At first glance, it might seem odd that Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy would choose this point in his band's career to release a self-titled album. After all, Wilco has been through numerous personnel changes during the course of 15 years and seven albums. But the band's current six-member lineup, together five years and responsible for 2007's stunning "Sky Blue Sky," is its strongest to date—and "Wilco (The Album)" is as well-rounded an effort as the group has released. The humorous, self-referential
"Wilco (The Song)" opens the gateway to a carnival of rock, as Tweedy sees it. Windows-down anthemic pop like "You Never Know" sits alongside the tense, textural rocker "One Wing" and the dark, pulsating murder-escape drama "Bull Black Nova." More contemplative fare like the spare "Solitaire" and "You and I"—a duet with Canadian singer/songwriter Feist—balances out the album. And thus Wilco, showing no signs of creative stagnancy, soldiers on with one of the more fascinating careers in modern American rock.




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Michael Jackson achieves unique pan-European sales domination this week with the top four titles on European Top 100 Albums, and five of the top six. "When Love Takes Over" (Positiva/EMI) by French DJ David Guetta featuring Kelly Rowland climbs 3-1 on European Hot 100 Singles.

Epic/Sony Music Entertainment's Jackson catalog dominates the sales picture via a variety of compilations. "King of Pop" comes out on top, climbing 24-1 on the new
composite survey, after re-entering the German chart at No. 1 and re-emerging at No. 4 in Italy.

"The Essential Michael Jackson" climbs 69-2 overall, fuelled by a 20-1 climb in the United Kingdom on sales of 69,000. "The Collection" makes a composite 49-3 climb, moving 22-1 in France, 29-1 in Flanders, 40-1 in neighboring Wallony and 3-1 in Denmark. 1982's classic "Thriller" is up 31-4 overall and his "Number Ones" anthology 10-6.

Elsewhere on the pan-European top ten, Black Eyed Peas' "The E.N.D. (The Energy Never Dies)" (Interscope/Universal) falls 2-5, Green Day's "21st Century Breakdown" (Reprise/Warner Music) 4-7, Lady Gaga's "The Fame" (Interscope/Universal) 5-8 and Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band's "Greatest Hits" (Columbia/Sony Music Entertainment) 3-9.

Last week's No. 1 on European Too 100 Albums, Dream Theater's "Black Clouds and Silver Linings" (Roadrunner), tumbles to No. 10.



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UNCASVILLE, Connecticut — Jay-Z's rep says that the MC's recent run of dates isn't really a proper tour, but it doesn't matter fans always come out to see Hov because, like Michael Jordan in his prime, there's always a chance that they'll see something that hasn't been done before.

One thing fans didn't see at the Mohegan Sun casino resort in Connecticut on Friday night was Ciara, who'd opened other shows on this short string of dates but

cancelled due to an unspecified illness. Instead, they got a set from Lupe Fiasco and a brief one from other tour opener Fabolous.

The two got the crowd primed for Jay, who took the stage dressed all in black and wearing a T-shirt that said "D.O.A." — which was also the name of song he opened with (a.k.a "Death of Auto-Tune," the recently released track from his forthcoming Blueprint 3 LP), followed with a triumphant "Show Me What You Got."

Memphis Bleek came out onstage shortly after. "R.O.C., we running this rap sh--," Jay said. "Tell me when you ready, Bleek."

"I'm ready!" Jay's longtime, loyal stage-right man answered.

They launched into the almost decade-old "U Don't Know" which felt as crisp as it did when it first came out. "Blue Magic" followed, with fans yelling along with the lines, "Money over broads ... f--- Bush." That transitioned neatly into a triumphant performance of Hov's verse from Young Jeezy's "My President" remix. A montage of pictures of President Obama filled the huge screen behind Jay while his band blared. Improvising, Jay shouted out, "I'm headed to C.T./ Anybody feel me?/ I like the energy."

Hov later took it back to The Black Album for the rarely performed "Allure." Midway through the record, the band switched up the beat and went into "Flashing Lights." "That's my favorite joint to perform, by the way," he revealed to the audience after the song.

"Roc Boys" came next — followed by the guitar lick from the Jackson 5's "I Want You Back" before transitioning into the beat for "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" Photos of Michael Jackson appeared on his screen as Jay paid the singer tribute, as he had in Chicago earlier in the week.

"Let's not wait to mourn death, let's celebrate life," Jay urged the crowd. He went to tell the crowd that fans have given Michael Jackson a great outpouring of love since he died, which the King of Pop hadn't gotten to see in recent years.

"I need y'all tonight. Let's celebrate life," Jay said.

Jay finished off the set strong with a series of gems: "Swagga Like Us," "Jigga My N---a," "N---a What, N---a Who (Originator 99)," "Big Pimpin' " (you could feel the floor shaking for that one), "Can I Get A ..." and "Dirt Off Your Shoulder." Jay then said, "Peace and love," and the stage went black.

It was obvious that the show wasn't over, but the crowd kept chanting, "Hova!"

"I ain't even gonna make y'all wait tonight," he said, coming back onstage quickly. He told a story about how he was in Las Vegas recently and decided to rap the intro for Blueprint 3. He figured what happened in Vegas would stay in Vegas, but footage of his raps got out on the net (Jay did perform the same intro in Chicago), so since he figured everybody already heard the rhymes, he he wasn't going to do them. Kidding! Of course he was going to say the lines that have been causing Game to call him out at concerts overseas.

"We talkin' about real sh-- or we talkin' about rhymes?" he rapped. "Y'all talkin' about millions or y'all just talkin' about mines? ... I ain't talkin' about Game, I ain't talkin' about Jimmy/ I ain't talkin' about Dame/ I'm talkin' about real sh--, them people playin'/ What is you talkin' about? I don't know what y'all sayin'? ... Ain't nothin' cool about carryin' a strap, about worryin' your moms and buryin' your best cat/ Talkin' about revenge ..."

He stumbled for a split second, seemingly forgetting a line, but then went back in.

"Talkin' about revenge/ While you carryin' his casket/ All teary-eyed about to take it to a mattress ... People keep talkin' about how Hov left 'em flat/ Trying to rewrite history, let's talk about facts/ Dame made millions, even Jaz made some scraps/ He could've made more, but he ain't sign his contract/ And as far as street guys, I mean, we was dealin' crack/That's how the game goes, I don't owe nobody jack/ Grown men want me to sit 'em on my lap/ But I don't have a beard and Santa Claus ain't black."

A Roc medley came after, highlighted by "You, Me, Him and Her," where Jay and Memph Bleek shouted out Beanie Sigel but, as always, mocked former Roc-A-Fella artist Amil. "Amil-lee-on, gone!"

Michael Jackson got another shout-out on "Give It To Me" — "Ladies love me long time like M.J.'s soul" — and then Jigga closed out with "Encore."

"I hope the [gaming] tables are as good to me as you were," he told the crowd before leaving.



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Detectives investigating the death of Michael Jackson are looking at his prescription drug history and trying to talk with his numerous former doctors, the Los Angeles police chief said.

Chief William Bratton told CNN that police are waiting for the coroner's report before ruling out any possibilities in their "comprehensive" investigation into the sudden death of the 50-year-old pop star two weeks ago.

The coroner's report will determine the cause of death and hinges on time-consuming toxicology tests.

"Based on those we'll have an idea of what we're dealing with," Bratton said on Thursday. "Are we dealing with homicide? Are we dealing with an accidental overdose? What are we dealing with?"

Bratton said detectives are gathering evidence, including items seized from Jackson's rented home and arranging interviews with his many physicians, but the police chief deferred to the coroner to determine the cause of death.

"The next move really is his," Bratton said. "We're not marking time waiting for his report."

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the state attorney general's office, which keeps a database of prescription drugs, are assisting investigators.

An attorney for Dr. Arnold Klein, one of Jackson's many physicians, told the Los Angeles Times that the dermatologist was subpoenaed for medical records, which he turned over to the county coroner's office.

Bratton refused to discuss details of the case.

Jackson, who died June 25, had a well-known history of using prescription medications, especially painkillers. Following his death, Cherilyn Lee, a registered nurse who had worked for Jackson, told the Associated Press she repeatedly rejected his demands for the potent anesthetic Diprivan, also known as Propofol.

Jackson had multiple doctors, friends and staff who came in and out of his life. Which people were being interviewed by police was unclear because the LAPD has said virtually nothing about the probe.

Police towed a doctor's car from Jackson's home hours after he died and said later it could contain medication or other evidence. Coroner's officials also said Jackson was taking prescription medication but declined to elaborate.


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