Like many, I've always assumed that contemporary popular music peaked with the fantastic recordings of the New Kids On The Block made in the late '80s and early '90s. The popular combo was attractive, in a squeaky clean sort of way, yet also just daring enough to captivate its youngish teen audience with such albums titles as the unforgettable Hangin' Tough. Plus, they had nice hair!

So could it be any less than divine coincidence that the same week that we see a brand new, terrific New Kids compilation we're also greeted with A Little Bit Longer, the much-anticipated new album from this millennium's latest teen sensations, the Jonas Brothers?

I guess I wouldn't be alone in noting the parallels between both acts! Consider this: They're both male, human, English-speaking, preferred largely by a young female audience, fantastic entertainers, and equally enjoyable in their upbeat video romps! Similarly, were they both to be mysteriously teleported into deep space, they would--as

Earlier this week I read John Kordosh's delightful Yahoo blog Framed--which now spotlights "7 Things," the charming new video by teen sensation Miley Cyrus--and was pleasantly surprised!

Not only was his column written in English, but it had lots of pictures and was fun to look at!

Additionally, I couldn't help but watch young Ms. Cyrus's video!

All told, I was captivated! She seems like a fun-loving youth with boatloads of talent, and I heartily recommend her and all products associated with her name!

Say--do you think she'll read this?

Miley Cyrus: Breakout (Hollywood) Eschewing the predictable topics of busting her homies out of the slammer and bothersome pimples erupting at inopportune times--God, the music business is in such a rut--Breakout is everything we expected in a Miley Cyrus CD cover and more! In many ways the artistic zenith of both the Disney corporate machine--which promotes artists to the preteen crowd via its own TV and radio networks--and some young chick singer,

It's a healthy week for new releases, with familiar names mixing with legendary artists, with obscure cult favorites battling High School Musical superstars--and perhaps best of all, hot new product with names like T.O.S. Terminate On Sight and Walk With Me In Hell!

And heck, that's just the Vanessa Hudgens album!

Luckily, other upbeat new titles such as Agony & Irony and the The Black Parade Is Dead provide the needed balance that all of us as music consumers need to get by as we seek entertainment in these trying times!

Golly! What say we all take some time to stop and smell the roses?

G-Unit: T.O.S. Terminate On Sight (G-Unit) I think G-Unit may be favorite rap group ever with that name--and why not? Clearly the heightened self-awareness they continue to demonstrate--via giving their new album a title mocking both the criticism they've received in England as "tossers" and their dissatisfaction with the current Terms Of Service offered by today's top Internet sites--proves them to

It would be unbecoming of me, an open-minded music fan, to proclaim that this week's new releases are less than stellar!

After all, these albums have been put together by artists who doubtlessly worked very hard to make wonderful recordings for us all to enjoy!

Is it their fault that when compiled in list form, no single disc really leaps out as an absolute must-have?

In fact--isn't a week offering maybe 15 "B+" albums intrinsically better than one offering two "A+" discs and 13 absolute stinkers?

For that matter, wouldn't you prefer merely getting your little finger cut off rather than your entire hand?

So you see? That's why I like Less Than Jake!

Motley Crue: Saints Of Los Angeles (Motley) Hey, I took German in high school, so maybe I'm completely nuts here, but shouldn't this album's title be either Santo De Los Angeles or Saints Of The Angels? Like, you know, either one or the other! In the same manner, this is either a long-awaited reunion album that will thrill and chill