December new releases

After three amazing months of new releases, December is relatively quiet. Those that were smart released their albums in November to maximize holiday sales. Still, I wouldn't count out Take That's chance of racking up enough sales to still score one of the UK's top 10 albums of the year. Here's a look at the month's key releases:

December 1
Britney Spears - Circus. This is the month's biggest global release, the sixth studio album from the once mighty and later troubled pop singer. Signs point to this being a turning point for the singer, especially after her disappointing last album, Blackout, which was released just after a string of disastrous events such as her poor performance at the MTV VMAs, her shaved head incident, and her divorce and custody battle. Already though the album's produced her biggest hit in years. It's first single, "Womanizer," is her first top the Billboard Hot 100 in 9 years and her first to go top 10 at top 40 radio since "Everytime" in 2004.

Take That - The Circus. This has the potential to create some confusion. Both Britney Spears and Take That are releasing albums called "circus" on December 1. At least on the UK charts, Take That is sure to rule. Other boybands have reunited lately, but their comebacks have been novelties--a big tour, a new single, maybe a new album. Take That are the real deal--back and as big as ever. Their last album, Beautiful World, is by far their best-selling album, certified 7x platinum in the UK. It spawned two #1 hits, "Patience" and "Shine" both of which won the Brit award for best British single in 2006 and 2007 respectively. The Circus's first single, "Greatest Day" is sure to top the UK singles chart this weekend.

Same Difference - Pop. The former X Factor siblings duo release their debut album. Their frothy sound is a like a cross between Steps and High School Musical. It includes several remakes: HSM ballad "Breaking Free" and Starship's "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now--both of which they performed on the TV show--plus Kylie's "Turn It Into Love." It also has their first single "We R One."


Akon - Freedom. R&B singer/producer Akon releases his third album. It features current hit single "Right Now (Na Na Na)." At one point this was rumored to contain a duet with Michael Jackson, but it's not on the track list.

Glasvegas - Glasvegas/A Snowflake Fell. This album came out just 3 months ago, but already is being re-released as a special edition with a second EP of mostly holiday-themed songs. The single "Please Come Back Home"/"A Snowflake Fell (And It Felt Like a Kiss)" will be released digitally the same day.

December 8
Brandy - Human. Brandy was a big deal in the '90s, particularly with her second album, which scored the major #1 hits "The Boy Is Mine" and "Have You Ever." Since then, her popularity has waned considerably, so I'm expecting much from Human, her fifth album. So far, there's been little interest in this album's first single "Right Here (Departed)."

December 15
Fall Out Boy - Folie à Deux. Alternative rock band returns with their fifth album. Their last, last year's Infinity on High, was a major hit, particularly its single "This Aint a Scence, It's a Arms Race." First single "I Don't Care" is already a hit at radio.