Tuesday, January 6, 2009, 2:14 am

Tony Segreto looks back at his career... in his own words.

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Rhapsody Feature

Britney Spears

Former Mouseketeer, Britney Spears has enjoyed a long reign as the undisputed Queen of Teen Beat.

Top 3 Albums In Rhapsody

Circus- Britney Spears

Ironically, 2007's all too literally titled Blackout was a more exhilarating return to form than Britney's true comeback, which feels sort of subdued. This is not necessarily a bad thing for our girl. Circus tries out, among other new flavors, moody Grey's Anatomy-ready ballads and retro campiness (the fab "Mmm Papi" -- don't miss it). Even the straight-up dance tracks seem calmer, more collected, different (with the exception of the fourth and fifth tracks). In short, Britney is going in new directions. (Cue sigh of relief from the California court system.)
Editor: Rachel Devitt

808s & Heartbreak- Kanye West

The idea of Kanye West singing (with help from Auto-Tune) for a whole album sounds like a disaster because, well, he can't sing. Surprisingly, it works thanks to the sincerity and vulnerability he displays while crooning about losing his mother and breaking up with his fiancee, the album's central topics. West's production here is much darker than in the past on tracks like "Welcome To Heartbreak" (featuring Kid Cudi) and the witty "Robocop." Although some will pray that his love hangover ends soon, most will appreciate a successful attempt by one of the best rappers alive to stretch hip-hop's creative boundaries.
Editor: Toshitaka Kondo

I Am... Sasha Fierce- Beyonce

When Beyonce goes schizo -- dividing her musical persona into balladeer Beyonce and club diva Sasha Fierce -- she is certainly organized about it. She dedicates the first side to the 'Yonce persona and the second to Fierce. Both halves are great. The gorgeous, sweeping "Halo" displays her incredible range and knack for squeezing pathos from stone, while the second half's "Diva" offers Fierce a chance to strut through Bangladesh's stuttering production while proclaiming, "Diva is the female version of a hustler."
Editor: Sam Chennault

Top 10 Tracks In Rhapsody

Circus (Main Version)

Album: Circus
Artist: Britney Spears

Heartless

Album: 808s & Heartbreak
Artist: Kanye West

Womanizer (Main Version)

Album: Circus
Artist: Britney Spears

Love Lockdown

Album: 808s & Heartbreak
Artist: Kanye West

If I were A Boy

Album: I Am... Sasha Fierce
Artist: Beyonce

Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)

Album: I Am... Sasha Fierce
Artist: Beyoncé

Just Dance featuring Colby O'Donis

Album: The Fame
Artist: Lady GaGa

Live Your Life [Featuring Rihanna]

Album: Paper Trail
Artist: T.I.

Viva La Vida

Album: Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends
Artist: Coldplay

Human

Album: Day & Age
Artist: The Killers

New Releases In Rhapsody

Call And Response: The Remix Album- Maroon 5

Maroon 5 have to be just peeing their pants about this album. These guys have always seemed like the full-band version of Justin Timberlake, and now they are finally getting the J.T. treatment in the form of remixes featuring a host of smoking hot producers and guest artists. The hip-hop efforts work best: Pharrell's take on "She Will Be Loved" feels organic but distinctive, ?uestlove gets dreamy on "Sunday Morning," and "Wake Up Call" makes this former grunge outfit sound hipper than its wildest dreams. The hipster-helmed cuts (especially Deerhoof's "Goodnight Goodnight") fall a little flat.
Editor:

Human- Brandy

Brandy's latest is an exercise in reassurance -- understandable given her scandal-ridden past couple of years. She reassures herself that she's strong ("The Definition"). She reassures the public that she's "Human" and needs our forgiveness. Mostly, she reassures the listener she's upbeat and safe: an innocuous mid-tempo beat runs through most of the album, which showcases little of the inventive beats, sultry vocals or hip-hop flavor of Afrodisiac. The two most interesting tracks ("A Capella" and "Camouflage") find Brandy acknowledging things may not be as stable as they seem.
Editor: Rachel Devitt

Working On A Dream- Bruce Springsteen

From his forthcoming E Street Band album, Springsteen returns with a mid-tempo rocker about never giving in and never giving up.
Editor:

Rhapsody Staff Picks

This Warm December: Brushfire Holiday's Vol. 1- Various Artists

Sure to be the Christmas comp for 2008, this Jack Johnson-led collection features like-minded artists on his Brushfire label and introduces the roster's latest addition (and its first female artist) Malaysian singer-songwriter Zee Avi. The set tends toward simple acoustic renditions of holiday chestnuts, but the highlights come in the surprises, like Rogue Wave's lo-fi version of the Who's "Christmas" from Tommy and a dispirited Neil Halstead cover of Fountains of Wayne's "The Man in the Santa Suit."
Editor: Nate Cavalieri

Santa's Got a Brand New Bag- Dmitri Matheny

Jazz holiday releases have to do a balancing act in order to avoid being banished by family members who care more about holiday cheer than John Coltrane (the nerve!). They should offer something adventurous for jazz enthusiasts without straying too far for the more casual listener. Flugelhornist Dmitri Matheny gets the balance just right on this mainstream jazz Christmas set. Three vocalists (including Paul West)guest but it is Matheny's warm-toned playing and his regular working band's accompaniment that really makes this one shine.
Editor: Nick Dedina

Music From The O.C. Mix 3: Have a Very Merry Chrismukkah- Various Artists

Happy hipster holidays! You don't need to have a $100 haircut and a mint condition pair of limited edition Nike Dunks to enjoy this hip mix of young Yuletide carolers, but the Raveonettes, Low, Rooney and their friends provide the perfect soundtrack if you're asking Santa Claus for a new white belt, a man-purse or an iPod.
Editor: Eric Shea