Kid Cudi

For this week's new music releases, we've got the perfect mix of song selections to rev you up and help you wind down. Check them out!

Cee Lo Green, The Lady Killer
The lowdown: Best known as half of Gnarls Barkley, Green makes a name for himself as a solo artist in a big way — with an album of soulful, Motown-esque instant classics.
Choice tracks: "F*** You"
"Satisfied"
"It's OK"
Download this album if you: Need some sexy soul sounds with a side of love advice.



Kid Cudi, Man on the Moon, Vol. II: The Legend of Mr. Rager
The lowdown: The rapper hits us with his sophomore album, which doesn't have quite as many hits as his debut disc.
Choice tracks: "Scott Mescudi vs. the World"
"Erase Me"
"Wild'n Cuz I'm Young"
Don't download this album if you: Are looking for radio-friendly tracks.

One more release when you read more

• Andy Richter will resume his role as sidekick to Conan O'Brien — Zap2it
• Vampire Diaries spoilers straight from New York Comic-Con — TV Squad
• Announcing the American Music Award nominees! — People
• The Hobbit may be the most expensive movie ever made — MTV Movies Blog
• See early footage of Eric Stoltz as Marty McFly in Back to the Future — Cinematical
• New music video for Kid Cudi and Kanye West's "Erase Me" — Vulture
• Aaron Johnson, aka Kick-Ass, shares his five favorite films — Rotten Tomatoes
• The Debt and Don't Be Afraid of the Dark get put on hold — A.V. Club
• Is Taylor Swift's new song about Taylor Lautner? — Music Mix
• Money tips with the cast of Jersey Shore — SavvySugar

Kid Cudi — the much-hyped protege of Kanye West and star of HBO's How to Make It in America— is about to release his sophomore album, Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager on Sept. 14, and we're getting an early listen.

Titled "REVOFEV" (that's short for "Revolution of Evolution"), the album's first single has a heavy beat that sounds like a march. It's a call to arms of sorts, but a mellow one at that, as Cudi sing-speaks "Let go, life does get tough, no need to stress, hold you back too much." It's not the catchiest song for a single, but I'm still liking it enough to nod my head along. What do you think? Check it out when you read more

One day after music's biggest stars gathered in LA for the Grammys, many of them reconvened at the Jim Henson studios yesterday to record a new version of "We Are the World." The premiere of the single, which benefits Haiti, will take place during the Feb. 12 broadcast of the Vancouver Olympics opening ceremony on NBC. Kanye West was fresh from the French couture shows to join Jennifer Hudson and Wyclef Jean, while Joel Madden brought along little Harlow, who apparently flirted with the Jonas Brothers and Kanye. Benji Madden chatted with Rashida Jones, while Justin Bieber and Harry Connick Jr. mingled with Vince Vaughn.

Nicole Richie was there with Joel and Harlow, later joking, "I hope Jennifer Hudson wasn't upset that I was out singing her tonight." Lil Wayne had a little solo studio time, while Miley Cyrus and Pink bonded for a bit. Celine Dion, meanwhile, looked happy to share a moment with all three Jonas Brothers. Rashida's father, legendary producer Quincy Jones, was the man behind the original version of the song produced 25 years ago, and he was there again leading Hollywood's latest effort to help Haiti while also honoring Michael Jackson.

To see more from the event, just read more

• Steven Spielberg is producing a film version of the children's novel War Horse — Cinema Blend
• The Beautiful Life will debut three unaired episodes on YouTube — Vulture
• The USA network is turning '90s movie The Freshman into a TV series — TV Squad
• Emmy Rossum joins the cast of Showtime's Shameless — MovieWeb
• The guys behind Two and a Half Men are developing another CBS comedy titled Mike and Molly — The Wrap
• Thor adds Rene Russo to its cast roster — Cinematical
• Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante has quit the band — Rock and Roll Daily
• Yet another track from Vampire Weekend's Contra, yay! — Stereogum
• Cool ways to make your home feel like Sherlock Holmes's — CasaSugar
• Bryan Singer returns to the X-Men franchise with X-Men: First Class — HitFix
• Simon Fuller is creating a new reality web series that will air episodes on Hulu — Inside TV
• Kid Cudi drops out of Lady Gaga's tour — Billboard
• You must check out this awesome movie quote site — GeekSugar

Tuesdays are big in entertainmentville: not only do all the new DVD releases hit Netflix, but new music also pours into stores. So I take a spin through each week's music releases and pick out some albums and tracks worthy of a download.

An amicable breakup: I thought Scarlett Johansson's album of Tom Waits covers was just OK, but her second effort really showcases her vocal talent. Paired with alt-country artist Pete Yorn, the two created Break Up, an album inspired by the '60s-era recordings of Serge Gainsbourg and Brigitte Bardot. Despite its title, the record is surprisingly upbeat. Many of you enjoyed the first single, the retro-twangy "Relator," when it debuted in May, and ultimately, it's still my favorite track. The rest of the album sounds more run-of-the-mill, but Johansson's sultry voice adds a lot of flavor to Yorn's music. Also worth hearing: "Clean" and "Wear and Tear."

Rebel yell: I wasn't that familiar with UK band Muse, but their performance at Sunday's VMAs was foot-thumping fun. (Some of you even said they were your favorite act.) Now comes their fifth studio release, The Resistance. My favorite track, "United States of Eurasia/Collateral Damage," is reminiscent of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," and the entire album has a similar rock opera feeling. The guys are reportedly contributing to the New Moon soundtrack, but until then, check out "Eurasia," "Unnatural Selection," and "Uprising."

One more up next, so read more