Britney Spears' "Womanizer" video has been named the sexiest promo of 2008 in Playboy magazine's newly-released music poll. The pop superstar's racy video,

TV On The Radio's acclaimed Dear Science album has topped another leading magazine poll of 2008's best releases.

Rock music in 2008 was dominated by relics from the past, most returning with respectable albums: Guns 'n Roses, AC/DC, Metallica and, er, Coldplay.

Madonna has claimed her seventh U.S. number one album by taking Hard Candy to the top of the Billboard 200 in its first week on release. The pop superstar now only has Barbra Streisand to beat

British band Portishead were so exhausted after a world tour, it has taken the group 10 years to return to the recording studio. The band is preparing to release new LP, Third, next month.

Portishead and The Verve are to give this year's Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in the California desert a British flavor after confirming headlining slots.

British group Portishead are making a comeback with their first album release in more than a decade.

Mark Kneppers, Oscar De Jong and Wim Plug, aka, Kraak & Smaak released their debut CD, Boogie Angst, in 2006 on Quango Music Group, to critical acclaim and, more importantly to fan's delight. The Dutch trio released a collection of rarities and remixes on May 8 entitled The Remix Sessions.

No One Else' is the highly impressive debut single from Dorado signing Natalie Walker. Twenty-three-year-old Natalie Walker’s journey to recording artist has been a very determined one. Born and raised in Indiana to a Born Again Christian family, Natalie would be the first to admit her teenage years were a struggle. Shy and introverted, she found her escape in singing, recalling a key moment aged 13 when she performed at a banquet for 300 people as the turning point in her life.

Happy Birthday to country singer Deana Carter (1966), English actress Julia Ormond (1965), Portishead vocalist Beth Gibbons (1965), Pogues bassist Cait Cait O'Riordan (1965), "Kids in the Hall" alum Dave Foley (1963), R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe (1962), Cocteau Twins keyboardist Robin Guthrie (1962), "Max Headroom" actor Matt Frewer (1958), guitarist John McLaughlin (1942), actress Dyan Cannon (1937), football coach Don Shula (1930), actress Jane Wyman (1914), and English scientist/philosopher Isaac Newton (1643; d. 1727).