Fall Music Preview

Fall is always the most hectic time of year for new releases, marked for its plethora of greatest hits collections and key releases from big-selling artists--both of which timed to sell well during the holidays. Below is my list of highlight releases; click below for additional releases in September through November.

Highlights

Scissor Sisters – Ta-Dah (9/18). The Scissor Sisters had the UK’s best-selling album of 2004, and scored 5 top 40 hits off it, including campy dance floor stompers like “Filthy/Gorgeous” and “Comfortably Numb.” If the new album’s brilliant first single, “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’,” is any indication of what we’re in for, then this surely won’t disappoint. An advance review by Q Magazine gave it 4 stars. Could very well be my favorite album of the year.

The Killers – Sam’s Town (10/2). The Killers hotly anticipated second album rolls out in October. First single “When You Were Young” is fantastic—a lot like “Mr. Brightside,” but that’s not a bad thing.

Justin Timberlake – FutureSex/LoveSounds (9/11). Justin Timberlake’s 2002 debut, Justified, distanced him from boyband ‘NSync, establishing him as a powerful, instrumental pop force. Four years later, he’s back with second album, permeated by electronic beats courtesy of Timbaland. First single “Sexyback” has already topped both the US and UK singles charts.

Evanescence – The Open Door (10/2). Evanescence’s 2003 album produced two monster hits, “Bring Me to Life” and “My Immortal.” They’re back with second album, the follow-up to Fallen, which was nominated for the best album Grammy Award Now minus Ben Moody, who left the group 2 years ago, as well as Will Boyd. Their sound, judging from first single “Call Me When You’re Sober” hasn’t changed much though, despite the shakeup in members. It’s really Amy Lee, who has a phenomenal voice for single their brand of goth-lite rock, that’s front and center here.

Maroon 5 – The Tears of Medusa (11/14). Little news about this album yet, other than it’s supposed to be a darker affair than their first hugely successful album.

Click below for more upcoming releases.




September

Lemar – The Truth About Love (9/11). Former reality TV star returns with his third album, preceded by beautiful soul single “It’s Not that Easy.”

R.E.M. – And I Feel Fine: Best of the IRS Years 1982 – 1987 (9/11). Basically an expanded version of Eponymous with 42 tracks spread over 2 discs. Includes early favorites like “Driver 8,” “The One I Love,” and “It’s the End of the World as We Know It.”

The Fratellis – Costello Music (9/11). Having already scored top 10s with “Henrietta” and “Chelsea Dagger,” rock band The Fratellis releases their debut album.

Clay Aiken – A Thousand Different Ways (9/19-US). 2003 American Idol runner-up delivers his sophomore disc—with no advance buzz. Is there even a single out? Me thinks the title will refer to how the disc will be used (other than in the CD player, coaster anyone?).

Elton John – The Captain & the Kid (9/18). Elton John is back with songwriting partner Bernie Taupin in a sequel to Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy. Features advance single piano ballad “The Bridge.”

Fergie – The Duchess (9/18). Black Eyed Peas female lead goes solo to torture us all. Features lead single, the “song” “London Bridge,” a former US #1.

Jojo – The High Road (9/18). Jojo, who made her name with the 2004 #1 hit “Leave (Get Out)” returns with her second pop album, featuring catchy first single “Too Little Too Late.”

Kasabian – Empire (9/18). Kasabian returns with their second album, led by epic first single “Empire.”

T.A.T.U. – The Best of t.A.T.u. (9/18). Russian female duo t.A.T.u., best known for UK #1 hit “All the Things She Said” and for pretending to be lesbians. Presumably will include all 3 of their top 10 hits. Yes, All THREE!!! What a hit machine.

Gloria Estefan – The Essential (9/25). Gloria Estefan conveniently collects the singles from her 1992 and 2001 greatest hits collections, filling in some of the lesser releases that didn’t make those collections, like “Live For Loving You,” “Seal Our Fate,” “Mi Tierra,” and “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me,” and “Don’t Let This Moment End.” So, at $25 for 5 extra hits, you’re getting each of these for $5 a piece. Hmm…

Jamelia – Walk with Me (9/25). Jamelia returns with her third album, preceded by hot new single “Something About You.” Good, but can she live up to “Superstar?”

Janet Jackson – 20 Y.O. (9/25). Janet Jackson releases her 9th studio album and attempts to reinvigorate her career after the flop of Damita Jo. First single “Call on Me” has already sputtered off the top 40 chart. Something tells me this is no Emancipation of Mimi.

October

Jet – Shine On (10/2). Australian rock band Jet scored big with “Are You Gonna Be My Girl?” and “Look What You’ve Done” 2 years ago, and return this year with their second album. Haven’t heard the first single yet, “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.”

Ray Charles & Count Basie Orchestra – Ray Sings, Basie Swings (10/2). Ray Charles’s 2004 album, Genius Loves Company, was a best-seller and won the Best Album Grammy Award. This is the second significant posthumous release from Charles, and features archival vocals of Ray from 1973 with updated instrumentation from the current Count Basie Orchestra.

Roxette – A Collection of Roxette Hits, Their 20 Greatest Songs (10/16). Interest in class act Swedish pop duo Roxette may be renewed, thanks to last year’s popular House remake of “Listen to Your Heart” by DHT. This collection features that #1 hit, plus “The Look,” “Joyride,” “It Must Have Been Love,” plus their other major and minor hits.

Robbie Williams – Rudebox 74 (10/23). Robbie Williams releases his 6th studio album of original material, purportedly to be comprised of mostly electro-inspired pop similar to lead single “Rudebox,” which has drawn mixed reviews. Album also may feature a tribute to Madonna.

George Michael – 25: The Best of George Michael (10/30). George Michael put out a best of collection in 1998, which mostly chronicled his solo career to that date, although there was 1 notable omission: the exclusion of the standard version of “I Want Your Sex.” Hopefully this set, will correct that oversight. The “25” refers to his 25 years in the music biz, since the start of Wham. It is assumed this collection will include Wham!’s hits as well as his solo hits, plus his major singles since 1998, “Freeek!”, “Amazing,” “Flawless (Go to the City)” and news tracks, since as this summer’s “An Easier Affair.”

Girls Aloud – The Sound of Girls Aloud: Greatest Hits (10/30). Is it over for Girls Aloud? That’s what the release of a greatest hits album usually signals for pop groups (although Westlife is still kicking 4 years after their hits collection). This will include all the girls’ hits—an impressive 12 top 10 hits spanning three albums amassed over 3.5 years, plus some new tracks.

Kevin Federline – Playing with Fire (10/30). Britney’s husband releases his debut album. Will we be pleasantly surprised? His buzz from the Teen Choice Awards performance was surprisingly good, and he claims that dreadful single “Popozoa” was a joke. We shall see.

November

McFly – McFly (11/6). Rocker boyband McFly release their third album, already preceded by a #1 single this summer, “Please Please.” Radio has turned its back on them, but fans continue to snatch up their singles, all of which have gone top 10 and five have hit #1.

Westlife – The Love Album (11/6). Westlife’s 7th album looks set to be a collection of love song covers--even their standard “studio” albums are mostly covers, so who’ surprised by this? A duet version of “All Out of Love” with Delta Goodrem is supposedly in the works.

Gwen Stefani – L.A.M.B. 2 – The Outtakes (11/13). As if the Love.Angel.Music.Baby remix album wasn’t enough, now we get the outtakes. Wasn’t there supposed to be a second real from her due in late 2005? Guess that’s not happening.

Jamiroquai – High Times: The Singles 1992 – 2006 (11/13). Collecting the singles from Jamiroquai’s six studio albums, plus two new tracks, will complete his contract with Sony. Known mostly in the US for his third album, specifically it’s hit “Virtual Insanity,” Jamiroquai has had numerous UK hits, including #1 single “Deeper Underground” and top 10 hits “Canned Heat,” “Little L” and “Feels Just Like It Should.”

Sugababes – Overloaded: The Singles Collection (11/13). The title here is a misnomer, as the rumor is that this album will 1) NOT include all of their singles, and 2) will feature re-recorded versions of the group’s older singles by its current lineup, which I think is a big BIG mistake. New single “Easy” will precede the collection.

Oasis – Stop the Clocks (Greatest Hits) (11/20). Oasis will finally release a greatest hits album this fall, spanning their 12-year, 6 album career. No tracklist yet, could be 2 discs, may include all of their singles, or just the band’s favorites.