  From left: Kid Rock, Rivers Cuomo of Weezer, and Kanye West all have albums coming out this fall. |
Just like rumours of Keith Richards’ sobriety, predictions of the music industry’s imminent demise have apparently been greatly exaggerated. Granted, the times, they are a-changin’ and not for the better. But some things stay the same: Every fall, the major (and minor) labels pull out their big guns. This year, the arsenal includes one of rock’s most famous frontmen, a couple of guitar heroes, two guys named Elvis, a teenage country-pop queen and the rapper who ruined her big night. Here are 31 CDs to watch for in the coming months.
SEPTEMBER
Bachman & Turner | Bachman & Turner
Can-rock heavyweights Randy and Fred join forces on their first album in 20 years. Sept. 7
Interpol | Interpol
The New York hipsters’ final disd with departed bassist Carlos D. is a typically dark and stylish disc. Sept. 7
Linkin Park | A Thousand Suns
Multitasking producer Rick Rubin helmed the California alt-rockers’ latest. Which begs the question: Why? Sept. 14
Brandon Flowers | Flamingo
Killers frontman Flowers worked with producers Stuart Price, Daniel Lanois and Brendan O'Brien. Guess Rick Rubin was busy. Sept. 14
Grinderman | Grinderman 2
Nick Cave and some of his Bad Seeds fire off their second round of blues-rock sleaze. Take it from me; it’s a monster. Sept. 14
Robert Plant | Band of Joy
Percy resurrects his pre-Led Zep outfit with a new lineup that includes Patty Griffin and Buddy Miller. Grammys to follow. Sept. 14
Mavis Staples | You Are Not Alone
The gospel legend’s latest was produced by Wilco leader Jeff Tweedy, and includes cuts by Randy Newman, Allen Toussaint and John Fogerty. Sept. 14
Weezer | Hurley
Rivers Cuomo and co. move to punk label Epitaph for their next disc of pop-rock nuggets that no one will like as much as Pinkerton. Sept. 14
John Legend & The Roots | Wake Up!
The R&B crooner joins forces with hip-hop’s greatest band. What could possibly go wrong? Sept. 21
Maroon 5 | Hands All Over
Mutt Lange produced the latest CD from Adam Levine and co. Should we expect Morse code guitars or country-pop? Sept. 21
Santana | Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics of All Time
Mr. Supernatural covers six-string standards from the likes of Zep, Hendrix, Cream and Van Halen — with vocals from Scott Weiland, Chris Cornell and many more. Sept. 21
Neil Young | Le Noise
The good news: Shakey’s latest solo CD is said to be "very electric." The better news: Unlike his latest tour, it won’t set you back $250. Sept. 28
Bad Religion | The Dissent of Man
The last California punks standing release the 15th album of their three-decade career. Sept. 28
Eric Clapton | Clapton
Here’s hoping the British blues-rock guitar god spent more time on these songs than he did on the title. Sept. 28
Phil Collins | Going Back
The Genesis leader’s first solo disc in eight years consists of Motown and soul covers. Is that good news or bad? Sept. 28
The Doobie Brothers | World Gone Crazy
It’s the Doobies’ first album in a decade. And yes, there’s a guest appearance by Willie Nelson. Honestly, you can’t make up this stuff. Sept. 28
Ben Folds & Nick Hornby | Lonely Avenue
High Fidelity author Hornby wrote the lyrics. Piano-popster Folds wrote the music. Seems like a pretty good match. Sept. 28
Ice Cube | I Am the West
As long as the former NWA rapper isn’t the star of a new Disney movie involving cute kids and an RV, I’m happy. Sept. 28
Ron Wood | I Feel Like Playing
Here’s hoping he also feels like getting his act together — between the booze, drugs, affairs and arrests, Ronnie is making Keith look respectable. Sept. 28
OCTOBER
Antony & The Johnsons | Swanlights
The chamber-popster with the haunting pipes proffers his second album in as many years. Expect magnificence. Oct. 5
Fran Healy | Wreckorder
Travis frontman Healy doesn’t stray too far from his day job on his solo album — though he does get by with a little help from a friend named Paul McCartney. Oct. 5
Toby Keith | Bullets in the Gun
If a rapper used that title, the Fox News brigade would blow a gasket. Bet they call Keith an American hero for it. Go figure. Oct. 5
Elton John & Leon Russell | The Union
As if the dynamic piano duo aren’t enough, this union also includes Brian Wilson, Neil Young, Booker T. and Robert Randolph. Oct. 19
Kings of Leon | Come Around Sundown
The southern-rock siblings (and their cousin) drop another album full of songs for pigeons to poop on. Oct. 19
Bryan Ferry | Olympia
Roxy Music’s suave crooner welcomes his old bandmates — and a slew of VIPs — for his first CD of new material in eight years. Oct. 26
Taylor Swift | Speak Now
Couldn’t she forever hold her peace instead? Oct. 25
NOVEMBER
Elvis Costello | National Ransom
Costello and producer T-Bone Burnett mix bluegrass, R&B, topical lyrics and some stellar guests. Sounds like a winner. Nov. 2
Black Dub | Black Dub
Daniel Lanois gets back on his feet and unveils his new band with Chris Whitley’s daughter Trixie. Nov. 2
Kanye West | TBA
I’ma let you finish, but I just want to say that whatever he decides to call this album, it can’t top the original title: Good Ass Job. Nov. 16
Kid Rock | Born Free
Robert Ritchie’s return was produced by Rick Rubin and features VIPs including Sheryl Crow, Bob Seger, Martina McBride and, um, T.I. Nov. 16
Daft Punk | Tron: Legacy
The French electronica duo score the classic video-game movie reboot. Nov. 23
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BOX SETS
Miles Davis | The Genius of Miles Davis
You thought last year’s Complete Columbia Album Collection was something? This 43-CD set weighs nearly 10 kilos, comes in a full-size trumpet case and includes a mouthpiece. Sept. 14
Bob Dylan | Bob Dylan: The Original Mono Recordings
The original versions of Zimmy’s first eight albums — everything up to John Wesley Harding, basically — are packaged with a 60-page book. Oct. 19
Jimi Hendrix | West Coast Seattle Boy: The Jimi Hendrix Anthology
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of Hendrix’s death — and milk a few more dollars out of the faithful — here’s another box set. Oct. 19
Elvis Presley | The Complete Elvis Presley Masters
A 30-CD set with all 711 of Presley’s master recordings, including 103 rarities? I’d call that the King of boxes. Oct. 19
Bee Gees | Mythology
Each of the Gibb brothers (including Andy) gets his own disc in this four-CD set. Nov. 16
