Who the villains are ‘cause everyone’s so pretty
-- Sheryl Crow

Anyone catch the World Music Awards last night? I was flipping between that and Rockstar: INXS so I didn’t see all the fun, but I had just a few thoughts. First, though, about Rockstar – I heard it is getting a second season. How exactly will that work?? I guess Mark Burnett is currently wondering what the guys in Right Said Fred are up to these days….hmm….

Anyway, I’m just going to admit it – and you can hate me for it – but I am loving Mimi. That’s right – Mariah is back, y’all. She’s actually released 3 freaking great songs right in a row and anyone with the hot Wentworth Miller in their videos has got to be living right. So as she was sh-sh-shaking it off, it occurred to me that we have a very interesting double standard in the music biz these days. Mariah did it, Usher ALWAYS does it, Destiny’s Child ALWAYS does it, along with numerous other performers – they have their entire song – lead vocals, backing vocals, etc. all playing in their “live” performances. Now, it may only be the case for the chorus for some – like Amerie on “One Thing” (love that track, btw) because lord knows she couldn’t really sing that loop live. But what’s up? How come my girls Beyonce, Kelly and Michelle can groove all over a chair and only occasionally really sing and no one says anything? No one would dare say a thing about Mariah or Usher having help with backing tracks. Anyway, I hate lip synching and totally think it sucks, but I just wonder how some get away with it and some get reamed for it.