The Knack

Britney and X Factor???

Following months of speculation, E! has confirmed that Britney Spears has finally signed her contract to be a judge on the sophomore season of Fox's "X Factor." When contacted by Billboard.com, a spokesperson for the show refused to confirm and Fox had no comment. It was reported a few weeks ago that the pop star had nabbed a $15 million contract for the show, but that her representatives were still working out the details. Rumors that Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato are under consideration to judge the show have also been cirulating recently, although nothing has been announced or confirmed...Read the rest of the story

Train, 'California 37'

Train were the comeback kids of 2010-11, saved by San Francisco, a ukulele and a soul sister. "Save Me, San Francisco" put the Bay City trio back on track after some mid-decade commercial, personal and business-side doldrums, all through the magic of their monster hit "Hey, Soul Sister." Now the group seeks to keep that, er, train rolling with "California 37," its seventh studio album overall and a set of tightly crafted, richly arranged pop songs. Produced by Espionage and Butch Walker, the album is filled with references to pop culture, romance and mortality -- and, in the title track, to haters who "didn't think that Train could ever roll again...Read the rest of the review