Zune Insider

The hilarious rock tandem of Jack Black and Kyle Gass, Tenacious D, are Zune’s Artist of the Week. Don’t miss out on their long awaited new goof-rock epic, Rize of the Fenix.

Indie rock darlings Best Coast are back with their second full length album, The Only Place. Shedding the reverb and charming ears with a more focused sound, critics are buzzing about Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno’s sophomore record.

The rap super group Slaughterhouse just joined up with Cee Lo to create their new hit, “My Life.” While they bring the rhymes and beats, Cee Lo brings his unique, soulful flair.

M.I.A.’s protege Rye Rye brings the punchy, dance club anthems in her debut album Go! Pop! Bang! Don’t miss out on this young rapper from Baltimore!

The latest album from Godsmack, Live & Inspired, features live performances and brand new covers from their personal music idols. Metallica, Pink Floyd, Joe Walsh and the Beatles are all featured on this new release.

Do you know the origins of superpowers? Discover the root of uncanny abilities and their consequences in Chronicle! Get a free 10 minute preview then watch Chronicle in HD on Zune Video. Head over to Twitter and tweet with #ChronicleonZune this week to enter to win a movie poster!

Leave us a comment about your favorite new release out this week!

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Scott, Account Manager: Scott has been rocking out this week, with the sounds of Black Sabbath infiltrating the hallways from his office. When he hasn’t been headbanging to Sabbath, he’s been listening to Them Crooked Vultures, the rock and roll super group featuring members of Queens of the Stone Age, Nirvana, and Led Zeppelin.

Tod, Director: Scott’s not the only one that’s been breaking out the classic rock hits this week, as Tod’s been giving Pink Floyd some serious attention. From Dark Side of the Moon to The Wall, you can listen to an extensive portion of Pink Floyd’s discography with your Zune Music Pass.

Brett, Content Producer: Upon the announcement of new music on the way, Brett’s been going back and reacquainting himself with his favorite experimental pop group, Animal Collective. Brett has also been listening to Danny Brown this week, the rowdy Detroit MC whose recent release XXX has made waves with it’s vivid and raw blend of hip hop.

What have you been into lately? Let us know in the comments!

Our Artist of the Week this week is Tank, the soulful hip hop star influenced by artists like Chris Brown, T.I., and Bustah Rhymes. Thew new album is called This Is How I Feel, but use your Zune Music Pass to assess your own feelings on the album.

Back with their third album this week, Silversun Pickups bring their 90s rock revival in full force on their latest record. Neck Of The Woods contains the same feel as their past work, but with more a of a heavy psychedelic rock influence.

Everyone’s favorite young rapper has a new single out, a track that focuses on on Bow Wow’s softer side. “Better” features help from T-Pain, and shows the youthful star can only get better with age.

The hottest new pop couple Karmin have a new EP out this week. Greet yourself with Hello, complete with the quirky hip-pop style that the duo has become famous for.

Melodic and comforting are the first things that come to mind when it comes to the British quartet Keane, and their latest is no exception. Check out Strangeland today with your Zune Music Pass.

The world lost one of the most influential and socially-conscious musicians last Friday, as Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys passed away after a battle with cancer. Pay tribute to the late Beastie Boys legend with a playlist featuring a wide scope of his iconic career.

Leave us a comment about your favorite new release out this week!

Want to know what we’ve been into lately? Check it out!

Brett, Content Producer: One of Brett’s favorite modern singer/songwriters has a new album out with her current band this week. Jana Hunter’s Lower Dens has evolved to the layered dream-gaze force of Nootropics, coming a long way since the simple and beautiful folk songs Hunter became known for. Brett has also been digging into the back catalog of Beastie Boys in memory of Adam Yauch, who passed away this week after a battle with cancer.

Laura, Community Manager: Laura has been rocking The Lumineers, a folk-rock band out of Denver that has quickly become known for their acoustic-based Americana. Their debut self-titled LP is now available with your Zune Music Pass. Laura has also been watching and catching up with Breaking Bad, the fast-paced and highly addictive television series that you can catch every episode of on Zune Video.

Paul, Producer: Paul has been reacquainting himself with Ween, one the wilder prog-rock bands that seems to have a song for just about every genre. His favorite album is Quebec, released in 2003, but you can find all of the band’s classics with your Zune Music Pass.

What have you been into lately? Let us know in the comments!

Singer/songwriter sensation B.O.B. is back this week with his sophomore album, Strange Clouds. Balancing carefully between the raw rap sound of his mix tapes and the pop notions of his debut, the forecast for Strange Clouds is nothing but sunshine.

Country-pop star Carrie Underwood has her fourth album out this week, Blown Away. If hit lead single “Good Girl” is any indication, the former American Idol songstress will continue to turn heads.

With a lead single named “Happy Pills,” it’s no surprise that Norah Jones’ new record is a more upbeat affair. Little Broken Hearts is her new record, chock full of light soul, bubblegum pop, and some hearty grooves.

One of the world’s biggest R&B icons ushered in his new single this week. Usher’s “Scream” is from his forthcoming Looking For Myself full length, the pop mainstays seventh album.

Making Mirrors, the much-acclaimed 2011 album by Gotye, continues to make waves worldwide. The Australian electronic-pop artist now has a top 100 global hit on the Billboard charts, thanks to the shimmering track “Somebody That I Used To Know”.

Do you have travel plans to attend one the summer’s big music festivals this year? Even if you can’t make it out, listen to the hottest artists that are hitting the summer festival circuit with Zune’s Summer Festival Preview.

Leave us a comment about your favorite new release out this week!