New and Notable MP3 Albums

Best buy Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses and Read Consumer Reviews

Within the confines, or lack thereof, of VOL. 3: (THE SUBLIMINAL VERSES) lies a new level of musicianship, achieved through the hard work poured into supporting their self-titled debut and their subsequent hit album, IOWA. Produced by Rick Rubin, Vol 3 not only captures the band’s strengths to this point- it sees the spore that is Slipknot exploding in all directions. The songs on this daring effort transcend traditional hard music structure, and will surprise the uninitiated with their dynamic appeal. Masterful guitar work, visceral drum beats, and a newly-expanded vocal range are highlights of this work that Corey Taylor (#8) calls "both brutal and beautiful." Much of the creative inspiration in evidence on the new album is owed to Rubin and his reputedly- haunted mansion, in which the band lived while recording VOL. 3: (THE SUBLIMINAL VERSES). "You can really feel (the effect of the mansion) on the album. There were ghosts in the machine, in the equipment! . Things would freeze, things would loop for no reason at all. It was strange," adds Taylor. Paul Gray (#2) comments on what Rubin brought to the table… "Rick brought a huge amount of open mindedness - normally 9 different people trying different things can be tough - Rick got us to just throw all our preconceived notions out the window. He was able to integrate bits and pieces of everyone's ideas."

The first single off VOL. 3: (THE SUBLIMINAL VERSES), "Duality" is, "lyrically, what you might think... we've been through a lot as a band and the lyrics really reflect our maintaining faith and the perseverance of all 9 of us," says Joey Jordison (#1). "Duality" represents the album well in its unwillingness to compromise the band’s rock foundation and its ability to be aurally appealing and melodic at the same time. Other songs of note on the record, "Before I Forget" and "Vermillion" underline the statement made by "Duality", with their dark melodies and fierce instrumentation. "Before I Forget" is about rising above the bull*#!t and being a person, not a human. It's about saying what you mean and meaning what you say - taking zero bull#!*t." adds Taylor, "and Vermillion is a stalker's love song, shot thru his eyes. It's kind of a does he or doesn't he type thing - it's left open for you to decide."

Price: $13.35

Best buy Water For Elephants and Read Consumer Reviews

In addition to five Depression-era songs, The Water for Elephants score is by Grammy?-winning composer James Newton Howard whose film music has been nominated five times for an Academy Award? (Michael Clayton, The Village, My Best Friend s Wedding, The Fugitive, Prince of Tides). Howard has recently collaborated with Hans Zimmer on the record-breaking Batman series; their score for The Dark Knight won the 2008 Grammy? for Best Score Soundtrack Album.

Try our music sampler to hear all song samples from this album 

1. Did I Miss It?
2. The Circus Sets Up
3. Circus Fantasy
4. Jacob Sees Marlena
5. Button Up Your Overcoat - Ruth Etting
6. Prosze, Rosie, dac noge
7. Rosie
8. Speakeasy Kiss
9. I'm Confessin' That I Love You - James Newton Howard
10. Barabra's Tent
11. Jacob Returns
12. Sanctuary
13. Don't Tell Him What Happened To Me - James Newton Howard
14. The Job Is Yours
15. I Need A Little Sugar In My Bowl - Bessie Smith
16. Stomp Time Blues - Jasper Taylor & His Statestreet Boys
17. I Can See Straight Through You
18. Baptism / Jacob & Rosie
19. The Stampede / I'm Coming Home

Price: $12.06

Best buy West Side Story (Original Soundtrack Recording) and Read Consumer Reviews

Part of the 'Movie Millenium' series. French reissue of soundtrack to 1961 film. Packaged in a digipak. 2001.

Leonard Bernstein's musical update of Romeo and Juliet, with a young Stephen Sondheim's brilliant lyrics, had already galvanized Broadway with its vivid reinvention as a parable of racial intolerance and generational conflict. But director Robert Wise's lavish widescreen presentation broke fresh ground by taking the story to its most impressionable audience, the teenagers who could identify directly with Tony and Maria, and opened up Jerome Robbins's kinetic choreography through bravura camera work. The original soundtrack album was not merely a huge seller but a unique touchstone for an otherwise rock-oriented audience, and its release on CD benefits from an expanded program untenable in its initial LP release, as well as a 20-bit digital transfer. With Richard Beymer, Marni Nixon (Hollywood's vocal doppelg?nger of choice, here standing in for Natalie Wood), and Rita Moreno dominating, the show's bounty of terrific songs and exciting instrumental pieces remains an ear-filling treat, mixing operatic passions, tart social commentary, and high comedy. From "Tonight" to "One Hand, One Heart," "America" to "Jet Song," this is a landmark in American musical theatre and film beautifully realized on disc.

Price: $9.77

Best buy Yamaha RX-V667 7.2-Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black) and Read Consumer Reviews

The Yamaha RXV667BL Dolby? TrueHD is Dolby's next-generation lossless technology developed for high-definition disc-based media.

 

 

 

Features

Price: $409.90

Best buy Zune HD 64 GB Video MP3 Player (Black) and Read Consumer Reviews

Zune is the premium digital experience that gives you access to the latest in entertainment and technology, allowing you to enjoy, connect, and discover content in a whole new way--the way you like it. Browse, stream, buy, and play all you want, including music, HD video, podcasts, games, and much more. Gain the freedom to enjoy your entertainment. Zune brings your content up front, so you're always in control.

Instant entertainment that you control. Click to enlarge.

Browse, stream, buy, and play all you want, including music, HD video, podcasts, games, and much more. Click to enlarge.

With a 3.3-inch size and vivid 16:9 display, truer and brighter entertainment is at your fingertips. Click to enlarge.

Weighs just 2.6 ounces and is only 8.9 mm thick. Click to enlarge.

Instant Entertainment that You Control

• HD Radio Technology: More Stations, better sound, no fees
• HD-compatible Video: High-quality video on the go or on your HDTV
• Internet Browsing: News, email, traffic? It's all in your pocket.
• OLED Touchscreen: Wide view with a special touch
• Games: More games, more fun

Zune HD

Portable perfection
The new Zune HD wireless media player takes you closer and connects you to a whole new world of entertainment. With a built-in HD Radio receiver, HD-compatible video,¹ multi-touch navigation, OLED screen, and games, Zune HD delivers the next level in music and video experiences.

• Zune HD 64 GB: holds up to 20 hours of high-definition video; 96 hours of standard definition video; 16,000 songs; or 25,000 pictures.² Available in black.

4.5 Firmware Release

• Your Zune HD can now create custom Smart DJ playlists based on your favorite music. Just choose one artist or song in our collection, and Smart DJ will generate a pool of songs from other artists or albums alike. With Smart DJ, you'll discover old favorites you might have forgotton about, or if you're a new Zune Pass subscriber, you can connect via Wi-Fi and stream new songs from Zune Marketplace.⁵
• Plus, when you connect your Zune HD to your TV, you'll now be able to navigate the Zune Marketplace remotely and buy or stream³ songs and play directly into your big screen. (Zune HD AV Dock required; sold separately.)

Massive Capacity

• The 64 GB Zune HD player can hold your HD movies and TV shows and still leave enough space for an immense music collection to carry in your pocket. Take with you a full season of your favorite TV show and plug into your HDTV.¹ Or listen to its integrated HD Radio tuner and tag songs for later purchase. With this much space, you always have room for more!

HD Radio Technology

• The new Zune HD gives you access to many local HD Radio stations with crystal-clear digital sound at no extra cost. Receive additional channels from your local stations and get more of the content you love, including sports, news, and music, in various genres and formats.
• Like something you hear on HD Radio? Song tagging technology allows you to buy the song if you are connected to a Wi-Fi network or to tag it for later purchase.
• Click here for more information about HD Radio.

HD-Compatible Video

• Watch HD movies, TV shows, and more on your HDTV directly from your Zune HD. Just connect via the Zune HD & AV Dock to your HDTV (both sold separately)¹ to watch 720p HD video. The Zune HD also will play your videos on the go in its sharp, brilliant OLED screen. Videos on the player are downscaled to fit the screen at 480 x 272--not HD resolution.

Quickplay

• Get instant access to your stuff with shortcuts to favorites, recently downloaded or played music, videos, and more. Quickplay cuts through the clutter and brings up front the content that you care about most.

Smart DJ

• Smart DJ creates custom playlists based on your favorite music. Simply choose an artist or track, and Smart DJ will generate a pool of songs from your own collection or--when connected to a Wi-Fi network--from Zune Marketplace.

Games

• Loaded with multi-touch and accelerometer, the Zune HD player makes portable gaming even more exciting--and you can play them to the sound of your favorite music. Download from Zune's catalog of free games, including 3D, classic, and other popular titles like PGR: Ferrari Edition and Autiosurf Tilt.

OLED Touchscreen

• Get instant access to your content with multi-touch navigation. With a 3.3-inch size and vivid 16:9 display (480 x 272 resolution), truer and brighter entertainment is at your fingertips.

Wireless

• Zune HD allows you to buy, stream, and update your music--and download free games--wirelessly via a Wi-Fi connection. Feeling entangled? Wirelessly sync your Zune HD to your home PC via your home network. You also can stream millions of songs over Wi-Fi directly to your Zune HD and turn it into a portable digital jukebox.³

Internet Browsing

• Surf the web anytime, anywhere you have a Wi-Fi connection. Enjoy your favorite websites with a well-featured web browser, including tap-to-zoom technology, built-in accelerometer, and touchscreen QWERTY keyboard.

Zune Marketplace

Download free Zune software to access Zune Marketplace from your PC. Download or stream new music, rent the latest movies, buy TV shows, and watch free trailers and previews--plus thousands of audio and video podcasts. You also can download from our catalog of free games including classic and other popular titles.

Zune Marketplace enables powerful music discovery:

• Create custom playlists based on the artist, album, or song you choose with Smart DJ. You'll rediscover old favorites in your collection, and if you're a Zune Pass subscriber, you'll find new ones from Zune Marketplace.⁵
• Pick an artist or band, or a song you like, then launch Mixview to find related artists and albums--even like-minded listeners in the Zune community.
• Zune Channels are custom programmed playlists that deliver music from a variety of expert sources. As a Zune Pass subscriber, Channels automatically updates whenever you're connected to the Internet.⁵

Rent or purchase from a great selection of video in both high and standard definition. Watch on demand right on your PC, or take them to go on your Zune HD player.

And starting now, the moviews and TV shows that you buy from Zune, you can watch on all of your screens--your monitor, TV, or Zune player.⁶ Your purchase history goes with you, so you can download to you Xbox 360, PC, or Zune HD and enjoy everywhere you want at no extra cost.

Zune Pass

Enjoy unlimited music for one low monthly fee. a $14.99 monthly Zune Pass gives you unlimited access to millions of songs in Zune Marketplace. Download or stream your favorites and experiment with as much new music as you like. Listen whenever you want on up to three PCs and three Zune players while you keep your Zune Pass active. In addition, each month you'll receive 10 free song credits to redeem for MP3s that are yours to keep forever.⁵

Expand Your Entertainment with Xbox 360

• Zune features movies, TV shows, and more in both high and standard definition. Browse and watch from thousands of titles for rent, or purchase available instantly through Microsoft's Smooth Streaming technology. Buy videos once and watch on multiple screens: on your Xbox 360, Zune player, and PC. See www.xbox.com/live for system requirements. The convenience of on-demand, only on Xbox 360.

Accessories (Sold Separately)

Zune HD AV Dock
This all-in-one package enables Zune HD players to charge, sync, and play supported 720p HD videos on HDTVs. Send music to your home audio systems and control it all via a wireless remote.

Zune Premium Car Pack
Charge and play music, podcasts, and HD Radio stations from your Zune HD while you drive. The FM transmitter/car charger auto-seeks the best available frequency on your car stereo. A USB port located on the transmitter/car charger allows you to charge a second Zune player simultaneously.

Zune Sync Cable
Charge your Zune player and sync with your collection on your PC.

Zune Charge Pack
The Zune AC Adapter fast-charges your Zune player up to 70% within an hour. Folding blades make it easy to travel with. Use the included USB cable to sync with a PC.

Zune Power Pack
Connect your AV cable to your docked Zune HD to play music, HD Radio broadcasts, and audio podcasts through your home audio system. The HDMI cable connects your docked Zune HD to HDTVs to view movies and videos. Also includes Zune AC Adapter; Zune HD player and Zune HD AV Dock sold separately.

Zune Sync Dock
Connect to your PC and sync your collection while you charge your Zune in style. Control from a distance with the included wireless remote, which gives you full access to your Zune player from anywhere in the room.

1. Zune HD player screen shows supported 720p HD videos at 480x272 – not HD. HDTV and Zune HD AV Dock (both sold separately) are required to view video at 720p HD resolution.

2. Music estimates based on 128 Kbps WMA files with length of 4 minutes each. Pictures transferred to Zune will be optimized for Zune screen size; video estimates based on 500 Kbps WMV files with 128 Kbps WMA audio tracks.

3. Wireless sync feature requires access to a home wireless network. Full song streaming feature requires a Zune Pass subscription.

4. Zune player sold separately. An HDTV (sold separately) required to view video at 720p HD resolution. See zune.net.

5. Zune Pass is a monthly music subscription service; some Marketplace songs are not available via Zune Pass. Available content may vary over time.

6. Content available for download on multiple devices may vary over time. Availability of content and video resolution will vary by device.

Price: $349.99

Best buy Wireless MP3/WMA FM Transmitter with USB Port and Auxiliary Input with Remote and Read Consumer Reviews

ID3 displays song title artist and albumDigital LCD displayLast station recall and last song played15 FM frequenciesStereo auxiliary audio input jackIncludes auxiliary cable
Price: $49.99

Best buy Zune 16 GB Video MP3 Player (Black) and Read Consumer Reviews

This slim 16 GB Zune device is good to go with plenty of room for your favorite music, pictures, and video. It comes complete with a built-in FM tuner and buy-from-FM capabilities, wireless sync, Zune-to-Zune wireless sharing, video playback, and more--so you get all that Zune power in one tight little package. It holds up to 4,000 songs, 25,000 pictures, and 50 hours of video. Watch a demo on Zune.

Every Zune device lets you listen to your favorite FM radio stations and tag songs for later purchase.

Download millions of tracks, whole albums, or playlists with the Zune Pass subscriptions service.

Remotely sync your Zune device with your PC collection.

The Zune Marketplace offers millions of songs, albums, TV shows, audio/video podcasts, and more.

A full family of accessories is compatible with all Zune devices.

Limited Availability
The Zune 16 GB Digital Media Player (Black) is available only in limited quantity at select retailers.

Buy from FM
Click to buy from the built-in FM radio. Every Zune device lets you listen to your favorite FM radio stations and click to tag the songs you like for later purchase when you sync your device with your PC.¹

Zune Pass
With the Zune Pass subscription service, you'll get millions of tracks for the price of one CD. Download tracks, whole albums, or playlists. Explore new music or rediscover old favorites--then sync them to your Zune. Extend your subscription online or by purchasing a Zune Pass card. Or, if you like, purchase songs or albums individually.²

Wireless Sync
Remotely sync with your PC. Connect to your home wireless network and remotely sync your Zune device with your PC collection from your dock, AC adapter, or speaker dock accessory.³

Device to Cloud
Your Zune player can access thousands of wireless hotspots around the country. Automatically update your collection, browse Zune Marketplace, refresh your Channels, exchange favorites with friends, or buy songs you've tagged from your FM radio. Take advantage of a Zune Pass and access the music you love where you want, at no extra cost.

Wireless Sharing
Music is in the air with Zune wireless sharing. Send your favorite songs, albums, playlists, pictures, and even audio podcasts freely between any Zune devices. Listen to the full track of any song you receive up to three times and pass them along to other friends. If you want to buy a song, click to tag it and have your Zune find it later when you sync with your PC.⁴

Channels
Like your very own radio stations, Zune Channels are custom programming stations that deliver personalized playlists to your Zune from a variety of sources you select, such as music experts, celebrities, or top radio stations. Channels you subscribe to automatically update whenever you're connected--to your PC, home network, or even selected wireless hotspots. When you subscribe to Zune Pass, you get an unlimited Zune Channels experience.

Games
Zune players now come with a selection of fun free games. Choose music from your collection to create your own personal game soundtrack. Connect and compete wirelessly with other nearby Zune users.

Video/TV Shows
Choose from a growing selection of TV shows now available on the Zune Marketplace video store, and take your favorite episodes or whole seasons with you wherever you go. Use your Zune device to watch popular shows like The Office, South Park, Heroes, and 30 Rock from NBC; shows from Comedy Central; Adult Swim from the Cartoon Network; and countless other shows from other major networks.⁶ Also, if you're recording TV shows or movies with Windows Media Center in Windows Vista, you can import and sync them to your device. Load up your favorite videos, and hit the road.⁵

Zune Social
Discover, share, and connect with the Zune Social, a free online community that lets you share your musical tastes with friends and millions others. Customize your Zune Card and Zune profile page with your favorite music and pictures. Then connect and share Zune Cards, music, and messages with friends and other members of the community.

Zune Marketplace
Fulfill your entertainment desires at Zune Marketplace. Millions of songs, albums, TV shows, audio/video podcasts, and more are available--plus, your online store is always open and only a mouse click away. Download or subscription? It's up to you. Buy individual songs and albums, or an unlimited Zune Pass music subscription².

Audiobooks
Let your Zune read to you while you can't. Listen to everything from your favorite novels to the latest bestseller. Now you can transfer your existing audiobook files from sites like Audible.com to your Zune device and enjoy them whenever you want.

Xbox 360 Compatibility
Ever wish you could play games to the sound of your favorite tunes? Now you can. Connect your Zune device to your Xbox 360 console and play your favorite songs while you game on Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE. You can share content from your Zune collection to an Xbox 360 console on a home network and play your media through the Xbox Dashboard.

Accessories
Traveling, working late, or working out? Whatever you're up to, your Zune will be right there with you. Make sure you have the best accessories to keep up with your lifestyle.

• Zune AC Adapter: Fast recharge wherever there's an outlet
  
• Zune Car Pack: Ride with Zune as it charges while playing in your car
  
• Zune Home AV Pack: Hook up your Zune to any home stereo and control it via remote
  
• Zune Premium Earphones: noise-isolating design that delivers superior sound quality and comfort
  
• Zune Cable Pack: Provides every cable you need to stay connected
  
• Zune Dock Pack: Nonstop your tunes while you charge your Zune
  
• Zune Leather Case: Protects your Zune with style

Legal Disclaimers: 1. Buy from FM feature available with stations broadcasting RDS and RT Plus data 2. Zune Pass is a monthly music subscription service; some songs are not available via Zune Pass. Available Zune Pass content may vary over time. 3. Wireless sync feature requires access to a home wireless network 4. Zune to Zune wireless sharing may not be available for all songs in your music collection and works only between Zune devices within wireless range of each other. Recipients may play full-length sample tracks up to three times. 5. Requires a PC running Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate and an integrated or external TV tuner. 6. Available content may vary over time.

What's in the Box? Zune 16 GB Digital Media Player (Black), earphones with three earpiece covers, Sync cable

Price: $199.99