Playlist: ELTON JOHN'S GREATEST NONHITS 1980-1990.

Heard the first single ("Looking Up") from the forthcoming T-Bone Burnett-produced Elton John album--and it's so-so at best.

Rather than dwell on a past decade-and-a-half that produced only three memorable albums (SONGS FROM THE WEST COAST, the Leon Russell collaboration THE UNION and the remix/pastiche album created by Pinau GOOD MORNING TO THE NIGHT), I'll display a playlist of deep cuts/singles that didn't hit (and are worth seeking out):
1. SARTORIAL ELOQUENCE
2. TWO ROOMS (AT THE END OF THE WORLD)
3. NOBODY WINS
4. ELTON'S SONG
5. JUST LIKE BELGIUM
6. SPITEFUL CHILD
7. DEAR JOHN
8. RELIGION
9. ONE MORE ARROW
10. KISS THE BRIDE
11. RESTLESS
12. IN NEON
13. BREAKING HEARTS (AIN'T WHAT IT USED TO BE)
14. SOUL GLOVE
15. HEARTACHE ALL OVER THE WORLD
16. A WORD IN SPANISH
17. MONA LISAS AND MAD HATTERS (PART TWO)
18. HEAVY TRAFFIC
19. ARE YOU READY FOR LOVE (THOM BELL SESSIONS version)
20. HEALING HANDS

For a second year in a row, AMERICAN IDOL plays it ultrasafe.

Awhile back, I guessed that AMERICAN IDOL would give the prize to someone that Simon Fuller and his management team could easily control--relegating the more individualistic talent to runner-up.

And, for the second year in a row, it has happened.

Obviously, rootsy-bland Lee DeWyze is destined for AlternaLite radio formats in the U.S. (while 3rd-place Casey James--who did a not-bad duet of "Every Rose Has Its' Thorn" with miracle man Bret Michaels--will probably go the Chris Daughtry route).

As for Crystal Bowersox, what she should do (even if there's dumb gossip-column backlash) is order Fuller to leave her alone while the album is being recorded. And Crystal should pick her own producer; my top two suggestions would be Rick Rubin and T-Bone Burnett.