This week is full of strong women, and I know none of us will object. If the past few weeks of new releases are any indication, we might have some more top albums on our hands. Right now, Taylor Swift and Susan Tedeschi are topping the charts (Swift for Hot Country Songs and Tedeschi for Top Blues Album). Ne-Yo might be the top R&B crooner for now, but it's possible Sasha Fierce Beyoncé could oust him after this past week's SNL performance.

Beyoncé — I Am ... Sasha Fierce (Music World/Columbia Records)

On the singer's third solo CD, she's going for a concept album. Her alter ego seems to be very similar to the Beyoncé we know and love, with hot singles like "Single Ladies" and "If I Were a Boy" already getting fans excited.

Dido — Safe Trip Home (Arista Records)

Anyone who purchased Dido's previous albums knows she's much more than the girl who lent her song "Thank You" to an Eminem track in 2000. And while her voice is capable of standing alone, collaborations with Mick Fleetwood, Questlove and Brian Eno make her new album even more interesting. … continue reading

The legendary out lesbian Tracy Chapman releases her eighth studio album today, which we dedicated an entire post to this morning. While that certainly comes with my highest recommendation, here are some others that might spark your interest today.

Ollabelle — Before This Time (Yep Roc Records)

The five-piece folk group with each member skilled at several instruments always produces interesting results. If you're into Alison Krauss or Dolly Parton, you'll appreciate their interworking of bluegrass, gospel and jazz.

Taylor Swift — Fearless (Big Machine)

Contemporary country fans love their young blondes. Swift is swiftly (pun intended) becoming one of country music's youngest rising stars — and it can't all be because her ex-boyfriend is a Jonas brother. … continue reading

Now that we're past Halloween, the last release dates of the year will be chock-full of holiday albums. November seems to be the month when any kind of Christmas album is allowed to play in stores, so it's also completely acceptable to begin playing your own at home.

So far, we've seen new winter CDs from Melissa Etheridge and Amy Grant, but sometimes it's good to bring out the timeless editions to your collection (Mannheim Steamroller? Boyz II Men?). I'm curious — what's your go-to holiday CD?

Shiny Toy Guns— Season of Poison (Universal Motown)

It's hard to believe Shiny Toy Guns are from Oklahoma. OK, so now they live in L.A., and they sound like it, with their slick production quality and synthensizer-based alt-rock. Their 2006 song "Le Disko" will be a hard act to follow, though — especially as it was used in Shane's drug-fueled car crash at the beginning of The L Word's Season 4.

Mavis Staples— Mavis Staples: Live at the Hideout (Anti-/Epitaph)

The R&B singer has a powerful voice and a career that has lasted for almost 40 years. Fans say that her recordings are amazing, but live, she's just mind-blowing. On her new live album, recorded in a tiny Chicago venue this past year, you can have the best of both worlds. … continue reading

Something worth taking advantage of this week is M.I.A.'s new digital-only EP, How Many Votes, which is only on iTunes today through Nov. 3. After that, it will be available on other online outlets, but there will not be any hard copies to grab. Ironic how she's paired up with another "retired" rapper Jay-Z on the remixed track "Boyz."

Lady Gaga —The Fame (Interscope Records)

The ambiguous singer has a style that others are catching on to (see: Christina Aguilera), and her single "Just Dance" was made for accompanying a night out. However, it seems like she might have lent her best songs to the Pussycat Dolls and New Kids on the Block and kept the leftovers for herself.

Pink —Funhouse (LaFace Records)

Once you hear "So What," it's almost impossible to get out of your head — which means Pink is successful in creating a great single, yet again. The rest of the album follows suit, mixing R&B, rock and pop as the singer is able to do on every release. … continue reading

I'd like to get started with the most important (and somewhat surprising) release of the week: a new EP from The Organ. Yes, they broke up last year, but the Canadian lesbian band (which you may recognize from Season 2 of The L Word) is releasing some new tracks. Unsurprisingly, they're awesome.

The Organ — Thieves (Mint Records)

The EP contains six unexpected tracks of the same electro new wave style from The Organ. The queer band was often compared to The Smiths, and Thieves signals that The Organ would have only continued to garner such positive comparisons to legendary bands that share an androgynous style. It's still yet to be determined if vocalist Katie Sketch's solo project, Mermaids, will be nearly as successful as Morrissey's solo career.

Nikka Costa — Pebble to a Pearl (Stax/Go Funk Yourself/Concord)

Making a comeback from hit singles of the early 2000s can sometimes prove difficult, but I have faith in Nikka Costa. Her famous songs "Everybody Got Their Something" and "Like a Feather" have permeated pop culture via advertisements and soundtracks. On Pebble to a Pearl, the folk-jazz singer sounds more like an old soul than neo-soul. … continue reading

If you dig the Hercules and Love Affair debut album, you'll love Antony and the Johnsons' new EP, Another World. With his impressive falsetto, Antony's crooning on the H&LA single, "Blind" helped make the CD a must-have for DJs and music fans alike. And on this new EP, it's more of the same, which actually fits well on a playlist with the wonderful women musicians also releasing albums this week.

Gregory and the Hawk — Moenie and Kitchi (FatCat Records)

Don't be fooled by the band name: Meredith Godreau is the woman behind the band name, often inviting other musicians to join her on stage and in the studio. Acoustic folk pop sung by a light-hearted lass makes the new album appealing to those interested in similar East Coast singer/songwriters.

Jolie Holland — The Living and the Dead (Anti-/Epitaph Records)

The New York-based singer/songwriter is co-founder of The Be Good Tanyas. Since going solo in 2003, she's maintained her Southern style and infected it with some edginess from the city and an old-fashioned helping of rhythm and blues. … continue reading

While at the record store this week, you might also want to consider some of the live DVDs that are hitting shelves, including Tori Amos: Live at Montreaux 1991-1992, Jewel: The Essential Live Songbook and The Supremes: Hits in the Name of Love. Sometimes you just need a visual.

On to the audio, here's what you can expect to see in new releases this week:

Ani DiFranco — Red Letter Year (Righteous Babe)

Today is most likely a huge day for you, if you're a DiFrancophile. Ani's album of all-new material comes out today. There aren't too many surprises on the disc — more of the same acoustic folk that fans have come to know and love.

Melissa Etheridge — A New Thought for Christmas (Island Records)

It's fall, which means Christmas music will be coming out through December. Melissa does her own renditions of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "Blue Christmas." There are also several holiday originals to replace your Mariah Carey Christmas album — you know that CD is tired!

Jennifer Hudson &mdash Jennifer Hudson (Arista Records)

It's time for the Dreamgirl to shine, which could be one reason her first single is called "Spotlight." The singer-turned-actress has an Oscar under her belt, but her CD is sure to remind everyone that her strong soul vocals are what gave her notoriety in the first place. … continue reading

Today's big buzz record will be TV on the Radio's Dear Science — and it certainly will be worthy of the attention. Despite there being no ladies in the band, I urge you to give Dear Science a spin after you've made your way through the other albums of the week.

Jenny Lewis — Acid Tongue (Warner Bros. Records)

The Rilo Kiley chanteuse's second solo album features a ton of guest stars (including Zooey Deschanel). Like her first solo album, there's a folk-country edge that Rilo Kiley fans either adore or abhor. (You've probably made your decision by now.)

Pussycat Dolls — Doll Domination (Interscope Records)

It's impossible to go anywhere right now without hearing the PCD's single, "When I Grow Up," and it sure is catchy. Despite the cheese factor, the Dolls do have a way of working with songwriters who know what radio listeners want. Although they won't necessarily "dominate" the world, you might be hearing several R&B/dance singles from this album over the next year. … continue reading

Fall has yet to officially begin, but the album releasing schedule has started to pick up some steam. Now that Labor Day has come and gone, watch for several anticipated full-lengths to drop.

Sonya Kitchell — This Storm (Decca/Velour)

She's only 19 years old, but she could be the best new jazz singer around. Her voice is a throwback to simpler times. She also scores some points with us for hailing from Northampton.

Various artists — Bones: The Soundtrack (Nettwerk)

If we could just pretend these were all Emily Deschanel's favorite picks, the soundtrack would feel like a mix tape from her to us. She must have great taste in music like sis, Zooey. The ethereal soundtrack features Placebo's cover of Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill," a Sinead O'Connor song and a Sarah McLachlan remix. … continue reading

It's a little bit slow this week as many artists are gearing up releases for the fall. Nonetheless, there's still lots of music to be heard, especially if you're looking for something classic and familiar.

Heart — The Essential Heart 3.0 (Epic/Legacy)

Essential is right: if you don't own any of the Wilson sisters' work, this might be a good place to start (though for your own good, you should some day invest in Dreamboat Annie).

Janis Joplin — The Essential Janis Joplin 3.0(Columbia/Legacy)

Speaking of must-own, the original queen of rock vocals is another one to have on hand. They just don't make 'em like they used to. … continue reading