Fall Music Preview - September

September



Album of the month: Jennifer Hudson - Jennifer Hudson (9/29) Since appearing on American Idol, Jennifer Hudson has been known more for her acting than her singing abilities, starring in this summer's hit film Sex and the City and winning an Oscar for her role in Dreamgirls. But singing is how we first knew her, so it's with much anticipation that Hudson finally releases her debut. First single, the Ne-Yo penned "Spotlight," is a hit at R&B radio, although unfortunately not at top 40. That could change with the newly released remix featuring Young Jeezy. Besides Ne-Yo, Stargate, Timbaland, Dianne Warren, Ryan Tedder (One Republic), Robin Thicke, T-Pain and Missy Elliott also make appearances.



Will Young - Let It Go (9/29) The original "idol" returns with his forth album, following up 2005's Keep On, which featured the hit single "All Time Love." He's already hot at UK radio with the album's great first single "Changes," although I can't help but be peeved that Radio 1 hasn't put it on their playlist. Still, I'm hopeful this will be great, as all Will's albums have been so far.

Robin Thicke - Somethin' Else (9/22) The R&B crooner who hit it big last year with his single "Lost Without You" returns with his third album, featuring first single "Magic."

The Streets - Everything Is Borrowed (9/15) The Streets is to the UK as Eminem is to the US, with perhaps even more critical acclaim. He stumbled a bit with his last album, although I liked "When You Wasn't Famous." This is his forth album, featuring first single "Everything is Borrowed."

Ne-Yo - Year of the Gentleman (9/15) Ne-Yo is perhaps best described as the next Babyface. Although he's well-known as a pop star, having hit #1 in the US and the UK with hits like "Closer" and "So Sick," he's also written major hits for other artists, including "Irreplaceable" for Beyonce, "Unfaithful," "Hate that I Love You" and "Take a Bow" for Rihanna, and the aforementioned "Spotlight" for Jennifer Hudson. The release of his third album should allow him a little time in the spotlight himself.

The Pussycat Dolls - Doll Domination (9/15) Having struck out on her attempt to launch a solo career (the album never materialized), Nicole Scherzinger is back with her girls and their "groupies" (yes I know it sounds like something else, believe me--I run around the house singing it all the time) on the 'Dolls second album. Includes current single "When I Grow Up." It posts an A-list cast of writers and producers, including Timbaland and Danja, Kara DioGuardi, Dr. Dre, Rodney "DarkChild" Jerkins, Ryan Tedder, Taio Cruz, Scott Storch and The Clutch.



New Kids on the Block - The Block (9/2) They're back! After a 14-year hiatus, the New Kids on the Block have a new album, their fifth. Timbaland, Ne-Yo, The Pussycat Dolls, and Teddy Riley show up here. "Summertime" was a modest U.S. hit this summer.

Travis - Ode to J. Smith (9/29) Just over a year after their last release, The Boy with No Name, Scottish band Travis are back with their sixth album. The lead single is "Something Anything," which I haven't heard yet.

Nelly - Brass Knuckles (9/15) To say this album has been troubled is an understatement. Its first single, "Wadsyaname" was released over a year ago, but performed so poorly that it has actually been dropped from the album, which was due for a release back then, but got pushed back and pushed back. Then "Party People" with Fergie came out early this year and just barely cracked the top 40. Then there was "Stepped on My J'z" and now finally "Body on Me" featuring Ashanti, which hit #17 in the UK. Finally it looks like the album will see the light of day, but it's doubtful Nelly, whose scored four US #1 hits, will earn a fifth anytime soon.

Daniel Powter - Under the Radar (9/15) Canadian singer Daniel Powter scored a big break in 2005 with "Bad Day," a major UK hit, which went on to become the biggest hit of 2006 in the US after being featured on American Idol. He had great follow-up singles, but none of them became major hits. Now he's back with his second album, featuring first single "Next Plane Home." My question--does he ever take off that hat? I'm tired of seeing it, and he's a good looking guy, so he has nothing to hide.

James Morrison - Songs for You, Truths for Me (9/29) It's hard to believe he's only 24, but the English singer-songwriter, who scored a major hit in 2006 with "You Give Me Something" is back with his second album, featuring first single "You Make It Real."

Kings of Leon - Only by the Night (9/22) Southern Tennessee rockers Kings of Leon return with their fourth album, said to "rock harder" than their previous works. Features first single "Sex on Fire."

Metallica - Death Magnetic (9/12) Metallica's ninth studio album, the first to feature bassist Robert Trujillo. Two singles, "The Day that Never Comes" and "My Apocalypse" were recently released.

Keri Hilson - In a Perfect World (9/29) Keri Hilson has been around as a songwriter for awhile, and made her first major appearance as a vocalist on Timbaland's massive 2007 hit "The Way I Are." Now she's putting out her debut album, produced primarily by Timbaland and Danja. Features first single "Energy."

Gym Class Heroes - The Quilt (9/9) Gym Class Heroes broke out big last year with "Cupid's Chokehold," but this is actually their fourth album.

Little Jackie - The Stoop (9/1) Little Jackie is a pop duo that includes singer Imani Coppola, who had a top 40 hit in the UK 10 years ago with "Legend of a Cowgirl." First single "The World Should Revolve Around Me" is quickly becoming a hit in both the US and the UK--particularly the latter. This is the UK release (the album is already out in the US).

Cold War Kids - Loyalty to Loyalty (9/22) California indie rockers return with their second album.

TV on the Radio - Dear Science (9/22) Spin Magazine named TV on the Radio's last album, Return to Cookie Mountain, the best album of 2006, and their first album, Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes beat The Killers, Franz Ferdinand, Wilco and The Streets for the Shortlist Music Prize in 2004. So no pressure here for their third album.

Jessica Simpson - Do You Know (9/9) Since her last album bombed, Jessica Simpson is back, this time as a country artist. Whatever.

Natalie Cole - Still Unforgettable (9/29) Natalie Cole's 1991 album, Unforgettable...with Love, was a major commercial and critical success. Since then she's...pretty much gone nowhere, hence the return to the formula that gave her the biggest hit of her career. Yes, there's even another virtual duet with her father.

Plain White Ts - Big Bad World (9/22) Last year, "Hey There Delilah," from their 2005 album, became a major international hit. Now they're back, but I'm not expecting great things.

McFly - Radio:Active (9/22) Britain's biggest pop band this decade releases their fourth album.

T-Pain - Thr33 Ringz (9/30) The current king of auto tune brings his third album.

T.I. - Paper Trail (9/30) Rapper T.I. is sitting at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Whatever You Like," which made the biggest jump to #1 in history, up from #71. This is his sixth album.

Also:

The Rasmus - Black Roses (9/15)
Cassie - TBD (9/15)
LL Cool J - Exit 13 (9/8)
The Coral - Singles Collection (9/15)
The Chemical Brothers - Brotherhood (hits) (9/1)
Cliff Richard - They Said It Wouldn't Last (My 50 Years in Music) (9/15) 8 CD Set