Listening to debut album from The Raveonettes will leave you asking yourself, what the hell did I just listen to? But that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

“Whip It On” has a sound on the album that has never been tested before by any other artist. It’s an appealing mixture of goth, swing, and rock music, all in one. The EP has only 8 songs that last less than 22 minutes, but is a fitting introduction to the Danish band who will release a full album later this year.

Their first single, “Attack of the Ghost Riders,” is definitely a fair representation of this unique sound. Before vocals are heard, the song almost feels like a 60s swing song, but when the singing begins, the rock aspect is immediately felt. The only problem is it is difficult to make out the vocals because of the lack of vocal range and overbearing instruments.

Each song tells a story and has a sense of drama. “Bowels of the Beast” gives the impression that singers Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo are about to solve some sort of mystery. “Cops on Our Tails” features a police siren and brings the listeners into the chase. Anticipation is created in the haunting “Veronica Fever.”

The duo should be commended for the interesting way they share the vocals. Wagner is the dominant voice, and almost drowns out Foo if you forget that she sings as well. She almost disappears if you don’t think of her. However, that is only because the two voices blend so well together that they seem to become one.

3*/5*

Although they had said they would begin recording this month, the Backstreet Boys announced Wednesday that are putting those plans on hold.

“As a group, we have decided not to record our next album at this time,” the group said in a statement. “We are not breaking up, but individually we are currently at different places in our lives, and our hearts and minds are focused in other areas. All of us are getting along great and are supporting each other in our individual endeavors.”

This has fueled a lot of speculation about the future for the group.

“When the timing is right, we will record another Backstreet Boys album,” the statement said. “We would like to thank our fans for their continued support and love throughout our career.”

Sean “P. Diddy” Combs has reconciled with model Kim Porter, the mother of his youngest son, four-year-old Christian.

“My love life is straight. I’m back with Kim,” he tells People magazine in its March 31 issue.

The two reached a child-support agreement in 2002 after years of litigation. They reunited on New Year’s Eve in Miami.

Rock band Train will release a new album, “My Private Nation,” on June 3, according to MTV.

This will be the follow-up to 2001′s critically acclaimed “Drops of Jupiter.”

They shot a video for their first single, “Calling All Angels,” last week in Los Angeles.

Last week on Popstars, each contestant performed their rendition of a Motown song. Now it’s your turn to vote for your favourite performer.

The top 7 vote-getters, out of the final 12, will move on to the finals.

For more information on the voting process, head on over to popstars.ca.

The first American Idol, Kelly Clarkson, will finally release her debut album on April 15.

The album was originally scheduled for release late in 2002.

Featured on the CD will be her hit single, “A Moment Like This.” When the single was released to stores last year, it included another song, “Before Your Love,” which does not appear to be included on her full length album.

Meanwhile, the runner up, Justin Guarini, is scheduled to release his debut album on June 17.

Here is the tentative track listing for Kelly’s album:
1. Miss Independent
2. Some Kind Of Miracle
3. What’s Up Lonely
4. Low
5. Just Missed The Train
6. Beautiful Disaster
7. You Thought Wrong
8. The Trouble With Love Is
9. Thankful
10. A Moment Like This
11. Anytime

As the battle continues to grow between the major record labels and illegal music downloaders, Audible Magic has been working on what they think is the solution to this problem.

Their new software, currently being tested on various universities, corporations and internet service providers, will be able to scan all data flowing through a network. It can scan both emails and files and it keeps a log of all this informaton.

While many feel this is an invasion of privacy, many universities are desperate to slow down or stop the massive increase in illegal internet traffic that can slow down a network.

The software works like this: it is installed inside a router or gateway that is connected to the larger internet lines (ie. on your internet providers router). “The software creates a copy of all the traffic flowing past, identifies those bits that are using FTP (file transfer protocol) or the Gnutella technology, and then re-creates those files to identify them,” writes news.com.

The software is still being tested.

Rapper Eminem won the Oscar for Best Movie Theme Song on Sunday for “Lose Yourself” from 8 Mile.

Eminem was not in attendance. He was not nominated in the actor categories for his portrayal of a struggling rapper in the movie.

“He’s creative, he has symphonies in his head,” said Luis Resto, one of the co-writers of the song, who accepted the award. “He’s a good man, good heart.”

Resto accepted the award wearing a suit jacket over a retro Grant Hill Pistons jersey.

There are only 12 contestants remaining in “Popstars:The One,” and their nerves are surely being put to the test with every passing moment.

Mirella Dell’Aquila had to go through a similar process when she was a contestant in Popstars two years ago. She was eventually chosen as one of the five members of Sugar Jones.

Mirella advises the final 12 this year to keep their heads up.

“There’s going to be some rough points in the whole process, so just remember what you’re there for and your love for music and you’ll be fine,” she said.

“Just take it as an experience and enjoy every minute of it.”

Mirella is currently recording her demo album and will start shopping it to record labels soon. Sugar Jones are preparing for their release in the UK.

Avril Lavigne was shut out of the Grammy Awards, losing in all five categories that she was nominated for, but history did not prevail twice. Lavigne picked up five awards, and only lost in one category, at the Canadian Radio Music Awards, which took place earlier this month.

Lavigne was preparing for her European tour and sent in her acceptance speeches by video.

Lavigne captured the trophies for: Best New Solo Artist (Rock); Best New Group Or Solo Artist (AC); Best New Solo Artist (CHR); SOCAN Award (Songwriting); and the Fans’ Choice Award.

She was unable to win the Chart Topper Awards, which was given to Nickelback. The group’s frontman, Chad Kroeger, was on hand and apologized to the music industry for making everyone sick of their hit song, “How You Remind Me.”

Not By Choice, One Ton, Velvet Empire, Doc Walker, Shawn Desman, Glenn Lewis, and Crush performed.

andPOP was on hand at the awards. Watch the video to see exclusive interviews with Chad Kroeger, Glenn Lewis, and Mirella (Sugar Jones).

Compelete list of winners:
BEST NEW SOLO ARTIST (ROCK)
AVRIL LAVIGNE

BEST NEW GROUP (ROCK)
THEORY OF A DEADMAN

BEST NEW GROUP OR SOLO ARTIST (AC)
AVRIL LAVIGNE

FACTOR BREAKTHROUGH AWARD
SAM ROBERTS

BEST NEW SOLO ARTIST (CHR)
AVRIL LAVIGNE

BEST NEW GROUP (CHR)
CRUSH

BEST NEW GROUP OR SOLO ARTIST (COUNTRY)
DOC WALKER

BEST NEW GROUP OR SOLO ARTIST (DANCE/URBAN/RHYTHMIC)
REMY SHAND

SOCAN AWARD (SONGWRITING)
AVRIL LAVIGNE

FANS’ CHOICE AWARD (RADIO LISTENERS ONLINE VOTING)
AVRIL LAVIGNE

CHART TOPPER AWARD
NICKELBACK