vashti1999
08-28-2005, 04:11 PM
New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com
Hitting a fever pitch
by Jim Farber
Madonna will try to rebound from the first CD bomb of her career with a striking return to dance music. The sixtysomething Rolling Stones will try to prove they can make new music that rocks as hard as their classics. And Ashlee Simpson will explicitly address the scandal over whether she can actually sing - in the lyrics of a new song.
Those are just a few of the plot lines and promises lurking behind the coming season's most anticipated albums.
As always, this fall hosts the music industry's densest downfall of releases. Hundreds of fresh CDs are poised to clog record store bins (the few that are left) and cram downloading sites (the many that keep expanding).
Lots of acts that broke huge with their debuts will face the dreaded sophomore curse this season, including The Darkness, Jet, Sean Paul, Scissor Sisters, Gretchen Wilson and Franz Ferdinand.
Do they have the goods to establish real careers? Or will some end up going the platinum-to-poof route of Joan Osborne and Paula Cole?
Other stars are risking working in a new medium, with a different genre, or in rejiggered configurations.
Jamie Foxx, who impersonated Ray Charles with such eerie ease in "Ray," will release the first work in his own voice. Titled "Three Letter Word" (hint: it's not "toy"), the disk is described as "a very, very sexual record." Think: R. Kelly at his freaky-deakiest.
Pink Floyd's main writer, Roger Waters, will put off a possible studio reunion with his classic band to promote something far less commercially sound: a double-CD opera inspired by, get this, the French Revolution.
Another major British brand name, Queen, will return to the record bins for the first time since the death of icon Freddie Mercury in 1991 with a live album from a recent tour. Bassist John Deacon didn't deign to tag along. But that didn't stop guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor from hiring a stand-in, or from recruiting as their vocalist the very un-Mercury-like Paul Rodgers (of Free and Bad Company fame).
Am I the only one who gets no image when trying to picture mucho-macho Rodgers squealing through "Bohemian Rhapsody"?
On the high end of the age scale, B.B. King plans to put out an album toasting his 80th birthday - titled "80," in case you miss the point. King opted for the Sinatra/Santana m.o., piling on a round of all-too-familiar big names for duets, like U2, Sting, Elton John and Van Morrison. Couldn't he have gone with younger over-exposed stars? Like, say, Kanye West?
At the lower end of the life cycle stands (or more likely, falls) ex-Libertine singer Pete Doherty. The perpetually recovering heroin addict will release the debut work from his own band, Babyshambles. Doherty's story line has to be this fall's most nervous-making. While other stars are merely putting their careers on the line, Doherty always seems to be putting his very life there.
For the lowdown on other, somewhat less nail-biting, scenarios, read on. (One caveat: Record company release schedules fluctuate more than the stock market. These dates need to be taken with a pound of salt.)
SEPTEMBER 6
George Clinton - "How Late Do You Have 2 B B 4 U R Absent?" In a bid to bring numerical spelling to new heights, Clinton teams on his new CD with the guy who did more to reduce language to math to begin with: Prince.
Ray Davies A new solo album from the lead Kink.
Alison Moyet - "Voice" An all- cover-version album from one of the U.K.'s most stalwart, and androgynous, voices.
North Mississippi AllStars - "Electric Blue Watermelon" The coolest keepers of '60s-style blues-rock put out another ballsy effort.
The Rolling Stones - "A Bigger Bang" Their first studio album in eight years (since "Bridges to Babylon") rates as the Stones' first pretty good one in sixteen (1989's "Steel Wheels"). It contains the begging-to-be-controversial song "Sweet Neo-Con" which "isn't about Bush." It only sounds that way.
Sexsmith & Kerr - "Destination Unknown" Sensitive Canadian songwriter Ron Sexsmith issues a tandem album with Don Kerr of the band Rheostatics. Don't worry, Sexsmith fans. It sounds like pure Ron.
Ben Taylor - "Another Run Around the Sun" A new solo album from the son of James Taylor and Carly Simon.
Kathy Valentine - "Light Years" The Go-Gos' bassist issues a solo album with guest cameos from members of Kiss (Ace Frehley), Blondie (Clem Burke) and Guns N' Roses (Gilby Clarke).
SEPTEMBER 13
Bonnie Raitt - "Souls Alike" A more ruminative album from the veteran blues-based singer.
Devendra Banhart - "Cripple Crow" The fluttery-voiced New York singer takes his place, along with the vocalist Anthony and the band CocoRosie, in a growing New York underground of ethereal, flighty spirits.
Blues Traveler - "Bastardos" The latest from the jamming blues-rock group, featuring production from Wilco's Jay Bennett.
John Cale - "Black Acetate" The stern-voiced musician from the Velvet Underground issues another grave revelation.
Sam Champion - "Slow Rewind" The only rock band named after a New York weatherman puts out a buzz-generating effort.
Tracy Chapman - "Change" The painfully earnest, monotoned, folk singer could use a "Change." But don't expect to find one here.
CocoRosie - "Noah's Ark" They sound like Billie Holiday being excreted through a sausage grinder. But CocoRosie has originality, daring - and even sexual ambiguity - on their side.
B.B. King - "80" The blues icon pullsa Santana, dueting with a host of easily recognized stars, from Bono to David Gilmour.
The Dandy Warhols - "Odditorium or Warlords of Mars" They're fresh from a starring role as the nice guys in the rockumentary "Dig," in which they do battle with their crazed nemesis: Anton Newcombe of The Brian Jonestown Massacre. The controversy could give this cult band just the commercial boost they need.
DJ Quick - "Trauma" The legendary West Coast hip-hop wordsmith reappears, with help from B-Real, Wyclef Jean, Ludacris, The Game and Chingy.
Paul McCartney - "Chaos and Creation in the Back Yard" It's been four years since Sir Paul's last original studio work. And, whaddya know, four years have passed since his last tour. At least that means he'll have a few new songs to play live alongside ditties from some band you may remember from the '60s.
Everclear The astute, alterna-rock chroniclers of family dysfunction release their first album of new material in five years.
David Gray - "Life in Slow Motion" A more grandly arranged, and produced, work from the Welch chanteur.
Iron & Wine/Calexico - "In the Reins" It's just an EP, but this one brings together two of the hottest indie rock bands of the moment.
The Like - "Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking?" The debut CD from a group that features the daughter of super-producer Mitchell Froom and the Attractions' drummer Pete Thomas.
Patty Loveless - "Dreamin' My Dreams" The new disc from the country mainstay features guest appearances by Emmylou Harris, Dwight Yoakam and musician Albert Lee.
Pet Shop Boys - "Battleship Potemkin" Here's a weird one. The Pet Shop Boys have fashioned a fresh soundtrack for the 1925 silent movie every film student is forced to study in school. Synths serenading the famous "Odessa Steps" sequence, anyone?
Pussycat Dolls - "PCD" So it has finally come to this. Las Vegas showgirls have their own album. Then again, male models have been releasing them for some time (see: Tyrese). For the Dolls, Timbaland offers production support and Busta Rhymes highlighted their huge summer single. Expect the Pussycats' full album to be just as big.
Queen + Paul Rodgers - "Return of the Champions" Older fans may not appreciate this album's title, since only half the champions have returned. Personally, I'm intrigued by the group's mathematical billing. I guess that's their way of screaming: "stand-in singer Paul Rodgers IS NOT AND WILL NEVER BE Freddie Mercury." Either way, this CD wins this fall's curiosity award, hands down.
Rev Run - "Distortion" Solo recordings from the former Run D.M.C. rapper turned man-of-God.
Sigur RÓs - "Takk" Get ready for more pretentiousness from these glacially paced Icelanders.
Simple Minds - "Black & White 05" Their big song was "Don't You Forget About Me," but most people did. Yet, given the ardor lately for all things '80s, why shouldn't Jim Kerr's band try to assert itself again?
Lil' Kim - "the Naked Truth" The soon-to-be-imprisoned rapper (on a perjury conviction) lashes out at those who snitched on her for this fiery fourth CD.
Switchfoot - "Nothing Is Sound" The follow-up-to-a-platinum breakthrough from a bunch of surfers who hate it when you bring up that they used to be Christian rockers.
Trina - "The Glamourest Life" The first album in five years from a female rapper so foulmouthed she makes Lil' Kim seem like a lil' angel. With the escalation of the Dirty South sound, Trina could break big this time, especially aided by production from Trackboyz, Swizz Beatz, Scott Scorch and, naturally, Kanye West.
Paul Wall - "The People's Champ" The next big thing out of Houston (after Mike Jones and Slim Thug), Wall has the novelty factor behind him, too: He's white.
Russell Watson - "Amore Musica" Another pop-opera crossover, Watson is the kind of guy who can go from singing "Nussem Dorma" to "Bridge Over Troubled Water" without blinking an eye - though some listeners may choke back a chuckle. His second work should be as blithely eclectic as ever.
Dar Williams - "My Better Self" One of the most erudite and prolific contemporary singer-songwriters returns with an album pairing her with peers Patty Larkin, Ani DiFranco and Marshall Crenshaw.
Various Artists "Back Up Against The Wall" A tribute to Pink Floyd's "The Wall" boasting a long list of aging art-rock contributors, including Ian Anderson, Rick Wakeman, Chris Squire, Tony Levinand Keith Emerson.
Various Artists - "Elizabeth Town" Regardless of what you think of director Cameron Crowe's super-earnest scripts, his soundtracks always score. This one features the band My Morning Jacket, who make a cameo in the film - performing "Free Bird," no less.
SEPTEMBER 20
David Banner - "Certified" Mississippi's main rapper issues the follow- up to his national breakthrough, "Baptized in Dirty Water."
Bon Jovi - "Have a Nice Day" The perpetually chirpy Bon Jovi may be the only group around these days who could use this title without irony.
Sean Paul - "The Trinity" The man who helped Caribbean music break through to the mainstream returns with his first release since the groundbreaking "Dutty Rock."
Ryan Cabrera - "You Stand Watching" The second album from the teen-pop cutie pie and (hands off, girls!) boyfriend of Ashlee Simpson.
Coheed and Cambria - "Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume I: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness" Yes, that's the actual title. The neo-rock group is out to make the most convoluted music on the planet. Believe me, the title is just the beginning.
Def Leppard - "Yeah!" Not to be confused with Usher's hit, Leppard's title refers to the reaction they hope to get from fans to their collection of covers. They include MC5's "Kick Out the Jams," Blondie's "Hanging on the Telephone" and Bowie's "Drive In Saturday."
Disturbed - "Ten Thousand Fists" The latest from metal's most unashamed (only?) intellectuals.
Earth, Wind & Fire - "Illumination" The '70s funk-pop band returns on collaborations with promising guest stars like Musiq, Big Boi, Kelly Rowland and Rapheal Saadiq - not to mention with production from Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and the Black Eyed Peas. Do I smell "comeback?"
Barbra Streisand - "Guilty Pleasures" The diva reunites with producer Barry Gibb for the first time since their "Guilty" album more than 25 years ago. It's also Babs' first pop-oriented studio album in six years.
Buddy Guy - "Bring 'Em In" The most solo-prone of the old time blues artists, Guy lets it rip with guests Carlos Santana, Keith Richards, Keb Mo and secret six-string hero John Mayer.
Heaven 17 - "Before After" The first album from the '80s group in nearly a decade.
Jamiroquai - "Dynamite" The Brit-funk act's attempt to blow up once again in the U.S. after a long losing streak.
Korn - "Souvenir of Sadness" These heaving metal huns work with unexpected producers this time, including Linda Perry (who more commonly toils with the likes of Pink) and Dallas Austin (not exactly known for his guitar flair).
Twista - "The Day After" Rap's most fleet tongue puts out an album that could make him as rich as he is famous.
Neil Young - "Prairie Wind" The wobbly-voiced icon's first album since his disastrous hippie musical "Greendale."
Various Artists - "Different Strokes by Different Folks" It's not a salute to the terrible '80s sitcom but, rather, a tip-of-the-hat to Sly and the Family Stone's catalogue. Featuring contributions from Janet Jackson, Steven Tyler, John Legend, Van Hunt, Maroon 5, Isaac Hayes and Joss Stone.
Various Artists - "To Luther With Love" A musical eulogy to beloved R&B singer Luther Vandross, featuring teary sendoffs from Mary J. Blige, Celine Dion, Angie Stone, Monica, Patti LaBelle, Fantasia and more.
SEPTEMBER 27
Ryan Adams - "September" The prolific alt-country rocker returns with his second CD of this year (the first was a double set, yet).
Babyshambles - "F- Forever" The debut work from the group formed by trouble man Pete Doherty after getting the heave-ho from the Libertines. Like that first band, Doherty's new one was produced by ex-Clash mainstay Mick Jones.
Big Star - "In Space" Can it be? That sainted '70s power-pop band Big Star, fronted by the even more sanctified Alex Chilton, is returning with what's billed as its first album of new songs in 27 years. One caveat: the only other original "Star" in the group is drummer Jody Stephens.
Toni Braxton "Libra" The sultry R&B singer's attempts at a comeback after suing Arista Records. Now she's on Universal.
Sheryl Crow "Wildflower" The singer's first release since finding true love with Lance Armstrong.
Gretchen Wilson - "All Jacked Up" The crucial second CD from country's most popular new singer since Shania.
India.Arie - "India.Arie's Song" A double CD from the self-righteous soul folkie.
Jet The second stateside CD from the best '70s retro band of the last two years. The single has a promising title: "I Only Like You When I'm High."
Les Nubians - "Echos: Nubian Voyager" The third work from this fetching French-Afro pop amalgam.
Mashonda - "January Joy" The debut from the singing wife of hip-hop producer Swizz Beatz. Not that she lacks her own musical credits, having sung songs by Jay-Z, Eve, Cassidy and Lil' Kim.
Ric Ocasek - "Nexterday" The ex-Car singer/producer's first solo album in eight years.
Q-Tip - "Live at the Renaissance" Arista refused to release Q's terrific last solo album. Thankfully, Motown will issue his new one.
Supergrass - "Road to Rouen" If nothing else, this cheeky Brit-pop group came up with the best album title, as well as the best Ramones reference, of the year.
System Of A Down - "Hypnotize" The followup to "Mezmerize," the Armenian-metal band's hit from earlier this year.
Three 6 Mafia - "The Most Known Unknowns" The latest effort from Memphis' strongest rappers.
Roger Waters - "Ca Ira" The brain-trust behind Pink Floyd tries opera. Hey - it sort of worked for Elvis Costello.
OCTOBER 4
Fiona Apple - "Extraordinary Machine" The biggest leak since the Titanic occurred when Apple's third CD trickled out via the Internet. Now a reworked version of its music finally comes to market - legally, this time.
Andy Bell - "Electric Blue" A solo album from the Erasure front man whom everyone loves to call "flamboyant."
Jamie Cullum - "Catching Tales" The most lively pop piano player since early Elton John releases his second work.
Cream - "Royal Albert Hall London May 2-3-5-6, 2005" A much-anticipated live recording from the first concerts by Eric Clapton's legendary power trio since, gasp, 1968. Ten-minute drum solo, anyone?
The Darkness - "The Painstaking" The return of caterwauling cornball rock. Will the Darkness finally become the next big thing they've long claimed to be?
Franz Ferdinand - "You Could Have It So Much Better" The best, and best-selling, of the '80s revivalists returns for CD No. 2.
My Morning Jacket - "Z" The moody alterna-country-rock band comes back with an artier, and more broad-based, sound.
Sinead O'Connor - "Throw Down Your Arms" The always contrary singer cuts a collection of reggae protest songs.
Liz Phair - "Somebody's Miracle" On her last album, she sold out, and she doesn't care. Which is good because Phair's commercial material whips the bejesus out of her indie stuff.
OCTOBER 11
Aerosmith - "Rockin' the Joint" A live work from the hardest working band in show business.
Jackson Browne - "Solo Acoustic, Volume 1" The poetic songwriter's first album on his own indie imprint.
Dashboard Confessional Emo's biggest heartthrob goes upscale, with production from the prestigious Daniel Lanois.
Outkast - "10 the Hard Way" The soundtrack to the hit duo's upcoming HBO flick.
Dolly Parton - "Those Were the Days" An all-covers album highlighted by the Mary Hopkin title track.
Red Hot Chili Peppers Their first release since the group forsook its early churning funk for crooning ballads.
Scissor Sisters The second CD from the campy New York rockers who have yet to hit in their own country. The English, by contrast, love 'em more than soccer.
Paul Weller - "As Is Now" Rumored to be the most rocking album from the Jam/Style Council mainstay in eons.
OCTOBER 18
Black Rob - "The Black Rob Report" The first release in six years from the man P. Diddy once hoped would be the next Biggie Smalls.
Depeche Mode - "Playing the Angel" With the '80s back, why not go for the real thing?
Dr. Dre - "Detox" His production work, and influence, may be everywhere in hip hop, but Dre hasn't had an album of his own in over half a decade. Expect a (commercial) monster.
Nellie McKay - "Pretty Little Head" Pop's oddest singer returns with her second wild-card CD.
Ashlee Simpson - "In Another Life" The dark-haired Simpson's first release since her "SNL" debacle will directly address the controversy, which seems only to have enhanced her image as a scamp.
T.A.T.U. - "Dangerous and Moving" This faux-lesbian Russian duo puts out its latest tease of a CD.
Thrice "Vheissu" The biggest band in the "scream-o" movement puts in what could be its crossover release.
Brian Wilson - "What I Really Want for Christmas" A holiday album from the Beach Boy who's on a roll since finally issuing his lost "Smile."
OCTOBER 25
My Chemical Romance - "Life on the Murder Scene" The New Jersey punk-pop group, which struck gold last time, now shoots for platinum.
Mary J. Blige "The Breakthrough" She already declared that "No More Drama" will affect her life. So, what will modern soul's most celebrated sob sister sing about now? Find out on this one.
Bryan Adams - "Stripped" Like the title says, an all-acoustic affair from the Canadian rocker.
Fefe Dobson - "Sunday Love" The second album from one of teen-pop's better Avril wanna-bes. Includes songs written by Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett and Rancid's Tim Armstrong.
Various artists - "This Bird Has Flown" A 40th anniversary tribute to the Beatles' "Rubber Soul," with contributions from the Donnas, Ben Lee, Mindy Smith and Ben Harper.
NOVEMBER 1
Diana Krall - "Count Your Blessings" A holiday nod.
Brian Littrell A solo album from one of the better Backstreet Boys.
Santana "All That I Am" Another run through his collaborative formula. It pairs Santana with Big Boi, Mary J. Blige, Black Eyed Peas, Los Lonely Boys, Sean Paul and anyone else who can help him get on the radio.
Wilco A live CD from the ultimate critical darlings.
NOVEMBER 8
Big & Rich The creators of country's Music Mafia return with a followup to their smash.
Kenny Chesney - "The Road & the Radio" The singer's first since getting hitched to Renee Zellweger.
Neil Diamond The lounge smoothie gets the Rick Rubin treatment. Could he become the next Johnny Cash?
Bob Seger - "Face the Promise" The Detroit rocker's first new studio album in a decade.
NOVEMBER 15
Madonna - "Confessions on a Dance Floor" Maddy attempts a comeback by axing the politics and the pretension to take us back to the place she knows best - the dance floor.
Shakira - "Oral Fixation 2" The English half of an album released earlier this year by the Colombian bombshell.
Carrie Underwood The newest, and worst, American Idol yet vamps and wails through her first solo CD.
DECEMBER 6
Hoobastank The anti-Incubus releases the followup to its sellout/breakthrough.
P.O.D. - "Testify" The world's hardest Christian rock band records with everyone from Gwen Stefani to Hasidic reggae star Matisyahu, in the ultimate bid to make its music universal.
Hitting a fever pitch
by Jim Farber
Madonna will try to rebound from the first CD bomb of her career with a striking return to dance music. The sixtysomething Rolling Stones will try to prove they can make new music that rocks as hard as their classics. And Ashlee Simpson will explicitly address the scandal over whether she can actually sing - in the lyrics of a new song.
Those are just a few of the plot lines and promises lurking behind the coming season's most anticipated albums.
As always, this fall hosts the music industry's densest downfall of releases. Hundreds of fresh CDs are poised to clog record store bins (the few that are left) and cram downloading sites (the many that keep expanding).
Lots of acts that broke huge with their debuts will face the dreaded sophomore curse this season, including The Darkness, Jet, Sean Paul, Scissor Sisters, Gretchen Wilson and Franz Ferdinand.
Do they have the goods to establish real careers? Or will some end up going the platinum-to-poof route of Joan Osborne and Paula Cole?
Other stars are risking working in a new medium, with a different genre, or in rejiggered configurations.
Jamie Foxx, who impersonated Ray Charles with such eerie ease in "Ray," will release the first work in his own voice. Titled "Three Letter Word" (hint: it's not "toy"), the disk is described as "a very, very sexual record." Think: R. Kelly at his freaky-deakiest.
Pink Floyd's main writer, Roger Waters, will put off a possible studio reunion with his classic band to promote something far less commercially sound: a double-CD opera inspired by, get this, the French Revolution.
Another major British brand name, Queen, will return to the record bins for the first time since the death of icon Freddie Mercury in 1991 with a live album from a recent tour. Bassist John Deacon didn't deign to tag along. But that didn't stop guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor from hiring a stand-in, or from recruiting as their vocalist the very un-Mercury-like Paul Rodgers (of Free and Bad Company fame).
Am I the only one who gets no image when trying to picture mucho-macho Rodgers squealing through "Bohemian Rhapsody"?
On the high end of the age scale, B.B. King plans to put out an album toasting his 80th birthday - titled "80," in case you miss the point. King opted for the Sinatra/Santana m.o., piling on a round of all-too-familiar big names for duets, like U2, Sting, Elton John and Van Morrison. Couldn't he have gone with younger over-exposed stars? Like, say, Kanye West?
At the lower end of the life cycle stands (or more likely, falls) ex-Libertine singer Pete Doherty. The perpetually recovering heroin addict will release the debut work from his own band, Babyshambles. Doherty's story line has to be this fall's most nervous-making. While other stars are merely putting their careers on the line, Doherty always seems to be putting his very life there.
For the lowdown on other, somewhat less nail-biting, scenarios, read on. (One caveat: Record company release schedules fluctuate more than the stock market. These dates need to be taken with a pound of salt.)
SEPTEMBER 6
George Clinton - "How Late Do You Have 2 B B 4 U R Absent?" In a bid to bring numerical spelling to new heights, Clinton teams on his new CD with the guy who did more to reduce language to math to begin with: Prince.
Ray Davies A new solo album from the lead Kink.
Alison Moyet - "Voice" An all- cover-version album from one of the U.K.'s most stalwart, and androgynous, voices.
North Mississippi AllStars - "Electric Blue Watermelon" The coolest keepers of '60s-style blues-rock put out another ballsy effort.
The Rolling Stones - "A Bigger Bang" Their first studio album in eight years (since "Bridges to Babylon") rates as the Stones' first pretty good one in sixteen (1989's "Steel Wheels"). It contains the begging-to-be-controversial song "Sweet Neo-Con" which "isn't about Bush." It only sounds that way.
Sexsmith & Kerr - "Destination Unknown" Sensitive Canadian songwriter Ron Sexsmith issues a tandem album with Don Kerr of the band Rheostatics. Don't worry, Sexsmith fans. It sounds like pure Ron.
Ben Taylor - "Another Run Around the Sun" A new solo album from the son of James Taylor and Carly Simon.
Kathy Valentine - "Light Years" The Go-Gos' bassist issues a solo album with guest cameos from members of Kiss (Ace Frehley), Blondie (Clem Burke) and Guns N' Roses (Gilby Clarke).
SEPTEMBER 13
Bonnie Raitt - "Souls Alike" A more ruminative album from the veteran blues-based singer.
Devendra Banhart - "Cripple Crow" The fluttery-voiced New York singer takes his place, along with the vocalist Anthony and the band CocoRosie, in a growing New York underground of ethereal, flighty spirits.
Blues Traveler - "Bastardos" The latest from the jamming blues-rock group, featuring production from Wilco's Jay Bennett.
John Cale - "Black Acetate" The stern-voiced musician from the Velvet Underground issues another grave revelation.
Sam Champion - "Slow Rewind" The only rock band named after a New York weatherman puts out a buzz-generating effort.
Tracy Chapman - "Change" The painfully earnest, monotoned, folk singer could use a "Change." But don't expect to find one here.
CocoRosie - "Noah's Ark" They sound like Billie Holiday being excreted through a sausage grinder. But CocoRosie has originality, daring - and even sexual ambiguity - on their side.
B.B. King - "80" The blues icon pullsa Santana, dueting with a host of easily recognized stars, from Bono to David Gilmour.
The Dandy Warhols - "Odditorium or Warlords of Mars" They're fresh from a starring role as the nice guys in the rockumentary "Dig," in which they do battle with their crazed nemesis: Anton Newcombe of The Brian Jonestown Massacre. The controversy could give this cult band just the commercial boost they need.
DJ Quick - "Trauma" The legendary West Coast hip-hop wordsmith reappears, with help from B-Real, Wyclef Jean, Ludacris, The Game and Chingy.
Paul McCartney - "Chaos and Creation in the Back Yard" It's been four years since Sir Paul's last original studio work. And, whaddya know, four years have passed since his last tour. At least that means he'll have a few new songs to play live alongside ditties from some band you may remember from the '60s.
Everclear The astute, alterna-rock chroniclers of family dysfunction release their first album of new material in five years.
David Gray - "Life in Slow Motion" A more grandly arranged, and produced, work from the Welch chanteur.
Iron & Wine/Calexico - "In the Reins" It's just an EP, but this one brings together two of the hottest indie rock bands of the moment.
The Like - "Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking?" The debut CD from a group that features the daughter of super-producer Mitchell Froom and the Attractions' drummer Pete Thomas.
Patty Loveless - "Dreamin' My Dreams" The new disc from the country mainstay features guest appearances by Emmylou Harris, Dwight Yoakam and musician Albert Lee.
Pet Shop Boys - "Battleship Potemkin" Here's a weird one. The Pet Shop Boys have fashioned a fresh soundtrack for the 1925 silent movie every film student is forced to study in school. Synths serenading the famous "Odessa Steps" sequence, anyone?
Pussycat Dolls - "PCD" So it has finally come to this. Las Vegas showgirls have their own album. Then again, male models have been releasing them for some time (see: Tyrese). For the Dolls, Timbaland offers production support and Busta Rhymes highlighted their huge summer single. Expect the Pussycats' full album to be just as big.
Queen + Paul Rodgers - "Return of the Champions" Older fans may not appreciate this album's title, since only half the champions have returned. Personally, I'm intrigued by the group's mathematical billing. I guess that's their way of screaming: "stand-in singer Paul Rodgers IS NOT AND WILL NEVER BE Freddie Mercury." Either way, this CD wins this fall's curiosity award, hands down.
Rev Run - "Distortion" Solo recordings from the former Run D.M.C. rapper turned man-of-God.
Sigur RÓs - "Takk" Get ready for more pretentiousness from these glacially paced Icelanders.
Simple Minds - "Black & White 05" Their big song was "Don't You Forget About Me," but most people did. Yet, given the ardor lately for all things '80s, why shouldn't Jim Kerr's band try to assert itself again?
Lil' Kim - "the Naked Truth" The soon-to-be-imprisoned rapper (on a perjury conviction) lashes out at those who snitched on her for this fiery fourth CD.
Switchfoot - "Nothing Is Sound" The follow-up-to-a-platinum breakthrough from a bunch of surfers who hate it when you bring up that they used to be Christian rockers.
Trina - "The Glamourest Life" The first album in five years from a female rapper so foulmouthed she makes Lil' Kim seem like a lil' angel. With the escalation of the Dirty South sound, Trina could break big this time, especially aided by production from Trackboyz, Swizz Beatz, Scott Scorch and, naturally, Kanye West.
Paul Wall - "The People's Champ" The next big thing out of Houston (after Mike Jones and Slim Thug), Wall has the novelty factor behind him, too: He's white.
Russell Watson - "Amore Musica" Another pop-opera crossover, Watson is the kind of guy who can go from singing "Nussem Dorma" to "Bridge Over Troubled Water" without blinking an eye - though some listeners may choke back a chuckle. His second work should be as blithely eclectic as ever.
Dar Williams - "My Better Self" One of the most erudite and prolific contemporary singer-songwriters returns with an album pairing her with peers Patty Larkin, Ani DiFranco and Marshall Crenshaw.
Various Artists "Back Up Against The Wall" A tribute to Pink Floyd's "The Wall" boasting a long list of aging art-rock contributors, including Ian Anderson, Rick Wakeman, Chris Squire, Tony Levinand Keith Emerson.
Various Artists - "Elizabeth Town" Regardless of what you think of director Cameron Crowe's super-earnest scripts, his soundtracks always score. This one features the band My Morning Jacket, who make a cameo in the film - performing "Free Bird," no less.
SEPTEMBER 20
David Banner - "Certified" Mississippi's main rapper issues the follow- up to his national breakthrough, "Baptized in Dirty Water."
Bon Jovi - "Have a Nice Day" The perpetually chirpy Bon Jovi may be the only group around these days who could use this title without irony.
Sean Paul - "The Trinity" The man who helped Caribbean music break through to the mainstream returns with his first release since the groundbreaking "Dutty Rock."
Ryan Cabrera - "You Stand Watching" The second album from the teen-pop cutie pie and (hands off, girls!) boyfriend of Ashlee Simpson.
Coheed and Cambria - "Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume I: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness" Yes, that's the actual title. The neo-rock group is out to make the most convoluted music on the planet. Believe me, the title is just the beginning.
Def Leppard - "Yeah!" Not to be confused with Usher's hit, Leppard's title refers to the reaction they hope to get from fans to their collection of covers. They include MC5's "Kick Out the Jams," Blondie's "Hanging on the Telephone" and Bowie's "Drive In Saturday."
Disturbed - "Ten Thousand Fists" The latest from metal's most unashamed (only?) intellectuals.
Earth, Wind & Fire - "Illumination" The '70s funk-pop band returns on collaborations with promising guest stars like Musiq, Big Boi, Kelly Rowland and Rapheal Saadiq - not to mention with production from Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and the Black Eyed Peas. Do I smell "comeback?"
Barbra Streisand - "Guilty Pleasures" The diva reunites with producer Barry Gibb for the first time since their "Guilty" album more than 25 years ago. It's also Babs' first pop-oriented studio album in six years.
Buddy Guy - "Bring 'Em In" The most solo-prone of the old time blues artists, Guy lets it rip with guests Carlos Santana, Keith Richards, Keb Mo and secret six-string hero John Mayer.
Heaven 17 - "Before After" The first album from the '80s group in nearly a decade.
Jamiroquai - "Dynamite" The Brit-funk act's attempt to blow up once again in the U.S. after a long losing streak.
Korn - "Souvenir of Sadness" These heaving metal huns work with unexpected producers this time, including Linda Perry (who more commonly toils with the likes of Pink) and Dallas Austin (not exactly known for his guitar flair).
Twista - "The Day After" Rap's most fleet tongue puts out an album that could make him as rich as he is famous.
Neil Young - "Prairie Wind" The wobbly-voiced icon's first album since his disastrous hippie musical "Greendale."
Various Artists - "Different Strokes by Different Folks" It's not a salute to the terrible '80s sitcom but, rather, a tip-of-the-hat to Sly and the Family Stone's catalogue. Featuring contributions from Janet Jackson, Steven Tyler, John Legend, Van Hunt, Maroon 5, Isaac Hayes and Joss Stone.
Various Artists - "To Luther With Love" A musical eulogy to beloved R&B singer Luther Vandross, featuring teary sendoffs from Mary J. Blige, Celine Dion, Angie Stone, Monica, Patti LaBelle, Fantasia and more.
SEPTEMBER 27
Ryan Adams - "September" The prolific alt-country rocker returns with his second CD of this year (the first was a double set, yet).
Babyshambles - "F- Forever" The debut work from the group formed by trouble man Pete Doherty after getting the heave-ho from the Libertines. Like that first band, Doherty's new one was produced by ex-Clash mainstay Mick Jones.
Big Star - "In Space" Can it be? That sainted '70s power-pop band Big Star, fronted by the even more sanctified Alex Chilton, is returning with what's billed as its first album of new songs in 27 years. One caveat: the only other original "Star" in the group is drummer Jody Stephens.
Toni Braxton "Libra" The sultry R&B singer's attempts at a comeback after suing Arista Records. Now she's on Universal.
Sheryl Crow "Wildflower" The singer's first release since finding true love with Lance Armstrong.
Gretchen Wilson - "All Jacked Up" The crucial second CD from country's most popular new singer since Shania.
India.Arie - "India.Arie's Song" A double CD from the self-righteous soul folkie.
Jet The second stateside CD from the best '70s retro band of the last two years. The single has a promising title: "I Only Like You When I'm High."
Les Nubians - "Echos: Nubian Voyager" The third work from this fetching French-Afro pop amalgam.
Mashonda - "January Joy" The debut from the singing wife of hip-hop producer Swizz Beatz. Not that she lacks her own musical credits, having sung songs by Jay-Z, Eve, Cassidy and Lil' Kim.
Ric Ocasek - "Nexterday" The ex-Car singer/producer's first solo album in eight years.
Q-Tip - "Live at the Renaissance" Arista refused to release Q's terrific last solo album. Thankfully, Motown will issue his new one.
Supergrass - "Road to Rouen" If nothing else, this cheeky Brit-pop group came up with the best album title, as well as the best Ramones reference, of the year.
System Of A Down - "Hypnotize" The followup to "Mezmerize," the Armenian-metal band's hit from earlier this year.
Three 6 Mafia - "The Most Known Unknowns" The latest effort from Memphis' strongest rappers.
Roger Waters - "Ca Ira" The brain-trust behind Pink Floyd tries opera. Hey - it sort of worked for Elvis Costello.
OCTOBER 4
Fiona Apple - "Extraordinary Machine" The biggest leak since the Titanic occurred when Apple's third CD trickled out via the Internet. Now a reworked version of its music finally comes to market - legally, this time.
Andy Bell - "Electric Blue" A solo album from the Erasure front man whom everyone loves to call "flamboyant."
Jamie Cullum - "Catching Tales" The most lively pop piano player since early Elton John releases his second work.
Cream - "Royal Albert Hall London May 2-3-5-6, 2005" A much-anticipated live recording from the first concerts by Eric Clapton's legendary power trio since, gasp, 1968. Ten-minute drum solo, anyone?
The Darkness - "The Painstaking" The return of caterwauling cornball rock. Will the Darkness finally become the next big thing they've long claimed to be?
Franz Ferdinand - "You Could Have It So Much Better" The best, and best-selling, of the '80s revivalists returns for CD No. 2.
My Morning Jacket - "Z" The moody alterna-country-rock band comes back with an artier, and more broad-based, sound.
Sinead O'Connor - "Throw Down Your Arms" The always contrary singer cuts a collection of reggae protest songs.
Liz Phair - "Somebody's Miracle" On her last album, she sold out, and she doesn't care. Which is good because Phair's commercial material whips the bejesus out of her indie stuff.
OCTOBER 11
Aerosmith - "Rockin' the Joint" A live work from the hardest working band in show business.
Jackson Browne - "Solo Acoustic, Volume 1" The poetic songwriter's first album on his own indie imprint.
Dashboard Confessional Emo's biggest heartthrob goes upscale, with production from the prestigious Daniel Lanois.
Outkast - "10 the Hard Way" The soundtrack to the hit duo's upcoming HBO flick.
Dolly Parton - "Those Were the Days" An all-covers album highlighted by the Mary Hopkin title track.
Red Hot Chili Peppers Their first release since the group forsook its early churning funk for crooning ballads.
Scissor Sisters The second CD from the campy New York rockers who have yet to hit in their own country. The English, by contrast, love 'em more than soccer.
Paul Weller - "As Is Now" Rumored to be the most rocking album from the Jam/Style Council mainstay in eons.
OCTOBER 18
Black Rob - "The Black Rob Report" The first release in six years from the man P. Diddy once hoped would be the next Biggie Smalls.
Depeche Mode - "Playing the Angel" With the '80s back, why not go for the real thing?
Dr. Dre - "Detox" His production work, and influence, may be everywhere in hip hop, but Dre hasn't had an album of his own in over half a decade. Expect a (commercial) monster.
Nellie McKay - "Pretty Little Head" Pop's oddest singer returns with her second wild-card CD.
Ashlee Simpson - "In Another Life" The dark-haired Simpson's first release since her "SNL" debacle will directly address the controversy, which seems only to have enhanced her image as a scamp.
T.A.T.U. - "Dangerous and Moving" This faux-lesbian Russian duo puts out its latest tease of a CD.
Thrice "Vheissu" The biggest band in the "scream-o" movement puts in what could be its crossover release.
Brian Wilson - "What I Really Want for Christmas" A holiday album from the Beach Boy who's on a roll since finally issuing his lost "Smile."
OCTOBER 25
My Chemical Romance - "Life on the Murder Scene" The New Jersey punk-pop group, which struck gold last time, now shoots for platinum.
Mary J. Blige "The Breakthrough" She already declared that "No More Drama" will affect her life. So, what will modern soul's most celebrated sob sister sing about now? Find out on this one.
Bryan Adams - "Stripped" Like the title says, an all-acoustic affair from the Canadian rocker.
Fefe Dobson - "Sunday Love" The second album from one of teen-pop's better Avril wanna-bes. Includes songs written by Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett and Rancid's Tim Armstrong.
Various artists - "This Bird Has Flown" A 40th anniversary tribute to the Beatles' "Rubber Soul," with contributions from the Donnas, Ben Lee, Mindy Smith and Ben Harper.
NOVEMBER 1
Diana Krall - "Count Your Blessings" A holiday nod.
Brian Littrell A solo album from one of the better Backstreet Boys.
Santana "All That I Am" Another run through his collaborative formula. It pairs Santana with Big Boi, Mary J. Blige, Black Eyed Peas, Los Lonely Boys, Sean Paul and anyone else who can help him get on the radio.
Wilco A live CD from the ultimate critical darlings.
NOVEMBER 8
Big & Rich The creators of country's Music Mafia return with a followup to their smash.
Kenny Chesney - "The Road & the Radio" The singer's first since getting hitched to Renee Zellweger.
Neil Diamond The lounge smoothie gets the Rick Rubin treatment. Could he become the next Johnny Cash?
Bob Seger - "Face the Promise" The Detroit rocker's first new studio album in a decade.
NOVEMBER 15
Madonna - "Confessions on a Dance Floor" Maddy attempts a comeback by axing the politics and the pretension to take us back to the place she knows best - the dance floor.
Shakira - "Oral Fixation 2" The English half of an album released earlier this year by the Colombian bombshell.
Carrie Underwood The newest, and worst, American Idol yet vamps and wails through her first solo CD.
DECEMBER 6
Hoobastank The anti-Incubus releases the followup to its sellout/breakthrough.
P.O.D. - "Testify" The world's hardest Christian rock band records with everyone from Gwen Stefani to Hasidic reggae star Matisyahu, in the ultimate bid to make its music universal.