FEATURES
50 Taylor Swift
Double-platinum at just 18, country's newest superstar is the anti-Britney: She
writes her own (incredibly catchy) songs, thinks her parents are "the coolest"
and would never dream of leaving the house without underwear on. Fortunately,
she's not above exacting revenge on her ex- boyfriends in song.
56 THE 20 BIGGEST RECORD COMPANY SCREWUPS EVER
From passing on the Beatles to sinking $13 million (so far) into Guns N' Roses'
Chinese Democracy — it's our list of the most boneheaded moves in the history
of the music industry.
62 BEATLE BOB
For the past 11 years, he's attended more than 5,000 live shows, jumping onstage
with bands like
Franz Ferdinand and gaining nationwide notoriety for his arrhythmic dance moves.
Meet rock's weirdest, most obsessive fan.
68 TECH SPECIAL
Shiny-new-gizmo alert! Our guide to the season's best MP3 players and music phones.
REGULARS
5 BLENDER BIBLE
14 LETTERS
21 BURNER
John Mayer in a banana sling!
34 TOP 33 CHART
36 DEAR SUPERSTAR: STEPHEN MALKMUS
Pavement's former ftontman recounts his indie-rock triumphs and his feud with
Billy Corgan.
42 ASK BLENDER
Radiohead: crafty numerologists?
44 COLLECT CALL FROM: PANIC AT THE DISCO
168 hours with the emo heartthrobs
48 THE GREATEST SONGS EVER: "WEREWOLVES OF LONDON"
How Warren Zevon and pals perfected the tale of a stylish, Chinese-food-craving
lycanthrope
100 WHO DOES ADAM DURITZ THINK HE IS?
The Counting Crows singer insists he's "lousy" at being a rock star—but
exceptional at pleasuring the ladies.
THE GUIDE
75 NEW RELEASES
Panic at the Disco, Gnarls Barkley, Snoop Dogg and more
86 REISSUES Michael Jackson, Buju Banton, the Eels, Lee Hazlewood and more
88 BACK CATALOGUE: NIRVANA
Relive the golden age of flannel with our look at the grunge pioneers' recorded
output. Bonus: reviews of every Foo Fighters album
90 MOVIES
Shine a Light, Redbelt, The Visitor and more
92 GAMES
Two new MLB games and more
