Pop music's irrepressible up-to-no-good little sister. when this one burst onto the scene with her pink hair (get it? Pink!) and her motorcycle and her devil-may-care attitude, i thought "how refreshing AND original. fifteen and counting." with Pop collapsing under its own weight (not that you need proof, but if you want some, check out nme's article about peals of uncontrollable laughter at a special UK screening of britney spears' flick), the clock seemed to be ticking. BUT...her new single "Get The Party Started" is top five (with a bullet), that new video seems to be ubiquitous on all MTV networks, and the album is entrenched in the top ten. and all of this WITHOUT her trademark lavender locks. bravo.

2. Depeche Mode

The boys from Basildon have TWO Grammy nods, one for Best Dance Recording and one for Best Remixed Recording. Now, first, how long have these categories existed? And second, who gets the statuette for remix...the artist or the remixer (in this case, mr. bottom heavy himself, danny tenaglia)? both of these nominations are for I Feel Loved, the undisputed bright spot on Exciter. Am I the only one who wanted the entire record to have the accessibility and energy of this track? even so, twenty years together, better days definitely behind them, the academy takes notice. bravo.

by the way, i think the grammys are crap (best new artist being a one-way ticket to obscurity...witness christina aguilera...cross your fingers for alicia keys) but that is a subject for another time.

3. Jesus on Michigan Avenue

Yes, that's right.

JESUS...ON...MICHIGAN...AVENUE.

Purple rags, cross, sandals, wild eyes, unkempt, unshaven. he even addressed a gaggle of young african-american women walking a short distance in front of me with "bless you, my children". now, all this occurred in front of one of Chicago's numerous art schools and so i naturally assumed this was some art school prank. but no. my co-workers assure me that this man is a local institution, warranting newspaper articles and tv news human interest pieces. how delicious. and i was just saying this morning how i missed the freak shows. the lord truly does work in mysterious ways. BRAVO.