March New Releases

Lily Allen was the only really big news for February. March looks more promising, with new releases from U2, Kelly Clarkson and Pet Shop Boys.

March 2/3

U2 - No Line on the Horizon. It's been almost 5 years since u2 released its Grammy-winning How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. They return with this, their 12th studio album, recorded with Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois, who've worked on many U2 albums before. First single "Get On Your Boots" isn't setting the world on fire, but word is that there are better songs waiting in the wings.

March 9/10
Kelly Clarkson - All I Ever Wanted. Kelly Clarkson's new album has already scored a #1 hit, "My Life Would Suck Without You," which is more than can be said for her last album, My December, which, as Clive Davis predicted, turned out to be a mostly hitless affair that polarized fans with its dark, introspective sound. Whether you think My December was brave or foolish, All I Ever Wanted is definitely a turn back toward something with broad commercial appeal, with people like Max Martin and Ryan Tedder behind the scenes to ensure the radio friendly hooks are present this time.

Shontelle - Shontelligence. While "T-Shirt" wasn't a major hit in the US, it appears to doing well in the UK. Hence the album is getting another chance with a re-release and some new tracks, including "Stuck with Each Other" featuring Akon.

Chris Cornell - Scream. Chris Cornell's delayed Timbaland-produced album finally gets a release. While bringing in Timbaland was surely a move to give Cornell's sound a boost of mainstream appeal (a la Madonna, Nelly Furtado, etc.), it doesn't appear to be working, with four singles released so far, none of which became hits.

Starsailor - All the Plans. Remember Starsailor? "Silence is Easy?" Anyway, this is their fourth album.

March 23/24

Pet Shop Boys - Yes. For their tenth album, Pet Shop Boys have teamed up with UK production masters Xenomania, still riding their wave of success with pop acts like Girls Aloud. First single "Love Etc." points to something good, and the band has been on an upswing the last few years with Fundamental (2006) outshining their disappointing 2002 effort, Release.

Hannah Montana: The Movie Soundtrack. Miley Cyrus will no doubt continue to prove that she's one of the music industry's hard-working and best-selling artists with the soundtrack from the forthcoming Hannah Montana movie. First single "The Climb" is quickly becoming another major hit for her.

50 Cent - Before I Self Destruct. 50 Cent's fourth album has been delayed over a year now. Will it finally come out? Perhaps his appearance with Eminem and Dr. Dre on #1 hit "Crack a Bottle" will be enough to finally shake this one loose (especially if "Crack a Bottle" gets added to the track list).

Royksopp - Junior. The Norwegian duo releases its third album.

Pearl Jam - Ten. Pearl Jam's landmark 1991 debut gets a remastered, remixed re-release.

March 30/31

Flo Rida - R.O.O.T.S. - Flo Rida releases his second album, which has already scored a #1 hit, "Right Round." It stands for "Route of Overcoming the Struggle."

Keri Hilson - In a Perfect World. Another long-delayed project that appears will finally see the light of day, thanks to hit "Turnin' Me On" with Lil Wayne. Timbaland produced this one.

Peter Bjorn & John – Living Thing. Peter Bjorn & John's third album brought the band into the spotlight with its hit "Young Folks." Living Things is actually their second album since then, following September 2008's Seaside Rock.