Upcoming Releases

The record labels are gearing up for their 4th quarter releases to capitalize on the holiday shopping frenzy. As expected, there are tons of albums coming out. Here are a few that are scheduled:

Melissa Etheridge - The Awakening (September 25)
One of the best live performers in the business, but her studio output has been spotty at best the past few years. This will probably be a mixed bag at best. However, look for one or two tracks to be special.

Foo Fighters - Echoes Silence Patience & Grace (September 25)
One of the most legitimate Alternative Rock bands in existence right now (however, the fact that they showed up at the VMAs is a little concerning). Dave Grohl is a solid writer and great musician. This should be worth a listen, but like most current mainstream releases by mainstream artists, this will not be mind-blowing. I could be wrong, but expect it to have that sterile 2007 production feel.

Neil Young – Chrome Dreams II (October 16)
Neil still has the creative ability to put quality music down on tape. He is a prolific songwriter, and when focused, can still deliver the goods. The jury is out on this one. The potential seems to be there. “Chrome Dreams” was the title of an album he was supposed to release in 1977, but it was pulled for unknown reasons. Still, some great tunes from the project (Pocahontas, Sedan Delivery and Like A Hurricane) were ultimately issued on other albums. The thoughts floating around in cyberspace suggest this will be vintage Neil Young. So, it is something to look forward to. But I personally would have preferred his “Archives” project which has been delayed until the first quarter of 2008.

The Eagles – Long Road Out Of Eden (October 30)
This one will definitely have some quality tracks on it. Henley and Frey are one of the best writing duos in the business and Joe Walsh never fails to delivery. But, it is two full discs of material and it won’t be a shock if there is some substantial filler on it. A few puff ballads in the vein of “Hole In The World” could derail it pretty quickly.

Seal - System (October 30)
There was a time when Seal seemed like the quintessential Pop artist with the ability to consistently deliver the goods. His first two albums were practically flawless. There was no throwaway tracks. The songs all had good hooks, melodies, rhythm, funk, grooves, top-notch production from Trevor Horn and of course strong vocals. Then, it was like his creative juices were spent. He had a few tracks on his next couple of projects that were reminiscent of past glories, but there were a lot of duds. This upcoming album is supposed to be a return to form. Well, whenever you hear that description, you know you may be in for a rough ride.

Bruce Springsteen – Magic (October 2)
I will be shocked if this is a great album. Don’t get me wrong, I am a big fan. But Bruce’s recent track record isn’t as consistent as it once was. He can still write great songs, so there should be some winners on this album. Apparently this is more of a straight forward Rock album with an emphasis on energy. Hopefully some of the songs have some lyrical depth, because after all, that is what makes Bruce Springsteen’s music truly magical. The jury is out on this one.

Journey – Greatest Hits [CD/DVD combo] (October 23)
How many times can Sony reissue this title? Journey’s “Greatest Hits” is a great album that has moved millions. It has been remastered, reissued with bonus material, reissued with a second disc of material as part of Sony’s Essential Series, and now with a DVD of videos. Enough is enough. Fans don’t need another configuration or remaster of the hits. Fans want Steve Perry to collaborate with his former band mates that are a lost cause at the moment. Watch them gobble it up at Costco.

Mick Jaggar – The Very Best Of Mick Jaggar (October 2)
Want to place a bet of how many units this will move? The only other famous front man to have a worse solo career than Mick Jaggar is Roger Daltrey. How did Atlantic come up with enough material for a “best of” package? Isn't this false advertising? Sorry Mick, this one is joke.

Matchbox Twenty – Exile On Mainstream (2 disc) (October 2)
Wow, a double disc release by Matchbox Twenty. Two full CDs of Rob Thomas’ vomit-inducing, cliché Top 40 pop ballads and flat mechanical rockers. This one will be jumping off of the shelves…(that is sarcasm). Hey guys, you are done. Go on tour with Third Eye Blind and get it over with.

Josh Groban – Noel (October 9) and Michael Buble – Let It Snow (October 9)
Getting tag-teamed by Groban and Buble with holiday classics. Everyone is going to want these titles in their stockings! Oh, wait, we shouldn’t leave out Barry Manilow’s holiday disc either, that one is coming your way as well. I’m surprised Clive Davis didn’t get Rod Stewart to record one of these themed holiday discs…

Dave Gahan – Hourglass (October 23)
This one is interesting. Legendary Depeche Mode front man Dave Gahan is issuing his second solo album. Most fans will admit that his first solo album "Paper Monsters" from a few years back was a pleasant surprise, especially considering Dave wrote/co-wrote the bulk of the album and did not have Martin Gore’s stunning songwriting to fall back on. This new album will probably be similar to the first. Considering Gahan is such a skilled vocalist and is really into a lot of pure Rock bands, it would be nice if he would ditch the Electronica sound of Depeche Mode and his first solo album in favor of a straight ahead Rock effort.

Aretha Franklin - Rare and Unreleased Recordings From The Golden Reign Of The Queen of Soul" (October 16)
A vault release from Aretha? You don't see this very often. This is supposed to contain b-sides, demos and outtakes from her thirteen year reign at Atlantic Records. It has potential as long as it isn’t filled with mostly previously available b-sides, outtakes that are hard to distinguish from the master recordings, and a couple of token demos. But it is supposed to be a two CD package, so it may be a surprising gem.

Carrie Underwood – Carnival Ride (October 23)
Why does anyone care? Is this really Country? Well, it is in today’s Nashville which is basically Pop music with a little twang and a set of western boots. This will be completely forgettable Pop music that will probably sell millions. Nothing like listening to cliché 21st century Country music with no soul and no risks. Can’t wait to see Clive Davis kissing her ass on the finale of next season’s American Idol.

Jimi Hendrix – Live At Monterey (October 16)
About time. This is one legendary concert that has been out of print for years. I was getting worried as Experience Hendrix/Universal usually release something in the 4th quarter. Finally, the press came out about a week or so ago. This one will be a winner. No Rock fan should be without this concert recording.

Led Zeppelin – Mothership & The Song Remains The Same (November 13)
“Mothership” is a joke. Another compilation of well-known Zeppelin tracks. It is practically identical to the previous two disc compilation “Early Days and Latter Days: Vol 1 & 2” aside from a couple of changes. The Led Zeppelin catalogue is so diverse and expansive. The band could have put some of the obvious well-known classics alongside some of the more obscure material to create a really insightful listening experience for the casual consumer. Obviously no thought went into this. “The Song Remains The Same” should be interesting as the original album has always been a huge disappointment as it was poorly edited and mastered. Now that it will be properly remastered, remixed and graced with some nice bonus tracks from the July 1973 Madison Square Garden shows, it should be a must-have. Although, after seeing the track listing, I’m confused as to why “Thank You” from the 7/29 encore is not included. If the sound is greatly improved, it will awesome having another first class live Led Zeppelin release on the shelves.

Amy Winehouse - Frank (November 13)
She is a mess. This is the hype machine going at full throttle. There still are a lot of sheep out there as consumers, so look for this to move some units. She has a voice, that cannot be denied.

Britney Spears – untitled (November 13)
Alright, place your bets, place your bets. Does this yet-to-be titled disaster in the making sell more units than the upcoming Mick Jaggar "best of" package? Maybe it will sell 300,000 – 500,000 copies, but this will be a nuclear bomb. No one cares about Britney. She is only good for a quick glance at tabloid news. She has no artistic credibility or integrity. Jive has to know that the more money it pumps into production costs and marketing campaigns, the more money it will never recoup. Have you heard the new single? The head of Jive should declare a state of emergency and burn the tapes.

Guns N’ Roses – Chinese Democracy
Just kidding! Don’t plan on seeing it this year. And if it actually is ever released, is anyone going to care? Axl, your ego quite possibly destroyed your career. Maybe next year....