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It's not often that Christmas albums feature original songs as the majority. Most artists rehash Christmas classics, maybe trying their hand at one or two tracks of their own crafting. But the latest EP from The Maine finds the Tempe-based power pop quintet caroling three-quarters original holiday tunes.

From the moment he performed "Love Lockdown" to close this year's VMAs, Kanye West's "new sound" has drawn mixed reaction. While "Lockdown" -- highlighted by emphatic drums and digitized vocals -- played in heavy rotation on radio stations people continued to wonder if West's forthcoming record would continue in the style set by its lead single.

All the wondering was put to rest on November 24, when 808's & Heartbreak, West's fourth studio album, hit the street. Released just over a year after 2007's multi-platinum Graduation, Heartbreak, proves a substantial departure for West. But if you look past his liberal use of Auto-Tune, you'll find West's most focused, cohesive record yet.

Most music -- especially the best music -- is inspired by life-changing events. This is probably why Jack's Mannequin's latest record, "The Glass Passenger," is one of the best power pop records of the year, if not the decade.

Drawing from his successful battle with leukemia, frontman Andrew McMahon crafts 13 beautiful, energetic and diverse songs.

Still weeks before their new album, "The Glass Passenger," hits store shelves, piano-rockers Jack's Mannequin are laying the groundwork for the album's release with a pair of iTunes-exclusive EPs.

Available now on iTunes, The Ghost Overground and In Valleys EPs feature a mix of live tracks, cuts from TGP and other unreleased tracks.

New Jersey pop-punkers Houston Calls are set to release their second full-length record, "End of an Error," on October 14.

It's been three years since their debut, "A Collection of Short Stories," was released on Drive-Thru Records, and, frankly, I can't wait.