the phantom album

What I'm finding quasi-ironic about the whole situation is that it's going to be JC who gives Nsync the coup de grace. Justin's unlikely to wait out a JC promo and tour, instead he'll start his second album. Not that there will necessarily be that much promo, since Jive is pretty clearly dumping the album, but even Nick got a tour. It's not really a surprise, I guess, but it's sort of bitter to have JC be the one wielding the knife.

At this point, I wish pretty desperately that JC had just said no back when Jive and Dallas were pushing him to do an album. Not that I didn't think that at least one person involved in Onlyartist was a creep, but they could have dumped him, the idea itself wasn't bad. And we would have JC music long ago, without all the other crap.

ETA: I really wonder, what the hell went wrong at/after the showcase to turn Jive so sour on the album. The only story I can make make sense in my head is that the BMG people saw him at the showcase, got interested in the album and demanded to hear it, and then when they did, decided it just wouldn't do. Or I guess the same thing could have happened with the Jive senior management, but Jive doesn't release that many albums, you would have thought they'd have already heard it a week before the single was supposed to come out.

oh, god

We knew that JC was recording in New York, but what we didn't know was that apparently he's recording in New York with _Britney_. That's the collaboration? Jesus god. I'm sure it's just what Jive wants, something sure to get attention. I can remember them trying briefly to sell the Nick/Justin rivalry back when their albums debuted, and I'm sure they have visions of doing the same more effectively with JC.

I'm not one of the people that were freaking out over a collaboration or a new first single, it's not unreasonable of Jive to try to push for a killer first single to sell the album. But *Britney*? I can't think of hardly anything that is more likely to assure that his album is relegated to the boyband shoebox in the public's mind and kill any chance of getting new audiences. Yeah, sure electronica fans are going to run out and buy a Britney single.

Justin's working with Coldplay and John Meyer, and JC is stuck with Britney? I think I'm gonna be sick.

ETA: I should add that this is not from a personal dislike of Britney. I just want him paired with someone who can sing, and someone who won't fix his image as still stuck solely in teenpop.

Though I guess the tiny comfort is that maybe Jive really is still interested in promoting the album, despite the January death-pit date.

ETA again: Taking deep breaths and attempting to not go off the deep end. None of this has been confirmed yet, not even the sightings. I should try to freak out less, and freak out my friendslist less.