Looking ahead to 2009

It's time to start looking at what new music 2009 will bring. Here are highlights of forthcoming albums we can look forward to in the new year:

Kelly Clarkson - Untitled (March 17). After the commercially disastrous My December, I'm hopeful Clarkson will rebound with some great material. I haven't heard anything from it yet.

Franz Ferdinand - Tonight: Franz Ferdinand (Jan. 26/27). It's been 3 years since the band released their second album. I liked both their eponymous debut and 2005's You Could Have It So Much Better, so I'm really looking forward to this. Two great tracks have already been released--the early preview track, "Lucid Dreams," and the album's first single "Ulysses."

Lily Allen - It's Not Me, It's You (Feb 9/10). Lily Allen returns with her sophomore album. First single "The Fear" is already hitting radio and it's great. Expect something more grown up but still biting.

Bruce Springsteen - Working on a Dream (Jan 27). Bruce Springsteen follows up his acclaimed 2007 album Magic. It was recorded with the E Street Band on breaks during the Magic Tour.