Current Albums that Make a Stocking Stuffer for Anyone and Reviews of Them

With the holidays almost upon us, it's time to start thinking of special gifts for family and friends. Wanna make someone really happy this year? Consider the gift that keeps on giving...No, not a I.R.A. silly, but some music! Here's a few album reviews from so widely divergent artists and labels, so you should be able to find something for your mom, sister and even your grandmom.

M.I.A. - KALA
It may not have done a lot for Lily Allen, but not being able to work in the U.S. was probably the best thing that ever happened to M.I.A., the Sri Lankan hip-hop-stress whose sophomore effort is probably more exciting a listen than her breakout debut Arular. Infusing beats from her travels to just about every corner of the planet for the record-collaborations with artists as diverse as Timbaland and Afrikan Boy certainly don't hurt this album's world music feel--M.I.A. has mastered the art of keeping her sound fresh and exciting. The number of hits on this album go above and beyond her first single and video "Jimmy," making Kala a clear indication that M.I.A. is definitely a force to be reckoned with in her own right. (Interscope)

Naommon - Allnighter
With its sultry, insistent refrains, out Harlem-based French singer Naommon's "You Go to My Head" stands out on this electro-pop album that sounds as if it was covered in Elmer's Glue and then dipped into a vat of glitter. A constantly surprising and inventive debut, Naommon practically begs you to dance wildly around your room-preferably while clutching a cocktail. (Alien Productions)

Party Groove: Gay Days Vol. 4 - Various Artists
DJ Randy Bettis immediately slams you with gorgeous, high-energy vocals then keeps that pace going. Mostly diva tracks, there are a couple of male vocals thrown in, making for an enjoyable sonic change between the lively ladies. Perfect for long drives and sweaty work outs at the gym. Includes tracks by Suzanne Palmer, Viola Wills and Peyton. (Centaur)

Party Groove: One Mighty Weekend Vol. 2 -Various Artists
The follow-up to Volume One is bursting with melodic circuit mixes of vocal driven house, so this will totally satisfy lovers of both hard club music and classic dance tracks. A fabulous "get the party started" CD, great for primping and pumping up for a hot date. Features new hits by Soulshakers, Peter Presta, Tony Moran, Ralphie Rosario and Eddie Baez. (Centaur)

Pride '07 - Various Artists
Celebrating 10 years of Pride, Centaur keeps rolling out the hits with another sterling edition of this mixed CD series. DJ Max Rodriguez's fresh remixes of classic tracks like "We Are Family," "If I Could Turn Back Time," "Don't Leave Me This Way" and "Total Eclipse Of The Heart" keep the feel of '07 Pride parties alive pumped up-and will have you dancing hard well into 2008. (Centaur)-BB

The Puppini Sisters - Betcha Bottom Dollar
Flaunting harmonies tighter than Joan Rivers' face, this trio turns their crystalline pipes to a variety of songs, from the logical Andrews Sisters standards (there can never be too many covers of "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy") to more eccentric choices like Blondie's "Heart of Glass." Oddly, the stranger songs are stronger than the obvious ones, which lack the infectiousness of the originals. (Verve)

Augie March - Moo, You Bloody Choir
It would be nice to say that the cerebral songs of this Australian quintet didn't skid into pretentiousness, but that wouldn't be the truth. While the music is an interesting blend of folk and jazz, too often the lyrics become as opaque as the worst poems you were forced in read in college. "Beneath the revving of a car/The evensong of the abbatoir"? If you say so. (Jive)-Mark Peikert

Defected In the House: Eivissa '07 - Various Artists
When it comes to presenting and predicting the hottest new Ibiza tracks, few compilations rival this series. Filled with cuts fast becoming chart-toppers, the two CD, one DVD set serves up a tasty blend of instrumental and vocal house that ranges from electronic to funky. Defected's A&R director Simon Dunmore also made the album available in an unmixed format. (Defected)

Adam Freeland - Mexico City GU32
A dual mixed CD of trend-setting crunchy, bleep-filled electronic music, mostly instrumental. The first CD pumps an electronic dance party vibe, while the second disc works an electro lounge/make-out party ambiance with a few up-tempo cuts towards the end of the mix. Showcases tracks by Mylo, Faze Action, Evil Nine, Super Discount and Adam Freeland himself. (Global Underground)

Ledisi - Lost & Found
Jazz singer Ledisi spent three years on this album (her third), and the proof is found on the CD. Just give "I Tried" a try, and tap your toes along to the tale of giving up a too-difficult relationship. Or listen to her scat on "Upside Down," and see how long you're able to hold out before you're clapping along with a grin on your face. "World, pay attention," she sings. And don't you dare ignore her. (Verve)-MP

Tegan and Sara - The Con
They may just be a pair of sweet Canadian sister-singer-songwriters, but Tegan and Sara have managed to give their latest album more of a kick than you would have expected based on their previous work. With every song sounding different from one that preceded it, these two lesbians continue to let their sound grow and excite, making this CD a pleasantly surprising listen. (Sire)

True Colors - Various Artists
This summer's big gay tour, headlined by Cyndi Lauper, has now spawned a soundtrack. Though every song but two have already been released on CD (and those two are remixes), this compilation offers up a nice sampling of the artists involved, from the slurred diction of Rufus Wainwright to the rage-fueled Dresden Dolls. Plus, $1 will be donated to HRC for every CD sold. (Silver Label)

Paul van Dyk - In Between
Billed as "the world's number one DJ," trance pioneer Paul van Dyk's new album features 17 tracks that straddle the line between trance and pop. With collaborators like Ryan Merchant, Wayne Jackson and The Pussycat Dolls' Jessica Sutta (who gives you sexed-up vocals on the current hit single "White Lies"), you can expect to hear these around town this fall a lot. (Mute U.S.)

VHS or Beta - Bring On The Comets
The indie darlings' long-awaited second album has finally arrived at a store near you. Unfortunately, unless you were already dying for a listen, the half-electronica/half-'90s rock band-feel of this enterprise is more likely to prompt a raised eyebrow of surprise more than a fist thrust in the air in a loud and proud show of rock solidarity. Bye bye dance beats, and hello sad melodies. (Astralwerks)