Time to sell sex... er, records

I have the new Gwen Stefani album. I preordered it even. I couldn't wait to get it. I remember the first time I ever heard No Doubt I liked her voice, but felt she was trying too hard to sound like Siouxsie Sioux. As time passed I liked her voice more and more, realizing that she's a very talented singer. Her range in styles was mind blowing.

But one thing I never felt for her:

PHYSICAL ATTRACTION

I never saw her as a sexy broad. I thought of her as a role model of sorts for girls. The only thing she did for her appearance were braces. If you've seen old ND footage you'd know what I mean. She keeps in shape, and hasn't fallen for the breast implant thing. She accepts herself for who she is, and you can take it or leave it.

But more recently she's been shedding that kinda dumpy look. In fact on the new album she looks hot! Downright sexy. I usually don't think of female singers as sexy...

Avril. She was a real tomboy skater girl when she hit the scene. I thought of her as a little girl who can belt out a tune. Recently on vacation my wife and I are watching music videos and this alluring woman with luxurious long hair and sexy gown is gliding acroos the screen. She turned around and it was Avril! WTF? She's a little girl! Or is she? By now I think she's around 19 or so. Maybe even older for all I know. But she transformed herself. The songs are more grown up, and I guess she wants to be grown up too. That's fine with me.

And there have been plenty others on this path.

I'm wondering if these "transformations" were for their own identity, or to sell records? I think we'll see how more "exposure" we get to see as they try to further their careers.

EDIT / Addendum:

Also I have a running joke / bet with friends on which of the current pop tarts will be nude first in some magazine. I have a feeling that Britney will probably show up in Playboy when her next crappy album shows up and her star is losing it's luster. Christina Aguilera probably would rather have many MANY private showings instead. She looks like a dirty girl. Lindsay Lohan already can't keep her clothes on.
Damn. This generation doesn't want to leave anything to the imagination anymore.