POP-ROCK EDITION
GOOD WEEK/BAD WEEK
Backstreet Boys
The reunited boy band has quit playing games with our hearts: a new album is due in 2013.
Sonic Youth
After three decades together, the alt-rock group has announced an indefinite pause.
ODDITIES
Good Snooze?
Wookiee, Wookiee, rise and shine! A series of new Star Wars alarm clocks, available at firebox.com will rouse you with the voice of C-3PO or a Stormtrooper--or the sweet, echoing bellow of Chewbacca. Just be sure not to toss it far, far away--or even across the room. It's not wise to upset a Wookiee.
QUICK TALK
Ellie Goulding
More than a year after Britain's next big thing dropped her electro-pop single "Lights" in the U.S., it's finally reached Billboard's top tier--just in time for Goulding, 25, to put the finishing touches on her as-yet-untitled sophomore album, due out in October.
--DAN MACSAI
I heard "Lights" twice in my grocery store the other day. So clearly you've made it in America.
Really? I still get plenty freaked out hearing my own songs play.
How come?
Well, for some reason, I always miss my song on the radio when it plays. Other people catch it all the time. I never do. But one night, I was by myself in a hotel in L.A. trying to sleep, and people were partying downstairs. And I got woken up by loud music. It was "Lights."
Ha, that's great.
And then I got woken up again when they played the Bassnectar remix! I guess I tapped into my own music or something.
Last year you performed at the royal wedding. What was that like?
It was a really surreal, exciting, beautiful thing to do. I never thought in a million years I'd be playing my album tracks to the future King of England.
Did you meet William and Kate?
Yeah. We did a rehearsal at Buckingham Palace, so we saw them there. And they're really the sweetest, nicest, most wonderful couple. Real music lovers too.
Well, here's hoping you finally hear "Lights" on the radio.
I know! Maybe it'll be while I'm here in New York. I haven't been in the car in ages, though.
You should call and request it. "This is Ellie Goulding. I want you to play my song."
Maybe I will.
SODA WARS
66,000+
Signatures on an American Beverage Association petition against New York City's proposed ban on the sale of soft drinks larger than 16 oz. Meanwhile, some Big Soda ads proclaim, "This is about protecting our freedom of choice!"
REVIEWS
ON TIME.COM
For our takes on Ruby Sparks (left), Killer Joe, The Watch and more, visit time.com/entertainment
WTF
Hand Delivery
As if tween attention spans weren't short enough, Hallmark's new Text Bands encourage them to send one another messages in 10 characters or fewer. Even worse: users type their missives using only three buttons, then tap the bracelets together to send. Wrst invntn evr?
DATING
Strange Love