ShareThisBy MARK BROWN
Scripps Howard News Service
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Summer's closing in and there's a long list of big music releases ready to heat up the months ahead. A look at some of the sounds that will be making the rounds:
R Kelly
"Double Up," May 29
-- The buzz: A rocky start, with the first single peaking at No. 12 and sliding down the charts.
-- The problem: His oft-delayed child-molestation trial continues to hang over his career.
-- Bottom line: The single "I'm a Flirt" -- about Kelly's inability to control himself sexually -- could be introduced as Exhibit A.
Bruce Springsteen
"Live in Dublin," June 5
-- The buzz: Those who attended the folk concerts with the Seeger Sessions band raved, saying Springsteen was at his best
-- The problem: Fans always want an E Street Band album instead.
-- The bottom line: Great performances, but it's never the same as being there.
Paul McCartney
"Memory Almost Full," June 5
-- The buzz: Can heartbreak and personal turmoil jumpstart his creativity? Is there another "For No One" or "Yesterday" in him?
-- The problem: Last consistently good album was 1989's "Flowers in the Dirt," and they're selling this one through Starbucks.
-- The bottom line: The single "Ever Present Past" seems like a good start.
Bon Jovi
"Lost Highway," June 19
-- The buzz: More songs in the country vein of his crossover hit "Who Says You Can't Go Home?"
-- The problem: He'll do anything to keep his mug on TV. Not to say he's gone wimpy, but hey, he debuted the new single on "Ellen."
-- Bottom line: From his Web site: Get FREE Bon Jovi Merchandise with the Bon Jovi World Points MasterCard credit card!
Guns N' Roses
"Chinese Democracy," date unknown
-- The buzz: Axl Rose and a bunch of hired ringers. Hardcore Axl fans are giddy, but for many, "no Slash = no GNR."
-- The problem: It has been 16 years since an album of original material, and Axl is still recording and mixing. Seriously.
-- The bottom line: If Axl won't release it, the fans will -- half the album has leaked on the Internet. Based on what we've heard so far, no hurry, Axl.
Eagles
No title, no release date
--The buzz: The first studio album since 1980's "The Long Run," a title some say they should have saved for this disc.
-- The problem: Don Henley said it would be out in 60 to 90 days. That was more than 100 days ago and there's still no album title or release date.
-- The bottom line: Several songs have been issued already in live versions and bonus cuts and it ain't no "Hotel California."
50 Cent
"Curtis," Sept. 4
-- The buzz: The single, "Amusement Park," takes another seemingly innocent metaphor(like Candy Shop did)and turns it nasty via his ever-present "magic stick." The man has issues.
-- The problem: The video features scantily clad women lounging seductively for the camera. Are his fans sick of the same old shtick?
-- The bottom line: Has it ever not worked?
Velvet Revolver
"Libertad," July 3
-- The buzz: Long-delayed second album from Scott Weiland and the corpse of Guns N' Roses.
-- The problem: Has the novelty of this "super group" worn off? And Slash's top hat is so 1989.
-- The bottom line: Unknown, since the release date has been bumped back twice and the album is under such heavy wraps that it hasn't leaked on the Internet.
White Stripes
"Icky Thump," June19
-- The buzz: Hot anticipation after Jack White has collaborated with everyone from Loretta Lynn to Shirley Manson, and his side project The Raconteurs was wildly successful.
-- The problem: Worst album title ever?
-- The bottom line: More minimalist hard rock.
Crowded House
"Time On Earth," July 3
-- The buzz: First album since the band took a hiatus 10 years ago.
-- The problem: It started as a Neil Finn solo album before suddenly becoming a reunion.
-- The bottom line: Finn's songwriting and singing are the core of any project. Fans are going nuts with anticipation.
Robert Plant with Alison Krauss
Unknown title, fall release.
-- The buzz: Plant surrounding himself with talented peers.
-- The problem: It's been a long time since he rocked and rolled.
-- The bottom line: With T Bone Burnett producing the sessions last year, fan hopes are running high.
Prince
Unknown title, unknown release date.
-- The buzz: A new, untitled album to be given away with concert tickets like he did last time.
-- The problem: The concerts are all in London and there's no word of a release date.
-- The bottom line: He found his guitar for Saturday Night Live and for the Super Bowl. Let's hope he hung onto it.
