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Over the last year or so, teen-pop listeners have been experimenting with an unlikely notion: self-sufficiency. The girls who keep teen-pop alive have decided that they don't really need boy bands - or, for that matter, boys.

With a few exceptions, the biggest names in the teen-pop world are female. Definitely Avril Lavigne (who still rules) and Kelly Clarkson (who recently released a great single, "Since U Been Gone") and JoJo (an overachiever who just turned 14). Certainly Hilary Duff (unstoppable, if inexplicable) and Lindsay Lohan (whose debut album is closing in on one million American sales). And above all, the Simpson sisters, Jessica and Ashlee, both of whom have figured out that public humiliation can be profitable. While much of the country was laughing at Ashlee's lip-sync disaster on "Saturday Night Live," she sold nearly 3 million copies of her debut album, "Autobiography" (Geffen/Universal).

Now a third Simpson sister, of sorts, is aiming to join this sorority - although, to be precise, this emerging pop star is neither a Simpson nor a teenager, nor even female. Still, no one can accuse Ryan Cabrera of not trying hard to overcome these disadvantages.

He remains best known for his appearances on "The Ashlee Simpson Show," where he played (or - depending on how credulous you are feeling - was) Ashlee's on-again-off-again boyfriend. And like the Simpson sisters, Mr. Cabrera is managed by their father, Joe Simpson.

Saturday night at Irving Plaza, during the first of two sold-out concerts, Mr. Cabrera delighted his young female audience by poking fun at his own heart-throbbishness.

His debut album is "Take It All Away" (Atlantic), a collection of mildly plaintive love songs that draw from just about every genre available to a sensitive young white guy with a guitar. In between songs, he kept up a steady, intensely self-conscious patter, like some character from "The O.C." run amuck.

"There's a lot of guys here," he said. "And I know you're looking at me like, 'What a wuss!' " (Well, no and yes.)

His songs are full of passionate boys, vaguely yearning for something they don't quite understand. In "40 Kinds of Sadness," he complained that "You're just around the corner/ But just around the corner is not enough." And "Last Night," an appealing new song, posed an anxious question: "Do you believe that things can change?"

But in his unconsummated-love songs (the set began with "Let's Take Our Time," a song sure to appeal to the chaperones in the crowd), slightly uneasy stage banter and jokey covers (Paula Abdul's "Straight Up," Hanson's "MMMBop"), you could also hear a different anxiety: the confusion and sheepishness of a boy trying to crash a girls' club.

The fun of watching Mr. Cabrera on stage was the fun of watching a 22-year-old man scrambling to please fans who weren't quite sure if they wanted a confidant or a lover, someone to talk to or someone to talk about. Had he come to join the group of girls or to break it up?

Mr. Cabrera had to find a way to do both at once, reminding his listeners that he was a boy while also helping them to forget it. The night ended with "True," in which he promises: "I won't move till you finally see/ That you belong with me." And Mr. Cabrera sang much of the song in a falsetto voice nearly as high and thin as the ones that sang it back to him.

Hilary Swank Has An Awesome Back

Posted on February 28, 2005 at 12:21 PM

Tagged as: Film

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J.Lo's Married, yawn...

Posted on February 25, 2005 at 12:06 PM

Hey guess what, losers, Jennifer Lopez is married to Marc Anthony. I know what you're thinking: Duh, everyone knows that. Even Jennifer would agree with you. Lopez told People magazine "Yes, we're married. It's not a secret. I mean, c'mon, everyone knows." Not everyone, though. I bet there are people in North Korea who don't know. And i bet there are people in North America who don't care. In fact, I bet one of those people is typing this RIGHT NOW.

Tagged as: Music

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Someone's Grabbed The Family Jewels!

Posted on February 24, 2005 at 10:57 AM

Jack Osbourne had almost half a million dollars' worth of jewels stolen from his bag on a recent flight to London. Since it was in the UK, let's say that his jewels were nicked.

Tagged as: Travel

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Since You've Never Been Gone

Posted on February 23, 2005 at 11:37 AM

I think Kelly Clarkson is supercute, which is why I am as excited as a little girl to see that she is embarking on her first ever tour. Apparently, Kelly's excited, too: "Nothing makes me happier than being on the road!" she said. Hey Kelly, if this is your first tour, how would you know that? Or do you just mean road trips in general? In that case, I love being on the road, too!

Tagged as: Music

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You Can't Stop Them, You Can Only Hope To Contain Them

Posted on February 23, 2005 at 11:32 AM

Green Day at the top of the Billboard pan-European album chart.

Tagged as: Music

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IT'S OFFICIAL: BLINK-182 ON 'INDEFINITE HIATUS'

Posted on February 22, 2005 at 02:42 PM

After some rumors and rumblings, a statement from Geffen Records confirms the sad news - Blink-182 are breaking up, oops, going on 'indefinite hiatus'. Hmmm, wonder which member was the driving force behind this...

Trivia: What other famed rock n' roll trio once used the words 'indefinite hiatus'? Hint: they never worked together, in any meaningful way, again. Hint hint: Sting was in the band.

Tagged as: Music

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Britney Hot And Bothered

Posted on February 18, 2005 at 08:56 AM

Poor Britney Spears. The blondtart has her chihuahuas in a bunch after US Weekly put her on the cover and published photos of her honeymoon. Spears claims they were private photos of a private event, but the magazine says Brit's just ticked she didn't make dough on the sale of the pics. Word is Spears has already cut a deal with Star magazine to eventually publish her divorce photos exclusively.

Tagged as: Music

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How Does He Blow His Nose?

Posted on February 15, 2005 at 01:53 PM

Michael Jackson was hospitalized on his way to court for today's session of the Trial Of The Century. This has delayed jury selection. MJ was taken to the Marian Medical Center in Santa Maria, CA. Apparently he has the flu. (Finally, I can relate to Michael - I have the flu, too.) This incident comes one day after Michael's defense team released a list of possible witnesses, including Elizabeth Taylor (naturally), Kobe Bryant, Chris Tucker, Jay Leno, Quincy Jones, Larry King and Deepak Chopra. WTF?

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More Of The Best Of Oven Fresh Comments

Posted on February 11, 2005 at 11:00 AM

It's that time of week again, people - time for the best of what YOU submitted on the Oven Fresh comment boards. First up, let's present more numbers (not the new show starring Rob Morrow) from John From Bedford.

The Kills - The Good Ones
John from Bedford - Posted on: 02/09/05
Not their best, but good. 6/10.

Papa Roach - Scars
John from Bedford - Posted on: 02/09/05
I don't get the ending, or how it goes with the rest. 5/10.

OF - Open Hand - Tough Girl
John from Bedford - Posted on: 02/09/05
Not bad. 6/10.

OF - Motley Crue - If I Die Tomorrow
John from Bedford - Posted on: 02/09/05
Sucks... always has, always will. 3/10.

OF - Gratitude - Drive Away
John from Bedford - Posted on: 02/09/05
This is okay. 6/10.

OF - The Alchemist - Hold You Down
John from Bedford - Posted on: 02/09/05
Please stop with the unnaturally high voices in EVERY SONG. 5/10.

50 Cent - Candy Shop
John from Bedford - Posted on: 02/09/05
This song is disgusting. 3/10.

John thought this week's Oven Fresh was merely OK. To recap: John thinks the Kills are good, Open Hand is not bad, and Gratitude is okay. And 50 Cent? Disgusting!

Moving on to an issue that has been tearing our nation apart: rap vs. rock. It's an issue that is being debated everywhere and the OF boards are no different. Check out these two anti-rock peeps both, mysteriously, from Brentwood, CA...

Papa Roach - Scars
HECTOR V from BRENTWOOD - Posted on: 01/01/70
ROCK IS WAKK !RAP IS HOTT!!!

50 Cent - Candy Shop
JODEL K from EAZT SYDE BRENTWOOD - Posted on: 01/01/70
DIZ SONG IZ SEWIOUZ 4GET ROCK

Rock is wakk? Rap is hott? Regarding Papa Roach?!?! Hector, bro, Papa Roach is RAP/ROCK. IE both. OK, now a view from across the aisle...

50 Cent - Candy Shop
athena from Santa Barbara, CA - Posted on: 02/10/05
omg i hate this rap crap...get rid of it fast...you can't spell crap without rap! hahahaha

Well, athena, technically that's true, but that's not a very sporting attitude is it?

Check back next week when we present more from the Oven Fresh Boards. Hopefully we'll all be in a better mood then...

Tagged as: Music

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IT'S BEEN A BAD WEEK FOR BRITISH BALLS

Posted on February 10, 2005 at 12:04 PM

Would you like to cut off your balls?

How about having one of your nuts ripped off by your ex-girlfriend?

A sad day for men in the UK, and, indeed, everywhere.

Tagged as: Current Affairs

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Girl, Just Go Away

Posted on February 10, 2005 at 11:49 AM

If any proof was needed that Motley Crue lyrics stand the test of time, look no further that this case. Robbie Mantooth (Robbie Mantooth???), the ex of guitarist Mick Mars, is suing him for ten million smackers! The documentary filmmaker (whatever) claims that she moved into Mick's Malibu crib (that means house) on the condition that he take care of her financially, even if they split up. For Robbie Mantooth, that day of reckoning arrived in December. And now? She's piping mad. She wants dough, stat. Speaking of stat, Mick's not looking so good these days. Above is a pic from the past, when he looked "better."

Tagged as: Music

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Jimmy Eat World and Taking Back Sunday To Tour

Posted on February 9, 2005 at 10:48 AM

Jimmy Eat Sunday! Taking Back The World! Either way, these two megabands are ready to tour. Think Jimmy Eat World's not ready? Check out the above picture. Peep that attitude! Dig those shirts! According to Billboard, the spring tour will hit approximately 20 cities in April and May. Cool enough on its own, but wait, there's more. Both bands have been tapped to open for Green Day at the massive Milton Keynes Bowl in England. Ah, summertime in England with three huge American bands. Could be worse.

Want more (unbelievable) Taking Back Sunday news? Check out our sister blog.

Tagged as: Music

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Rock n' Roll Stars

Posted on February 8, 2005 at 10:51 AM

Remember Oasis? They're baaaaaack. They'll be releasing a new record via Epic in May (May or June here in North America) and will be hitting these shores for a small arena tour with Aussie rockers Jet opening up. Tickets go on sale at Ticketmaster on Saturday.

Though this may be a Subject That Refuses To Be Discussed, is Oasis still capable of selling out an arena like Madison Square Garden anymore? Perhaps this should be a co-headlining tour? Will they play Up In The Sky? We'll have to wait til June... Notice the free dates between shows; perhaps they're planning on some sellouts and subsequent extra shows.

Oasis with Jet:

June 17 - Toronto
June 18 - Detroit
June 20 - Chicago
June 22 - New York
June 25 - Philadelphia

Tagged as: Music

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They Didn't Mean To Bug Ya!

Posted on February 7, 2005 at 12:21 PM

Did they bug ya? Larry Mullen is sorry if they did. The legendary U2 skinsbasher posted an open letter of apology and a refund offer on the band's official website this week, conveying U2's anger and disappointment with the ticket sale snafus that dogged the band last week. In a feverish attempt to get the best tickets first, many fans purchased 40 dollar memberships to U2's fanclub in order to have priority access to tickets. Unfortunately, many scalpers had the same idea. Not to mention Ticketmaster's site going down during the public on-sale. Larry Mullen, U2, fans that got screwed... sometimes one steps back and realizes that in the grand scheme of things, we're ALL at a place called Vertigo.

Tagged as: Music

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More Of The Best Of Oven Fresh Comments

Posted on February 3, 2005 at 11:15 AM

Here, we go again, the first Best Of Oven Fresh of February. Let's get right to it...

First up is vess from Xenia, Ohio. He's not so pumped about the Kaiser Chiefs.

Kaiser Chiefs - I Predict A Riot
vess from xenia - Posted on: 02/03/05
i guess you would like that if you are little klutz like the band. if you want to here a real band stop in at the bp gas station in xenia ohio 3rd shift

The band that plays at the BP station in Xenia at 3rd shift? I thought it was sold out?!?

Anyway, everyone loves easy, numbered reviews. Cue John from Bedford, back again this week:

The Zutons - Pressure Point
John from Bedford - Posted on: 02/01/05
One of the best songs out right now. 8/10.

Kaiser Chiefs - I Predict A Riot
John from Bedford - Posted on: 02/01/05
It's pretty good. 7/10.

Interpol - Evil
John from Bedford - Posted on: 02/01/05
This video is awful. 3/10.

Relient K - Be My Escape
John from Bedford - Posted on: 02/02/05
Ok, I guess. 6/10.

3 Doors Down - Let Me Go
John from Bedford - Posted on: 02/02/05
Not bad. 6/10.

To summarize, John likes the Zutons, Kaiser Chiefs, and loathes the weird Interpol video.

And finally, a word on Maynard James Keenan from Chairty. How nice, a comment on Passive from Charity:

A Perfect Circle - Passive
Charity from Cleveland - Posted on: 02/03/05
Maynard is so wise

He is wise... wise all the way to the bank! We'll have more from the Oven Fresh boards next week!

Tagged as: Music

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Sorry To Show You This So Early In The Morning

Posted on February 1, 2005 at 10:54 AM

Clay Aiken's in the news this morning! But not for anything important. But since we don't discuss important things here, here you go: Clay Aiken has appeared in a promo video for the city of Raleigh, North Carolina! It's for the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, which promotes development in downtown Raleigh. Clay loves the rest of the country, "but one of the reasons that I really love coming back to my hometown of Raleigh is to see all the exciting changes that are happening in downtown, right here in Raleigh."

Let's see, Raleigh has Clay Aiken, but Durham has Duke... Which is worse?!?

Tagged as: Music

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