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WB58 Music

Rhapsody Feature

Kanye West
A producer/rapper from Chicago, Kanye West has concocted numerous hits for Jay-Z, Ludacris, Talib Kweli and many others.

Top 3 Albums In Rhapsody

808s & Heartbreak
The idea of Kanye West singing (with help from Auto-Tune) for a whole album sounds like a disaster because, well, he can't sing. Surprisingly, it works thanks to the sincerity and vulnerability he displays while crooning about losing his mother and breaking up with his fiancee, the album's central topics. West's production here is much darker than in the past on tracks like "Welcome To Heartbreak" (featuring Kid Cudi) and the witty "Robocop." Although some will pray that his love hangover ends soon, most will appreciate a successful attempt by one of the best rappers alive to stretch hip-hop's creative boundaries.
Editor: Toshitaka Kondo
Day & Age
There's no doubt the Killers are out to rule the rock world. Day & Age is big, odd and ostentatious and whether you care about Brandon Flowers' Bono/Morrissey interpretation and melodramatic, sometimes silly lyrics ("Are we human or are we dancer?"), you can't deny this is one catchy affair. Their devotion to the '80s is nothing new: Duran Duran, Pet Shop Boys, U2 and Bowie are filtered into the mix. But it's the big sax trills, mighty horns, fall-to-the-knees guitar solos, "Wimoweh"-ish chants and funky Caribbean beats that prove these guys aren't slacking their way to the top.
Editor: Stephanie Benson
I Am... Sasha Fierce
When Beyonce goes schizo -- dividing her musical persona into balladeer Beyonce and club diva Sasha Fierce -- she is certainly organized about it. She dedicates the first side to the 'Yonce persona and the second to Fierce. Both halves are great. The gorgeous, sweeping "Halo" displays her incredible range and knack for squeezing pathos from stone, while the second half's "Diva" offers Fierce a chance to strut through Bangladesh's stuttering production while proclaiming, "Diva is the female version of a hustler."
Editor: Sam Chennault

Top 10 Tracks In Rhapsody

Album: 808s & Heartbreak
Artist: Kanye West

Album: 808s & Heartbreak
Artist: Kanye West

Album: Day & Age
Artist: The Killers

Album: Day & Age
Artist: The Killers

Album: I Am... Sasha Fierce
Artist: Beyonce

Album: I Am... Sasha Fierce
Artist: Beyoncé

Album: 808s & Heartbreak
Artist: Kanye West

Album: You Found Me
Artist: The Fray

Album: The Fame
Artist: Lady GaGa

Album: 808s & Heartbreak
Artist: Kanye West


New Releases In Rhapsody

Circus
Ironically, 2007's all too literally titled Blackout was a more exhilarating return to form than Britney's true comeback, which feels sort of subdued. This is not necessarily a bad thing for our girl. Circus tries out, among other new flavors, moody Grey's Anatomy-ready ballads and retro campiness (the fab "Mmm Papi" -- don't miss it). Even the straight-up dance tracks seem calmer, more collected, different (with the exception of the fourth and fifth tracks). In short, Britney is going in new directions. (Cue sigh of relief from the California court system.)
Editor: Rachel Devitt
Freedom
In the last two years, Akon's weathered both controversy and a gazillion hits. So perhaps he was wary of taking risks on his third album ("I'm that type of guy that likes kissing/ I'm that type that will pop the clip in," he says on "Troublemaker," sounding defensive in the face of challenges to his cred). Or maybe he's just resting on his laurels (and that Auto-Tuner!). Whatever the reason, Freedom feels kind of phoned in. The hits are here, as are plenty of dancefloor-ready beats, but (with the exception of the poignant "Against the Grain") none of it recaptures Konvicted's magic.
Editor: Rachel Devitt
Night Enchanted
The symphonic metallers rock the holiday season right with a grandiose carol turned up to 11!
Editor:

Rhapsody Staff Picks

A Swingin' Christmas Featuring The Count Basie Big Band
Tony Bennett's love affair with Count Basie's band has lasted longer than the great Basie himself. On this delightful holiday platter, Bennett sits in with Basie's orchestra and show's everyone how it's done -- relax, be yourself and swing through Christmas and straight into the New Year. Monty Alexander holds down Basie's place at the piano while West Coast stalwart Bill Holman writes most of the charts. The album shines with Bennett's innate musicality and decency. You aren't ever going to hear better versions of "Silver Bells" and "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" anywhere.
Editor: Nick Dedina
A Charlie Brown Christmas [Expanded]
Not only is this one of the greatest Xmas albums ever, it's one of the few holiday releases that you can enjoy throughout the year (and it doesn't even matter if you've seen the beloved Peanuts TV special or not!). Guaraldi's original tunes "Linus & Lucy," "Skating" and the oddly melancholy "Christmas Time Is Here" have all become a part of our culture. This remastered version actually improves on perfection, with superior sound and alternate takes.
Editor: Nick Dedina
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
It just wouldn't be the holidays without watching a rerun of the best claymation Christmas special ever made. Burl Ives first appeared as narrator Sam the Snowman in 1964 to set the record strait: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer couldn't have guided Santa's sleigh that one foggy Christmas Eve without help from prospector Yukon Cornelius, aspiring dentist elf Hermie and Bumbles the bouncing abominable snowman. If you find yourself Scrooged this holiday season by the weight of commercialism and the nagging of family members, this is the perfect soundtrack to stoke the fire of your Christmas spirit.
Editor: Eric Shea

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