't had a decent performance since he stepped onto the 'Idol' stage, but the memory of his Hollywood 'Straight Up' performance lingers. Paige has had a few semi-decent performances, and she was so monumentally awful last night, she might get a few pity votes. I think both will surely land in the bottom three, but if I have to choose one, I guess I'll go with Paige. Unlike Andrew, she didn't get much 'Idol' face time prior to the live shows, so whatever fan base she's got is likely smaller than Andrews."

Who do you think will be going home on "American Idol" tonight? Let us know in the comments!

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MTV News' Musical March Madness: MGMT Vs. Animal Collective, Owl City Vs. Grizzly Bear

Posted 3/24/10 3:00 pm EST by in Music


It's Musical March Madness! The sprawling bracket — both a parody and a tribute to the NCAA basketball tournament, masterminded by MTV News' James Montgomery — takes the 65 biggest names in rock, splits them up into four regions, assigns them seeds and puts them up against one another in a single-elimination series of match-ups in a winner-take-all contest. We're leaving it to you to decide an actual champ in this field of 65. Over the next few weeks, we will present a series of polls that will allow you to vote for the match-ups presented in MTV News' Band Bracketology. You vote for the winners, we'll keep advancing the seeds and, in the end, we'll have some sort of champion. What will the winner receive? Little more than our esteem (as well as that of the fans) and some Internet bragging rights.

The first round is entirely in the books, and like the actual NCAA basketball tournament (which resumes on Thursday, March 25), there were a number of dramatic upsets. Check out James Montgomery's rundown of the first round and get ready for a fast and furious round two. Today, we take care of the second round match-ups in the East.

(2) Animal Collective vs. (7) MGMT
It was all chalk in this part of the bracket, with MGMT narrowly defeating Arcade Fire and Animal Collective taking out Faith No More after falling behind early. This is a great match-up, because it pits the most-talked-about psychedelic indie group of last year (Animal Collective) against the 2010 version of that (MGMT). Which side will stand tall?

(3) Owl City vs (6) Grizzly Bear
Owl City had a brutal time putting away the Gaslight Anthem, while Grizzly Bear made a convincing argument for their seeding by knocking out veterans U2. Can Owl City keep carrying their unlikely momentum, or will Grizzly Bear make their home in the Sweet 16?

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Christina Aguilera 'Strips' For 'Popology'

Posted 3/24/10 2:05 pm EST by in Music


They say a well-rounded education is the key to success, and if that truly is the case, the my schooling is woefully incomplete when it comes to the subject of pop. That's why we bring you "Popology," the guide to modern radio-friendly stars as seen through the eyes of a guy who grew up on punk and metal. In case you missed previous installments, check out my thoughts on Britney Spears' landmark debut and the final album from *NSYNC.

In this week's installment, Christina Aguilera fights back.

Were we really kicking around Christina Aguilera all that much at the beginning of the millennium? Her 2002 album Stripped must be one of the most defensive and paranoid mainstream pop albums in the history of the genre. It's chock full of anger and paranoia, which makes it truly fascinating both sonically and thematically.

Three years elapsed between the release of her self-titled debut and Stripped, which in pop music terms might as well be an entire generation. After all, the kid who was into you at age 14 has probably evolved into something else entirely at 17. Perhaps sensing this, Aguilera recruited an eclectic batch of collaborators (including Scott Storch, Linda Perry, Rockwilder and Glen Ballard, the latter of whom produced Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill, a clear touchstone for Stripped) to infuse her songs with bigger beats, louder guitars, catchier choruses and more space for her elastic voice to bend, stretch and dance across the music. It was a shrewd move, as Aguilera was embraced as more of a rebellious, thinking girl's pop star, and it earned her respect from both rock fans and the hip-hop community.

Hip-hop is an interesting jumping off point for Stripped. Read More...

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WMC 2010 Flashback: Armin Van Buuren Joins MTV News For Indian Food

Posted 3/24/10 1:20 pm EST by in Music


By Akshay Bhansali

We seldom interview trance DJs at MTV News, but back in 2005 we managed to interview the big three: Paul Van Dyk, DJ Tiesto, and Armin van Buuren. And while our conversations with each of them were stellar, our encounter with with the Dutch van Buuren is the one that stuck with us most. With his album Shivers (featuring the hit single "Who Is Watching" featuring Nadia Ali) having just dropped, we decided to take things to Devi in New York to chat about dance music's past and present over some Palak Paneer, Tandoori lamb and warm roti. There is a certain pleasure one can definitely take away from treating a DJ to his first Indian meal.

"Dance music was a reaction against song structures," van Buuren told MTV News in 2005. "People just got tired of it. Dance music goes back to a magic feeling that's in every human being, and the only thing you have to do is open your mind for it. If people don't like it, then fine. But I think if you really invest in getting to know dance music and take the time for it, you'll be surprised at how euphoric it can be."

Anybody looking to catch his set this Saturday (March 27) at WMC will be in for a treat, as one of the reasons van Buuren is considered one of the greats is because he really goes out of his way to connect with the masses dancing in front of him. "For me, it's essential that the crowd feels I'm part of the crowd," van Buuren said. "I don't like the phrase 'God is a DJ.' I like to feel like part of the crowd. I don't like those clubs where the DJ is way high above the dance floor. I like to feel the people and communicate with them. I'm enjoying the night as much as the people are."

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Spotted: Taylor Swift And Cory Monteith Hug It Out

Posted 3/24/10 12:33 pm EST by in Music


Every day a multitude of stars wanders through the halls of MTV News to talk about their latest projects and goof around with our intrepid correspondents. But sometimes we catch stars elsewhere, and that's why we put together Spotted!, a daily compendium of stars in the wild.

It seems like Taylor Swift has been a little quiet recently, but that's only because she was on just about every awards show and television special around in the early part of 2010. Still, she hasn't gone into hibernation — in fact, she's back on the road at the moment, taking another spin through the United States playing big arenas (her next show is this Friday, March 26 at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan). But on Tuesday (March 23), Swift found herself in Studio City, California at Pinz Bowling Center. (What was it with pop stars and bowling on Tuesday?) While there, she shared an embrace with "Glee" star Cory Monteith, which has continued to fuel speculation about a possible relationship between the two (as well as a possible guest spot for Swift on the hit Fox TV show, which returns to the air soon).

Swift wasn't the only star embracing life yesterday, as the aforementioned Justin Bieber performed on "The Late Show with David Letterman" and Green Day hung out backstage at the St. James Theater in New York City, where "American Idiot" is about to go into previews. Click here for these photos as well as the entire "Spotted!" archive, which features over 400 candid shots of stars like Britney Spears, Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey, Jessica Simpson, Miley Cyrus, Jay-Z, Rihanna, 50 Cent, Katy Perry, Diddy, Lady Gaga and Adam Lambert!

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'American Idol' Wishlist: The Chart-Toppers They Should Have Tackled

Posted 3/24/10 11:35 am EST by in Music


Tuesday night's (March 23) episode of "American Idol" deeply depressed MTV News' Jim Cantiello, mostly because of the parade of sub-par performances. But not only were the performances themselves problematic, but the song selection was some of the weirdest and most random in the history of the show.

This week's theme was supposed to be "Teen Idols" (which would have made sense considering this week's mentor was Miley Cyrus), but for some reason it was changed at the last minute to "Chart-Topping Hits." All of the songs performed on Tuesday night reached the apex of the Billboard Hot 100, which only illustrated how bizarre (and occasionally awful) the taste of the American populist is.

But the strangeness of the history of top songs on Billboard really could have worked in the favor of a lot of the contestants. So here are the Billboard chart-toppers that we should have heard last night (provided that clearance issues didn't exist).

Lee Dewyze
Song Performed: "The Letter" by the Box Tops
Should Have Performed: "How Do You Talk to An Angel?" by the Heights
Dewyze's Alex Chilton tribute would have been better had anybody actually uttered Chilton's name during the broadcast, but since that didn't happen, it was sort of a waste. It's hard to tell exactly what the best type of song would be for Dewyze, so why not just sing something with a big chorus?

Paige Miles
Song Performed: "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" by Phil Collins
Should Have Performed: "I Would Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)" by Meat Loaf
Collins has been done to death on "Idol," but nobody indulges in Meat Loaf. It's a shame, because his songs are epic, theatrical pieces with complicated vocal parts that would sound great on the "Idol" stage. It would be a challenge for Miles, but the histrionic nature of the vocal would have automatically taken her out of her shell.

Tim Urban
Song Performed: "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" by Queen
Should Have Performed: "St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)" by John Parr
The appropriate answer here is actually "anything else," because Queen songs should really only be performed by Queen. Read More...

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'Weird Al' Yankovic Gets The Parody Biopic He Deserves

Posted 3/24/10 10:36 am EST by in Music


"Weird Al" Yankovic has had a remarkable career, crafting song parodies, working in the comedy world and selling millions of albums and downloads over nearly three decades. It's about time he got a biopic — or at least a trailer for a fake one. The always-reliable folks at Funny or Die have crafted just such a thing: A trailer for a biopic called "Weird" that tracks the rise and fictional fall of one of America's most treasured parodists.

The video stars Aaron Paul (of "Breaking Bad" and "Big Love" fame) as Yankovic. He plays Al as a cocksure rock star who refuses to take no for an answer and finds fame with songs like "Eat It" and "Like a Surgeon" only to spiral downward with the help of booze. The rest of the eclectic cast is pretty remarkable, including Gary Cole ("Office Space") as his father and Mary Steenburgen as his mom. (In one of the spot's best gags, she is identified as "Academy Award Winner Mary Steenburgen," which is funny because it's true.) Olivia Munn shows up as Yankovic's lover (she's either playing Madonna or playing somebody who is just like Madonna — either way, it's gold) and Patton Oswalt gets a full hair and makeup treatment as Dr. Demento (who helped give Yankovic his start by playing his songs on his radio show).

Though it appears to be fake, "Weird Al" should really get his own movie, if only to reprise his cameo role as the slimy music executive who doesn't think parody songs will work.

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'American Idol' Recap: Michael Lynche Loves A Woman, Crystal Bowersox Parties With Bobby McGee

Posted 3/24/10 8:10 am EST by in Music, Television


Expectations are now so low on this season of "American Idol" that when news broke that Miley Cyrus was going to "mentor" the Top 11 as they sang "Teen Idol Hits No Wait Billboard #1 Hits No Wait Both Maybe," I shrugged and said, "Eh, they've had worse." (I'm still laughing at producers for letting Jennifer Lopez give singing tips to Melinda Doolittle.) Looking back on my reaction, I now see I was dead wrong.

Miley Cyrus is a genius mentor for the season nine contestants. The best lesson these kids could learn is how to become uber-famous performers with limited vocal abilities. Who knows that better than Miley Cyrus?

Tuesday night's (March 23) show opened with the Top 11 nervously standing on stage while Ryan Seacrest's giant face appeared behind them on a massive monitor borrowed from 1984. (That number works as both a reference to George Orwell's classic and perfectly encapsulates the year most of Tuesday night's performances could have taken place. Fun fact to make some of you feel really old: In 1984, Kris Allen had not yet been born. You're welcome.) It's an important week, as the person eliminated this week won't be going on tour with the Top 10, so the stakes are extra high.

Seacrest then introduced Miley, a 17-year-old with "a lifetime of experience" who instantly rubbed me the wrong way when she said she'd seen some episodes this season and knew the contestants could sing. (Which episodes did you watch, Miley? Better question: What drugs did you take before you watched said episode? Best question: Can your supplier make weekly house calls Tuesday nights in New York?)

Okay, enough jibber jabber. I'm starting to sound like Miley! On with the performances!

Lee Dewyze
Song: "The Letter" by the Box Tops (and later covered by almost everybody in the history of music)
Verdict: Insufficient Postage
Producers have decided that Lee's biggest problem is his lack of stage presence and confidence, though I'd still argue that the guy treats pitch like a casual booty call. This week, backed by the Mighty Mighty Bosstones (not really), Lee tried commanding the stage without a guitar. Unfortunately, Lee's idea of owning the stage is hunching over like a geriatric shuffling to his Lincoln Town Car (or Rod Stewart warbling "Maggie May" at last year's "Idol" finale — same difference). I'm not quite sure what confused me more: That three out of the four judges raved about Lee's awkward performance or that nobody on a show that's supposed to be all about music mentioned that Box Tops member Alex Chilton just recently passed away.

Paige Miles
Song: "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" by Phil Collins
Verdict: Take Her Home
Paige's Real Coke Moment proved that she does, in fact, have fans. During the commercial break, a Paige supporter apparently gave her a giant ring to wear on stage. Cute! Unless that the ring was some kind of witchy trick handed to her by a secret Siobhan fan to make Paige sing like a schizophrenic deaf person. Speaking of double-agents, at this point in the episode I started to suspect that Miley was in cahoots with Vote for the Worst. Hannah Montana's advice to Paige? "Use your soft voice!" Yes, your soft voice, the same one that you used when you ruined "Smile" a few weeks ago. Somehow, Paige's "Against All Odds" was even worse than her "Smile." Within five seconds of her off-key warbling, I was sitting on my couch as stiff as Paige on the moveable "Idol" stairs set piece. It was a game of chicken, as if she were singing to me, daring me to move from my position to grab the remote and throw it at the television. Alas, I sat there still, totally hypnotized by how awful it was. To add insult to injury, Paige's song selection kicks Phil Collins' Lite-FM staple out of a three-way-tie and officially makes "Against All Odds" the most performed song on the "American Idol" stage. (Scott Savol, where have you gone?)

Tim Urban
Song: "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" by Queen
Verdict: Hack Efron
Miley Cyrus, Secret Agent, urged Tim Urban to ham it up as much as possible, citing the judges' "you have no personality and are boring" critiques. (Huh? Silly me thought that they were always complaining that Tim cannot sing.) Miley gave Tim a hug and sent him on his merry way, with the newfound Miley-approved confidence to act like a complete doofus on stage. And how! Read More...

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