Normally, we reserve our Tuesday-morning
Billboard 200 quarterbacking for sales-total predictions, but this week's race for No. 1 has three Nashville-born albums vying for the pole position. In one corner there's
Lost Highway, Bon Jovi's attempt to remind people that they are, in fact, steel horse-riding cowboys; in another, there's
5th Gear, the latest album from country lifer Brad Paisley; and finally, there's the White Stripes'
Icky Thump, which was recorded at Nashville's Blackbird Studios, although of the three, we're betting that it's the least likely to get love from the country-radio cabal:
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Idolator
Feist, Alicia Keys, and Brad Paisley have all signed on to perform at the Grammys, although the prospect of the three artists performing together is probably pretty slim. (Too bad—I would have loved to see the inevitably awkward attempt to meld "Online" and Feist's iPod Nano ads.) Also, to prove the awards' commitment to the continued health of the recorded-music industry, trophies will be handed out by present-day stars of current popular music like Natalie Cole, Cyndi Lauper, Bette Midler, and Bonnie Raitt. [
And here it is, the final battle in the second round of our tournament. Will the winner be Helalyn Flowers and their unsantiary habits when it comes to sharing tasty metallic treats? Or will it be Brad Paisley, who at least knows enough to keep the chrome on his hideous font out of his mouth? Cast your vote for over-Photoshopped goth or under-designed country after the jump!
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