In the news today: Cornelius, Yellow Magic Orchestra, Yoko Ono, Rick Froberg, Drive Like Jehu, Hot Snakes, The Prodigy, Madonna

“Ring Spiel” Tour ‘95 (Columbia Records). Review by James Mann.

Midnight (Hollywood Records). Review by Bob Pomeroy.

It’s been 30 years since Purple Rain. Alan Light takes us back.

A Very Special Christmas: Icon (Universal Music). Review by Michelle Wilson.

When given the chance to see Madonna, on a moment’s notice and four hours away, Jen Cray abandons all responsibilities, hightails it to Miami, and enjoys every sleep-deprived second of the journey!

Bearcat EP. Review by Jen Cray.

Lady Gaga brings her Monster Ball Tour and the songs we all love to pretend we don’t love to a sold-out Orlando crowd. Even Jen Cray can’t help but dance.

We Are Born (Red Ink Records). Review by Tim Wardyn.

Reimaginator. Review by Joe Frietze.

Book of Love, Lullabye, Candy Carol, Lovebubble (Noble Rot). Review by Scott Adams.

Magic Love and Dreams. Review by Matthew Moyer.

Crazy (Nervous Records). Review by Carl F Gauze.

Peter Wild and a group of authors take on the challenge of making literature out of Sonic Youth’s noisy, chaotic, shimmering music. S D Green has some warnings for fans of Sonic Youth who may be intrigued.

Red Carpet Massacre (Epic). Review by Jen Cray.

Consolers of the Lonely (Third Man/ Warner Brothers). Review by Jen Cray.

Driving guitars need a driving beat, and for almost 50 years, two Taylors have pounded the skins for the world’s greatest instrumental band, The Ventures. Steve Stav talks to Leon Taylor about the band’s Hall of Fame induction, touring in Japan, their upcoming 50th anniversary, and his father’s musical legacy.

True Stories I Made Up (Zip). Review by Aaron Shaul.

A story about accepting the odds and thriving beyond them. Cindy Barrymore finds unexpected heart and soul in this tell-all from one of Madonna’s former dancers.

Dream to Extremes (Guruproject). Review by Kyrby Raine.