Music
We've got to get tough in these times of economic woe. We can make do with last year's novelty jumper, we can live without chocolate coins, but how can anyone survive the lull between Christmas and New Year without some new music to play to death? To make your last minute Christmas shopping a little easier, we've compiled a guide to the very best albums of the last three months. If you hurry down to Woolies sharpish, you might even grab one at a knockdown price.
Britney Spears: 'Circus'
Like Dannii Minogue's face, it isn't entirely free of filler, but Britney's comeback album does contain a handful of 2008's most thrilling pop songs. [NL]
> Click here to read our full review of Circus
Dido: 'Safe Trip Home'
The "queen of the dinner party" reminds us why we fell in love with her in the first place – her third album features her most introspective, revealing and mature work yet. [DB]
> Click here to read our full review of Safe Trip Home
Girls Aloud: 'Out of Control'
Cheryl Cole and co maintain their position as Britain's most exciting pop group with this hooky, adventurous and emotionally resonant album - their fourth cracker in a row. [NL]
> Click here to read our full review of Out of Control
Kanye West: '808s & Heartbreak'
Kanye ditches rapping for Auto-Tuned "singing" on a bold, twisted record filled with alienation and loneliness. It sounds gruelling, but it's actually his most satisfying listen yet. [NL]
> Click here to read our full review of 808s & Heartbreak
Keane: 'Perfect Symmetry'
Dumping their "poor man's Coldplay" tag, Keane enlist hip producer Stuart Price for their third LP, which features an "avalanche of experimentation" and some ace pop tunes. [AF]
> Click here to read our full review of Perfect Symmetry
The Killers: 'Day & Age'
Brandon Flowers and co ditch the moustaches and grizzled guitar anthems for Pet Shop Boys-style beats and plenty of saxophones on their third and arguably best album yet. [AF]
> Click here to read our full review of Day & Age
Pink: 'Funhouse'
Desperation, heartache, rage, loneliness... Pink's break-up record features more emotions than an acting lesson with Meryl Streep. She even threatens to torch the marital home on one song. [NL]
> Click here for our full review of Funhouse
Same Difference: 'Pop'
Packed with more cheese than a Wensleydale delivery van, brother/sister duo Sean and Sarah prove they're more than just an X Factor gimmick on their poptastic debut. [DB]
> Click here to read our full review of Pop
The Saturdays: 'Chasing Lights'
Is there space for another girl group in the charts? After hearing the sassy, dud-free debut from The Saturdays, you won't be asking that question again. [NL]
> Click here to read our full review of Chasing Lights
Take That: 'The Circus'
Who wouldn't want to find Mark, Gary, Jason and Howard in their Christmas stocking?! Filled with cheeky pop and sweeping ballads, this will please both your mum and little sister. [AF]
> Click here for our full review of The Circus
Selections by Nick Levine, Alex Fletcher and David Balls
Like Dannii Minogue's face, it isn't entirely free of filler, but Britney's comeback album does contain a handful of 2008's most thrilling pop songs. [NL]
> Click here to read our full review of Circus
The "queen of the dinner party" reminds us why we fell in love with her in the first place – her third album features her most introspective, revealing and mature work yet. [DB]
> Click here to read our full review of Safe Trip Home
Cheryl Cole and co maintain their position as Britain's most exciting pop group with this hooky, adventurous and emotionally resonant album - their fourth cracker in a row. [NL]
> Click here to read our full review of Out of Control
Kanye ditches rapping for Auto-Tuned "singing" on a bold, twisted record filled with alienation and loneliness. It sounds gruelling, but it's actually his most satisfying listen yet. [NL]
> Click here to read our full review of 808s & Heartbreak
Dumping their "poor man's Coldplay" tag, Keane enlist hip producer Stuart Price for their third LP, which features an "avalanche of experimentation" and some ace pop tunes. [AF]
> Click here to read our full review of Perfect Symmetry
Brandon Flowers and co ditch the moustaches and grizzled guitar anthems for Pet Shop Boys-style beats and plenty of saxophones on their third and arguably best album yet. [AF]
> Click here to read our full review of Day & Age
Desperation, heartache, rage, loneliness... Pink's break-up record features more emotions than an acting lesson with Meryl Streep. She even threatens to torch the marital home on one song. [NL]
> Click here for our full review of Funhouse
Packed with more cheese than a Wensleydale delivery van, brother/sister duo Sean and Sarah prove they're more than just an X Factor gimmick on their poptastic debut. [DB]
> Click here to read our full review of Pop
Is there space for another girl group in the charts? After hearing the sassy, dud-free debut from The Saturdays, you won't be asking that question again. [NL]
> Click here to read our full review of Chasing Lights
Who wouldn't want to find Mark, Gary, Jason and Howard in their Christmas stocking?! Filled with cheeky pop and sweeping ballads, this will please both your mum and little sister. [AF]
> Click here for our full review of The Circus
Selections by Nick Levine, Alex Fletcher and David Balls
Singles Reviews
Darren Hayes: 'Bloodstained Heart' review Hayes continues his pursuit for old-fashioned romanticism.
The Sound
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Music Interviews
Adam Lambert eyes Jessie J collaborationDigital Spy talks to the singer about his new album 'Trespassing'.
Album Reviews
Speech Debelle: 'Freedom of Speech'Speech Debelle storms back with her second album Freedom of Speech.
