Pop thoughts

After getting irrationally excited that Latoya (Jackson) not only had a new album out but had managed to get it to no. 1, I was slightly disappointed upon learning that it actually was LeToya (Luckett) who had a smash on her hands. Still, it's pretty fun to see someone kicked out of Destiny's Child after two albums make it to the top by out-Beyoncéing Beyoncé. While the sight of yet another CD relying on generous servings of soul classics (Love Unlimited on "U Got What You Need," the Stylistics on "Torn," the Spinners on "She Don't") is maddening, LeToya actually pulls the mix of R&B and hip-hop better than most—indie rockers should listen to the production on "Tear Da Club Up" and weep.

Speaking of production, John Tofu pointed out to me that there's no bass on Fergie's current single, "London Bridge"—ballsy!

And Ciara finally has a song worthy of "1, 2"; it's the exquisitely elastic "Get Up" and it's lurking on the Step Up soundtrack.

Is it me or is the summer of 2006 one of the best in recent memory when it comes to hit songs? Between Rihanna's "SOS," Nelly Furtado's "Promiscuous," Christina Aguilera's "Ain't No Other Man," Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie," Fergie's "London Bridge" and half a dozen others I'm forgetting, we're pretty spoiled.