OCT. 9
ERIC CLAPTON
Complete Clapton
(Reprise)
The title says it all – plenty of solo Clapton along with cuts from Cream, Derek and the Dominos, Blind Faith and collaborations with J.J. Cale and B.B. King.
CASS MCCOMBS
Dropping the Writ
(Domino)
His last two works were heavily influenced by the 9/11 tragedy; This time the singer-songwriter wraps his delicate melodies around happier themes.
KID ROCK
Rock N Roll Jesus
(Atlantic)
Kid doesn’t spend all his time beating up Tommy Lee. The content of his new one is ably summed up in the title of the first single, “So Hott.”
SO THEY SAY
Life in Surveillance
(Fearless)
The band has tweaked its sound a little for its sophomore release, and for the better, with help from producer Matt Hyde (Slayer, No Doubt, Sum 41.)
SUNSET RUBDOWN
Random Spirit Lover
(Jagjaguwar)
The coolest band to ever come out of Montreal! How can it not be with song titles like “The Taming of the Hands That Came Back to Life”?
OCT. 16
R.E.M.
R.E.M. Live
(Warner Bros.)
R.E.M.’s first-ever live CD/DVD package is from a show recorded in Ireland, so you may want to drink a Guinness while enjoying “Orange Crush.”
SANTANA
Ultimate Santana
(Arista)
A collection of favorites and new songs featuring Shakira, Lil’ Wayne and Chad Kroeger of Nickelback.
SOULSAVERS
It’s Not How Far You Fall, It’s the Way You Land
(Columbia)
Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees, Queens of the Stone Age) sings on eight songs including a “cover” of his own “Kingdoms of Rain.”
UMPHREY’S MCGEE
Live at the Murat
(SCI Fidelity)
Tapers have passed around their live recordings for years; here’s the first “official” live recording from these beloved jamsters.
DAN WILSON
Free Life
(American)
The solo debut from the former leader of Semisonic and Trip Shakespeare features guest appearances from Sheryl Crow, Eric Fawcett of N.E.R.D. and Sean Watkins from Nickel Creek.
NEIL YOUNG
Chrome Dreams II
(Reprise)
Young was supposed to release an album called Chrome Dreams 30 years ago – it never happened. But II is said to be heavily influenced by that era.
OCT. 23
COHEED AND CAMBRIA
No World for Tomorrow
(Columbia)
Coheed has been telling the story of The Amory Wars over the course of its first three discs. Here on the fourth, the tale comes to a close.
MARK FARINA
Live in Tokyo
(Om)
One of the top DJs ever, here Farina spins a flawless mix of beats from Greenskeepers, Hood Fellas, DJ Sneak, Leon Louder and a dozen others.
DAVE GAHAN
Hourglass
(Mute)
If you listen to alternative music on the radio you’ve probably already heard “Kingdom,” the first single from this second solo effort from the Depeche Mode frontman.
ROBERT PLANT AND ALISON KRAUSS
Raising Sand
(Rounder)
The former Led Zeppelin singer joins alt-country darling Alison Krauss for an esoteric set including the rockabilly “Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On).”
SEX PISTOLS
Never Mind the Bullocks
(Virgin)
This punk rock classic is being re-issued (again) to commemorate the 30th anniversary of its debut in 1977. Still nothing else like it!
SERJ TANKIAN
Elect the Dead
(Reprise/Serjical Strike)
System of a Down’s singer is joined on his solo debut by Brain from Guns N’ Roses and S.O.A.D. drummer John Dolmayan.
VARIOUS ARTISTS
New Orleans Brass
(Putumayo)
It’s Mardi Gras every day as you enjoy tracks from Kermit Ruffins, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band with Dr. John, the Preservation Hall Hot 4 and many others.
WEST INDIAN GIRL
4th & Wall
(Milan)
This band has now expanded to a sextet – it can afford the hired help since it’s had its music played on “Veronica Mars,” “Bones,” “The Fallen” and “The Unit.”
WITCHCRAFT
The Alchemist
(Candlelight USA)
Forget the eye of newt, these Swedish rockers have a cauldron of Doors-worshipping brew a-cookin’.
ROB ZOMBIE
Zombie Live
(Geffen)
Live renditions of Rob’s solo material, White Zombie tunes and even the title songs from Zombie’s horror films, House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil’s Rejects.
OCT. 30
NICOLE ATKINS
Neptune City
(Columbia)
She did an American Express commercial and became the second most Google’d person of that week. Expect an even bigger frenzy when this one hits.
AVENGED SEVENFOLD
Avenged Sevenfold
(Warner Bros.)
Singer M.Shadows says the band was listening to Toby Keith when it was writing this self-titled album. No wonder one cut is called “Dear God.”
LUNA HALO
Luna Halo
(American/Columbia)
Self-titled major label debut from this Nashville-based outfit includes the theme song for the 2007 NHL Stanley Cup playoff, “Kings & Queens.”
OTEP
The Ascension
(Koch)
At last! The band has a new label, and this album that’s been in the can for over a year is finally hitting the streets.
NOV. 6
WYCLEF JEAN
Carnival II: Memoirs of an Immigrant
(Columbia)
The former Fugee drops a sequel to his 1997 hit album Carnival. Guests include Paul Simon, Mary J. Blige, Akon, Norah Jones and Lil’ Wayne.
NICOLE SCHERZINGER
Her Name is Nicole
(Interscope)
The Pussycat Doll steps out to do a little purring on her own with help from will.i.am on the single “Baby Love.”
NOV. 13
CELINE DION
Taking Chances
(Columbia)
Love her? Hate her? You’re going to be hearing from her here with songwriters Ben Moody and David Hodges who’ve hit with Evanescence, Kelly Clarkson and Lindsay Lohan.
GOO GOO DOLLS
Greatest Hits Vol. 1-The Singles
(Warner Bros.)
Fourteen of their most famous songs including several No. 1 hits: “Name,” “Iris” and “Slide.” Leave room in your stack for Vol. 2, coming in early ’08.
THE GOSSIP
Live in Liverpool
(Columbia)
The Gossip’s frontwoman Beth Ditto has been named the coolest person of 2007 by NME. She also sells a lot of records.
ALICIA KEYS
As I Am
(J)
Alicia hasn’t put out an album for four years, but if you want to hear her tell all about As I Am just give a call to (917) 934-3319.
LCD SOUNDSYSTEM
45:33
(DFA)
45:33 has been a mover at iTunes for over six months; now it sees release on CD with the addition of 12 more minutes of dance floor nirvana in the form of “Freak Out”/“Starry Eyes.”
SEAL
System
(Warner Bros.)
Seal says that this album, his first in four years, is a return to his roots. Included is “Wedding Day,” a tune he wrote the day he married Heidi Klum.
AMY WINEHOUSE
Frank
(Universal)
Frank was recorded a couple of years ago and has until now been available only as an import.
WU TANG CLAN
8 Diagrams
(Wu Music/Universal)
Six years after its last studio album and coinciding with its 15th anniversary, 8 Diagrams features unreleased vocals from the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard.
NOV. 20
BOB DYLAN
The Best of Bob Dylan’s Theme Time Radio Hour
(Chrome Dreams)
Not actually a Dylan album – he doesn’t perform here. This is a two-CD collection of songs Bob played on his radio show. Lots of blues and earthy early rock, some doo-wop and even a Bing Crosby cut.
OPETH
The Roundhouse Tapes
(Peaceville)
Two full discs of metal prog-rock recorded live in London during Opeth’s Ghost Reveries tour.
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