Patrick Wall and Pearson Jones, Style Editors
Weezer – Raditude (11/3)
Legendary nerd-rock quartet Weezer is back with their seventh album, Raditude. The lead single, “(If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To,” is as hooky as the name is long.
Singer Rivers Cuomo retains his awkward charm while the band provides an energetic pop-punk background. Raditude has the potential to be the best summer album of the winter.
Dashboard Confessional – Alter the Ending (11/10)
Chris Carrabba, better known as the mastermind behind Dashboard Confessional, will release his sixth album, Alter the Ending.
The lead single, “Belle of the Boulevard” has the same kind of heartfelt emotion of Carrabba’s older work, but feels more like his polished work from Of Dusk and Summer. Fans who have stuck by him thus far will likely be pleased with the new batch of songs.
Three 6 Mafia – Laws of Power (11/10)
Oscar-winning hip hop trio Three 6 Mafia (that title never gets old) return with their follow-up to last year’s smash Last 2 Walk with their tenth studio album, Laws of Power.
The record features a litany of musicians ranging from Insane Clown Posse to Guns N’ Roses and Velvet Revolver guitarist Slash.
Wale – Attention Deficit (11/10)
The debut album Attention: Deficit has had some setbacks. The album’s release date has been changed between three different dates this year, even though the first single came out in 2007, and the album has already been leaked on the Internet.
Wale’s first attempt at a full LP is looking promising, with numerous guest appearances on the album from some of the hottest artists of the moment, including Lady Gaga and Rihanna. The wait may have just been worth it.
Switchfoot – Hello Hurricane (11/10)
“I am my own affliction,” confesses front man Jon Foreman in the intro of the bands new single “Mess of Me,” a self-deprecating track of the lead singer and how his only downfall is himself.
Switchfoot, a band who was once only recognized in the Christian music scene, has begun to make a transition into the mainstream.
John Mayer – Battle Studies (11/17)
After being voted as one of the modern-day “guitar gods,” people would expect John Mayer to live up to the overly generous title that was bestowed upon him. The first single of his new album Battle Studies is a softly played acoustic ballad that challenges the social standard of what is accepted.
Mayer’s lack of willingness to re-invent himself is becoming unbearable. It’s the same old overplayed Mayer sound that’s pulled at the heartstrings of his overly romantic pre-teen followers, but with maybe a slightly more mature message.
Them Crooked Vultures – Them Crooked Vultures (11/17)
Musical super-groups are something that should usually be approached cautiously and with little expectation, Velvet Revolver being one of the many less-than-impressive star-studded bands.
Them Crooked Vultures may have finally gotten it right. The newly-formed band consists of Queens of the Stone Age singer Josh Homme, Led Zeppelin’s bassist John Paul Jones and finally back on percussion David Grohl, drummer for Nirvana and member of the Foo Fighters.
Musically, the group sounds just like they should – a flawless intertwining of Homme’s haunting vocals and Grohl’s merciless drumming all brought together with the legendary bass lines of Jones.
Rihanna – Rated R (11/23)
Rihanna has finally returned to us after a much needed beak. On October 15, Rihanna posted a picture of herself on the her website and a statement that simply said the “wait is ova, Nov. 23, 2009.” The young artist’s new album entitled Rated R is as dark and mature as the title suggests. “Russian Roulette,” the new single, has the same flair and attitude that initially got her recognition, but the tone resonates slightly a darker mood.
Timbaland – Shock Value 2 (11/27)
All-star producer and collaborator Timbaland returns with the follow-up to his triple platinum Shock Value.
Timbaland has always broken down barriers with the musicians he works with, and this new album is no exception. Everyone from Miley Cyrus to Daughtry and Nickleback make an appearance on the record, which is shaping up to be the biggest club album in recent memory.
Susan Boyle – I Dreamed a Dream (11/27)
Britian’s Got Talent’s Susan Boyle took the world by storm this summer with her rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream” from the play Les Misérables.
Not to be outdone by the slew of Idol hopefuls, Boyle is primed to release her debut album, aptly titled after the song that made her Europe’s sweetheart. Boyle’s album is primed to explode, as it is Amazon.com’s pre-sale leader.
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