iTunes 8

What is iTunes?

Entertainment made easy.

iTunes puts your entire music and video collection a mere mouse click away, giving you an all-access pass to thousands of hours of digital entertainment. Browse. Organize. Play. All from your Mac or PC.

The #1 online music store — and more.

Visit the iTunes Store and discover what makes it #1. Check out thousands of free audio and video podcasts, shop for audiobooks, and see what other iTunes Store shoppers are listening to by exploring an iMix or two.

Everything, to go.

iTunes syncing puts music and more on your iPhone or iPod, or on your widescreen TV via Apple TV.

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Rihanna - American Music Awards Winner

At the young age of 19, Rihanna, the Barbados-born beauty, has already earned the coveted title of international superstar. In just three short years, Rihanna has helped define the path of popular music, accrued multiple #1 hits, two MTV Video Music Awards and three Billboard Awards along her way. In addition to her mind blowing musical successes, Rihanna created a charity organization for impoverished children and has signed on to endorse a wide variety of multi-billion dollar companies including Venus Gillette, Nike and Secret. Most recently, Rihanna was asked to join the ranks of musical icons such as Queen Latifah and Faith Hill as the new face of CoverGirl Cosmetics.

While it may be hard to imagine, just four years ago, Rihanna was a young girl living in the beautiful Barbados parish of Saint Michael. Her first connection to the music industry came when she met a vacationing music producer named Evan Rogers from New York City. After an impromptu performance for Evan, he was absolutely certain she would one day make history. Soon after, Evan and Rihanna traveled to the Big Apple in search of a record deal. It took just one meeting with Jay-Z for Rihanna to score her big break. Jay, who had just recently been appointed the President of Def Jam Records, was so taken by the young singer's arresting natural talent that he signed her to the legendary label on the spot.

In 2005, Def Jam released Rihanna's dynamic debut album, Music of the Sun, which garnered much attention due to the popularity of her highly addictive dancehall flavored first single, "Pon de Replay". A year later, Rihanna released her platinum-selling second album, A Girl Like Me, featuring the #1 singles, "SOS" and "Unfaithful".

With two successful albums under her belt in just two years, Rihanna dropped her third and most critically acclaimed LP, Good Girl Gone Bad in 2007. The album's first single, "Umbrella," was the undisputed number one pop song of the summer and dominated the pop, urban and crossover charts for eight weeks in the U.S. "Umbrella" was also the #1 single on the UK singles chart for eleven consecutive weeks and went on to win "Video of the Year" and "Monster Single of the Year" at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards.

In the wake of the "Umbrella" phenomenon, Rihanna showcased her "rock & roll" side with the release of her second single, the electric guitar flavored, "Shut Up & Drive." With a cohesive collection of body rockin' tracks that include highly innovative production work from Timbaland and Tricky Stewart, along with the song writing prowess of Justin Timberlake and Ne-Yo, Good Girl Gone Bad has solidified Rihanna's position amongst the industry elite. In support of the album, Rihanna has embarked on an extensive European tour on the heels of being named "Best International Act" at the European MOBO Awards, as well as being nominated for four MTV Europe Music Awards including "Album of the Year."

When it comes to fashion, Rihanna has quickly become a style icon to young women everywhere. Everything from her cutting edge hair styles to her immaculate fashion sense are heavily monitored in the glossy pages of high fashion magazines worldwide. This past year, the multi-talented trendsetter walked the runway in Milan, Italy at the DSquared fashion show and has recently been affiliated with a number of other international designers including Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabana and Zac Posen.

After making an enormous impact on both the music and fashion worlds, Rihanna decided it was time to give back to the community that had given her such tremendous support from the beginning. In 2006, she created the non-profit organization, Believe, which is dedicated to providing medical services, school supplies and toys for children in need.

Rihanna's impressive discography and a growing collection of the music industry's most cherished awards has proven that this is only the beginning. With her beauty, fashion and business sense to match, the Island girl turned international superstar will continue to rock the world for years to come!

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If I Never See Your Face Again

"If I Never See Your Face Again" is a song written by Maroon 5 members Adam Levine and James Valentine for Maroon 5's second studio album, It Won't Be Soon Before Long (2007). A remix of the song was recorded with extra verses sung by pop singer Rihanna, and was released as the fourth single from the album instead of the original version. The remix will be included on the re-release of It Won't Be Soon Before Long, and is featured on the re-release of Rihanna's third studio album, Good Girl Gone Bad (2007). The song was produced by Mike Elizondo, Mark "Spike" Stent, and Maroon 5.

The original version of "If I Never See Your Face Again" was complete, but Maroon 5 enlisted Rihanna to record "bits and pieces" because they wanted to, in lead singer Adam Levine's words, "try something different". James Diener, president of A&M/Octone Records, said that Maroon 5 were friends with and fans of Rihanna, having attended some of her performances, and thought that she could help them achieve Levine's goal of turning the song into a "'battle of the sexes'-style duet". Because of the speed of the collaboration, Levine compared the remix of "If I Never See Your Face Again" to his experience working with rapper Kanye West on the song "Heard 'Em Say" (2005), explaining "It sounds cheesy, but if the magic is there, if the chemistry is there, you don't even have to think about it."

Rihanna said she was "honored" to be approached by Maroon 5, one of her favorite bands, and made the song the only collaboration on the re-release of Good Girl Gone Bad because she had always wanted to work with them. She also attributed her enthusiasm for collaborating on the remix to the song's "energy" and "badass" lyrics.

Maroon 5 and Rihanna performed it for the first time live on the MTV show, FNMTV.

"If I Never See Your Face Again" was sent to U.S. mainstream radio on May 13, 2008.

Watch If I Never See Your Face Again in YouTube!

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Impressive Idol Winner David Cook

The latest ‘Idol’ champ, David Cook, steps into his role as mainstream rocker on his self-titled debut major label album. Finally able to move on from his “magic rainbows,” Cook really nails the target with this album, produced by veteran Rob Cavallo.

Kicking things off with the fired-up rock anthem “Declaration,” Cook surely knows how to wet the appetites of his fans. “Declaration” would be the perfect follow-up single choice because it is practically designed with radio in mind.

Something that is extremely noticeable on ‘David Cook’ is the lyrics. Having wrote or co-wrote 10 of the songs, Cook’s songwriting talents were not wasted compared to what is found on most ‘Idol’ debuts. This is especially seen on “Heroes,” where Cook emphasizes his love by suggesting “all these heroes come and go / but you’re still standing.” 

As for mid-tempos, “Life on the Moon” is perhaps the best track of this kind on the album, as it displays Cook’s aptitude for conveying emotion into his work. Although it is not half bad itself, the album’s first single, “Light On,” pales in comparison as a mid-tempo track.

On “Mr. Sensitive,” aspects of a major motion picture’s raising theme song come to mind, and would perhaps be a perfect fit on a superhero film’s soundtrack. The hard rock instrumentation meshes surprisingly well with Cook’s controlled vocals. In addition to “Mr. Sensitive,” Cook really digs into the grungy depths of rock on tracks like “Bar-ba-sol” and the hidden track “Kiss on the Neck” and does not come off sounding pretentious. 

On “Come Back to Me,” Cook trades in authenticity for radio-friendly fare in the form of a Bo Bice-lite track that would be a perfect fit for Hot AC radio. While “Lie” would also be an ideal single due to its hook, it is able to retain validity in the context of the rest of the album’s tracks. But the weakest track is without a doubt “I Did It for You,” which has such generic lyrics and a bland sound that it is almost embarrassing to see it tacked onto the album.

Where Cook really comes into his own is on the album’s ballads, especially “Permanent” and “Avalanche.” On “Permanent,” a vulnerable Cook utilizes his reserved vocals in conjunction with piano and stringed accompaniment. This is a side of him his fans do not see as often as one might expect, so it is definitely a pleasant surprise. While a little more forgettable, “Avalanche” is another example of Cook’s ability to adapt musically to a more heartfelt persona.

The album’s final standout comes in the form of “A Daily AntheM,” which is a spirited, uplifting piece of work that gives hope to a brighter day. And then there’s the inescapable “The Time of My Life,” which Cook has little choice but to include to cap off an otherwise solid album.

Without a doubt, David Cook puts his best foot forward on ‘David Cook,’ and the result of his dedicated work and moving vocals is hard to deny. Expect big things from the ‘Idol’ alum in the future.

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John Mayer - Continuum Review

Anybody who was initially confused by singer/songwriter John Mayer's foray into blues with 2005's Try! John Mayer Trio Live in Concert could only have been further confounded upon listening to the album and coming to the realization that it was actually good. And not just kinda good, especially for guy who had been largely labeled as a Dave Matthews clone, but really, truthfully, organically good as a blues album in its own right. However, for longtime fans who had been keeping tabs on Mayer, the turn might not have been so unexpected. Soon after the release of his 2003 sophomore album, the laid-back, assuredly melodic Heavier Things, Mayer began appearing on albums by such iconic blues and jazz artists as Buddy Guy, B.B. King, and Herbie Hancock. And not just singing, but playing guitar next to musicians legendary on the instrument. In short, he was seeking out these artists in an attempt to delve into the roots of the blues, a music he obviously has a deep affection for. Rather than his blues trio being a one-off side project completely disconnected to his past work, it is clear now that it was the next step in his musical development. And truthfully, while Try! certainly showcases Mayer's deft improvisational blues chops, it's more of a blues/soul album in the tradition of such electric blues legends as Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, and features songs by Mayer that perfectly marry his melodic songcraft and his blues-slinger inclinations. In fact, what seemed at the time a nod to his largely female fan base (the inclusion of "Daughters" and "Something's Missing" off Heavier Things) was actually a hint that he was bridging his sound for his listeners, showing them where he was going.

That said, nothing he did up until the excellent, expansive Try! could have prepared you for the monumental creative leap forward that is Mayer's 2006 studio effort, Continuum. Working with his blues trio/rhythm section of bassist Pino Palladino and drummer Steve Jordan, along with guest spots by trumpeter Roy Hargrove and guitarist Ben Harper, Mayer brings all of his recent musical explorations and increasing talents as a singer/songwriter to bear on Continuum. Produced solely by Mayer and Jordan, the album is a devastatingly accomplished, fully realized effort that in every way exceeds expectations and positions Mayer as one of the most relevant artists of his generation. Adding weight to the notion that Mayer's blues trio is more than just a creative indulgence, he has carried over two tracks from the live album in "Vultures" and the deeply metaphorical soul ballad "Gravity." These are gut-wrenchingly poignant songs that give voice to a generation of kids raised on TRL teen stars and CNN soundbites who've found themselves all grown up and fighting a war of "beliefs." Grappling with a handful of topics — social and political, romantic and sexual, pointedly personal and yet always universal in scope — Mayer's Continuum here earns a legitimate comparison to Marvin Gaye's What's Going On. Nobody — not a single one of Mayer's contemporaries — has come up with anything resembling a worthwhile antiwar anthem that is as good and speaks for their generation as much as his "Waiting on the World to Change" — and he goes and hangs the whole album on it as the first single. 

It's a bold statement of purpose that is carried throughout the album, not just in sentiment, but also tone. Continuum is a gorgeously produced, brilliantly stripped-to-basics album that incorporates blues, soft funk, R&B, folk, and pop in a sound that is totally owned by Mayer. It's no stretch when trying to describe the sound of Continuum to color it in the light of work by such legends as Sting, Eric Clapton, Sade, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Steve Winwood. In fact, the sustained adult contemporary tone of the album could easily have become turgid, boring, or dated but never does, and brings to mind such classic late-'80s albums as Sting's Nothing Like the Sun, Clapton's Journeyman, and Vaughan's In Step. At every turn, Continuum finds Mayer to be a mature, thoughtful, and gifted musician who fully grasps his place not just in the record industry, but in life.

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

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