Posted 2/14/12
Posted 2/14/12
Posted 2/14/12
Posted 2/14/12
Posted 2/14/12
Posted 12/22/11 9:00 am ET by Tamar Anitai in Celebrity, Music
Right now it's no doubt that you're either knee-deep in Christmas tunes or burying your face in a gallon of adult eggnog -- or you're burying your face in a gallon of adult eggnog because of said Christmas tunes. But we're not total Scrooges up in here! Below is a list of some of Buzzworthy's favorite Christmas classics along with newer, Noel-time tunes. We also threw a few carols in there that make us feel like this cat -- being forced to pose for a photo wearing an uncomfortable reindeer headband to the point where you feel like it's now your life forever and ever. Enjoy! Oh, and Happy Holidays!
Before You Exit, "O' Silent Night": Orlando pop-punk foursome Before You Exit tug at our heartstrings with their version of "O' Silent Night," with exactly the kind of harmonics and haircuts we need to warm the cuckolds of our hearts this holiday season. Wait, what are cuckolds anyway? + Listen to Before You Exit, "O' Silent Night."
Forever The Sickest Kids, "Mistletoe Is For Quitters": A new edition to the pop-punk Christmas song canon, if you will. Forever The Sickest Kids' new single, "Mistletoe Is For Quitters," has little to do with rehab and a lot to do with crying on Christmas. + Listen to Forever The Sickest Kids, "Mistletoe Is For Quitters."
Britney Spears, "My Only Wish": The absolute holy grail of 1990s pop Christmas songs. + Listen to Britney Spears, "My Only Wish."
Run-D.M.C., "Christmas In Hollis": These pioneers of early hip-hop took a little time out in 1987 to let us in on what Christmas is like in Queens. Spoiler alert: average amount of holiday cheer, way more gold chains. + Listen to Run-D.M.C., "Christmas In Hollis."
Lady Gaga, "Christmas Tree": You have to hand it to Lady Gaga -- she released this song and STILL became one of the richest women on the planet. It's no "Bad Romance," but it's still worth listening to due to the fact that she had the cojones to compare her... muffin... to a... delicious Christmas tree? + Listen to Lady Gaga, "Christmas Tree."
Check out more holiday songs after the jump!
Welcome to your weekly dose of Pop Think! I'm Sam Lansky, music writer and pop fanatic. With British boy bands prepped to invade the states and news of 2gether poised to reunite, an American boy band revival seems imminent. This makes it all the more devastating to learn that *NSYNC, one of the greatest boy bands of all time, have no plans to reunite, as JC Chasez confirmed for the bajillionth time to TMZ this week.
It is quite literally tearing up my heart to think about a music universe devoid of *NSYNC, because, let's face it, the group produced some of the finest cuts of the millennial teen pop boom. This week, I'm taking a look back at *NSYNC's utterly flaw-free catalog and exploring why I'm not quite ready to say bye, bye, bye to my fave boy band ever.

Credit: Getty Images
Remember when *NSYNC ran the show? Yeah, those were the good ol' days: Justin Timberlake in an oversize ribbed turtleneck, a crown of goofy braids atop Chris Kirkpatrick's head, Joey Fatone stroking his goatee thoughtfully, Lance Bass gazing out with that doe-eyed expression, JC Chasez sporting a rakish soul patch. Whodathunk that this ragtag band of crooners would go on to make some of the most giddily innovative pop music of the new millennium?
Their initial output followed trends more than dictating them; their self-titled debut album, released in Europe in 1997 and the United States in 1998, was sweetly saccharine boy-band goodness in keeping with their contemporaries, Backstreet Boys and 98 Degrees. Max Martin-penned gems such as "I Want You Back" and "Tearin' Up My Heart" hardly re-created the wheel, instead following the formula for uptempo teen pop about heartbreak, and gushy ballads like "(God Must Have Spent) A Little More Time On You" and "Thinking of You (I Drive Myself Crazy)" provided the perfect soundtrack for gingerly affectionate middle-school slow dances everywhere.
But their next album, 2000's No Strings Attached, was less predictable, integrating hip-hop and funk influences for results that sounded, at the time, remarkably forward-looking. Singles "Bye Bye Bye" and "It's Gonna Be Me" brought the group unparalleled success, and the album sold 1.1 million copies on its first day of release, then more than 2 million copies in its first week, which Entertainment Weekly called "perhaps the greatest mass spending of allowances in history." The next year brought possibly their best (and final) album, Celebrity, a concept album (much of which was penned by Justin and JC) about the virtues and vicissitudes of fame that broke ground for that subject long before rap superstars made complaining about paparazzi a stock lyrical component. The lead single, "Pop," was a weird, overstuffed, hyperactive piece of stutter-pop brilliance; their later single, "Girlfriend," brought in Nelly and the Neptunes for a hip-pop remix that seamlessly integrated teen pop and rap in a way that felt fresh and unexpected.
+ Read more about why we want an *NSYNC reunion after the jump!
Posted 11/3/11 2:00 pm ET by Sam Lansky in Celebrity, Music
Oh hey! I'm Sam Lansky, music journalist extraordinaire, and I had a poster of 98 Degrees dressed as firefighters on my bedroom wall as a little boy. (Did I say "dressed"? Because what I actually mean is "undressed.") It's Thursday, and you know what that means — time for an extra-strength dose of Pop Think, no prescription necessary.
Up this week: the possible return of the boy band to domestic shores, which I'd call a cause for celebration. But after a decade largely devoid of cheesy boy band deliciousness, are Americans ready for another boy band invasion?

The Wanted is pop princess-approved! Credit: @britneyspears
After the boy band boom at the turn of the millennium, when groups like Hanson, Backstreet Boys, and *NSYNC ruled the airwaves, things have gone relatively quiet on the boy band front -- at least Stateside, with the occasional exception of all-male pop-punk and emo outfits such as Good Charlotte and Fall Out Boy, and Disney tween pop megastars like the Jonas Brothers.
But overseas, the boy band phenomenon never really went away. In the U.K., Westlife and Take That continued to enjoy massive success throughout the '90s, and more recent discoveries such as JLS, One Direction, and The Wanted just keep the boy band relevant with hook-laden singles and endearingly goofy dance moves. (Is it just me or is there something like, intrinsically comical about a group of hot guys dancing in unison? Even if it's visually mesmerizing, I often find myself laughing at the sheer ridiculousness of dudes with chiseled jawlines and ripped abs dancing to a four-on-the-floor beat, their bodies in perfect synchronicity.)
Record labels seem to think that the United States is ready for a big boy band return -- or at least they're gambling on it, with news of new groups launching every day. Former *NSYNC member Lance Bass is mentoring a new boy band Heart2Heart, whose 2Ge+her-like video for their first single, "Facebook Official," walks a VERY fine line between parody and sincerity. Meanwhile, Lady Gaga super-producer RedOne has launched his own boy band venture as well called Midnight Red. Five meticulously coiffed dudes in skinny jeans belt out dance-pop bangers with names like "One Club At A Time." (Whether or not the club can handle Midnight Red remains to be seen.)
The most promising boy band on the horizon for Americans, though, has to be The Wanted, who have carved out a serious niche in the U.K. market with devastatingly catchy pop and an image that seems carefully calculated to project just the right balance of masculinity and sensitivity. It works, too. They're as convincing singing lovelorn ballads like "Heart Vacancy" as they are at the helm of synth-fueled house-pop such as "Lightning."
+ Read more about the return of boy bands after the jump.
Posted 10/17/11 4:30 pm ET by Amber Katz in Celebrity, Music

Credit: heart2heartworld.com
There's a new comically ridiculous so-bad-it's-good internet sensation in town! This is no male Rebecca Black counterpart situation -- it's a new BOY BAND, for which society as a whole is sorely DUE. Under the tutelage of Lance Bass, who's obviously educated in the ways of boy bands that dress alike, Heart2Heart has hit the scene with a new single and video called "Facebook Official."
As Village Voice blog Sound of the City points out, the video's aesthetic looks more than a little like that of a well-known song that begins with a "B" and ends with an "eye Bye Bye" by those talented kids of yore, *NSYNC. "Facebook Official" explores modern courting rituals and lays out the rules for declaring BF/GF status, which, as we all know, is via a Facebook relationship status update. "Facebook Official" includes such lyrical triumphs as "Could you confirm this request/Agree to the terms of service" and "Status update, what/Checking out pics of your butt." Poetic! Color us CHARMED. We will agree to THAT term of service, STAT. And MAN, calling the Justin Timberlake-backed MySpace dead takes MOXIE!
As for the group, Billboard confirms they have a choreographer, acrobat and, in a page swiped from Justin Bieber's book, a "Swag General." Spiky hair? Check. Fanciful, non-ironic highlights? Check. Better manicured eyebrows than ours? CHECK. Loving your handiwork, Lance.
But finally, is Heart2Heart a joke? I mean, one member's real name is Cody Saintgnue, but he goes by "Pete." Also, we think one of them might be a girl, which is, of course, fine! But one thing's for sure: "Put a heart on your page" is the new "put a bird on it."
+ Check out Heart2Heart's "Facebook Official," and let us know what you guys think. Is Heart2Heart pure parody or pure PARTY? Tell us!
Posted 6/20/11 9:13 am ET by Nicole James in Buzz Bites, Celebrity, Music

Credit: Splash News
+ Selena Gomez hosted Canada's MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto last night, where her boyfriend Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga took home top honors. Other winners include Far East Movement, Drake, and Taio Cruz. (TheFABlife)
+ After suffering a stroke last Sunday, Clarence Clemons, E Street Band member and Lady Gaga's Born This Way saxophonist, passed away this weekend at the age of 69. Bruce Springsteen reflected on his friend: "His life, his memory and his love will live on...and in our band." (MTV News)
+ Amy Winehouse has canceled the remaining European tour dates on what was supposed to be a "comeback tour" after botching her concert in Belgrade this weekend. A Serbian newspaper called the concert "the worst" that locals had ever seen. Yikes. (PopEater)
+ If you miss boy bands as much as we do, this news should make your day: *NSYNC's Lance Bass is putting together a new boy band reality show competition where contestants will...well, we're not sure yet. But there will probably be synchronized outfits! (Idolator)
+ Speaking of boy bands, former New Kid On The Block Joey McIntyre showed the world its first look at his newborn daughter on Father's Day. We say this a lot, but it seriously might be the cutest picture we've ever seen. (SOW)
+ Buzzworthy fave and OFWKTA member Frank Ocean is set to release a "lite" version of his super sexy mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra. Nostalgia, LITE will feature only seven songs, and no word yet on the new F-bomb count. (Rap-Up)
\
Credit: Getty Images
Weren't you JUST thinking to yourself, "Man, I would LOVE to get *NSYNC with Joey Fatone's earthly possessions"? WELL YOU CAN! Because Joey Fatone is reportedly selling the contents of his Orlando home in a serious estate sale this weekend. We're glad that in this instance, Joey is CHOOSING to say Bye Bye Bye to his belongings, as opposed to the heinous incident in which fellow *NSYNCer JC Chasez was nearly burgled -- had he not been such a badass.
Among the gems for sale are Joey's Death Star replica, some antique Disney memorabilia (guess you can't be a celeb in such close proximity to the Magic Kingdom without investing in a piece like this), full-size arcade games and -- our favorite -- Joey's Sword of Omens from Thundercats. (Joey, the fact that you even own a Thundercats sword pretty much confirms that God spent a little more time on you.)
But Joey Fatone's everything-must-go sale doesn't consist of just toys -- this I promise you. Joey's also selling functional, responsible adult things such as furniture, dishes, grilling stuff and even clothing. One lucky person will even be able to buy Joey's grand piano (though it looks like he doesn't wanna part with that *NSYNC DVD).
So tell us, Buzzworthy readers: Who's buying? Is it gonna be YOU?
Posted 4/22/11 2:21 pm ET by Eliot Glazer in Music, Videos
Credit: Getty Images
It's Friday, it's the freakin' weekend, and it's also Flashback Friday, in which we revisit a forgotten video from the MTV video vault.
Sure, people like to call out the '80s as the decade so unapologetically garish they made the next decade look like a Vogue spread. But the '90s had some messed-up ish happening too. Mediatate on this: frosted tips, belly chains, ribbed sweaters, cargo pants and -- worst of all -- Pogs! Granted, there were no pogs in *NSYNC's 1999 music video for "(Thinking Of You) I Drive Myself Crazy," but there was, indeed, some very offensive '90s hair (and a cameo from Elisa Donovan of Clueless fame).
The whole "One Flew Over The Cuckoo Nest" theme -- a light interpretation of the song's title, to say the least -- is pretty funny. Padded cells, strait jackets and an insane asylum where the patients are all wearing enormous silk pajamas? It's very M.C. Hammer-sanitarium chic.
The video is pretty run-of-the-mill as far as music videos from the bubblegum pop explosion era go, but it's still unsettling to see things like Justin Timberlake with that weird haircut. He was by no means the only dude sporting damp, bleach-blond curls, but he was probably the most famous. And did Chris Kirkpatrick wear beaded dreads because that was how you showed you were "weird" 11 years ago? You just know A.J. McLean was rolling somewhere in Orlando, rolling his eyes the first time he got a glimpse of that.
Nevertheless, the boys did something right. Even Joey Fatone knew how to pout properly for all the clamoring girls who would have paid in blood to join the boys inside that enormous padded cell. And, eventually, they came out with "Gone," which was not only a mature step musically, but a peek into how Justin Timberlake would quickly become a sexy grown-up solo superstar devoid of all... wet curls.
Posted 4/4/11 3:45 pm ET by Nicole James in Celebrity

Credit: Getty Images
And our crush gets bigger. Justin Timberlake took home The Big Help Award at the 2011 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards this weekend for his charitable work over the past year. When Justin received the award, he said, "Way back when I was a kid, my parents taught me it’s better to give than receive... So tonight, kids, when you get home, do something totally unexpected -- listen to your parents.” Swoon.
So let's get this straight: Justin Timberlake is a "Big Helper," a big tipper, and big... handsome person. I might be overgeneralizing here, but basically, Justin Timberlake is perfect. Sure, I'm a little biased, but I'm also correct -- 100 percent of the time.
Honestly, I'm going on about my 10th year of carrying around this massive crush on Justin Timberlake. Hearing news like this and watching him give such adorbz advice to all the kids out there is not helping my cause. Like, go be mean to a dog or publicly insult Betty White or something, Justin. Or don't, actually. Doesn't matter. Wouldn't change anything. I'm never going to get over you at this rate.
Posted 11/11/10 5:02 pm ET by Amber Katz in Celebrity

Singer JC Chasez has made a triumphant return to the buzz of the nation. He displayed a stunning act of BADASSERY yesterday after a burglar attempted to break into his Hollywood Hills home. Crazily enough, it was reported that this all went down while JC was even Chez Chasez.
The story: Apparently, JC Chasez called 911 after someone tried to break a window in the home in an apparent attempt to get inside the house. JC then heard the noise, approached the perp and proceeded to blow him up not with his love but with his words. Reportedly, the subject then swiftly fled the scene. Unfortunately the suspect got away.
Go JC! We think it's rad that you were all "Oh no, HELL no. You're not going to get *NSYNC with MY valuables." Your transition from boy-bander to full-on crime-averting badass is totally commendable. We're totally calling you next time we sense a crime teetering dangerously on the precipice of being committed. You're certainly not blasé when it comes to uninvited guests at Casa Chasez. (OK, we'll stop with the JC Chasez puns.)
What do you think about JC's heroic display of self-defense? Tell us in the comments.
Posted 10/18/10 6:07 pm ET by Chris Ryan in Celebrity, Music, Photos
(Credit: Tim Roney/Getty Images)
It was the best of times, it was the Color Me Baddest of times. It was the '90s! Jeans were baggy, the president was naughty and bands were serious about dressing in really similar outfits that were REALLY loud. And REALLY colorful. And in these awesome '90s music photos, we're going back to the glory days of spandex and Technicolor.
In Buzzworthy's I Love The '90s Flashback photo gallery, we revisit the boy bands, the girl groups, the lovermen and the reinvented rockers. Some of the faces will still be familiar to you--note the '90s versions of Christina Aguilera, Beyoncé (Destiny's Child LOVED to match!) and Justin Timberlake.
(Credit: Jim Smeal/WireImage)

(Credit: Getty Images)
LeAnn Rimes was BIG into lip liner and rocked "The Rachel" hair almost better than Jennifer Aniston herself!

(Credit: David Redfern/Redferns)
... And apparently Celine Dion had a brief 1990s stint where she looked like David Bowie.
Other classic '90s music photos will make you go "hmm"--how's that for a '90s reference?--as you'll be forced to recall whether or not you ever actually listened to the likes of All-4-One. (YOU SO did!)
(Credit: Ron Wolfson/Getty Images)
Man, those guys look like an optical illusion! Check out the still-famous and the partially forgotten '90s artists in this incredible MTV photo gallery.
+ CHECK OUT BUZZWORTHY'S '90s MUSIC FLASHBACK PHOTO GALLERY!
Consummate MTV music fans obsessively covering pop music, pop videos, pop stars, and pop culture from MTV headquarters in New York. Plus, trends, LOLs and stuff we love.
Read more about MTV Buzzworthy.
Email us: buzzworthy@mtv.com
Follow us on Twitter: @MTVBuzzworthy
Managing Editor
Tamar Anitai
Associate Editor
Nicole James
Contributors
Liz Barker
Byron Flitsch
David Greenwald
Sam Lansky
Althea Legaspi
Amber Katz
Jenna Hally Rubenstein
Bradley Stern
Posted 2/14/12
Posted 2/14/12
Posted 2/14/12