Sounds of the Season
By: Christina Marino

       Not only are all the good movies coming out this Holiday Season but so are the albums! November was a great month for music with the releases of G-Unit's Beg for Mercy, Jay-Z's The Black Album, Blink 182's self-titled album…there's just too many to name. But what's new for December?

DECEMBER 2

       The highly-anticipated album of five-time Grammy winner Alicia Keys - The Diary of Alicia Keys. Her single on theradio "You Don't Know My Name" is only a preview of her self-written and produced sophomore album. This could very well be Grammy number six!

       For all you dancehall lovers out there, Elephant Man's Good 2 Go will make you get up and 'pon de river, pon de bank.' Featuring artists include Bone Crusher, Lil'John, Jimmy Cozier, and Killah Priest. So get wit de riddim … you'll be dancin' all night long.

       Also watch for…Korn - Take a Look in the Mirror

DECEMBER 9

       Dexter, Noodles, Greg and Ron have managed to do it again, six albums later. It's been three years since The Offspring's last release Conspiracy of One. The new album, Splinter, will be sure to delight the old fans as well as claim some new ones with the band's classic humor and catchy lyrics. "Hit That," their first single off Splinter, is out heating up the airwaves and climbing the charts.

       20 million of you voted for American Idol Winner (NO, not Clay!) Ruben Studdard, whose debut album Soulful, will try to beat Clay's chart-topping first week sales of 613,000. This is the fourth delay in the release of the album, and we hope that it lives up to its expectations.

       Also watch for… Kelis - Tasty; Big Tymers - Big Money Heavyweight; Hoobastank - The Reason

DECEMBER 16

       Available in the US on Dec. 16th, Sarah McLachlan will be reborn as electronica. Tracks feature remixes of "Fear," "Angel," and "Hold On." Remixers include world-famous Rabbit in the Moon, DJ Tiesto, William Orbit, and many more. Fans overseas have been raving for months!

       M.A.D.E. (so many rappers love acronyms) is the new Memphis Bleek, his third LP on Roc-A-Fella Records. It has been three years since his last LP, and he says that he is giving his fans his most personal work yet. Featuring artists are Trick Daddy, Donnell Jones, Beanie Sigel, and Jay-Z. M.A.D.E. stands for Money, Attitude, Direction and Education.

       Also watch for… Joe - And Then; Santana - Ceremony