Apologies in advance for the bad food analogy I'm about to make. Clearly I'm bitter about the free bag of generic popcorn I just inhaled for lunch (with "insert brand name of prescription drug you can't pronounce" printed on the bag). Anyway, you could kind of liken the Florida music scene to a Cracker Barrel menu. Don't get me wrong: I am ALL for some Hickory Smoked Honey Glazed Ham (Backstreet Boys) and cheese grits (Matchbox Twenty).  And who knows? Maybe I want to wash down my chicken 'n dumplings (2 Live Crew) with some box wine (Dashboard Confessional).  But Miami synth-rock/electro-pop act Awesome New Republic seems to have just the right amount of pop amazingness without sounding trite (think the electronic bits and driving beats of Miike Snow blended with the psychedelic sweetness of Passion Pit).

Earlier this year, Awesome New Republic -- John Hancock, Brian Robertson, and newly-added-for-tour Jorge Rubiera -- had a Perez Hilton pop moment when P'rezzers posted a Leighton Meester cover of their track "Birthday." Side note: Leighton seems to have a knack for hanging with the boys (not that way, pervtown), as evidenced by this summer's smash Cobra Starship collabo "Good Girls Go Bad" to the literally just-released video "Somebody To Love," featuring Robin Thicke.

Now, with their brand-new album Hearts, just released on October 27th, and their song "Magic City" (from the previously released EP Rational Geographic Vol. 1) appropriately featured in tomorrow's Miami-bound episode of The City, Awesome New Republic just might be the best band you've never heard of. You're welcome.

It's hard to believe that even slithering around in leathers and feathers and barely-there body suits, Leighton Meester still can't find someone to love up on her hotness. Seriously, what hope do the rest of us have if no one's loving Leighton?

Watch Leighton Meester's new video, "Somebody To Love," directed by Zoe Cassavetes. Leighton's video is so high-fashion it practically makes the Gossip Girl wardrobe closet look like a Kmart dressing room. Oh, and PS: "Somebody to Love" features Robin Thicke, who adds sultriness to Leighton's smolder.

Let's just say what we're all thinking. No, it's not that this song is slick (it is). It's not that Rick Ross is the fifth hottest MC in the game (he is). It's not that Robin Thicke does the Robin Thicke thing all over the chorus on this track from Ross' mega smash Deeper Than Rap (he does). No, what we're all thinking is obvious; it's right there in front of us.

Rick Ross is dressed like Bea Arthur from Golden Girls. Rick Ross, THAT'S A BLOUSE YOU ARE WEARING. I think it's even got shoulder pads, for Pete's sake.

I mean, you can have a lovely lady-friend all you like, and you can talk about Maybach music and the Triple C's all you like, but know this: you are dressed like Bea Arthur. It's all good. You are still the BAWSE.

You may remember Catlin Crosby's face from such shows as Malcolm In The Middle, That's So Raven and That '70s Show, but it's her voice that you should really be getting to know. The Hollywood pop princess is so good, she's already worked with Babyface, Robin Thicke and even Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson.

Her self-titled debut album is loaded with the kind of Regina Spektor / Feist-y ditties we've come to expect in the backgrounds of iPod commercials and big-screen teenage romances. In the whimsical video for first single, "Still Have My Heart," Caitlin bops around an animated scratch-paper backdrop, dealing with a string of doofus blind dates, including one with a dentist! And yes, those dates are really Zach Levi, from Chuck, Albert Reed of Dancing With The Stars, House's Jesse Spencer, and Robert Hoffman, from Step Up To The Streets.

Watch this little charmer, keep an eye out for Caitlin Crosby in upcoming Danny DeVito movie, House Broken, and check out Caitlin's side-project site, loveyourflawz.com, where "imperfect is the new perfect."

(Credit: Brian Appio)

In addition to the fact that they're all cute [ -- Ed. ], tremendously successful in the UK, and have a penchant for looking smashing in jackets, pop-rock threesome The Script -- Danny O'Donoghue, Mark Sheehan, and Glen Power -- are serious about making a sound that feels much bigger than their three-man band... But that's about all these good-natured Irish lads are serious about.

But let's back up a sec. If you watch Sober House, and you REALLY should (Shifty Shellshock 4ever!), then you've already heard The Script. If you live in the UK, where and The Script was of the biggest acts of 2008, then you're probably rolling your eyes because you so already knew all of this. If you're Perez Hilton, then congrats on that cameo in their new "Talk You Down" video. And if you're me, then you're totally already in love with Danny O'Donoghue because he looks like the Irish equivalent of a Robin Thicke-Justin Timberlake hybrid.

+ Watch The Script's videos, check out their brand-new MTV photos, see why you desperately need to get to know The Script (especially YOU, Starsailor and OneRepublic fans -- these guys are production pros too) and listen to their self-titled album when it comes out tomorrow.

+ Jenny Craig has chimed in on the whole Jessica Simpson weight scandalette... and... they think she looks gorge. And, also they'd like to cordially invite everyone to get back to making fun of Valerie Bertinelli and and Kirstie Alley instead). (Amy Grindhouse)

+ Nick Cannon to world: you will pay attention to me whether you like it or not (NOT). Mr. Mariah Carey is apparently the new host of America's Got Talent. (Pop Crunch)

+ Rumor has it that Zac Efron will be hosting the April 11th episode of Saturday Night Live... and that he might be sporting a Justin-like leotard on said ep (fine... we made up the leotard part, but a girl can dream). (Just Jared)

+ After her show-stopping Grammy performance, Jennifer Hudson announced that she's heading out on her first solo tour! With Robin Thicke! So, uh, not exactly solo, but close enough. (E! Online)

+ We sincerely cannot WAIT to hear what Oprah has to say about Lily Allen living her "Best Life." (Perez Hilton)

+ The Lonely Island -- the guys who brought you "Lazy Sunday" and "J*zz In My Pants" drop their debut album, Incredibad, today, and it kinda makes us wanna do the latter. In a boat. And for the record, "Nintendo Cartoon Hour" is one the funniest videos ever made. (The Lonely Island)

+ Denying you own a restaurant is the new denying you've had a boob job. Justin Timberlake is denying he actually owns New York City restaurant Southern Hospitality. Huh? (Showbizspy)

+ When Twitter turns bitter: Panic! At the Disco's Ryan Ross and Criss Angel are feuding via social networking. OOOOH BURN!

+ Buzzworthy to Courtney Love: please eat any of the items featured anywhere on This Is Why You're Fat. And then, for the love of gawd, please buy yourself a bra. Kthxbai. (The Superficial)

Chester French, who follow enthusiastically in the sweet, loafered footsteps of such blue-eyed soul stunners as Robin Thicke, Justin Timberlake and Ocotillo, announce their arrival with a sonic Lambo ride of a single. Although the minimal video goes sexy and sadistic with a black and white striptease/ fistfight, the song itself is full-on neon Miami, 1989.

Made up of Harvard classmates D.A. Wallach and Maxwell Drummey, smooth groovers Chester French take their name from the sculptor responsible for the giant, seated Abe who guards the Lincoln Memorial. Funny that they're such intellectuals, because "She Loves Everybody" is all swerving hips and curled lips. Does that sound like something you can get behind? Wait until you hear it! You can't even find the video on MTV yet, so watch it right here on Buzzworthy and get your first taste of Chester French!

+ This just in: Beyonce will be providing the music for Barack's first-ever inaugural ball dance! No word yet on what she plans to sing, but we're at least 99% sure it won't be "Bootylicious." (MTV News)

+ Katy Perry on working for Obama: "If I'm the Secretary of State, does that mean I get to wear a secretary outfit?" (People)

+ Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson to guest-star on CSI: NY as "Bonnie & Clyde wannabes." (EW)

+ Despite denying rumors of an impending dee-vorce, Jennifer Lopez recently showed up to the Golden Globes sans wedding ring. Fortunately, she had a perfectly logical explanation: "It just didn’t go with the dress." (Scandalist)

+ Justin Timberlake's new single, "Bigger Than the World," sounds a lot like Robin Thicke. Which totally makes sense, given how hard Robin's worked on perfecting his JT impression. (MTV News)

+ Fergie's puffy, purple feather ensemble is about as subtle as the "secret" wedding she plastered all over the pages of Us Weekly. (Faded Youth Blog)

+ Aubrey O'Day says she'll be staying "true to [her] Danity Kane roots" for her new solo album. So expect to see her dancing provocatively, dating her tourmates and favoring clothes of the skintight/bare midriff variety. (MTV News)

+ If our gym membership hadn't already expired, this ab-solutely amazing pic of Britney Spears would've been just the thing to get us back on the treadmill. (Usmagazine.com)

+ Remember that show about Lil' Kim getting ready for the slammer? Yeah, we're thinking you're gonna like the T.I. vershe a whole lot better. (Remote Control)

Let's get a few things out of the way real quick: if I said I was overly familiar with Aussie electro-funk artist Sam Sparro before last night's episode of Dancing With the Stars, I'd be lying. Second, my mama didn't raise no liar. Third thing: Yes, I realize I'm expressly uncool for watching DWTS or using abbreviations thereof. Addendum/ fourth thing: I don't care, and I already came out of the closet with my love for Dancing With the Stars last week, so let's move on.

Sam Sparro's "Black and Gold" video -- off his self-titled album (yes, it's been out in the States since June 2008 and abroad since Spring) makes me want to rent the glassed-in penthouse of The Hotel on Rivington, climb into a hot tub filled with real pearls and Veuve Cliquot with Sam Sparro, Gabe Saporta (Sam Sparro + Gabe = possibly separated a birth? Mmm... Gabe Saporta), Mark Ronson, and Robin Thicke... and watch Dancing With the Stars until one of us passes out from heat stroke.

Robin Thicke's not exactly what one would call "a man of many words." And while we happen to dig the strong, silent Robin (hence our infatuation with his nonverbal tribute to 007 and designer suits) we also love it when our quiet protagonist opens his mouth and gives us a little insight into the inner workings of his mind.

So join us as we delve into the deep recesses of Robin's subconscious and hear all about the creative process behind his new album, Something Else. Then join us in (silently) giving the guy props for figuring out what soaring gas prices, Paris (the city, not the heiress) a bunch of horny old men and The Walrus, John Lennon, have in common.