I realize that there is a lot of deep rooted psychological manipulation involved in the writing of a pop song. Furthermore, putting those simple (sometimes inane) lyrics over a catchy hook is the work of purely evil producers and writers. I have a problem escaping from the hook of a certain Outkast song. I hear it in my head when other songs are on the radio, I hear it in my sleep, I hear coworkers singing it, of course I hear it on the garsh darned radio, and Jason has it on his Tibook. I simply can’t escape, and believe me I have tried.

I have considered forcefully jabbing my thumbs into my ears with the aim of penetrating my tympanic membranes (eardrums - see I’m using my degree). Of course I don’t think I’ll be able to get my thumbs in that far. Of course I could use sharp implements like pencils or pens, but the effect wouldn’t be the same. I will figure out some way to make the song stop penetrating my existence even if it involves mutilation or attacking several electronic devices.

Yes… it’s true. Pop is here to stay (at least for a while… ’till the next Cobain comes along). I know a lot of people pray everyday that they’ll wake up and all of those pop icons that we love to hate will have disappeared from the face of the music industry. UNFORTUNATELY IT’S NOT GONNA HAPPEN! Yes Ladies & Germs.. Britney is here and we can’t get rid of her. At least not for a little while. As a group, we humans are fickle… and I’m sure Britney and Christina will wear out their welcome. I just wish that it happened a couple of days ago. The thing that has really gotten my goat lately is the astounding combination of Overproduction and Underdirection. These groups tend to spend a lot of time whining about not getting respect (N’Sync is notorious for this and I’m sure O-Town will join their whiny ranks soon), but how are you going to get any respect if you have no hand in the production and direction of your music and careers? This is the future of these little pop groups and solo acts as I see it: — N’Sync will continue to have classic pop songs written for them and they won’t pick up a damned pen or an instrument to help the cause. They will continue to complain about not getting any respect for what they do even though they haven’t done anything but sing how they’re told and dance how they’re told and wear what they’re told. They will forever be stained because of their lack of involvement and control on their albums. — Backstreet will continue to write more and more of their albums. As they do this they will gain credibility as writers and artists (they do play their own instruments Ladies and Gents), and as they do this, their sales will drop incredibly because their songs aren’t being written by the men with the golden touch (Max Martin, etc..). They will then either split up and go solo (and probably make much more money as solo artists while working half as hard), or retire before they become the next NKOTB or Monkees. — Britney Spears will do the solo version of what N’Sync is doing and eventually fade into obscurity or turn her focus to acting (thus pulling a ‘Mark’ Walberg) if she’s smart. Let’s face it.. she’s cute and she seems to have a personality but she can’t sing for shit. Sorry Britney. — Christina Aguilera is destined for the land of DIVA because she REALLY does have a GREAT voice and an amazing range. Hopefully she will pull an Aretha Franklin and take the proverbial pen from the pop psychologists that craft her music and write a gritty album that chronicles her life and gain some credibility as an ‘artist.’ — O-Town and Eden’s Crush were planned on paper (or perhaps with Microsoft Powerpoint) and they will NEVER EVER get any respect in the music industry. They are the Monkees of today (without the capacity to play any instruments). — Destiny’s Child… All I have to say is this: We saw what happened to The Supremes. They’re doomed. In all honesty I only have respect for Backstreet & Christina. I know it’s kinda sad to say that… but out of all the groups in our faces today, they’re the only ones that seem to have either natural talent or the urge to take some control of their careers. When it comes down to it.. this urge to take control will most likely cost them their limo rides and free Armani outfits.