The decision has been made (again) to wind down the Listen Up blog. It has been seriously curtailed for some time, as you've noticed if you check in, but I do want to thank readers who found some useful information or (on occasion) a spark of wit here and there.

Album reviews and playlists will now be published in the main Music area of the Life section at life.usatoday.com, and news will be part of the mix at Lifeline Live.

If you did like some of the other features that appeared here in the past, I hope to be doing versions of them elsewhere online, so I'd be pleased if you looked for me. And thanks again for your support.

It's been a slow week in music news, which is the perfect time to reflect on the music of 2008. Check out some of the faves of 2008 from around the Web.

USA TODAY (of course) | Paste magazine | Chris Martin, Lars Ulrich, Taylor Swift name their faves | Spin's best overlooked album of 2008 | Pitchfork's top 50 | MTV staff faves | Stereogum's top 50

Korina Lopez reporting:

- As 2009 approaches, it's important to reflect on 2008. USA TODAY's staff talks about the best, the worst and the peculiar.

- U2 will release their 12th studio album on March 3. They're also planning on going on tour.

- The Doors documentary will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 17.

- British folk singer Davy Graham has died. He was 68.

- Panic at the Disco is getting ready to release a new album in 2009.

- There's just no pleasing some people: Axl Rose isn't happy that Guns N' Roses' songs are used in Guitar Hero.

- Paul Simon will help guide future graduates of the Berklee College of Music. He's on the Music Board of Trustees.

Album sales news takes a back seat to the milestone achieved in the digital track sales arena: 1.001 billion paid downloads have been registered by Nielsen SoundScan in 2008 so far, the first time such a figure has been reached (last year's record-setting total was somewhere north of 800 million) and the clincher in the gradual (but actually rather swift) conversion of the music industry from an album-based to a tracks-based institution. Album sales to date this year total 394.2 million, less than 40% of the tracks total. Singles jingle all the way...

Meanwhile, no new albums breached the top 10 on the Billboard chart, though established albums generally saw increases as the holiday season moves closer to its Christmas climax. Taylor Swift regains the No. 1 spot after selling 249,000 copies, dislodging Britney Spears, who drops from 505,000 to 200,000.

Beyonce holds at No. 3 with 159,000, just ahead of Nickelback's 156,000. The Twilight soundtrack is fifth, followed by Kanye West, Now 29, AC/DC, High School Musical 3 and David Cook.

The devil is in the details, and they follow.

This week's playlist, by yours truly (or Y.T. in Snow Crash nomenclature), spotlights some of the bounty found on this year's crop of box sets, plus a few live items, a seasonal ditty and more.

> Pick of the week:

Just Dance, Lady Gaga: The singer prosaically known as Joanne Germanotta deftly conjures the insistent sound and blithe spirit of early Madonna (a quarter-century ago ... fairly takes your breath away), a memory well worth reviving.

> The playlist:

Wave, Echo Jet: Southern California duo, formerly of interesting pop-rockers Swirl 360, unveil their new guise with a mesmerizing blast of pseudo-Britpop.

5 Days in May, Blue Rodeo: From the Canadian country-rock vets’ new acoustic CD/DVD, Blue Road: Live at Massey Hall, the perfect song for lovers of Neil Young’s songcraft who can’t handle his voice. Exquisite.

Last Trip to Tulsa, Neil Young: The surreal thing, in all his early, wordy glory, from his 1968 acoustic Sugar Mountain: Live at Canterbury House.

I’m Only You, Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians: Majestic folk-rocker featuring a classic Byrdsy modal rave-up that just stuns, from the riches-laden box set Luminous Groove.

Past the Point of Rescue, Kate MacKenzie: Heart-rendingly gorgeous Hal Ketchum hit (originally by Irish singer/songwriter Mick Hanly) gets a dazzling bluegrass treatment. From the sublime folk/roots label retrospective Red House 25 box.

Nothing in the Silence, Belle & Sebastian: Fragile delicacy from a 2001 BBC session by Glasgow’s melodious masters. Good vibes, too.

President of What, Death Cab for Cutie: The Grammy nominees were spellbinding early on as well, as on this cut from reissued (and spiffed-out-with-live-tracks) 1998 debut Something About Airplanes.

Uncle John, Wild Child Gipson: Raucous, hilarious Long Tall Sally answer from a onetime Little Richard road manager. Just one of countless bizarre tracks from a fascinating three-volume anthology of legendary ’60s Pittsburgh DJ Mad Mike’s obscure favorites, which need to be heard to be believed.

Candy Cane (X-Mas Version), Jigsaw Seen: Requisite nod to the season, a holiday pop gem from an unjustly overlooked L.A. band.

The Last Time, the Rolling Stones: Eternally enduring circular riff posing eternal mantra of uncertainty: “This could be the last time/Maybe the last time/I don’t know.”

One last high-octane release week, featuring a couple of hot boys (Fall Out and Soulja) and a top-selling gal, Keyshia Cole. Summarized for your convenience:

> Fall Out Boy's fifth album is the band's "closest yet to capturing the Chicago foursome’s vision and strengths as a power-pop hit factory," states Edna Gundersen.

> Keyshia Cole "broadens her stylistic range" and provides "forthright lyrics" on her latest, approves Steve Jones.

> Soulja Boy Tell'em's "charisma can’t hide the fact that this is drawn from a very shallow creative well," Steve chides.

> On Jamie Foxx's latest album, the actor/singer/pianist "smoothly croons his way through several romantic entanglements with women of varying sincerity," impressing Steve to a reasonable degree.

> Anthony Hamilton is one of R&B's "rare singers who finds joy in life’s small pleasures," says Steve, finding considerable pleasure in the album.

Full reviews and links follow. 

Korina Lopez reporting:

- The Dave Matthews Band is planning a tour.

- The Fray has released the track list of their self-titled second album.

- Members of the indie rock pantheon -- The National, the Arcade Fire, Feist, the New Porographers and Spoon -- have joined to help the Red Hot organization's effort to work with AIDS research. The double album, Dark Was the Night, wraps up on Feb. 17.

- Sassy British artist Lily Allen has her own take on Britney Spears' single Womanizer. Check it out.

- Depeche Mode has released their new album, on shelves next year.

- Axl Rose is up and about on the Guns N Roses message board. He's answering questions about why the band is keeping the name, if certain members are returning and more. 

- Saturday Night Live guy Andy Samberg and writers Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone reveal details about their debut album, Incredibad.

- Will the reunited Sex Pistols return to the studio in the new year?

- The Stone Roses are also hoping for a reunion. If lead singer Ian Brown agrees to return, then they're on.

- The Postal Service, however, has hit a glitch. Lead singer Ben Gibbard has admitted that his side project may not get a second album out there.

Just a couple of months ago, the American Pie alum talked about her body issues and her former life as a party girl. On Tuesday, Reid checked herself into celeb-preferred rehab facility, Promises. "Tara Reid has checked herself into Promises Treatment Center. We appreciate your respect to her and her family's privacy at this time," the actress's rep Jack Ketsoyan told People.

Korina Lopez reporting:

- Master story-spinning band, The Decemberists, tell a tale of Margaret the queen of a creepy forest on their new album, Hazards of Love, out March 24.

- Will they wear full makeup? Kiss has announced they will return to the studio to record their first album since 1998.

- Sounds like T.I. is making good use of his prison time. He plans to make his comeback from behind bars.

- Is the end near for Smashing Pumpkins? Billy Corgan says that the band won't release anymore studio albums.

- Now you can listen to Pearl Jam's Ten, four different ways.

- Franz Ferdinand has added a few more dates to their new tour.

- Editors were inspired by Blade Runner and the Terminator theme for their new album.

- A frustrated Trent Reznor had a "Kanye West" moment on the Nine Inch Nails' website.

Britney Spears' Circus sold circa 500,000 copies (505,000, to be more precise), nearly doubling the first-week sales of her 2007 album Blackout, which started with 290,000, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The new album had no competition for the No. 1 slot on the Billboard chart, and is her fourth-best (out of eight) opening performance, behind 2003's In the Zone (609,000), 2001's Britney (746,000) and the champ, 2000's Oops!...I Did It Again (1.3 million, back in the days when that was a little less miraculous).

Taylor Swift remains in second, selling 193,000, while Beyonce climbs a notch to third and last week's No. 1, Kanye West, fell to fourth. Nickelback and the Twilight soundtrack are next, followed by the debut of Akon's Freedom at No. 7 with 111,000. High School Musical 3, Now 29 and David Cook finish off the top 10.

More details to dig in to follow.

Elysa Gardner makes more than a nod to the holidays on a list full of soul, singer/songwriters and seasonal standards.

> Pick of the week: Let’s Take a Walk, Raphael Saadiq: Leave it to Saadiq to give an old line a new spin. On this cut from his gloriously retro The Way I See It – now also featured on the Cadillac Records soundtrack – one of classic R&B’s canniest inheritors seeks sexual healing, and finds funky sublimation.

> The playlist:

Nothing Ever Hurt Like You, James Morrison: The English singer/songwriter slips into his own soulful vibe on a track from his Songs for You, Truths for Me.

Be OK, Chrisette Michele featuring Will.I.Am: Last week’s Grammy nominees included this sweetly sassy winner, up for urban/alternative performance.

Closer to You, Brett Dennen: Dennen grabs a ray of sunshine and swings gently on a track from his aptly titled Hope for the Hopeless.

Life Is Long, David Byrne & Brian Eno: Two icons cook up a quirky, gorgeous ambience. From Everything That Happens Will Happen Today.

Not for Long, Honeyhoney: This duo hails from from Venice, Calif., but Suzanne Santo’s delightfully crisp, tart vocals rival that of any recent Brit-chick phenom.

Slow Like Honey, Jane Monheit: The sultry chanteuse wraps Fiona Apple’s tale of obsession in a moody jazz kiss. On The Lovers, the Dreamers and Me, due Jan. 20.

Little Bit of Red, Serena Ryder: The Canadian upstart’s precociously fervid singing suits the driving urgency of this first single from Is It O.K., in U.S. stores Feb. 10.

Hallelujah, I Love Him So, Barbara Cook: A living legend meets a late one, as Broadway and cabaret queen Cook giddily channels Ray Charles on Rainbow ‘Round My Shoulder.

Winter Wonderland, Ray Charles: More than two decades after its release, Charles’ grinning season’s greeting still brings joy to the world.

Do You Hear What I Hear?, Kristin Chenoweth: One of Cook’s most spirited successors lends her silvery soprano to another yuletide favorite.

Korina Lopez reporting:

- Jamie Foxx predicts that people will "go absolutely nuts" for his new album, Intuition.

- Will Mariah Carey's new film, Tennessee, be her acting comeback from Glitter?

- Blake Fielder-Civil says he's leaving Amy Winehouse in order to save her, and according to this report, his bank account, too.

- Fur-loving Kid Rock has declared war on ex-wife Pamela Anderson's pet cause, PETA.

- Outkast and Ludacris are throwing an inauguration party, Urban Ball, in Washington D.C.

- Who will produce the new U2 album, Kanye or Will.i.am?

It's an R&B/hip-hop week, as December release schedules often turn out to be. For your perusal, capsule summations of the reviews, followed by the real thing:

> "After more than a decade of using his rhymes to uplift and enlighten, (Common) is intent on making your body move," Steve Jones reports supportively.

> Musiq Soulchild has not abandoned his crammed-together song titles, but more important, Steve says, "passion is always at the center of the smooth crooner's musings."

> Brandy is "best on songs where her emotion bleeds through," finds Steve (who clearly had a massive review-a-thon happening on his beat this week.

> Avant offers "the same smooth, sensual ballads and simmering club jams his fans have come to expect," according to (you guessed it) Steve.

Full reviews and links follow.

In what wasn't exactly the showdown of the ages, Kanye West's 808s & Heartache beat Guns N' Roses long-delayed return, Chinese Democracy (not to mention Taylor Swift's Fearless) for the No. 1 spot on the Billboard album chart. West sold 450,000, according to Nielsen SoundScan, less than half the opening-week total of his last album, 2007's Graduation (957,000). Swift finished second with a boost from the American Music Awards and a CMA Awards honeymoon effect, selling 267,000. Guns N' Roses, available only at Best Buy, sold 261,000.

Beyonce was right behind Guns at No. 4 with 257,000, followed by the debuts of Ludacris' Theater of the Mind, with 213,000, and The Killers' Day & Age, with 193,000. Holdovers Nickelback, the Twilight soundtrack, Now 29 and David Cook completed the top 10.

Much more chart detail follows, as always.

Steve Jones is at the playlist controls this week, dishing out a rappers's reggae comeback, the latest hip-hop, neo-soul and a Kenny Rogers cover along the way.

> Pick of the week:

Long Distance Girlfriend, Heavy D: After more than a decade's absence, the overweight - though now somewhat slimmed down - lover is back in the house. The Jamaican-born, New York-bred rapper reintroduces himself with a simmering ode to a faraway lover. While the reggae influence has always been present in his rhymes, this time it is clearly the dominant flavor. He's lost none of his knack for making a body move, and swaying rhythms here are ideal for bringing them closer together.

> The playlist:

Universal Mind Control, Common featuring Pharrell: This Neptunes-produced techno club jam takes its inspiration from Afrika Bambaataa's seminal party-starter Planet Rock.

How It Was Supposed to Be, Ryan Leslie: Leslie ponders whether he's been shortchanged by a recent break-up and if maybe his ex will see the light and give it another try.

Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In), Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings: Jones and company deliver a horn-kissed slice of sassy funk from the Soul Men soundtrack. (Intrusive editor's note: Bettye Lavette did a cover of this Mickey Newbury psychedelic pastiche, best known in the version by Kenny Rogers & the First Edition, as heard in more recent times in The Big Lebowski.)

Ascension, Maxwell: Back when neo-soul was a novel concept, the newly resurfaced Maxwell helped define it with this ultra-cool ballad.

Give a Little Love, Trey Songz: The crooner offers something different from his usual sexy ballads with a ray of hope during these dark times.

The True, The Knux featuring Freddie Gibbs: The New Orleans duo ruminate on learning to cope with life's harsh realities on this track from their new Remind Me in 3 Days …

Playa Cardz Right, Keyshia Cole featuring 2Pac: The late rapper and soul siren extol the virtues of letting a romantic evening slowly unfold.

Life Is Better, Q-Tip featuring Norah Jones: The former A Tribe Called Quest front man takes a nostalgic look back at hip-hop on this feel-good track.

Playin' to Lose, Little Brother: Gritty rhymers Big Pooh and Phonte give a lyrical beatdown to a "wack MC with no skills."

Please Stay, Anthony Hamilton: Hamilton knows he's messed up, but hopes to win back his woman's trust with a passionate, heartfelt plea.

Since we jumped the gun by a week or so on Britney Spears (although for completists, that review, slightly modified formatically, is reprised here), Akon's new one takes the spotlight. Capsules for your consumption:

> Akon offers a "synth-drenched, Euro-dance exploration of the ins and outs of love," reports an impressed Steve Jones.

> Britney Spears' latest "works as artistic rehab," says Steve, along with several hundred more words on the subject.

> Scott Weiland's new album is an "ambitious, uneven jump ahead," according to me.

> Tom Jones "offers something for true believers and kitsch aficionados alike," Elysa Gardner finds.

> Ace Hood "partially makes up for a lack of ingenuity with an abundance of enthusiasm and charisma," says Steve.

Full reviews and links follow.

Korina Lopez with a quick roundup, and then on a short break until Dec. 3. Happy Thanksgiving!:

- As Madonna's marriage comes to an end, so does her tour.

- Not everyone appreciates free Dr. Pepper.

- Kanye West unveils his upcoming tour plans, and puts his fashion sense to work.

- Another round for Pogues fans: The Irish band heads back to the U.S. for a tour.

Three power-packed albums battled for the top spot on the Billboard chart, and when the sales dust cleared, Beyonce's I Am ... Sasha Fierce emerged victorious after selling 482,000, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Nickelback's Dark Horse ran a distant second with 326,000, and American Idol champ David Cook's self-titled debut finished third with 280,000. (That's the seventh-best opening week for an Idol finalist, fifth best for a winner.)

Last week's leader, Taylor Swift, drops to fourth with 217,000, followed by the debut of Il Divo's The Promise, which sold 162,000. The remainder of the top 10 is made up of holdovers: in order, the Twilight soundtrack, Now 29, High School Musical 3, Enya and AC/DC. Last week's runner-up album, David Archuleta's self-titled debut, falls to 11.

A more detailed look at the sales charts follows.

Korina Lopez reporting:

- What do you think of the new Britney Spears album? You can listen to the whole album on imeem. And then check back tomorrow to get our take.

- As expected, Nickelback will go on tour in support of their latest album, Dark Horse. Tickets go on sale Dec. 5.

- Who gets the opening spot for the upcoming Killers tour? M83.

Brian Mansfield is in the playlist spotlight this week, and our erstwhile country critic shows off his impressive breadth of taste by picking Britney Spears at the top of the list and plenty of eclectic choices elsewhere.

> Pick of the Week:

Unusual You, Britney Spears: Spears’ Circus doesn’t put up its tents until next Tuesday, but most of the album has already leaked online. Perhaps the most surprising departure is this sad and lovely tune from Bloodshy and Avant, the Swedish pop duo responsible for 2004’s Toxic. Sung from the perspective of a woman so messed over that even the simplest kindnesses elicit surprise – “Didn’t anyone tell you’re supposed to break my heart? I expect you to. So why haven’t you?” – it’s the antithesis of her raging tabloid persona, but probably much closer to her fragile, vulnerable reality.

> The Playlist:

Working on a Dream, Bruce Springsteen: The title track for Springsteen's January album finds him combining his penchants for the music of Phil Spector and Woody Guthrie, with fuzz-tone guitar, low horn riffs and, on the bridge, whistling.

Insight, Fort Knox Five: One of the year’s most exciting, most eclectic funk albums, the FKF’s Radio Free DC begins with some Viva Tirado organ and a classic go-go groove. Then the horns and Unspoken Heard rapper Asheru kick in for “music with a meaning, party with a purpose.”

Obsessed With You, the Orion Experience: With its male-female trade-off vocals in the chorus and its worldbeat-influenced indie-pop groove, this New York quintet has created a single worth obsessing over. Like Every Breath You Take, but fun.

The Rat, Dead Confederate: With a haunting three-note guitar riff and a delivery like Nirvana slowed to a drawling crawl, it’s no surprise this Georgia band’s song was cut in the same room as the sound effects for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

Don’t Wanna Love Again, Lucy Woodward: Eerie, old-school soul-pop that resembles an Supremes 45 so much it practically crackles.

Return to Me, Jeffrey Steele: Ace Nashville tunesmith who penned Rascal Flatts’ What Hurts the Most and Montgomery Gentry’s Hell Yeah goes countrypolitan with a smoothly Southwestern bilingual version of this standard, modeled after Marty Robbins’ 1978 hit.

Ride, Martina McBride: The best parts of the single McBride premiered on the CMA Awards a couple weeks ago sound enough like a good .38 Special single that you’ll look for Don Barnes’ name in the songwriter credits.

Always the Love Songs, Eli Young Band: Texas country band begins to make national noise with a song designed to be sung around late-fall campfires.

The Violin Song, The Refugees: Wendy Waldman, Cindy Bullens and Deborah Holland sing about all the reasons Holland’s daughter shouldn’t have to take violin lessons – in three-part harmony.

Ronnie, Jersey Babys (sic; that's how they spell it): Better than the average pop-song lullaby for the same reason Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons made better-than-average pop records – Bob Gaudio produced it.

Korina Lopez reporting:

- Fans will have to wait a little longer to download Beatles' songs from iTunes.

- The new Guns N' Roses album, Chinese Democracy, has been banned in China.

- Jay-Z will join Coldplay on their next tour. Here are the dates.

- No Doubt is getting ready to return to life on the road in 2009.

Part 2 of the week's reviews comprise four albums released on Tuesday, the record industry's normal day of release. (But maybe that's changing.) Capsules for easy ingestion:

> Trace Adkins is showing signs of a "more complex, more compelling persona" than his hit singles have revealed, says Brian Mansfield.

> Producer-turned-Cash Money rocker Kevin Rudolf "isn't beholden to his guests for his infectious appeal," Steve Jones is pleased to discover.

> On Paul McCartney and Youth's side vehicle The Fireman's third album, "Macca's animated vocals join the outre electronica," Edna Gundersen reports.

> Weezer boss Rivers Cuomo's second volume of home recordings is "a mixed bag," according to a semi-impressed Edna.

Full reviews and links follow.

Special Sunday evening edition for reviews this week, motivated by the release of four albums today or tomorrow: the latest by Kanye West, Guns N' Roses, Ludacris and the Killers. Capsule summaries of the reviews:

> Kanye West's "career has been built on pushing boundaries and expanding possibilities," says Steve Jones. "This time (he) does it by ... exposing his naked emotions."

> Guns N' Roses, or more realistically, Axl Rose "conjures magic in a studio, but it's a suffocating lifestyle," concludes Edna Gundersen in a detailed look at the long-gestating album.

> Ludacris reaffirms his "status as rap's most resourceful clown," says Elysa Gardner.

> The Killers offer "the kind of radiant, whip-smart rock album you seldom hear in this day and age," Edna reports.

Full reviews and links follow.

Korina Lopez reporting:

- Kanye West's new album, 808s & Heartbreak, is available in its entirety on MySpace Music. Take a listen and decide if it's worth the hype when it hits stores on Nov. 24.

- You can also check out three new Radiohead videos: Weird Fishes (Nov. 21), 15 Step (Nov. 25) and Videotape (Nov. 28) on MySpace Music.

- The Raconteurs will add a little country flair to their single, Old Enough, by adding Ricky Scaggs and Ashley Moore to the mix.

- The new Keri Hilson video, Turnin' Me On, features Lil' Wayne. (NOTE: Item corrected. Thanks, boutitjl!)

- The Guns N' Roses album is officially "out there." Here's our review of the album. What do you think?

Korina Lopez reporting:

- What do you think of the new Guns N' Roses album? Listen to it on MySpace.

- Thanks Axl: The powers-that-be at Dr Pepper are making good on their promise. They'd bet that if Guns N' Roses managed to put a new album by 2008, they'd give everyone in the country free soda.

- Putting out a Christmas album is a dream come true for Faith Hill.

- Get set for the return of the Bee Gees' 1969 double album, Odessa, now in disco-shiny new packaging.

- My Chemical Romance guitarist Frank Lero has some details about his side project, Leathermouth.

- Without a lead singer, and now a record label, the future of Velvet Revolver hangs in the balance.

Korina Lopez reporting:

- Neil Diamond is teaming up with Rick Rubin for an album.

- A stocking-stuffer candidate: A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All, out on DVD, Nov. 25.

- Will Britney Spears get an invitation to appear on Letterman? She hopes so.

- Breaking news via Facebook: Kelly Osbourne is engaged to model Luke Worrall.

- See Kanye West before he proclaimed himself the "voice of this generation."

- Rumors of a Blink-182 reunion have surfaced.

- Tom Jones busked on the streets of London.

- Radiohead is gearing up for another tour next year.

- Will U2's upcoming album reinvent rock 'n' roll?

- Is the end of Coldplay coming sooner than later?

Taylor Swift's Fearless sold 592,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan, the fourth-best opening week of the year behind Lil Wayne, AC/DC and Coldplay. A total of 129,000 of those 592,000 were sold digitally, the fourth-highest figure ever.

That debut took the spotlight away from the first-week achievements of American Idol runner-up David Archuleta, whose self-titled album comes in at No. 2 with 183,000 sold. That's considerably better than either last year's winner, Jordin Sparks, who started with 119,000, or runner-up Blake Lewis, who began with 98,000.

The Now 29 anthology enters at No. 3 with 172,000, just ahead of T-Pain's Thr33 Ringz, which sold 167,000. Next come last week's top 3, descending in order: the Twilight soundtrack, AC/DC and High School Musical 3.

Enya's And Winter Came jumps on to the chart at No. 8 with 92,000, and Christina Aguilera's Target-exclusive hits collection, Keeps Gettin' Better, enters at No. 9 with 73,000. T.I. is No. 10.

More detail, including Taylor Swift's digital domination, follows.

I can't vouch for the rest of our reviewers, but when I put together a playlist, it's a truly random experience. The list is made up of the 11 songs I cull from scraps of paper on which I jot down tracks that impress me, with little or no thought given to theme. And yet, generally to my surprise, themes emerge. This list's, for instance, was an "inspired by Neil Young" theme, which I almost augmented with a new track by Young himself from his upcoming Sugar Mountain album, but I felt that was overloading it (maybe next list, or maybe Edna Gundersen will pick one).

From there the list veers into various other rock, pop and country stylings. Here it is:

> Pick of the week:

Chinese Blues, Travis: Scotland’s epic soft-rockers, who preceded Coldplay, Keane and Snow Patrol in forging the style, retain their patented tunefulness and sweep while adding welcome crunch.

> The playlist:

Temporary People, Joseph Arthur & the Lonely Astronauts: The prolific, inconsistent artist channels Neil Young with electrifying results. Wild stuff.

Mississippi Women, the Deep Vibration: More Young/Crazy Horse stylings from a Nashville band that interestingly, if a bit raggedly at times, mixes fragility and fervor.

Long Way to Go, Powderfinger: Veteran Australian band (named after a Neil Young song, no less) climaxes a power-packed rocker with Young-like machine-gun guitar bursts. Love this one.

Psych Ward, The Urges: The Irish rockers evoke the underrated Electric Prunes at their psychedelic peak. (Let's say Get Me to the World on Time, I Had Too Much to Dream, Great Banana Hoax. If you don't know any of those, I urge you (and the Urges would probably urge you) to remedy that lack.

Vessels, Butch Walker: Songwriter/producer to the stars creates an expansive, glorious pop tune on his own. Best thing I've ever heard from him.

Beesting, Winterpills: Massachusetts band’s lush, off-kilter pop-rocker in which nothing makes sense but everything sounds wondrous.

Kidnapped, the Rollo Treadway: An impressively ambitious, melodic, harmony- and reverb-laden soundscape from a Brooklyn band.

Nothing Else Matters, Aqualung: The vehicle for the U.K.’s Matt Hales builds a cushion of celestial harmonies on a foundation of delicate keyboards.

Try, Crystal Shawanda: Canadian country star shows off a captivatingly gritty vocal style on this midtempo ditty.

I Think I Know, Lee Ann Womack: A touching tribute to three deceased country stars ... and a meditation on loneliness.

No less than three mega-releases this week, plus other highly notable entries. Capsules start here:

> Beyonce "unleashes an alter ego and uses it to both open her heart and maintain her dignity," Elysa Gardner philosophizes.

> American Idol David Cook's first post-show album is a "collection of formulaic, tune-averse tracks," it sounds like to me, disappointingly enough.

> Meanwhile, Nickelback has assembled a "batch of strip-joint anthems, homecoming-dance ballads and greeting-card motivational spiels," according to a less-than-thrilled Edna Gundersen.

> Dido "explores the complexities of grief with ... intimacy and ambient loveliness," says Edna.

> Il Divo purveys "bloated, Spanish-language covers" and "watered-down flamenco," along with "undeniably virtuosic singing," Elysa asserts.

> Blake Shelton offers "smoldering country-soul" while also being "a bit of a ham," states Brian Mansfield, who can appreciate the paradoxical.

> The Zac Brown Band is "a welcome infusion" to a "genre in desperate need of fresh blood" (that would be country music), Brian feels.

Full reviews and links follow.

Korina Lopez with some news from around the Web:

- Patti Labelle, Sarah Dash and Nonah Hendryx, who together comprised the 1970s disco hitmakers Labelle, will reunite this winter for their first tour since 1977.

- Bruce Springsteen's new album will hit shelves on Jan. 27. Here's the track list.

- Black Keys frontman Dan Auerbach strikes out on his own.

- Paul McCartney says that an unreleased Beatles track, Cradle of Light, an experimental 14-minute song, will be released.

- Eminem's new album, Relapse, will be released in January.

- If Kiss releases a new album, will they promote it with or without makeup?

- Radiohead, Wilco and Johnny Marr lend their talents to an upcoming Neil Finn album.

- Stephen Colbert's holiday album, A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All, will be available on DVD Nov. 25.

News you can use:

- Billy Joel and Elton John will reunite next year for a co-headlining tour.

- Who should play Jerry Garcia in his upcoming biopic?

- Red Hot Chili Peppers guitar player John Frusciante has nabbed the talents of Flea and Johnny Marr for his album, The Empyrean, out Jan. 20.

- Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood are getting The Faces back together.

- Listen to Patrick Stump's duet with Kristeen Young.

- After a five-year sabbatical, the Von Bondies are back with a new album. Here's the track listing.

- What tunes did Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne spin on the radio?

- Suge Knight says it's Kanye's fault that he was shot and lost an earring.

- Christina Aguilera, Goldfrapp, Sia and Ladytron making an album together is a distinct possibility.

- Don't forget to tune in to the last TRL, ever. Timberlake, Snoop Dogg and Kid Rock are playing.

- Foo Fighters will perform on Top Chef's Thanksgiving episode.

- Jimi Hendrix drummer Mitch Mitchell has died.

- Raconteurs spoof Antique Road Show in their new video.

AC/DC's bid for a third week at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart was thwarted by the soundtrack to Twilight, the movie opening Friday, based on the best-selling, cult-beloved Stephenie Meyer book. Twilight sold 165,000 to AC/DC's 160,000, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

High School Musical 3 held on to No. 3, followed by the debut of Hinder's Take It to the Limit, which sold 81,000 copies. Pink drops from No. 2 to No. 5, John Legend slides 4-6 and T.I. remains in seventh.

Andrea Bocelli's collection of Italian songs, Incanto, enters at No. 8 with 62,000, followed by Brad Paisley's mostly instrumental Play at No. 9 with 54,000. Rascal Flatts rounds out the top 10.

More facts, figures and anecdotal material follows.

Soul permeates Edna Gundersen's playlist this week, whether it's titular (Gnarls Barkley), from the classic mold (Seal, Melinda Doolittle), or a more eccentric brand (Bob Dylan, TV on the Radio). Of course, there's plenty of rock and pop as well. Dig in.

> Pick of the week:

It’s Your Love, Melinda Doolittle: Imagine Gladys Knight with Pipettes instead of Pips. That’s the sonic stamp on Melinda Doolittle’s It’s Your Love, the soaring, robust R&B single from debut album Coming Back to You, expected in February.

The 31-year-old Tennessee singer, one of American Idol’s most gifted rejects, finished third in 2007 behind Blake Lewis (huh?) and winner Jordin Sparks. Her sterling album, and particularly this soulful slice with its retro girl-group vibe, reveals an accomplished stylist and nimble vocalist with an instrument built for Motown updates and lush pop-jazz. Doolittle does a lot for the current retro-soul renaissance.

> The Playlist:

Sex on Fire, Kings of Leon: Without a hint of smarm, the Followill clan turn a lusty, swaggering lyric into a boisterous U2-leaning rock anthem.

Dancing Choose, TV on the Radio: Amid its bonanza of compulsively diverse fusions, Dear Science coughs up a frantic rocker with Tunde Adebimpe’s raps and a fat chorus.

Red River Shore, Bob Dylan: A tense, gripping, 7 1/2-minute meditation on loss and longing from the latest Bootleg set, the essential Tell Tale Signs.

Who’s Gonna Save My Soul, Gnarls Barkley: Gospelized R&B is seldom this beautifully bleak, as a weary Cee-Lo confesses he’s “tired enough to lay my own soul down.”

A Change Is Gonna Come, Seal: Less urgent or politically compelling than Sam Cooke’s definitive original, Seal’s remake is a silky, nostalgic, string-laden beauty.

Ricochet! Shiny Toy Guns: Pounding beats, dense synths and the sass of newly adopted singer Sisely Treasure inject fire into this malicious blast.

Black River Killer, Blitzen Trapper: Singer Eric Earley conjures Dylan in an acoustic, atmospheric alt-country yarn about outlaws and stolen horses.

Fortunate Son, Todd Snider: Patty Griffin provides backup vocals on an evocative, downcast cover of the timely Creedence Clearwater Revival tune.

Please Just Take These Photos From My Hands, Snow Patrol: The band creates a potent rocker from humongous choruses and the sad discovery of a photo album on moving day.

Rock & Roll, Eric Hutchinson: The rising singer/songwriter, a vocal cousin to Jason Mraz and Adam Levine, displays a knack for hooks and melody on this midtempo rocker.

Ricky Nelson's boast a half-century ago that it's a "young world" looks pretty prophetic this week, when two of the top releases are by teenagers Taylor Swift and David Archuleta. Capsule reviewlets for these and more:

> Taylor Swift's unfakeable "innocence and wonder" and "guileless urgency" make a strong positive impression on Elysa Gardner.

> Likewise, David Archuleta's "gauzy cotton-candy textures and catchy choruses" strike me as "exactly what he should be doing" at this stage of his career.

> T-Pain would be a contender for the nonexistent Grammy award, "Best Misogynist Rant," declares Elysa.

> Rapper/producer 88 Keys might also be up for that award, but Steve Jones finds his amatory tall tales "cautionary and often comical."

> Tracy Chapman offers "plenty of gentle satisfaction" on her new album, Elysa finds.

> Deborah Cox's "over-reliance on slow jams" keeps her Promise largely unfulfilled, Steve says.

Full reviews and links follow.

Korina Lopez with some news your can use:

- Katy Perry kicks off her first world tour next year. Here's her tour schedule.

- Three album release date changes: The Killers, Ludacris and Kanye West's releases will hit shelves on Nov. 24.

- The Pretenders are also getting ready for a new tour.

- Will Tokio Hotel add a little edge to Miley Cyrus' next tune?

- R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe tries his hand at fashion design.

- In honor of Obama's win, Jay-Z has leaked Blueprint 3. 

- If you haven't already heard of the collaboration between Iggy Pop, Fat Boy Slim, David Byrne and Dizzee Rascal, you might soon: the crew will release their album in the U.S. in February.

- Ryan Adams sang a song for iTunes with ex-fiancee Leona Naess.

- Christina Aguilera dug up her best hits for her last album. For the next one, she plans on getting "futuristic."

Korina Lopez with your daily dose:

- Bryan Adams hits the road (Nov. 28-Dec. 7) for a few acoustic performances to promote his new album, 11.

- Jamie Foxx taps into his Intuition for his third album.

- Why are George Clinton and Sheila E teaming up?

- Thom Yorke is so happy that Barack Obama won the presidency that he's released a new track.

- Michael Jackson's Thriller on Broadway?

- What's the status on Yeah Yeah Yeahs' upcoming album? They're almost done.

- Jamaican music legend Byron Lee, lead singer of the Dragonaires, has died. He was 73.

- Nada Surf gets ready to release a vinyl box set and will go on tour.

- A Blur reunion is a distinct possibility.

- Ozzy Osbourne has caught Guitar Hero mania.

Korina Lopez with some bits from the music scene:

- Jewel takes her guitar on the road for an acoustic solo tour. It kicks off on Jan. 23.

- Ray Davies says the Kinks are working on new material.

- Frank Zappa drummer Jimmy Carl Black has died. He was 70.

- Is Bruce Springsteen getting ready to release a new album?

- Janet Jackson has decided not to reschedule the concerts she postponed. Fans will get refunds.

Despite challenges from 11 new albums in the top 20, AC/DC reigns for a second week atop the Billboard chart after selling 271,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. That's down about two-thirds from the previous week's 784,000 total, but is enough to easily hold off Pink's Funhouse, which tops the debut ranks with 180,000 copies sold. High School Musical 3 drops from second to third after selling 162,000.

Three debuts follow: John Legend's Evolver with 133,000, Toby Keith's That Don't Make a Bad Guy with 91,000 and Rascal Flatts' Vol. 1 -- Greatest Hits with 89,000. T.I. drops from No. 3 to No. 7 with 77,000.

Celine Dion's latest hits package, My Love -- Essential Collection, sold 57,000 for a No. 8 placing, followed by Snow Patrol's A Hundred Million Suns entering at No. 9 with 48,000. Kenny Chesney rounds out the top 10.

Study the chart flow in greater detail in what follows, and get the latest (and last) Halloween-songs progress report.

This week, Steve Jones playlists the latest from Kanye, 50 Cent, Trick Trick and a host of other hip-hoppers and R&B artists (including my instant new fave -- Keri Hilson & Timbaland's Return the Favor (thanks for that one, Steve).

> Pick of the week:

Let It Fly, Trick Trick featuring Ice Cube and Lil' Jon: The boisterous Eminem protégé from Detroit cuts loose on this pounding club jam from his sophomore album, The Villain. With two veteran rabble rousers on board, the song is as subtle as a punch in the mouth - and just as effective.

> The playlist:

System, Labelle: Nona Hendryx wrote this edgy gem 30 years ago, but it was just recorded this year with band mates Patti LaBelle and Sarah Dash.

Heartless, Kanye West: West jumps on the auto-tune train, but makes it work with this melancholy tale of a soured relationship.

Accept the Troubles, Lupe Fiasco: Menacing keys propel Fiasco's ruminations on pushing past obstacles and negativity to achieve his goals.

Work It Out, Akon featuring Keisha Cole: Over a bouncy groove, the duo pledges to try to make it last despite the doubts of naysaying friends.

Get Up, 50 Cent: The Queens rapper is back to making it hot in the club with the help of a banging Scott Storch beat.

Last of a Dying Breed, Ludacris featuring Lil Wayne: Two of the South's finest take turns lyrically body-slamming pretenders and haters.

Dead and Gone, T.I. featuring Justin Timberlake: The prison-bound rapper reflects on lessons learned about responsibility and keeping his cool.

Life in Marvelous Times, Mos Def: Mos Def tries to find a silver lining amid the economic and social woes people are facing.

Return the Favor, Keri Hilson featuring Timbaland: Techno-driven club jam finds the pair trading promises to "get on the their worst behavior."

Bernadette, Four Tops: The passionate ode to obsessive love is just one standout in the hit-studded legacy of the late Levi Stubbs and friends.

Quite a bumper crop of releases this week, including two reviews, interestingly (to me, anyway), that recommend skipping tracks that I just put on my weekly playlist because I liked them a lot. Democracy in the review section -- it can be overrated. (Kidding.) Capsules for easy intake:

> Hinder's got attitude, but "you'll find more menace and sleaze in a henna tattoo," Edna Gundersen observes.

> Country guitar hero Brad Paisley's got a mostly instrumental album, and he "scorches the strings with wit and blazing artistry," according to me.

> Q-Tip exhibits "an intelligence often lacking in today's music" on his first studio album in nine years, Steve Jones raves.

> "The tired and joyless nature of (The Cure's) 13th studio album" leaves Edna disappointed.

> Travis "keeps the post-grunge brooding to a minimum," which Elysa Gardner finds worth celebrating, along with the Scottish band's new album's tightness.

> Ryan Adams & The Cardinals form a "rock band fluent in country's language of loneliness," philosophizes Brian Mansfield (he likes it).

> The Kaiser Chiefs have "taken an adventurous leap forward -- and backward," Edna says approvingly.

> Bloc Party provides "winning bonds of synths, guitars, vocals and weirdness," declares Edna.

> Ex-Alabama singer Randy Owen "settles into a comfortable blend of sentimental heart-tuggers and midlife-romance ballads," finds Brian.

Full reviews and links follow.

Korina Lopez with some news from around the Web:

- Will Genesis really reunite? Keyboardist Tony Banks predicts that the decision will come down to Peter Gabriel.

- Lionel Richie gets a makeover from Akon and Ne-Yo.

- British singer Leona Lewis may return to her X Factor roots, but this time as a judge.

- A new world record, really: Fall Out Boy has managed 72 radio interviews in just 24 hours.

- While some rock stars cancel concerts because of sore throats or bad lighting, Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard went on stage just after he was stung by a scorpion -- twice.

- Snoop Dogg and Massive Attack? Yes.

- Grammy winner Richard Marx is getting ready to release not one, but two, solo albums.

- A phony online report masquerading as a BBC story spread rumors that Lil' Wayne was dead. He's fine.

- When was the last time Amy Winehouse was in the news for something music related?

News of the day:

- Zac Efron fans, rejoice: The shower scene in High School Musical 3 that was cut has been found, and sold, on eBay. But you can see a few shots here.

- Jermaine Jackson has confirmed that a Jackson 5 reunion is iminent, and will include Michael, too. Sister Janet will open with her solo act.

- Aerosmith's Joe Perry supports John McCain.

- A little something for everyone: 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Backstreet Boys, Fall Out Boy and Mariah Carey will perform on the final show of MTV's Total Request Live.

- Big score for Rock Band: The video game company has inked an exclusive deal to create a game featuring The Beatles' music.

- If you think you've got the jump on 2009's Coachella lineup, you've been misled.

Any possible doubts about AC/DC's commercial potency after eight years out of the arena were laid to rest when the veteran Australian band's Black Ice album skated to the top of the Billboard chart with the second-biggest sales week of the year, 784,000, according to Nielsen SoundScan. (You'll recall Lil Wayne opened with just over a million in the summer.) The total also represents the band's best SoundScan-era (post-1991) showing.

That summarily eclipsed another strong debut, that of High School Musical 3, which sold 297,000 to rack up the biggest week for a movie soundtrack since 2005, says billboard.com, when 50 Cent's Get Rich or Die Tryin' piled up 317,000. On the other hand, High School Musical 2, which was a TV soundtrack, started with more than twice as many copies sold, 615,000 last year.

The rest of the top 10 was fairly undramatic: holdovers T.I., Kenny Chesney, Metallica and Kid Rock; a best-ever chart bow for gospel duo Mary Mary, whose The Sound begins at No. 7 with 37,000; and Ne-Yo, Jennifer Hudson and Lil Wayne rounding out the elite cadre.

More news and views, including debuts by two more Halloween stalwarts on the digital songs chart, follow.

Korina Lopez with some news from around the Web:

- The Led Zeppelin tour debate rages on: Bassist John Paul Jones told BBC Radio that the band is auditioning a couple of singers to replace Robert Plant if they go on tour.

- Miley Cyrus branches out to DVD with her album Breakout.

- He's still the King: Forbes crowns Elvis the richest dead celebrity.

- Britney Spears can help whip your body back into shape.

- The Killers return to their tour bus in December.

- Congrats: Dave Grohl and his wife are expecting their second child.

- Noel Gallagher is already hard at work on the next Oasis album and his own solo record.

- Wilco heads back to the studio for a new album.

Elysa Gardner's latest playlist contains an assortment of show tunes, which may not come as a big surprise to those who follow her work, and tracks from the likes of Rodney Crowell and The Stems, which might fall on the unexpected side. Here's her list:

> Pick of the week:

Don’t Believe In Love, Dido: With another self-styled she-rebel seemingly popping out of the U.K. every week, Dido’s predictably graceful return is a welcome respite. The English rose retains her understated soulfulness on this first single from Safe Trip Home, due Nov. 18.

> The Playlist:

You’re My Girl, Phoebe Snow: The genre-defying songbird’s tribute to her late daughter is at once devastating and inspiring, a high point of Snow first live album.

Moving Work of Art, Rodney Crowell: A delicate balance of wryness and poignance gives this ballad, from Crowell’s excellent Sex and Gasoline, its gentle glow.

Ruth’s Prayer, Patty Griffin: The late Ruth Graham’s poetry, Alan Jackson’s music and Patty Griffin’s sublime voice add up to a little piece of heaven on the Billy: The Early Years of Billy Graham soundtrack.

Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’, John Miller: On Stage Door Johnny, veteran Broadway musician Miller bathes Rodgers and Hammerstein’s sparkler in sumptuous strings and gorgeously folksy harmonies.

Can That Boy Fox Trot!, Stephen Sondheim: Hammerstein’s most successful protégé romps through one of his most rib-tickling tunes on the new box set Stephen Sondheim: The Story So Far…

Here’s to Your Illusions, Stevie Holland: Carrying her torch with a light, sure hand, Holland makes the Sammy Fain/Yip Harburg tune both seductive and achingly pure.

Meadowlark, Patti LuPone: This heart-tugging cult favorite from The Baker’s Wife allows an Evita-era LuPone a divine diva turn on Patti LuPone at Les Mouches, out Nov. 11.

Pollution Song (Thath’iphepha), from Takalani Sesame: Gleeful eco-consciousness for the pre-kindergarten set, and their parents, from South Africa via Putuyamo Kids’ fabulous Sesame Street Playground.

Frosty the Snowman, Fiona Apple: The artfully tortured troubadour shows her playful side on this giddy cover, from Hotel Café Presents Winter Songs.

She’s a Monster, The Stems: Little Steven’s more strictly seasonal collection, Halloween A Go-Go, features this frisky homage to some other complicated babe.

A big week for top-of-the-line releases brings us the latest from Pink, John Legend, Toby Keith, Snow Patrol and the still-unlikely-seeming alliance of Queen + Paul Rodgers. (That's a plus sign, not an ampersand, per approved configuration.) Our reviewers' reactions capsulized:

> With Pink's new, confessional album, "one never doubts that this maverick is shooting straight from the hip," avers Elysa Gardner, who is not averse to averring at appropriate junctures.

> John Legend's latest has "a relaxed, sunny vibe, but there are shades of melancholy and urgency," Elysa finds.

> Toby Keith's tunes have a "compelling pop streak," says Brian Mansfield, who is also quite impressed with the country star's singing ability.

> "Levity," declares Elysa, will never be Snow Patrol's "strong suit," though she finds some "refreshingly buoyant" moments on the new album.

> Queen + Paul Rodgers' studio effort shows "admirable restraint" and leans more "Zeppelinesque" than past works, Edna Gundersen feels, but is marred by "idiotic platitudes."

Full reviews and links follow.

Korina Lopez with your daily dose:

- Beastie Boys are working on a new album.

- Keep an eye out for Bono's upcoming column in the New York Times.

- Eminem decided to dye his hair blond when he was high on Ecstasy. 

- Check out Lily Allen's new track from her album, It's Not Me It's You.

- A homeless man collected a big, fat reward for returning a waxwork head of Paul McCartney.

- Don't want to be one of thousands dressing like Sarah Palin on Halloween? Here are some cool ideas.

Here's your daily dose:

- Rising stars Against Me! had to cancel their Salt Lake City gig after their tour bas crashed, scattering their equipment all over the road. No band members were injured.

- Christina Aguilera is her usual glam self in these promos for her greatest-hits album, Keeps Gettin' Better.

- Miley Cyrus and her little brother Trace, from Metro Station, are collaborating on a new album.

- Have you heard Guns N' Roses new single Chinese Democracy yet? Here you go.

- Whatever opinion you may have about AC/DC shunning digital outlets for the sale of their album Black Ice, it's doing very well at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club.

- Morrissey plans to write his autobiography. No release date yet, but his new album, Year of Refusal, hits shelves in February.

- The Raveonettes get ready for a winter tour.

- Want to hear The Cure's new album, 4:13 Dream?

- If you've been wondering about the new Ryan Adams album, you can hear it on iLike.

Kenny Chesney's Lucky Old Sun dawned at the top of the Billboard album chart, selling 176,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. That's relatively low for him, but was enough to knock T.I. down to No. 2; that album sold 132,000.

Ray LaMontagne's Gossip in the Grain sets new highs for him, entering at No. 3 with 60,000. Metallica drops from second to fourth, Jennifer Hudson slips from fourth to fifth, and Kid Rock inches up a notch to sixth.

Keane's Perfect Symmetry debuts in the No. 7 slot, selling 43,000, while Ne-Yo remains at 8. Lucinda Williams scores her first top-10 debut with Little Honey, which comes in at 9 with 35,000 sold. James Taylor holds at 10.

More debuts, overall numbers and a sure sign that Halloween's coming, all in what follows.