You know, boys aren’t the only ones who get to rock every week. In fact, this week no boys rocked at all; it was all about the ladies. I was excited to see three very special lady musicians coming out with new albums this week. They are all women I really like and respect and am genuinely excited to hear what they’ve got.

It’s funny because I’m generally more apt to listen to male singers (they look hotter with the guitars…), but I’ve always had a special kinda thing for Ingrid Michaelson and her music. And I’ve always thought Colbie Caillat was super cute. And Imogen Heap has always been like that mysterious, kind of strange but totally intriguing girl you always want to talk to.

Yup, I’ve got some huge girl crushes this week. And these girls rock.

Ingrid Michaelson- Everybody

I was definitely the most excited to hear Ingrid’s new album, Everybody. She consistently comes out with good music and I couldn’t wait to hear if she had any growth with this new album. And yes, yes, she did. From the second I heard “Soldier,” I knew I was going to be hooked. “Everybody,” obviously the title track, is kind of a bit cheesy for Ingrid, but also a bit more fun than we’re used to from her, so we’ll totally take it.

But those songs are nothing compared to “Are We There Yet,” basically the most amazing song from Ingrid yet. Her voice is showcased so beautifully that it actually made me shiver a little bit. And the lyrics are absolutely beautiful as well: “They say that home is where the heart is/I guess I haven’t found my home/And we keep driving round in circles/Afraid to call this place our own…They say you’re really not somebody/Until somebody else loves you/Well, I am waiting to make somebody/Somebody soon.” How beautiful?! This song makes me want to yell, “Ingrid, I love you!” I actually might have whispered it while walking to Trader Joe’s and listening to Ingrid on my iPod. I probably scared a few folks. Whatever. Upon first listen to this album, I was already declaring it my favorite album of 2009. And I’m not taking that back yet.

Colbie Caillat- Breakthrough

I do kind of have mixed feelings on Colbie Caillat. On the one hand, I find her totally cookie cutter and radio-made. And on the other, I think she seems super sweet and nice and some of her songs are seriously catchy. I just wish they were a bit more unique. because I really, really want to love Colbie. Plus, she’s buddies with Jason Mraz and if he thinks she’s so talented, then I really want to as well.

When I heard the first song of Colbie’s new album, Breakthrough, I kind of cringed. Don’t get me wrong, the video for “Fallin’ for You” was totally amazing, but the song just sounded so radio-made. I felt like I heard it a million times. Luckily, the rest of the album wasn’t quite so cheesy. I am totally obsessed with “Droplets,” which Colbie sings with Jason Reeves (another Jason I love!). I absolutely love the lyrics to this song: “I’m leaving you/I’m not sure if that’s what I should do/It hurts so bad/I’m wanting you but can’t go back/Trying to find, to find/That all elusive piece of mind.” She totally reminds me of Kelly Clarkson in “I Never Told You” in the best way possible. I really do hope that this album is Colbie Caillat’s “breakthrough.”  Get it? Seriously, though.

Imogen Heap- Ellipse

If we know Imogen Heap, we all know she’s kind of her own woman. She does her own thing and is completely unique, which is most definitely the case on this little album. I absolutely love the opening to Imogen’s new album, Ellipse, and I immediately felt like I was going to be a very happy girl. “First Train Home” has that sound that makes you want to get moving. And the lyrics are totally perfect for the way it’s already making you feel: “First train home, I’ve got to get on it/First train home, I’ve got to get on it/To catch, to catch, to catch-catch, to catch.”

Seriously? How much fun would it be listening to this song while waiting for the train? Or if you’re late for the train and have to chase after it? Yes, these are the things I think about. In fact, I really love this new album and totally see it as the perfect “walking through the city” music. Even the depressing songs kind of put me in a good mood and the sound is just so different, I can’t help but smiling when I hear it. And all the songs are so different, it’s really hard to get bored. There are a few songs that I want to say WTF to, like “Little Bird,” but I kind of think that’s what part of loving Imogen Heap is all about. For the most part, though, I’m in love. “Tidal,” “Between Sheets,” and “Earth” are just perfectly lovely. As is Imogen herself.

This week was all about utilizing what I learned in Girl Scouts all those years ago. No, not building a fire or navigating my way out of a forest, but that whole “make new friends but keep the old” adage. And by “friends” I mean, “musicians who I consider to be my friends because I spend so much time with them and turn to them when I need to cry, sing really loud, or dance around in my undies.”

There were some great new releases this week from some of my favorite musical talents ever, in addition to some from bands I never knew. And while I may have fallen for some of the new stuff, I’ll always hold onto the old faves.

Mat Kearney- City of Black and White

If you don’t listen to Mat Kearney, you need to. He’s hard not to like, trust me. I loved him from the minute I heard his album Nothing Left to Lose in 2006; from his smooth voice to his meaningful lyrics to the fact that he spells his name with only one “t.” I’m also in love with his new album City of Black and White, which is filled with his smooth voice again and equally as many meaningful lyrics. And yes, he still spells his name with one “t.” If you like music like The Fray and Joshua Radin, you’ll likely enjoy Mat Kearney.

My favorite song is definitely “Here We Go,” but honestly, there’s not much I don’t like about Mat’s new album. “Never Be Ready” is also pretty awesome and I totally love the lyrics: “We’ll never be ready/If we keep waiting for the perfect time to come/Hold me steady, we’ll never be ready.” The only thing I really miss with this new album is Mat’s white boy rapping. I suppose this album does sound a bit more mature without it, but it was so incredibly fun it’s hard not to miss it. But I guess that’s how it always goes when friends start growing up and changing; they may be different, but you find a way to love ‘em anyway.

Mandy Moore- Amanda Leigh

Mandy Moore is probably one of my favorite people in the world. Ever since high school, if you asked me who I would want to play me in a movie, it would be her. I thought it was nearly impossible for me to like her any more and then she married my other favorite person, Ryan Adams. I thought the world would implode upon such an awesome marriage of two beautifully talented people, but thank God (at least so far!) it didn’t. And Mandy survived to make another album, Amanda Leigh. Now, before you think I’m some super Mandy fan who isn’t going to properly judge her album, I’ll admit right now, I was not a huge fan of her last album Wild Hope. I found it to be mighty boring. So I was super nervous for Mandy’s latest release. But she didn’t disappoint me at all.

Marriage must be doing something good for her because her album is absolutely amazing. The more I listen to it, the more I love it. Why is Amanda Leigh so much better than Wild Hope? It actually has a lot of personality, unlike the previous attempt. The first single “I Could Break Your Heart Any Day of the Week” actually gets you dancing, but also showcases her beautiful voice. It’s almost like “Candy” grew up….a lot. There aren’t really any songs on Amanda Leigh that I dislike, but I’m a really big fan of “Fern Dell” and “Nothing Everything,” which are both upbeat and fun. I also have to love “Merrimack” because it’s totally about the river I grew up next to. Oh, and I absolutely love “Bug” as well, because “Bug” is Ryan’s nickname for Mandy. OK, I’ll stop gushing about Mandy Moore now. At least until she and Ryan Adams come out with an album of duets. Then the world really might implode.

Phoenix- Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

I know I’ve head about Phoenix before, but I had no idea who they were or why should I listen to them. Then I learned they were “French Rock” and I still had no idea why I should listen to them. But then I listened to Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix and now I know why I should listen to them. Because apparently I was made for French rock. And Phoenix is just awesome. Allegedly, the album’s first single “Lisztomania” is about Franz Liszt and his piano performances. I have absolutely no idea who Franz Liszt is, but I totally feel like I have this “Lisztomania” when I listen to Phoenix.

Phoenix is the kind of music that makes you get up and dance and throw your hands around in the air. I’m not kidding here. They actually sound a bit like NYC’s own MGMT, mixed in with a bit of The Strokes. And maybe a dash of Franz Ferdinand too. I don’t even know the band very well, but I already feel like they’re allowed to have songs like “Love Like a Sunset,” where they spend 6 minutes building up the song instrumentally, and then start singing with only a little over a minute left. It works! Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix makes me wonder why more people I know don’t listen to Phoenix. And for that matter, why don’t more people I know listen to French rock? And what other French rock have I been missing out on? I’m grabbing my beret, heating up some crepes and working on building up my French music catalog ASAP. This is good stuff.

Yep, forget the wacko driving-with-your- infant-son-dangling-from- the-driver’s- seat incident, Ms. Spears is a drool-worthy role model again. If you happen to have access to the internet (which I’m assuming you do, if you’re reading this), you can’t be more than a mouse click away from a Britney love fest. Today, her newest album, Circus, was leaked online just one week before its official release, and the world is abuzz with Brit.

How does the album fare? As far as pop records go, Circus ain’t too shabby. We’ve all heard the tour-de-force “Womanizer,” and the new single “If U Seek Amy” (is she referring to Ms. Winehouse? If Britney’s looking for her, she need look no further than a London crack den) is as gritty and caustic as I imagine Ms. Spears would be after a night of boozing. But a lame vehicle for singles (and moolah) this isn’t: the song “My Baby” perked my ears right up. Could Britney–gasp– actually be crooning? Her voice shines through clearly and tenderly on what is a sweet ode to her children.

I’m still confused at how Brit Brit has achieved her massive reinvention. I mean, check her out on the cover of Rolling Stone for godsakes! As she says in the opening to the title track, “There are two kinds of people in this world: entertainers and observers.” If baffling the public counts as entertainment, then Brit, baby, you’re a star.

Check out her album, Circus, on Imeem.com

Listen up all you sex craved, music loving men and women out there! Eagles of Death Metal dropped their new album, Heart On today, and are going on tour. This calls for a celebration, one that involves free sex toys and free music!

Like some of us here at CollegeCandy, you may be lacking a significant other and have the heavy burden of taking care of your needs solo, or you could just be having boring sex with the same person and need a little spice in your life. Don’t worry, we feel your pain and want to help get you off.

CollegeCandy is awarding one lucky winner the new Eagles of Death Metal CD and the Babeland sex toy package of their dreams (which happens to include everything you need to get down and dirty to some great jams). Lucky for you, there is no purchase necessary and you won’t be competing with us at CollegeCandy, because we can’t enter.

Eagles of Death Metal Babeland prizepacks include:

Eagles of Death Metal ‘Heart On’ CD

Babeland Pocket Rocket

Megastretch Cockring

1oz. Babelube

1oz. Babeland Massage Oil

All we need is your name, address, and age (must be 18+ years old). Send your information to editor@teamcoed.com by Thursday, November 10.