Brit Sweep: January 13, 2013...

Good evening, gang! The weekend's come to a close, and it's time to check out the newest music making the official singles chart in Britain this week, as will.i.am and Britney Spears' "Scream & Shout" climb to #1 for its first week after a month of hanging in the top-5.

The top debut is by alternative rock legend David Bowie, who celebrated his 66th birthday by releasing "Where Are We Now?" on Monday, and sold enough not tied to pre-ordering his upcoming album to debut at #6. It's his first top-40 single here since 2006's "Arnold Layne", and his first top-10 hit since "Jump They Say" ten years ago. This nostalgic look back on his time in Germany is equally heartbreaking and majestic. Grade: A-

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Dutch house music producer Vato Gonzalez scored a top-10 hit in the UK two years ago with "Badman Riddim (Jump)". He returns at #20 with another underground dance anthem, "Not A Saint" featuring rappers Lethal Bizzle (who went top-10 in 2002 with "Oi!" as part of the More Fire Crew) and Donae'o, both with Ghanaian heritage.The track is a hard-hitting raver that's meant specifically for the clubs. Grade: C+

New Jersey rockers Bon Jovi are back with a new track, and its first chart appearance at #38 is over here in the UK, where they have had 18 top-10 singles (a big chunk during the time they weren't as hot in the States). "Because We Can" brings the band more to the pop side (think Train) than either their soft-metal beginnings or their recent country leanings. It's a bit cliche'-ridden, but professionally executed. Grade: C+

Rapper Flo Rida arrives at #59 with the fifth single from his Wild Ones album, "Let It Roll". It samples the Texan R&B singer Freddie King's "Let The Good Times Roll", and like his other hits, it's a fun, fluffy romp with Flo's incredible quick-fire delivery. Grade: B

After three straight top-10 hits from Britain's answer to Bieber Conor Maynard from his debut album Contrast, the fourth single "Animal" featuring rapper Wiley comes in at #61. The semi-tribal modulated beats of this single are miles away from the juvenile pinings of his debut "Can't Say No", and his voice seems to have grown as well. Grade: B-

 Rapper A$AP Rocky takes his US top-40 hit "Fuckin' Problems" to British shores as it makes the top-100 this week at #67. Featuring Drake, 2 Chainz, and Kendrick  backing him up, it's both misogynistic and generous with the N-word. With added weed. Yeah. Grade: D+ (NSFW)

I just got the Blu-ray of Pitch Perfect last night, and I'm stoked that the movie has gotten a following it deserves. Star Anna Kendrick's rendition of the YouTube viral hit "Cups" makes the singles chart at #71, not bad for a track less than two minutes long...

Dizzee Rascal is one of my favorite rappers, let alone British rap artists, and he's been hugely successful in his native country but never has been able to cross over to American shores. His last album, Tongue N Cheek (an awesome set), produced four #1 UK singles, the last being "Dirtee Disco" in 2010. He returns at #72 with "Bassline Junkie", and the video's hysterical! (NSFW) Grade: B+

The final new entry at #80 is Anne Hathaway's "I Dreamed A Dream" from the soundtrack of Les Miserables, a performance that very well may reward her with an Oscar...

That does it for tonight....I'll return tomorrow with another Song of the Day, candletime, and this week's "Robbed Hit Of the Week". Cheers!