On Billbaord’s Hot 100: (1) "Gold Digger" — Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx, (2) "Run It!" — Chris Brown, (3) "Photograph" — Nickelback, (4) "My HUmps" — The Blackeyed Peas, (5) "Shake It Off" — Mariah Carey, (6) "Like You" — Bow Wow featuring Ciara, (7) "Soul Survivor" — Young Jeezy featuring Akon, (8) "Wake Me Up When September Ends" — Green Day, (9) "Because Of You" — Kelly Clarkson and (10) "Sugar, We’re Goin Down" — Fall Out Boy.

Ultimate diva Barbra Streisand could’ve retired ages ago as her achievements are more than enough to secure her place in pop history. Yet, she opts to keep moving forward by releasing records that might not be the cup of tea of today’s i-pod generation but clues in today’s superstar how to age gracefully in the business.

In her latest Sony BMG Entertainment album, "Guilty Pleasures," Barbra wisely stuck to songwriting and arrangement that has been identified with her legacy. Unlike others who ride the trend by calling it ‘reinvention’ or ‘keeping up with times,’ here we hear vintage Barbra with just a hint of progressive thinking. In 12 tracks, she sticks to the adult contemporary mode befitting her image — for indeed, what would people say if she brings in the boom box or hires a rapper as some lesser divas have thought and (cringe) done? People would think Barbra is desperate. But the truth is, she’s not. Never going to be, in fact.

So in songs like "Stranger In A Stranger Land" (the first single), "Above The Law," and "Come Tomorrow," she sings songs comparable to her last pop hit "Til I Loved You" (a duet with Don Johnson in the late 80’s.) Musical arrangements are kept simple (the better to show of Barbra’s unmatched vocal prowess, of course), lyrics are straightforward and melodies are uncompromisingly classic with just a kick of complication to remind everyone that here is an intelligent artist who can do more if she wants to as proven by track record.

All songs here are produced and written by another legend, Barry Gibb of The Bee Gees. He’s the best choice, really, since Barbra’s biggest pop album (the multi-platinum "Guilty in the 80’s) was in collaboration with him. Hailed by critics abroad as "hypoglycemic bliss in pop," we heard that tine was on Barry’s side while preparing for this particular album. It is said that for the songwriting alone, it took Barry 18 months to finally come up with a lineup worthy of studio time with the diva.

The only "old" material here is "Letting Go" which was supposed to be part of "Guilty" but, for some strange reason, never saw the light of day until now. By the way, just to give you an idea how big that album was, here are compelling statistics:

"Guilty" is one of the four top-selling albums in the artists’ catalogue. It’s her fifth album Number One album that sold 12 million copies worldwide. The hit singles generated from "Guilty" were "Woman In Love," "What Kind Of Fool" and the title track that won for Barry and Barbra a Grammy trophy for "Best Pop Vocal Performance, Duo or Group."

Do we play this album incessantly currently? Honestly, no.

But it’s in a special place in our record shelves given special protection from dust and damage. We know that someday, after we get tired of the noise and the flash of today’s pop, we will go back to it and recall what parents usually tell kids when words lay limp on the floor.

"One day, you will understand."

Yes, we believe so.

Even when other bands that came from the underground scene look down contemptuously on those that did not, Galaxy Records latest act, Cherry Cornflakes, proudly declares itself an alternative band with solid pop influences.

Proof of this is in their self-titled debut where listeners can hear bits of Cynthia Alexander and Lisa Loeb all the way to No Doubt and Moonpools & Caterpillars in 10 tracks beginning with promotional single "Paraiso."

"We were signed up by our record company by strength of one audition," says band lead vocalist Cherry Simangan. "The next day we were already talking about recording. It sounds too good to be true but that’s how it happened."

The result was "On Paper," a remake of a Three O’Clock hit in the 80’s given an acoustic twist by Cherry Cornflakes in the album "Jam & Jive." At the time, the act was but a duo. It was when they were tapped to do a full-length album did Cherry and Archie Simangan (bass player) expanded the line-up to include guitarist Marco de Leon and drummer Paolo Porcalla that both came from other bands.

Although on record, Cherry Cornflakes does no-nonsense alternative, their repertoire in live shows belie tongue-in-cheek orientation. Cover songs as Madonna’s "Material Girl" and The Bangles’ "Walk Like an Egyptian" has, at one time or another, raised eyebrows especially of alternative purists.

"So what if we do those songs? Those are our true influences. We don’t wanna do staples as ‘Waiting In Vain’ or ‘Every Little Thing He Does Is Magic’ just to be trendy. Besides, those songs have already been played to death by other bands. We’d rather do something different and stand out. At least di kami nagpipilit magpakalalim. Dadaanin na lang namin sa showmanship," defends Paolo.

When asked if their name has sexual connotation to it due to choice of fruit, Cherry Cornflakes was quick to aver.

"Not at all. We initially wanted to be Gumamela Cornflakes. But since, Cherry naman ang totoong name ng vocalist, ginawa na alng naming Cherry Cornflakes. We also thought cornflakes denote something fresh, bright and light since it is usually eaten at breakfast and is almost calorie-free" says Marco.

Despite being the lone female in the quartet, Cherry says she doesn’t feel out of place with her band members. She’s treated like one of the boys, she says, and even gets invited to their drinking sessions. "An ‘honor’ I have to turn down since I don’t drink nor smoke," she quips.

What Cherry would rather do is write songs. In "Cherry Cornflakes" she and Archie concocted songs beyond the usual love songs. "Butterfly," as example, is about stardom while "Margarita" culls inspiration from the carefree, bohemian outlook of a friend.

Other songs in "Cherry Cornflakes" are "It’s Over," "Monkey," "Time Is Up," "I Crush U," "Wordplay," "Crave," and "On Paper."