Fall is traditionally the season of would-be blockbuster albums. The music industry inevitably rolls out its biggest hitters in hopes of generating sales for the holidays.
This year is no exception, with major releases expected fromMariah Carey, Jay-Z,Carrie Underwoodand Pearl Jam, plus the Beatles (allegedly sounding better than ever in their remastered, reissued glory). Here’s a rundown of what’s in store (all dates subject to change):
—Country
Brooks & Dunn, “”#1’s and Then Some”” (Tuesday):Kix BrooksandRonnie Dunn, one of the biggest-selling duos of all time, announced in August that they were breaking up. But not before releasing a two-disc compilation of 28 hits and two new songs, to be followed by a 2010 farewell tour.
Rosanne Cash, “”The List”” (Oct. 6): The title refers to a list of the 100 greatest songs that the singer’s father, country iconJohnny Cash, once gave to her. She interprets 12 of them, including tracks byHank Williams, the Carter Family andMerle Haggard, with a helping hand fromBruce Springsteen.
Toby Keith, “”American Ride”” (Oct. 6): Most country artists don’t want to risk losing sales by getting political. Not so with Keith, who lets his views fly on everything from immigration to global warming on the title song.
Tim McGraw, “”Southern Voice”” (Oct. 20): His 12th studio release is part of a busy season fromFaith Hill’smain squeeze; he’s also scheduled to star in the football movie “”The Blind Side.”” The first single, “”It’s a Business Doing Pleasure With You,”” was co-written by Nickelback’sChad Kroeger.
Carrie Underwood, title to be announced (Nov. 3): Whatever it’s called, the former “”American Idol”” winner’s third studio album is certain to be a big deal as it follows two multimillion-selling releases.
—Hip-hop
Jay-Z, “”The Blueprint 3″” (Friday): Exactly eight years after the release of the first “”Blueprint”” album, the master MC drops the third in the series with Kanye West production and numerous guest stars, includingAlicia Keys, Rihanna, Young Jeezy andPharrell Williams.
Kid Cudi, “”Man on The Moon: The End of Day”” (Sept. 15): The Kanye West protege follows up his hit single “”Day ‘n’ Nite”” with a five-part concept album, with production by West and “”narration”” by Common.
Missy Elliott, “”Block Party“” (Sept. 22): Production by longtime collaborator Timbaland, plusPharrell Williams, Swizz Beatz and T-Pain, and a cameo appearance by (who else?)Lil Wayne.
Sean “”Diddy”” Combs, “”Last Train to Paris“” (Nov. 24): The hip-hop mogul’s fifth studio album will trace the journey of a character from London to Paris in pursuit of an elusive femme fatale.
Lil Wayne, “”Rebirth”” (Nov. 24): Is the world ready forLil Wayne’sguitar solo? The frequently delayed seventh studio album from the prolific New Orleans MC will reportedly feature a more rock-oriented sound and collaborations with Fall Out Boy andLenny Kravitz.
—Pop
Nelly Furtado, “”Mi Plan”” (Sept. 15): The Portuguese-Canadian singer follows the pop breakthrough of her 2006 release “”Loose”” with an album sung exclusively in Spanish.
Mariah Carey, “”Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel”” (Sept. 29): The singer has been working with producer Timbaland for the first time and has recorded a cover of Foreigner’s “”I Want To Know What Love Is”” for her 12th studio album.
Barbra Streisand, “”Love Is the Answer”” (Sept. 29): Babs digs into some classic ballads and cabaret standards (“”In the Wee Small Hours,”” “”Smoke Gets in Your Eyes””) withDiana Krallproducing andJohnny Mandelhandling orchestral arrangements.
Swell Season, “”Strict Joy”” (Oct. 27): The third album fromGlen Hansardand Markta Irglov, the charming if unlikely couple that melted hearts in the hit indie movie “”Once.””
Sting, “”If on a Winter’s Night …”” (Oct. 27): With the Police put to bed,Gordon Sumnerfurrows his brow and explores the frosty beauty of traditional carols and lullabies from the British Isles.
—Rock
Phish, “”Joy”” (Tuesday): The veteran jam-band returned to the road this year after breaking up in 2004, and punctuates its reunion with its first studio album in five years.
Vivian Girls, “”Everything Goes Wrong”” (Sept. 8): The East Coast trio follows up its self-titled 2008 indie-rock hit with a longer, darker album steeped in punk guitar and haunting girl-group harmonies.
Beatles reissues (Wednesday): The band’s 12 original studio albums plus “”Past Masters Vol. I and II”” and “”Magical Mystery Tour”” will be remastered and tricked out with video, liner notes and photos, the catalog’s first major sonic upgrade since the start of the CD era.
Muse, “”The Resistance”” (Sept. 14): They’re huge in Britain; not so much here. The anthem-mongering trio aims to change that with its fifth studio release. Prog-rock alert: There’s a three-part suite with the word “”Exogenesis”” in the title.
Pearl Jam, “”Backspacer,”” (Sept. 20): Hooking up with Target for an exclusive release has some of the Seattle quintet’s fans in a lather, but the music is a throwback to the band’s grunge-coated past.
AFI, “”Crash Love”” (Sept. 29): The eighth album from these California Goth-rockers and first since 2006 is reported to be less about subtlety and more about straight-up rock.
Alice in Chains, “”Black Gives Way to Blue”” (Sept. 29): The Seattle grunge-metal band releases its first album since 1995; relative newcomerWilliam DuVallshares lead vocals with guitaristJerry Cantrell. The title track, withElton Johnon piano, salutes founding singerLayne Staley, who died in 2002.
Weezer, “”Raditude”” (Oct. 27): As suggested by the presumably tongue-in-cheek title, singer Rivers Cuomo is promising a “”fun”” pop-rock record, in a further move away from the emotional bloodletting of his ’90s albums.
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Greg Kot: greg@gregkot.com
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