Albums to check out this spring

Madonna   “Hard Candy” – April 29


The legend herself is back and better than ever. Turning 50 this August and proudly touting a body more in shape than most college students, Madonna continues to raise the bar for herself on this album. Madonna’s newest album is only one of the many projects she has been up to lately. She was recently inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame. At the ceremony she was, of course, met with protesters, proving that Madonna will continue doing what she does best – incite controversy. She has been recently gracing magazine covers from Vanity Fair to Elle discussing her album, her family, her marriage to director Guy Ritchie, her adopted son David from Malawi, and more. Not to mention she has a new film project, “Filth and Wisdom,” her directorial debut which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in February. Hard Candy is a “sex and workout album,” according to Madonna. The album features tracks co-written and co-produced by Justin Timberlake, including the radio hit “4 Minutes.” Timbaland and Pharrell Williams also produced songs for the album.

 Gavin Degraw   “Gavin Degraw”  – May 6


Most college coeds would recognize Degraw’s work from the theme song, “I Don’t Want to Be,” on the television show “One Tree Hill.” Degraw worked with artists Chris Daughtry and Howard Benson on his self-titled third album for a newer rock-heavy feel.

It has been five years since Degraw first set foot in the professional music scene. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass., and studied there the same year as artist John Mayer. The 31-year-old pop-rocker admits to getting some of the album’s inspiration from bar night life in New York, where he recently opened his own bar. The first single from the album is titled “In Love with a Girl” and can be heard on the radio or downloaded online.

Neil Diamond  “Home Before Dark” – May 6

For all you closet Neil Diamond fans out there, the musician aims to please again. On his latest album “Home Before Dark,” Diamond, 67, is backed by an all-star group that includes Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Diamond is ranked third, only behind Elton John and Barbra Streisand, as the topping-selling artist in the adult contemporary categories in the history of the Billboard charts. Ironically enough, Streisand and Diamond sang together in choir while in high school in New York City. Diamond has sold over 120 million albums worldwide, and continues to be a hit with fans young and old. He is best known for his beloved, ever-famous song “Sweet Caroline” from the 1970s. The song was written for young Caroline Kennedy after he saw her picture on the cover of Time magazine. It took Diamond just one hour in a Memphis hotel room to pen the song.

The Roots   “Rising Down” – April 29


The Roots, aka the Legendary Roots Crew, are one of Philadelphia’s most notable and reputable hip-hop acts, with Grammy awards and nominations to prove it. Known for their jazzy sounds and live instrumentation, The Roots have never strayed from the unconventional.  They were formed in 1987 and they released their debut album “Organix” in 1993.

“Rising Down” is The Root’s tenth album. It has a darker and more serious undertone with references to and explorations of Middle Eastern terrorism and the school shooting at Virginia Tech. Of the album, band leader and drummer Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson says he was inspired by watching lots of CNN while on the road touring. The album features the likes of hip-hop phenoms Common and Mos Def, and also Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump.