Weekly Pop Music Blog Roundup - January 28, 2006

It's been a busy week here at About Top40/Pop and a busy week in the blogosphere as well:

• After Kanye West's pose as Jesus on the cover of Rolling Stone, it was interesting to read in Bedroom Dancing about the BBC's launching of the Manchester Passion in everyone's favorite pop music manger of a city.
• Stereogum, one of my favorites of all music blogs, reported on his ignorance of the "raising the cell phone in concert" alternative to lighters. His post was not the most interesting item. Instead, it was the 68 comments (at this count) discussing the issue!
• Arjan of ArjanWrites posted another of his insightful, even when brief, interviews with contemporary pop musicians. This time the subject is Imogen Heap and her intricate, idiosyncratic music. Her questions: "Why do women always get compared to women? If it weren't for the range of our voices would we be compared in the same way? On a musical level?" remain unanswered.
• Ever wonder what happened to Jules Shear? Probably not, but he is the songwriter behind such pop classics as Cyndi Lauper's "All Through the Night" and the Bangles' "If She Knew What She Wants." After decades of writing great songs for others to record, he still has not managed his own hit single. Now, according to Songs: Illinois he doesn't mind anymore. Listen to 2 gorgeously delicate and intimate tracks from his upcoming album.
• It's probably just around the corner - mp3 players customized to promote your favorite band. Check out the Japanese Franz Ferdinand player on The Modern Age.
• Finally, earlier this week I posted musings on American Idol and Homophobia. Read fagpop's statistical refutation.

That's it until next Saturday. Meanwhile, if you see a stellar (or even pretty good) blog post on pop music worth sharing, drop me a line at top40.guide@about.com.