Red

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Taylor Swift fans, rejoice. her much anticipated album, Red, is here. Released in the end of October, this album is set to break records. In the first week alone, it sold 1.2 million copies, going platinum and becoming only the third artist to do so in a week. Eminem is number one with 1.52 million and Brittney Spears follows suit with about 1.3 million.

--> Red is unlike Swift has ever done before. Her first album, Taylor Swift was very country, showing her roots. Progressively, each album after that has explored a different genre. Album number four is a mix of many things. Compiled of sixteen tracks, Red could be her most experimental album, ever.

It has a little bit of dub step, featured in the third single, I Knew You Were Trouble. Her smash single, We are Never Ever Getting Back Together is also featured on the album, which is a more pop sound. But her die-hard country fans should be pleased to know that Swift hasn't completely forgotten about her Nashville roots. Begin Again, the second single from the album touches her country side with the guitar chords and deep vocals.

--> Red proves that Swift has vocal versatility and that she can reach all across the board. There's something on the album for music lovers of almost every genre. Every track is unpredictable and unique. It leaves fans wondering what direction Swift is trying to go, but at the same time, it's exciting to see what new inventive sounds she can do.
Rate:  4.5 stars

Unapologetic

If the world thought Rihanna was fading from the music business, they were wrong. She recently announced that her next studio album, Unapologetic will be release on November 19th. 2012 was a big year for the pop star, with a debut role in the film Battleship as well as awards from various places.

Unapologetic will be her fifth studio album. Little has been said about what genre Rihanna will be catering towards, leaving her "RihannaNavy" to be left pondering. Chris Brown, infamous for assaulting the singer in 2009, is confirmed to be on the album along with Eminem. Previously, Rihanna and Eminem have had a lot of success together, creating the chart topper Love the Way You Lie.

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The only confirmed thing on the record is the track list, which can be found on her website. One thing is for sure, number five will sure to be a hit.

Battle of the Season

It's no secret that American Idol is an extremely popular reality singing show. So when The Voice and X Factor decided to air, many were surprised that they were going to threaten the Idol fanbase. But now with the second season starting for both the X Factor and The Voice both airing back-to-back, the battle is no longer with American Idol, it's with the other show.

THE X FACTOR

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Just the judges alone are a reason that ratings will spark this year. After Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger and host Steve Jones were fired, there was a lot of speculation on who the new judges would be. The host spot was filled by not one, but two people. Seasoned host Mario Lopez brings familiarity and experience to the table, while reality TV star Khloe Kardashian has a point to prove-she's not just a reality TV star. So far, with two episodes of live TV in, the judges seem to be doing alright. Aside from Khloe's wardrobe malfunction on the first day, she seems to be doing fine. Lopez, the more seasoned host looks comfortable and at home.

New judges Brittney Spears and Demi Lovato have settled in fairly well. Demi has friendly banter with creator Simon, and tries to be the "nice judge" of the show, taking over Paula's job. Brittney was tough at first, but revealed that she couldn't deal with people booing her. Eventually, Simon had to step in and help her thorugh it. She seems stronger now, although doesn't take her criticism as far.

--> THE VOICE

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Ratings were very good last season, for a show that was in its first season. Besides the star-filled cast, and drama with other shows, The Voice hasn't generated much buzz. Until the show started.

Within a few weeks of the show airing, judge Christina Aguilera announced that she would be leaving the show. Popstar Usher was set to take her place. CeeLo Green was also reported to express desires to leave the show, but no official statement had been issued.

One of the biggest changes that occured on the show was the format change. The steal and save were no longer permitted. Earlier, if a judge did not want to mentor a particular contestant, another judge had the oppurtunity to "steal" them from the other to mentor as their own.

So who comes out on top? With all of these new shows coming up, it's hard to tell. But one thing's for sure, no one, so far, has been able to threaten American Idol's popularity.

Taylor Swift Announces New Album

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On Tuesday, August 13th, Taylor Swift fans had a reason to celebrate. After two long years, the star has finally released new music. But was it worth the wait? On a live web chat, she premiered her new single "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together," which will be on her upcoming album, titled Red.

On the web cast, Swift spoke more about her new project. "I wrote a song called ‘Red,’thinking about what that means to me, and all the different emotions that are written about on this album, they’re all about crazy...semi-toxic relationships I’ve experience in the last two years. In my mind, all those emotions are ‘red.’ There’s nothing beige about any of those feelings. So I called the record Red.” She tells the audience.

Over the last two years, Swift has had few relationships. She was dating movie star Jake Gyllenhaal, and just recently has been dating Robert Kennedy's son, Connor. Joe Jonas (another ex to add to the list), says that Swift's latest single is not about him. The song is about her and a mystery man, and the rumors that swirled around their reconciliation. Jonas says that's not the case for them, as they never tried to get back together.

There is no confirmed date for the release of Red, but Swift has already revealed that there will be sixteen tracks on it. Fans eagerly await her announcement to drop more hits into her growing list.

Michael Phelps: An Era Examined

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 Four different Olympics. Eighteen gold medals, twenty-two overall. All before he turned thirty. Michael Phelps is the most decorated swimmer of all time, breaking the record previously held by gymnast Laris Latynina. She had eighteen total medals, equivalent to Phelps' gold.

In 2000, Phelps was the little kid with big dreams. He didn't win a single medal that Olympics. But in the next Olympics in 2004, Phelps' era truly began. He earned six gold and two bronze, setting three Olympics records and two world records, later only to be beaten by himself. People have often said that Michael Phelps' only competitor is himself. He proved that to be true in 2008. Phelps entered eight events, and ended up winning eight straight golds, setting seven new world records and an Olympic record. One hundredth of a second behind was Milorad Cavic, who was his closest competitor. Cavic earned silver in the 100-m butterfly, Phelps' signature event. Phelps beat Mark Spitz's record of most gold in one Olympic Game. Spitz had seven, Phelps had eight. By the end of the Beijing Olympics, Phelps' medal tally read: sixteen medals total (fourteen gold, two bronze). Going into the London 2012 Olympic Games, there were some critics wondering what on earth Phelps could do to outdo his last Olympics. Would he even medal? He was already twenty-seven, which for a swimmer, is a pretty old age.

At the start of the 2012 Games, his fans' worst thoughts seemed to be coming true. Phelps was off to a slow start. He didn't even make it past the preliminaries for the 400-m IM. In the 200 Butterfly, his finish was weak. Normally, Phelps was on the winning side of an extremely close race, but that time, he ended up winning silver. But despite his less than fantastic start, Phelps proved that the only thing that matters is how you finish. He went on to win four gold medals and another silver before his last time swimming in the Olympics. In his very last race before retirement, Phelps helped his 4x100-m team win gold.

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Everyone agrees that Michael Phelps is probably the best swimmer. He's the most decorated and by far the most exciting to watch. But now, after the Phelps era has ended, what's next for the swimming world? For the next few years, anyone who doesn't do what Phelps did will be seen as average, even if they manage to beat his times. Phelps didn't become what we call the best Olympian by luck. He earned it with hard work and a lot of determination. Fans are blindsided by amazing swimming and records that they don't realize what he truly had to sacrifice to reach the podium.

Michael Phelps will go down as the best swimmer of all time, until the next Michael Phelps comes along. Those alive during his career know what a true sporting event is, and how precious time really is.