Katy Perry - "ur so gay" (Red Hill Records)
This mid-tempo sludge of a song seems befitting of an early 90's-barely-cracking-the-top-40-and- played-in-a-coffee-house-because-my-name-is-Luka deal, that's how dated it sounds (Collective Soul, anyone?) yet it's 'controversial' in some circles of the emo meets the dimwit meets the hipster meets the politically correct because of the gay theme (apparently the song is about Perry's ex-boyfriend). The only controversy to me is how this relatively untalented girl, who at the ripe old age of 23 already comes across as a washed-up hybrid of a gassy Meredith Brooks meets a haggard and less talented Suzanne Vega, managed a record contract in the first place.

The Hives - "Won't Be Long" (A&M/Interscope)
Sweden's The Hives have always been one of the more consistent, cooler bands to come out of the 'new' new wave renaissance and 'Won't Be Long', from their "The Black and White Album" is a good, snappy tune, but it's lacking that charm which initially hooked me from their second album, Veni Vedi Vicious. "Won't Be Long' isn't a bad song but almost comes off as though these lads wanted to inject a little Arctic Monkeys into their sound. And that, my friends, is a little disappointing. Hate to say I told you so!

She Wants Revenge - "True Romance" (Geffen/Interscope)
She Wants Revenge are a band listed in the category of "darkwave". That already tells you they suck. These guys missed out on most of the 80's when wearing pajamas and mascara on stage was considered cool. The lyrics to "True Romance" are banal and make me wince in embarassment for the dude that penned them ("..and with every kiss I resented you/because your feelings never got in the way"). If you are a metrosexual, an emo, or a hesher that wants to get in touch with your feelings a little more, then She Wants Revenge is your band. Or you could just go out and buy a Joy Division 'best of' CD.