It won’t come as a surprise for you to know that I’ve never been to a Death Row Records party, but I can imagine what it would have been like. The venerable rap label, started by endlessly incarcerated Suge Knight and hip-hop legend Dr. Dre, played a major role, if not the biggest part, in gangsta rap’s popularity. It’s no secret that guns, drugs and dubious characters played a big role... 

Three days before the Olympics began I had already lost count of how many times I heard I Believe. The song, sung by 16-year-old Montreal phenom Nikki Yanofsky, must have been on three or four times a night, so you can understand, after 11 days of speed skating, hockey and skiing, just how deeply lodged that track (and its equally epic variations) is in my head. We can debate whether or not the... 

With just a couple weeks left in the year, every music fan is likely busy compiling a list of the decade’s best records. But we can’t forget how good 2009 has been. There was Sonic Youth’s infectious The Eternal, La Roux’s electro pop debut, Grizzly Bear’s harmony laden folk on Veckatimst and the list goes on. But five Canadian records really stood out. Not only are these better than many... 

Neil Young Album: Dreamin’ Man Label: Reprise/Warner Rating: **** Winnipeg-raised Neil Young can’t do anything wrong, even when he releases his least exciting live album to date. Dreamin Man was recorded in 1992 and features every song off Harvest Moon. In terms of the singer-songwriters’ live discs, it’s not as thrilling as Live at Massey Hall or Live at the Fillmore East, but it’s still... 

Gucci Mane Album: The State vs. Radric Davis Label: Warner Rating: *** 1/2 As we all know too well, being a rap star doesn’t preclude one from a jail sentence. While Gucci Mane did beat a murder charge, he’s now back in prison for violating parole. Luckily, he can stay in the spotlight with his new, and damn good, album. The appropriately titled The State vs. Radric Davis (his given name) is a... 

Robin Thicke Album: Sex Therapy: The Session Label: Universal Rating: ** 1/2 Until now, Robin Thicke has managed to create some of the most inoffensive, yet still welcoming R&B sounds. His music was always nice, something you could play in front of your parents. His latest however, is all about doin’ it. That would be all well and good if the music was as reliable as his past efforts. Songs like... 

Chris Brown Album: Graffiti Label: Jive/Sony Music Rating: * Chris Brown should have waited a year before releasing a new record, as it’s impossible not to listen to this and hear another half-hearted attempt to apologize for beating the pulp out of Rihanna, while making himself out to be the wounded boyfriend. Famous Girl is the most explicit song about his ex. And an offensive one at that. “You... 

Alicia Keys Album: The Element of Freedom Label: J/Sony Music Rating: **** If there’s one musician other artists should envy it’s Alicia Keys. She’s easily one of the most talented artists around, and continues to improve with every record. Her latest is an intensely passionate record about broken hearts, loneliness and finding strength. It might be a bit preachy, but with solid songwriting —...