Rakin' in the new albums

The music biz usually releases new albums by their biggest acts during the fall, just in time for the holidays. This year is no different. We’ve scoured the world wide web and have found (so far) 20 albums yet to be this in Autumn.

The Fall lineup is…

Rock n’ Roll-

Nirvana, “Nevermind” (a anniversary rerelease) (Oct. 25)

Tom Waits, “Bad as Me” (Oct. 4)

Björk, “Biophilia” (Oct. 11)

Coldplay, “Mylo Xyloto” (Oct. 24) – Stay tuned for my album review after its release

Lou Reed and Metallica, “Lulu” (Nov. 1)

U2, “Achtung Baby (Super Deluxe Edition)” (Nov. 1)

Beach Boys, “The Smile Sessions Box” (Nov. 1)

The Who, “Quadrophenia: The Director’s Cut” (Nov. 15)

Country-

Rodney Atkins, “Take a Long Road” (Oct. 4)

Scotty McCreery, “Clear as Day” (Oct. 4)

Hank Williams Sr., “The Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams” (Oct. 4)

Martina McBride, “Eleven” (Oct. 11)

Toby Keith, “Clancy’s Tavern” (Oct. 24)

Miranda Lambert, “Four the Record” (Nov. 1)

Pop-

Feist, “Metals” (Oct. 4)

Susan Boyle, “Someone to Watch Over Me” (Nov. 1)

Kelly Clarkson, “Stronger” (Oct. 25)

Hip-hop/R&B-

DJ Shadow, “The Less You Know, The Better” (Oct. 4)

Drake, “Take Care” (Oct. 24)

Mary J. Blige, “My Life II … The Journey Continues (Act I)” (November)

-Jordan Montgomery (will not be releasing an album this fall)

Seeing Red at the Emmys

Last Sunday, September 18, was the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards, and a slew of celebrities showed up in gowns to match the carpet beneath their feet. I've ranked 5 of the standouts here from best to worst. See if you agree!

Winner: Nina Dobrev

The Vampire Diaries star wins in the categories of: perfect fit, perfect shade, perfect accessories. Overall perfection.

(picture source)

Runner up: Kate Winslet

I love Kate, and I love her in this dress. It has a classic timelessness despite the bold color and plunging keyhole neckline. Elegant but still exciting.

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#3. Lea Michele

Not bad, Lea Michele, but it seems a bit safe and boring. I expected a little more glitz and glamour from you. Also, I don't like those weird rosette things on your shoulders. Slightly Blah.

(picture source)

#4. Kerry Washington

There's a lot going on this dress; from the sparkle, to the see-through, to the thick hem. I think I might like this a little better without that thick hem, something about it just looks heavy and bulky. It looks a bit cheap if you ask me.

(picture source)

#5. Angela Kinsey

I think the style of this dress is overwhelming the petite star. There isn't much structure, and the band of ruching in the middle makes her look squat and wide. Not the most flattering, but I like the bold color choice!

(picture source)

Moral of the story: Everybody loves a lady in red.

-Julia Jessen

TV's most addicting reality shows

I thought nothing could compare to the guilty pleasures that MTV's "Jersey Shore" and Bravo's "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" gave me, but after flipping through the channels of my TV last night, I was clearly wrong.

I happened to land on TLC's newest reality show "Big Sexy." If the title isn't captivating enough, the girls on the show are trying to promote that you can be "sexy" and overweight.

"Big Sexy" premiered August 30 at 10 p.m. It follows the lives of Leslie, Tiffany, Audrey, Nikki, and Heather as they strive to be plus size models in New York. These girls are into fashion and partying and they are not afraid to let the camera capture their honesty. But I couldn't help but laugh while watching the episode. It seems that reality shows are getting more outrageous by the minute, and to have a plus size model say that she would rather be naked all day then wear clothes, is an image I just don't want to picture.

So you be the judge. Tune into TLC on Tuesday nights and watch "Big Sexy." Is it really a reality show worth our time? Or is it simply just on air for the purpose of a guilt pleasure? I think it's more of a so bad it's good situation.

Pepper Brings Island Sounds Inland

This weekend, Pepper will spice up Iowa City's live music scene playing at the Blue Moose Tap House on Friday night.

Pepper is a three man ensemble from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The band has been active for nearly fifteen years, specializing in a mixture of rock, raggae, dub, and ska.

Pepper is a modern reggae favorite, ranked by many as the second best reggae-rock band in the last twenty years with the first being Sublime.

Pepper has released five studio albums and one live album. During their stop in Iowa City, their set list will likely feature tunes from their latest studio release, 2008's Pink Crustaceans and Good Vibrations. But since that album came out three years ago, I wouldn't be surprised if the band tries out some new material this weekend.

Below is 'No Control', the bands most popular song to date off of their No Shame album.