iTunes is having a fantastic sale right now where albums of up-and-coming artists are available for $5.99 and $6.99.

Two of my favorites in this group come from the genre of "modern chick music", which isn't quite as angry as Lilith-Fair-era chick music, but is also just girly enough to struggle in crossover success into the male audiences.

1. Missy Higgins - On a Clear Night

I've loved Missy for what seems like ages, when she won a songwriting competition in high school and became a breakout success at the age of 16. She's Australian and absolutely huge over there. Here, her songs pepper the Grey's Anatomy soundtracks, but she hasn't had much radio play.

The striking thing about Missy is her voice. The Australian accent mixed with the strong, but still breathiness of her dark alto is undeniably awesome. "On a Clear Night" is the name of her new album for $6.99. Stand-out tracks are the quietly morose "Where I Stood", the jubilant "Steer" and the dainty "Sugarcane".

But if you want a song that will absolutely melt your girly heart, go check out "The Special Two" from her first album. About a girl who surprised herself by cheating on the love of her life, you'll be shocked she wrote this when she was 16.

Grab Missy Higgins' "On a Clear Night" for $6.99

2. Meiko - Meiko


Meiko (despite its spelling, pronounced "meek-koh") is one of those MySpace success stories. Still an independent artists, she's done very well on iTunes, keeping the #1 folk record for several consecutive months. I'm not sure I would classify her as folk, but who can figure out what folk really means these days?

The great thing about the album is that there's no laziness. It's quality songwriting and production all the way through. Stand-out track for me is "How Lucky We Are" which was apparently originally called "Sh*tty Apartment" but changed for the album release.

The self-titled album Meiko is an absolute steal at $5.99.

Always wanted to pick up that Kelly Clarkson or Daughtry album, but didn't want to shell out the full $9.99 for it?

Well this week, all American Idol albums are on sale for $7.99. Everyone you can think of is here from the currently-hot Jordin Sparks, to the gorgeous Carrie Underwood, Fantasia and Clay, and my personal favorite William Hung. Hung got an entire album? That guy is amazing!

Some of the lesser-knowns are also present. Did you know that creepy Constantine did an album? I didn't either. I don't even remember who Jim Verraros is. I do remember Bucky Covington, and what I remember frightens and confuses me.

Rounding out there group are eating disorder subjects Katharine McPhee and Kellie Pickler, the bouncy Blake Lewis, marine Josh Gracin, Elliot Yamin and his newly fixed teeth, scarily cheerful Taylor Hicks, two efforts from Kimberly Locke, the forgetable Diana DeGarmo, and Ms. Clarkson's most beautiful disaster: Justin Guarini (::shudder::).

Personally, I'm going to grab the Daughtry album and considering Katharine McPhee's, which was pretty well reviewed.

The night is planned. The dinner is cooked, the candles are lit, and you've scattered your rose petals. All that's left to do is to put on some special tunes.

You know the kind of tunes I mean. You need a smooth, soundtrack brimming with romance to complete the evening for your special someone.

Luckily, iTunes has you covered with 16 classic tracks for $6.99. All of these songs were, at one point, #1 hits on the Billboard charts.

The album includes:

• I'll Make Love to You by Boyz II Men
• Let's Get It On by Marvin Gaye
• Truly by Lionel Ritchie
• More Than Words by Extreme

Huge hip-hop and rap album sale happening at iTunes this week. It's impossible to choose highlights from amongst this set of classic and new albums, so I'm going to tell you what's on sale and let you sort it out for yourself.

Eminem, Eric B. & Rakim, The Game, Gucci Mane, Public Enemy, Rakewon, The Roots, Slick Rick, Talib Kweli, Swizz Beatz, Lil Boosie, Pharoahe Monch, Ghostface Killah, Cam'Ron, Soulja Boy Tell 'Em, Fabolous, DJ Khaled, Styles P, Unk, DJ Envy & Red Cafe, T-Pain, Bow Wow & Omarion, Wyclef Jean, N.W.A., Common, Wu-Tang Clan, Keak da Sneak, Brother Ali, OutKast, Nas, Dudley Perkins, Gang Starr, Ice Cube, WC, Westside Connection, T.I., Oh No, and Tony Touch.

All albums on sale for $7.99.