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 Welcome to Buzzworthy's "The Week In Pop," where we round up new album releases, talk show musical guests and TV performances by your favorite pop stars and more (so you don't have to).
You're already familiar with Kimbra's lovely singing on Gotye's ubiquitous "Somebody That I Used To Know" and as our PUSH artist of the week; on Tuesday,check out her debut album, Vows. Former "American Idol" contestant Haley Reinhart also drops her Listen Up! debut album, and electro alt-rockers Garbage return with their fifth studio album after a seven-year hiatus, Not Your Kind Of People. (Read all about why Buzzworthy writer Sam Lansky is excited for Garbage's return.) Also this week: "American Idol"'s Season 11 winner will be announced, and just in time to stave off singing competition withdrawal, "Duets" premieres. It features Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Robin Thicke and Jennifer Nettles.
NEW ALBUM RELEASES
Tuesday, May 22
+ Kimbra, Vows: Her debut effort gets its Stateside release. Vows shuffles through a variety of genres, from the jazzy pop grooves of "Settle Down" to the R&B-inflected "Something In The Way You Are" and "Come Into My Head," as well as the soulful "Plain Gold Ring." It's an eclectic brew that's unified by her versatile vocals.
+ Garbage, Not Your Kind Of People: Many female frontwomen are indebted to Shirley Manson, whose powerful alterna-pop voice broke through a haze of '90s male grunge and propelled several Garbage songs into big hits. Coupled with the band's electro-rock instrumentation, along with Butch Vig's production sensibilities, their new album is a welcome return to form.
+ Haley Reinhart, Listen Up!: Runners-up on "American Idol" can become as big (if not bigger) than the winners themselves (see: Adam Lambert, Katharine McPhee). Haley Reinhart placed third last season, and with songs like "Free" from her debut album, she could be poised for runners-up luck, too.
Check out more new album releases and upcoming TV appearances and performances after the jump.
+ Joey Ramone ...Ya Know?: This is the second posthumous release culled from the late Ramones frontman's material. It's composed of the punk icon's final decade of demos and unreleased cuts. Guests include Joan Jett, Steven Van Zandt, Cheap Trick's Bun E. Carlos, Smithereens' Dennis Diken, and former Ramones' drummer Richie Ramone.
+ El-P, Cancer For Cure: Fresh off producing Killer Mike's R.A.P. Music, El-P drops his first solo rap album in five years. The indie rapper orchestrates muscular, bottom-rattling instrumentation that coils excellently around his fiery flow. Guests include Killer Mike, Interpol's Paul Banks and Danny Brown.
+ John Mayer, Born And Raised: Recently John Mayer's had to take a break from singing due to vocal cord granuloma, but he returns on record with his release of a more country-tipped, introspective set as evidenced by his twangy single, "Shadow Days." He's also joined by legends David Crosby and Graham Nash on the title track.
+ Gossip, A Joyful Noise: Powerhouse singer Beth Ditto and her band shellac a funky dance sheen onto their latest effort. Explaining the shinier production, she told MTV, "After 13 years, you start out so bare-bones and so stripped-down, and you don't have a lot of money, so being at this point, we had time... We got to experiment a lot."
TV APPEARANCES AND PERFORMANCES
Monday, May 21
"The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" -- Lisa Marie Presley
"Jimmy Kimmel Live" -- Gavin DeGraw
"Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" -- Miranda Cosgrove, Slash
"Live With Kelly" -- Robin Thicke
Tuesday, May 22
"Late Show With David Letterman" -- Will Smith, Gossip
"Jimmy Kimmel Live" -- Lisa Marie Presley
"Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" -- The Afghan Whigs
"Ellen" -- Alanis Morissette
"American Idol" -- Night 1 of two-night Season Finale
Wednesday, May 23 on MTV
"MTV's Hip Hop POV" -- Episode 6 premieres!
Wednesday, May 23
"Late Show With David Letterman" -- Pitbull
"Tonight Show With Jay Leno" -- Juanes
"Jimmy Kimmel Live" -- Kimbra
"Ellen" -- Will Smith, Justin Bieber
"American Idol" -- Season 11 Finale, winner declared. Rihanna performs "Where Have You Been."
Thursday, May 24 on MTV
"America's Best Dance Crew" -- The dancers take on week 7!
Thursday, May 24
"The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" -- Winner of "American Idol," Nelly Furtado
"Jimmy Kimmel Live" -- Grafitti6
"Conan" -- White Rabbits
"The View" -- Cast members from Broadway musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" perform
"Ellen" -- Usher
"Duets" -- The singing competition premieres, featuring Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Robin Thicke and Jennifer Nettles.
Friday, May 25
"Today Show" -- Pitbull
"The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" -- All-American Rejects
"Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" -- Lambchop
Photo credit: Picture Group
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