Tuesday, October 27, 2009

November New Releases

The usual autumn glut of big-name releases continues. In particular, I'm quite excited about Robbie Williams' new album, which I hope will be excellent. I'm also hopeful that Leona Lewis, like Kelly Clarkson, will really shine on her second outing. Rihanna's promised a racy fourth album. And then there's Glee...swoon. What a month!

Highlights

Robbie Williams - Reality Killed the Video Star (Nov. 9). Robbie Williams returns after a 3-year absence with his 8th studio album. It's produced by Trevor Horn, formerly of the Bubbles (from whom the title comes, a reference to their MTV classic "Video Killed the Radio Star"), who also produced the last Pet Shop Boys album (and the Pet Shop Boys in turn appeared on Robbie's last album Rudebox--see the connections?). Back in the mix this time as songwriter is Guy Chambers, the longtime Williams collaborator who did not appear on Rudebox or Intensive Care. First single "Bodies" is already an international smash.

Rihanna - Rated R (Nov. 23). Rihanna returns with her fourth studio album, following up the massively successful Good Girl Gone Bad that produced three US #1 hits and four other top 40 singles. Dark first single "Russian Roulette" is co-written with Ne-Yo, whose said the album overall is edgier than her previous work. Justin Timberlake, The Dream, and Tricky Stewart also collaborated with the Barbadian singer.

Leona Lewis - Echo (Nov. 16). The 2006 X Factor winner, who became the first British reality-TV-launched artist to crack the US (as well as the rest of the world) with massive hit "Bleeding Love," returns with her second album. Expect more finely crafted pop from all the industry's biggest craftsmen--Simon Cowell, Clive Davis, Ryan Tedder, Justin Timberlake, Ne-Yo, Xenomania, Etc. First single "Happy" was released in the US weeks ago.

Glee: The Music Volume (Nov. 3). Anybody who loves pop music, musicals, high school romance, teacher feuds, and is gay (or has plenty of gay friends) should be watching Glee. It's fall's best new show. I'm absolutely infatuated with this show (and the hot teacher, played by Matthew Morrison). The hit mash-ups are missing, but all the show's other major musical moments are here, such as the pilot's "Don't Stop Believin," and memorable fall moments like "Somebody to Love," "No Air," "Gold Digger," "Keep Holding On" and "Bust a Move."

Norah Jones - The Fall (Nov. 17). For her fourth album, Norah Jones has reportedly taken a new direction. How far she'll stray from her winning formula of jazz-influenced pop/folk is anybody's guess. First single "Chasing Pirates" has a bit of an '80s feel to it I think. However she swings it, Grammy nominations will undoubtedly follow next year.

John Mayer - Battle Studies (Nov. 17). Yet another Grammy favorite releases his fourth album. Mayer's last album, Continuum, was a contender for Album of the Year, so expectations are high for Battle Studies, which the singer has said will take a new direction (see a trend?). The album's first single, "Who Says" is off to a good start at iTunes.

Carrie Underwood - Play On (Nov. 2/3). The former American Idol turned major country star releases her third album featuring first single "Cowboy Casanova." Most of the album is produced by Mark Bright, with one track from Swedish pop producer extraordinaire Max Martin. Pop songwriters Kara DioGuardi and Chantal Kreviazuk also lend a hand.

Adam Lambert - For Your Entertainment (Nov. 24). Last season's American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert is expected to release his debut this month. Lambert's latest single, "Time for Miracles," will reportedly not appear on the album (its from the dreadful looking film 2012). Given the relative mystery and lack of first single, I wouldn't be surprised if it gets pushed back to next year (despite certain record company pressure to get this in stores for the holidays).

Other releases

Nov. 2/3

Amerie - In Love & War. The R&B singer puts out her fourth album.

Weezer - Raditude. Weezer's not very hot at the moment, but they have a new album.

Nov. 9/10

JLS - JLS. The X Factor contestants release their debut album featuring #1 hit "Beat Again" and new single "Everybody in Love."

Britney Spears - The Singles Collection. Britney Spears releases a career-spanning greatest hits collection, featuring all her major hits plus new single "3," which recently topped the US singles chart.

Snow Patrol - Up to Now. Snow Patrol releases its greatest hits, featuring new single "Just Say Yes" plus hits like "Chasing Cars," "Run," and "Take Back the City."

Bon Jovi - The Circle. The famous '80s "hair" band releases its 11th album.

Biffy Clyro - Only Revolutions. Scottish band releases its fifth album.


Nov. 16/17

Janet Jackson - Number Ones/The Best. Janet Jackson releases a 2-CD career-spanning greatest collection, uniting her singles under A&M, Virgin and Island Records. Includes 33 hits plus new single "Make Me."

Will Young - The Hits. Will Young collects his 12 biggest hits plus two new songs including current single "Hopes and Fears."

Kris Allen - Kris Allen. This year's American Idol winner releases his debut album featuring first single "Live Like We're Dying," not to be confused with Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying."

Stereophonics - Keep Calm and Carry On. British rock band known for hits like "Dakota" and "Handbags and Gladrags" releases their 7th studio album. First single is "Innocent."

Nov. 23/24

Timbaland - Shock Value 2. This was slated for release months ago, then it vanished, and now it's back on the docket. Expect a similar slate of high-profile guests such as Justin Timberlake (of course), Katy Perry, Lady GaGa, Keri Hilson, Chris Brown, T-Pain, Lil Wayne, Missy Elliott, Drake, and Brandy.

Sugababes - Sweet 7. The decade's ruling girlgroup (well, tied with Girls Aloud in any case) releases their 7th album. Not bad for a pop act whose first album scored only one top 10 hit. The hits don't seem to be coming as easily these days--their last two albums scored only one top 10 hit each. This album was rush re-recorded to replace departing member Keisha Buchanan's vocals with those of new member Jade Ewen (except for "Get Sexy," which had already been released).

Jay Sean - All or Nothing. British R&B artists releases his third album, which is also his American debut, featuring US #1 hit "Down."

Lady GaGa - The Fame Monster. Lady GaGa re-releases her mega-successful album with new material.

Mary J. Blige - Stronger. R&B singer releases her ninth album.

50 Cent - Before I Self Destruct. It really will be a miracle of this gets releases before his career implodes. Talk about self-fulfilling prophecy (note: When I started drafting this article a couple of weeks ago, the release date was Nov. 2, note the 3 week slip...already.)

Nov. 30

Westlife - Where We Are. The Irish boyband has been together 10 years now. Unlike other boybands, they've never needed a comeback, because they've never gone away. This year Westlife releases its 10th album. First single is the Daughtry remake "What About Now."

The Bravery - Stir the Blood. New York band releases its third album.

5 comments:

rcLoy said...

Wow, that is a long list! I seriously can't wait for Leona's Echo! And of cos, Lady Gaga's Fame Monster~ I'm a big fan of Will and GLEE too, Dang!

"Anybody who loves pop music, musicals, high school romance, teacher feuds, and is gay (or has plenty of gay friends) should be watching Glee. It's fall's best new show."

That is effin hilarious! ROTFL~ I totally love how you describe who should watch GLEE~ LOL. Btw I kinda like the Mohawk hair guy apart from Mr Shue. LOL. Everyone there can really belt out a tune. Loves~

Myfizzypop said...

My god it's almost ridiculous. And so expensive. I'm really looking forward to Robbie, Leona and Glee! Hurrah. Will also get hits collections by Will and Janet (though probably not Britney - not that long since last one. How Hilary Duff of her to have a new one after only 2 albums!)...

I do also want the live dvd/cd releases from Jason mraz, the killers and take that :) Plus The Killers have a new track out on Nov 30th (Hotel california) in addition to A White Demon Love Song (from New Moon)! AND! HMV have an exclusive cd out for a fiver featuring studio versions of Girls Aloud doing Broken Strings, Sugababes doing For once In My Life and Saturdays doing beggin (though i think that studio version has been released before). PHEW. I won't be able to leave the house if I buy everything!

Plus RC - I kinda like Puck too :)

Charles said...

Norah Jones has the kind of talent that will give her (if she wants) a thirty or forty year career in the music industry. Long after most of the current artists have been forgotten, Norah Jones will still be making music.

rcLoy said...

Paul: Ya, ya, Puck, I totally forgot his name, that bad boy charm is so interesting after he open his mouth and begin to sing! Haha..

Cook In / Dine Out said...

rcLoy - It's a great month, as November typically is. And I agree Puck is hot. I recently found out that he and the other "teen" male leads are 27.

Paul - I'll probably get Janet's collection, but not Will's. I do want "Hopes and Fears" and whatever the other new song is though.

Charles - She is quite talented. I think the massive popularity of Come Away with Me was a bit of a fluke and now she's settled into a comfortable place with her music.