Arch MUSIC NEWS for 12/19/12

Arch MUSIC NEWS is compiled by Jay Philpott -

More than three decades after she first burst onto the music scene, Madonna is still a force. The pop superstar has earned the 2012 MVP title in Billboard.com’s “Readers Poll 2012.” She leads the way in five of the survey’s 17 categories, also topping the lists for Best Tour, Favorite Billboard 200 Number One album with “MDNA,” and Best TV Performance for her Super Bowl halftime show. In addition, 57-percent say her beef with Lady Gaga has been the year’s Most Memorable Feud. However, Madonna also ranks second behind Justin Bieber as the year’s Most Overrated music star. She received similar declarations, including the Most Overrated runnerup title, in Billboard.com’s “Mid-Year Music Awards” poll.

Rush has taken an elaborate approach to their latest reissue of their landmark album “2112.” The group is offering three versions of the release. The “deluxe edition” includes the remastered CD that includes three live bonus tracks, along with a video on DVD or Blu-ray, featuring an interactive digital comic book and photo gallery.

Def Leppard is taking a component of their live show into the studio. The group has released a studio version of the acoustic medley they performed this year on their “Rock of Ages” tour.  The medley runs seven-and-a-half minutes, and features portions of the songs “Where Does Love Go When It Dies,” “Now,” “When Love and Hate Collide,” “Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad,” and “Two Steps Behind.” The track, simply titled “Acoustic Medley 2012,” is available from iTunes now.