Summer is a-comin' in, and it's once again time for AMG's classical editors and writers to sort through the CDs they've reviewed over the past six months and to pick the best albums for their mid-year survey. Don't let these recent gems slip your notice!

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50 Cent is suing Taco Bell over a “guerrilla advertising campaign” that implied the rapper endorsed the fast-food chain. [Idolator.com]

A plan to tax music lovers for downloading music is being discussed in the U.K. [Independent.co.uk]

The tracklisting to Metallica’s Death Magnetic has been revealed. [Billboard.com]

Playing to a crowd that included Jason Schwartzman, Anna Waronker and Mandy Moore, Randy Newman debuted songs from his upcoming album Harps and Angels at L.A.’s Largo on Wednesday night. [RollingStone.com]

Liz Phair is extending her Exile in Guyville tour to include dates in Boston, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. [Pitchforkmedia.com]

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It used to be that a list of albums offered up in December or January could paint a definitive, or at least representative, picture of The Year in Music. While that annual list is still a great way to say goodbye to the past year’s music and hello to what is to come, nowadays so many new albums and reissues vie for listeners that even a list of the best music from the past six months can seem quaintly out of touch. For this list, we focused on just the standout albums from April, May and June – and even then, it took a while to whittle it down to a reasonable size. Here are the spring and summer releases you just might be listening to come fall and winter (and check out our list of great music from the first three months of 2008 while you’re at it).

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