As much as it pains me to say this, summer is winding down, slowly paving the way for the autumn season. While the warm days of beautiful sunshine and the endless nights of baseball will soon be a fading memory for another year, there is a silver lining to fall’s arrival – new music. There are some great albums scheduled for release this fall. None have my mouth drooling in anticipation more than the new Kiss album (of course), but there are other highly anticipated recordings slated to arrive when the leaves change colors. Below is a list of notable key releases this fall. Be sure to mark your music calendar.
September 8, 2009
Dave Matthews Band – Live Trax Volume 16
DMB is set to release another live masterpiece in their never ending series of recorded concerts. Live Trax Volume 16 is taken from the band’s June 26, 2000 performance from the Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Highlights from this set include Digging A Ditch, Sweet Up and Down, Say Goodbye, and the rarely performed Little Thing. The 2-disc set is currently available for pre-order on the band’s website: http://www.davematthewsband.com/
Phish – Joy
With their reunion a smashing success and “Phish-heads” loving the new material in its live format, Phish is set to release Joy on September 8th. The new songs sound great live, so this studio effort should be an excellent package of new material. The time away from one another did the band well as they were able to capture the magic of what drove them when they first started the band. Joy should be a return to all their former glory and a trumpeted show of their resurgence.
September 15, 2009
Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson – Break Up
It’s been a busy year for Pete Yorn. His fourth album, aptly titled Back and Fourth, came out earlier this summer, he’s been touring in support ever since, and now he has to prepare to promote a second album. Break Up is a disc of 9 duets with actress turned singer Scarlett Johansson. This concept album walks through to the tale of a tempestuous relationship as written and developed by Pete Yorn. He recruited Johansson to sing the duets with him and the rest is history. I’m interested in hearing how the final piece turned out and if this is a project worthy of my time and money. I guess we’ll know this September. You can sample the lead single Relator right here: http://www.thebreakupalbum.com/.
Lynch Mob – Smoke & Mirrors
That’s right, the Lynch Mob is back! Oni Logan has teamed up with George Lynch and together with a new rhythm section, they’ve recorded one of the greatest rock albums to come along in years, Smoke and Mirrors. I had the opportunity to review this one for Hard Rock Hideout. Smoke and Mirrors in one word? Amazing. Be sure to pick up your copy on September 15th.
Ace Frehley – Anomaly
The Ace is back! Anomaly, Frehley’s first solo album in years, is set to be released this September, just ahead of the new Kiss CD. Word from the Frehley camp is that this solo record is as good as it gets from Ace, comparing it to the first solo CD (while still with Kiss). I doubt it’s that good, but if it’s even as good as Trouble Walkin’, I’ll be a happy Ace fan!
September 20, 2009
Pearl Jam – Backspacer
If September 20th seems like an odd day for a new release, that’s because it is. Pearl Jam are breaking the traditional Tuesday release date and making their new album available on a Sunday. Backspacer is a Target exclusive, which means I’ll be at my local Target right after church that day. I am salivating for this disc and hope that it comes close to matching the power of their last album (Pearl Jam).
September 22, 2009
Three Days Grace – Life Starts Now
It’s been three years since Three Days Grace released their sophomore effort, One X. In that time, Three Days Grace has built a strong following through constant touring and opening for some choice bands. Their single, Pain, helped to push album sales for One X and make many a Three Days Grace fan, myself included. Their third effort, Life Starts Now, is due to hit stores in September, but the big question remains…can the follow up to One X live up to all the expectations and pressure?
September 29, 2009
Alice In Chains – Black Gives Way To Blue
I’ll be honest, I have no clue how this record is going to sound. I have not heard Alice In Chains with their not-so-new lead singer William DuVall, I have not sampled any available online leaks from this record, and I haven’t listened to Alice in Chains much since the 90s. That having been said, the band still holds a lot of merit in the music world, and if they’ve created something new, it’s worth checking out. I know a couple of close friends that are going to be hitting the record store the moment it opens on September 29th. It could be that good.
Foreigner – Can’t Slow Down
With lead singer Kelly Hansen, Foreigner is returning to the world of rock with a new CD, Can’t Slow Down. This will be a WalMart exclusive, which seemed to serve AC/DC and The Eagles well, so hopefully it will do the same for Foreigner. While their former great lead singer Lou Gramm is releasing Christian rock type discs, Foreigner is putting out the rock and roll. I don’t know what Hansen sounds like, and I don’t know if this album will be incredible or just average, but it will be interesting to see what they’ve been up to. I’m also curious to see how WalMart sets up their exclusive displays for this disc.
Breaking Benjamin – Dear Agony
This CD was certainly given the proper title. It was agony to see how often this album kept getting delayed. This was originally due for release last year, then it was moved to the spring, then they were hopeful for a summer release, and now it’s September 29th (provided the date doesn’t change again). Coming off their biggest disc to date (Phobia), Breaking Benjamin has a lot of hype to live up to. I personally think they can pull it off, but they’ve been out of the public eye for a while, so it will be interesting to see how well this sells.
October 6, 2009
Kiss – Sonic Boom
Just in case a new Ace Frehley CD isn’t enough Kiss for ya, the band of Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Eric Singer, and Tommy Thayer are putting out a full length CD (the first with this line up). And in the vein of AC/DC and the Eagles, this is a WalMart exclusive. If the album is as cool as the artwork, then we’re in for a real treat. Word from the Kiss camp is that Sonic Boom has the feel and sound of 70s Kiss. If that means Detroit Rock City era, that’s awesome. If that means Dynasty era, then I’m going to be very disappointed. We’ll find out this October.
October 27, 2009
Sting – If On A Winter’s Night
After a successful reunion tour with The Police and some much deserved time off following that, Sting is returning with a new album, If On A Winter’s Night. This winter themed disc will include two new original Sting compositions, traditional Christmas carols, and some songs about winter. While not exactly a “Christmas” album, If On A Winter’s Night certainly sounds like a holiday record. Hopefully it’s not as bad as the lute experiment from a few years ago.
Know about other new releases that weren’t covered here? Some of the dates mentioned above change? Send me an e-mail and let me know.
Comments are open. Feel free to post some.
September 8, 2009
Dave Matthews Band – Live Trax Volume 16
DMB is set to release another live masterpiece in their never ending series of recorded concerts. Live Trax Volume 16 is taken from the band’s June 26, 2000 performance from the Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Highlights from this set include Digging A Ditch, Sweet Up and Down, Say Goodbye, and the rarely performed Little Thing. The 2-disc set is currently available for pre-order on the band’s website: http://www.davematthewsband.com/
Phish – Joy
With their reunion a smashing success and “Phish-heads” loving the new material in its live format, Phish is set to release Joy on September 8th. The new songs sound great live, so this studio effort should be an excellent package of new material. The time away from one another did the band well as they were able to capture the magic of what drove them when they first started the band. Joy should be a return to all their former glory and a trumpeted show of their resurgence.
September 15, 2009
Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson – Break Up
It’s been a busy year for Pete Yorn. His fourth album, aptly titled Back and Fourth, came out earlier this summer, he’s been touring in support ever since, and now he has to prepare to promote a second album. Break Up is a disc of 9 duets with actress turned singer Scarlett Johansson. This concept album walks through to the tale of a tempestuous relationship as written and developed by Pete Yorn. He recruited Johansson to sing the duets with him and the rest is history. I’m interested in hearing how the final piece turned out and if this is a project worthy of my time and money. I guess we’ll know this September. You can sample the lead single Relator right here: http://www.thebreakupalbum.com/.
Lynch Mob – Smoke & Mirrors
That’s right, the Lynch Mob is back! Oni Logan has teamed up with George Lynch and together with a new rhythm section, they’ve recorded one of the greatest rock albums to come along in years, Smoke and Mirrors. I had the opportunity to review this one for Hard Rock Hideout. Smoke and Mirrors in one word? Amazing. Be sure to pick up your copy on September 15th.
Ace Frehley – Anomaly
The Ace is back! Anomaly, Frehley’s first solo album in years, is set to be released this September, just ahead of the new Kiss CD. Word from the Frehley camp is that this solo record is as good as it gets from Ace, comparing it to the first solo CD (while still with Kiss). I doubt it’s that good, but if it’s even as good as Trouble Walkin’, I’ll be a happy Ace fan!
September 20, 2009
Pearl Jam – Backspacer
If September 20th seems like an odd day for a new release, that’s because it is. Pearl Jam are breaking the traditional Tuesday release date and making their new album available on a Sunday. Backspacer is a Target exclusive, which means I’ll be at my local Target right after church that day. I am salivating for this disc and hope that it comes close to matching the power of their last album (Pearl Jam).
September 22, 2009
Three Days Grace – Life Starts Now
It’s been three years since Three Days Grace released their sophomore effort, One X. In that time, Three Days Grace has built a strong following through constant touring and opening for some choice bands. Their single, Pain, helped to push album sales for One X and make many a Three Days Grace fan, myself included. Their third effort, Life Starts Now, is due to hit stores in September, but the big question remains…can the follow up to One X live up to all the expectations and pressure?
September 29, 2009
Alice In Chains – Black Gives Way To Blue
I’ll be honest, I have no clue how this record is going to sound. I have not heard Alice In Chains with their not-so-new lead singer William DuVall, I have not sampled any available online leaks from this record, and I haven’t listened to Alice in Chains much since the 90s. That having been said, the band still holds a lot of merit in the music world, and if they’ve created something new, it’s worth checking out. I know a couple of close friends that are going to be hitting the record store the moment it opens on September 29th. It could be that good.
Foreigner – Can’t Slow Down
With lead singer Kelly Hansen, Foreigner is returning to the world of rock with a new CD, Can’t Slow Down. This will be a WalMart exclusive, which seemed to serve AC/DC and The Eagles well, so hopefully it will do the same for Foreigner. While their former great lead singer Lou Gramm is releasing Christian rock type discs, Foreigner is putting out the rock and roll. I don’t know what Hansen sounds like, and I don’t know if this album will be incredible or just average, but it will be interesting to see what they’ve been up to. I’m also curious to see how WalMart sets up their exclusive displays for this disc.
Breaking Benjamin – Dear Agony
This CD was certainly given the proper title. It was agony to see how often this album kept getting delayed. This was originally due for release last year, then it was moved to the spring, then they were hopeful for a summer release, and now it’s September 29th (provided the date doesn’t change again). Coming off their biggest disc to date (Phobia), Breaking Benjamin has a lot of hype to live up to. I personally think they can pull it off, but they’ve been out of the public eye for a while, so it will be interesting to see how well this sells.
October 6, 2009
Kiss – Sonic Boom
Just in case a new Ace Frehley CD isn’t enough Kiss for ya, the band of Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Eric Singer, and Tommy Thayer are putting out a full length CD (the first with this line up). And in the vein of AC/DC and the Eagles, this is a WalMart exclusive. If the album is as cool as the artwork, then we’re in for a real treat. Word from the Kiss camp is that Sonic Boom has the feel and sound of 70s Kiss. If that means Detroit Rock City era, that’s awesome. If that means Dynasty era, then I’m going to be very disappointed. We’ll find out this October.
October 27, 2009
Sting – If On A Winter’s Night
After a successful reunion tour with The Police and some much deserved time off following that, Sting is returning with a new album, If On A Winter’s Night. This winter themed disc will include two new original Sting compositions, traditional Christmas carols, and some songs about winter. While not exactly a “Christmas” album, If On A Winter’s Night certainly sounds like a holiday record. Hopefully it’s not as bad as the lute experiment from a few years ago.
Know about other new releases that weren’t covered here? Some of the dates mentioned above change? Send me an e-mail and let me know.
Comments are open. Feel free to post some.
2 comments:
Really looking forward to hearing the new Foreigner, Kelly Hansen was awesome on the live album released a couple of years back. I think this one is going to kick a little ass. AIC, Three Days Grace I will check out eventually but I'm not going to rush out to the stores to get them.
Pearl Jam sucks plan and simple always have always will but that's just me.
Ace Frehley and Lynch Mob will be mine as soon as they are available really looking forward to these releases also, I have a feeling both are going to end up on a lot of end of the year best of lists.
Ranger, how could you hate Pearl Jam? I'm going to have to come out there and take you to one of their concerts...then you'll see.
New Lynch Mob is definitely a front runner for top ten of 2009.
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