New Albums for Fall 2008 Release

CDs for Christmas by The Killers, Britney Spears, Pink, Oasis & Cure

Sep 23, 2008

Getting a head start on the Christmas rush, record companies pull out all the stops in order to clog the Fall 2008 release schedule with many potential hits.

While the fourth quarter has historically been a diamond time for record companies, the past two years have been disappointing at best. This year, while they still can, record companies are releasing many high profile CDs in hopes of turning things around for the ailing industry.

Returning to a highlighted New Wave sound as featured heavily on their breakthrough album, 2004’s Hot Fuss, The Killers release Day & Age. Of the sound, The Killers told Rolling Stone magazine "It's like Johnny Cash meets the Pet Shop Boys". Produced by Stuart Price who co-wrote and co-produced Madonna’s ode to disco, Confessions on a Dancefloor, first single “Human” picks up the glitzy disco path left vacant when Mrs. Richie opened her candy store with Timbaland. Expected release date November 25.

Britney Spears – Circus

Back from the Blackout, Spears releases Circus, a reflection on life and her much publicized breakdown fuelled with beats by the Underdogs, Dr. Luke, who produced Katy Perry’s "I Kissed a Girl" and Danja. Expected release date December 2.

After losing American Idol but landing stand-out roles in two blockbuster movies (Dreamgirls, Sex and the City), Hudson returns to her musical career with Spotlight, a disc she describes as “a bit of everything”Collaborators include Robin Thicke, Diane Warren, Timbaland, Missy Elliott and the Underdogs as well as a duet with Idol winner Fantasia. Expected release date September 30.

While the boys finish up work on their forthcoming album, the follow up to 2006’s Fundamental, they release Disco 4 featuring a collection of tracks remixed from an eclectic array of artists from Madonna (“Sorry”) and The Killers (“Read My Mind”) to Yoko Ono (“Walking on Thin Ice”) as well as remixes of their own material largely culled from Fundamental (“Integral”, “I’m With Stupid”). Expected release date October 8.

British bad boys take a stab at revitalizing their career after the collective yawn their previous two albums received. They release Dig Out Your Soul lead by singles “The Shock of the Lightening” and the electronic tinged “Falling Down” that gets a special remix by The Chemical Brothers. Expected release date October 7.

After releasing two stunning albums filled with AC-radio friendly tunes such as the beautiful and melancholy “Somewhere Only We Know”, Keane kick things into higher gear with Perfect Symmetry. Also produced by Stuart Price, the project takes the Keane sound to a place it has never visited before – the dancefloor. Lead single “Spiralling” with a somewhat Johnny Hates Jazz sound, appeals to fans of 80’s dance pop while remaining current. Expected release date October 14.

Sounding just as moody today as he did 30 years ago when Robert Smith first took the mic as lead singer for the Cure, the band release 4:13 Dream after numerous delays. The Cure has already released four singles from the album in various versions as well as a remixed dance EP Hypnagogic States in support of their 13th studio album. Expected release date October 28.

Triple threat singer/songwriter/pianist, Lady Gaga brings the glitz back to pop. As flamboyant as Bowie and as lightweight as early Madonna, Lady Gaga began her career writing tracks for The Pussycat Dolls. On her first solo release, The Fame, she crafts first-class dance pop gems such as the number one dance single “Just Dance” and the beach ball fun of “Boys, Boys, Boys”. Expected release date October 28.

After her career took a nosedive with the release of her third album, 2003’s “Try This”, Pink pulled out all the stops on her fourth, even reminding the masses that she was still around by naming her album I’m Not Dead. Now, once again firmly seated at the top of the charts with lead single “So What”, Pink releases her fifth album Funhouse. Expected release date October 28.

Constantly treading a fine line between harmless folk rock and electronic tendencies, Dido returns with her third album Safe Trip Home. Judging by the familiarity of gentle lead track “Look No Further”, it’s a safe bet that her trip away from home didn’t include any musical horizon expanding events. Expected release date November 11.

Other albums slated (but unconfirmed) for a Christmas 2008 release include new CDs from Pet Shop Boys, The Postal Service, Nine Inch Nails (Year Zero Part 2), Massive Attack (Weather Underground), Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Guns N' Roses (Chinese Democracy), Franz Ferdinand, Basement Jaxx and Paula Abdul.

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