I should be writing a smart, insightful essay about Bruce Springsteen's rather surprising decision to be the next Super Bowl halftime act (Feb. 1, Tampa). Politically speaking, the Boss and the NFL's corporate powers-that-be are strange bedfellows. On the other hand, Bruuuuce will (probably) have a new album to promote, and you can't beat the exposure of 150 million-plus viewers. Plus he'll be able to sneak politics in between Born to Run and some new single. Still, the whole thing seems weird, awkward. I dunno. Maybe I'll write about it...

...or maybe I'll just listen to the new Pussycat Dolls album, Doll Domination. That was just one of the new albums waiting for me after a week off. My mailbox was stuffed with fluff, ladies young and old looking to sell their sexy wares. This includes Kristin Chenoweth's Christmas CD, and you know how I feel about her.

Anyway, as I dig myself out, here's some of my mail, starting with the magical one-two punch of vapid American Idol blonds...

Kristy Lee Cook -- Why Wait (LISTEN)
Kellie Pickler -- Kellie Pickler (LISTEN)
Oasis -- Dig Out Your Soul (LISTEN)
Kristen Chenoweth -- A Lovely Way to Spend Christmas
Elvis Presley -- Christmas Duets
Pussycat Dolls -- Doll Domination (LISTEN)
Demi Lovato -- Don't Forget
Plain White T's -- Big Bad World
Little Big Town -- A Place to Land
Tim McGraw -- Greatest Hits 3
Little Feat and Friends -- Join the Band

Photo courtesy of Getty Images.