The last time that Time Out New York music editor Steve Smith joined us, he was defending music streaming services like Spotify in one of our Soundcheck Smackdowns. This time, he joins us without his metaphorical boxing gloves to share his top ten picks of the year, from an album of gender-bending arias to new music from an abrasive and avant-garde hip hop project.

The arrival of the new digital music service Spotify in the U.S. has been heralded as a low-cost way to expose lots of listeners to new music. But what do the artists behind the music get out of it? First, we're joined by Billboard writer Glenn Peoples to take a look at what streaming services like Spotify actually put into artists’ pockets. Then, the smacking down can begin - Time Out New York editor Steve Smith and musician Ben Allison debate whether these services are truly worth it in the end for musicians.

Now that you're ready to navigate the summer concert season safely, it's time to get out your day planner and start sketching out your summer concert calendar. Time Out New York music editor Steve Smith joins us to give us a preview of what not to miss during New York's warm-weather concert season.

With 2010 halfway over, Soundcheck's music critics have selected the top 10 must-listen recordings of the year so far. Joining us to look at the period from January through June are Maura Johnston, freelance music writer, and Steve Smith, music editor of Time Out New York.