Inside Music with Melinda Newman

Chris Brown, Snoop Dogg and Gucci Mane lead Dec. 8 CD releases

Will Brown's audience forgive him by buying 'Grafitti?'

By Melinda Newman Monday, Dec 7, 2009 12:00 PM

Chris Brown's "Graffiti"

Two weeks ago it was Rihanna’s turn, now Chris Brown brings his latest CD, “Graffiti,” to the marketplace. We’ll see if the public is ready to forgive Brown his transgressions against Rihanna by purchasing the collection or if they’re not ready to make nice. He’s the biggest name this R&B-heavy week as Snoop Dogg, Gucci Mane, Timbaland and the Clipse also release new sets. On the rock front, 30 Seconds to Mars and We the Kings rule.

Chris Brown, “Graffiti” (Jive): Gosh, Brown’s name hasn’t been in the news lately, so we don’t know what he’s been up to. Read review here.

The Clipse, “Til the Casket Drops” (Columbia): After working primarily with the Neptunes, Virgina-based rap duo links with Rick Rubin for its third set, as well as Timbaland, Scott Scorch, Kanye West, P Diddy and others.

Gucci Mane, “The State vs. Radric Davis” (So Icey/Atlantic): After appearing on seemingly thousands of other folks’ records, it’s rapper Mane’s (born Radric Davis) turn to be the name before “featuring…” on this, his first album for Warner Bros. Records Guests includes pretty much everyone who has had Mane appear on their records: Usher (on current single, “Spotlight’), Lil Wayne, Mariah Carey and Snoop Dogg, as well as Plies, who took first single “Wasted” to No. 3.

Snoop Dogg, “Malice N Wonderland” (Doggystyle/Priority): Snoop’s tenth studio album takes its name from the split side of his personality: the dark malicious side and a lighter side. Current single, the sexy, sleek “Gangsta Luv,’ is at No. 6 on the rap chart and definitely represents the softer side of Snoop despite the R-rated lyrics.

Thirty Seconds to Mars, “This is War” (Virgin/EMI): Following a nasty lawsuit with its label, Jared Leto-led rock band come back with its third album after a four-year break. First single, layered, intense rock drama “Kings + Queens,” accompanied by a short film, “The Ride,” is an active rock hit.

Timbaland, “Timbaland Presents Shock Value 2” (Mosley Music/Blackground/Universal): The first “Shock Value,” issues in 2007, featured collaborations with 50 Cent, Elton John, Fall Out boy, Nelly Furtado and others. For Round Two, he linked with such diverse artists as Kings of Leon, Lady GaGa, Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger (!), Paramore, Shakira, Beyonce and Justin Timberlake.

Various Artists, “Glee: The Music—Season One, Vol. 2” (Columbia): “Glee” goes on hiatus for four months Dec. 9. Until it returns in April, “Gleeks” can amuse themselves with another collection of tunes from the hit Fox show. Let’s see if Vol. 2 scales the height of the recently released Vol. 1, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. This time the kids from McKinley High are signing such tunes as “Proud Mary,” “True Colors,” and “My Life Would Suck Without You.”

We the Kings, “Smile Kid” (S-Curve): Florida power pop band who score a hit two years ago with “Check Yes Juliet,” returns with second album, following stints on the road with the likes of Boys Like Girls, Cobra Starship, All Time Low and The Academy Is…