New CD Releases: December 18, 2007

This looks to be the last big release week of the year, and 2007 is going out with a bang. We'll see you in '08!

The Cool is Lupe Fiasco's follow-up album to last year's fantastic Food and Liquor. The record is filled with clever and forward-thinking tracks like “Dumb it Down” that manage succeed on both an underground and commercial level, and features noteworthy contributions from Snoop Dogg, UNKLE, newcomer Matthew Santos, and Food and Liquor alum Sarah Green.
-The Cool tells the story of three characters that Lupe created
-Stream the entire album at MTV.com’s The Leak
-Watch the video for “Superstar” at Youtube
-Lupe is going on tour! (sorry, no Houston)
-And he was recently nominated for a Grammy
-In an interview with EW.com, Lupe says his next album will be his last
-Remember Fiascogate?
-Buy The Cool

Growing Pains tells another chapter of Mary J. Blige’s very public musical autobiography; her quest for lasting happiness. Once again, Blige works it with top-notch songwriters and producers, including Houston’s own Brian-Michael Cox, who wrote her smash hit, “Be Without You.”
-Blige spoke with the Daily News about her growing pains
-Read an album review at EW.com
-Watch the music video for “Just Fine” on Youtube
-And Mary shows you how to work that in an iPod commercial
-Buy Growing Pains

The songs on Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo are a bit weird and half-baked, but they are the closest thing to the Blue Album that we’ve heard in years. And it’s pretty cool to hear the “Buddy Holly” demo. We’ll take what we can get.
-Hey, Rivers is on Myspace!
-Weezer will release a new album in 2008
-Read an album review at Rolling Stone
-Buy Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo

Hate it or Love it is rapper Chingy’s fourth album since his hit, “Right Thurr” was everywhurrr a few years ago. Chingy collaborated on tracks with the lovely Amerie and Bobby Valentino, and is distributing the record on Ludacris’ music label, Disturbing Tha Peace.
-Chingy says he's glad to be working with Disturbing Tha Peace again
-Watch the music video for album single “Fly Like Me” on Youtube
-Buy Hate it or Love it