TAYLOR SWIFT and BRENDON URIE, with drumline in tow, perform "ME!" for the first time in public at the BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS and their hosts don't consider it one of the 10 best performances at their three-hour affair, which is either a) an indication of exactly how much pomp, circumstance and glitter it takes to cut through in these times of pop overabundance, or b) an indication of how sassy our trade magazines have become in these times of pop oversaturation, or c) I'm looking forward to Taylor's thoughts on this in the third single from her upcoming album. DRAKE won seemingly all awards except the country ones at the show, which is based on chart performance. Swift will have to wait until next year for that part. "Me!," meantime, has received a somewhat frosty critical reception (sample somewhat frosty headline: "Against 'ME!'," atop a RINGER article that says the single "isn't terribly good, but it will likely bulldoze its way into your head regardless," which is a hedge-fund-sized hedge and also possibly true). The frosty critical reception has received a somewhat frosty critical reception of its own. In other words, we're in standard Taylor Swift release cycle territory, our biannual chance to talk about the meaning of pop, authenticity, disposable hooks, enduring hooks and whether or not Taylor Swift gives a duck about what we all have to say. On first listen, I would have told you this is a pop star in a holding pattern, revisiting past moves, unsure of her next one. On ninth or 10th listen, I'll mention the lush verse melody, which sounds like it's been around since the beginning of pop time. That's one of the moves she's always been good at... In related news, I'm curious about the strategy of releasing a lyric video *after* releasing the video video. Is this new or have I not been paying attention? Or is this just something that people who put "loves cats" on their letterhead do? (Also, if artists and labels hate YOUTUBE so much, why do they—oh never mind)... MICHAEL LANG is grappling with the suggestion that WOODSTOCK 50 may not happen... But this is happening, CANNED HEAT and all... The frontman of noted mediocre roots-rock band JD & THE STRAIGHT SHOT is the subject of a lawsuit that accuses him of playing too many shows and making too much money. You are free to supply your own punchline here... Best wishes to the GETO BOYS' BUSHWICK BILL... RIP RUSS GIBB, who killed PAUL MCCARTNEY and gave life to the STOOGES and ALICE COOPER, and LEVEL 42's ROWLAND "BOON" GOULD.