Novembers usually bring what the recording industry likes to call “Super Tuesdays”, when tons of “A”-list acts compete against one another for chart supremacy. With the industry in the state it’s in, the star quality of this November’s releases is slightly dimmer than usual, especially later in the month. But that’s not to say there’s not a couple of releases that have the capability of doing boffo business. To wit:
It wouldn’t be the end of the year without a Jay-Z album, and 2007 is no different, but this one’s a doozy. His American Gangster is based on the movie of the same name, and comes with tons of pre-release hype calling it Jay’s best album in quite some time. This should be the album that reconnects him with his “street” audience, considering the glossy, mature “Kingdom Come” went over a lot of folks’ heads. For those who can’t get enough “Gangster”, the film’s official soundtrack comes out today, merging Seventies classics with new songs by the pristine-voiced soul singer Anthony Hamilton (whose new album comes out in February…I can’t wait).
In today’s game of Six Degrees of Separation from Jay-Z, there’s also a greatest hits album from former nemesis Nas. This album rounds up the biggest hits from his Columbia years, along with a new song called “Surviving The Time”. Considering this, is it really going to make sense to release a new album from Nas just a month from now?
There are two albums that might challenge Jay’s cruise to the #1 spot next week. If you have a daughter under the age of 19, you probably know who Chris Brown is, although you’ve probably not heard his name unaccompanied by an “OMIGOD!! AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”. Filling in nicely for Usher during Ush’s prolonged absence, Brown is the latest of teen dreams. His sophomore release Exclusive, already contains two huge hits: “Wall To Wall” and “Kiss Kiss”, which is currently the #1 single in the country.
http://www.chrisbrownworld.com
Speaking of country, I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you about a release from a little guy named Garth Brooks. After 1999’s Chris Gaines fiasco, Brooks has been remarkably quiet, but the heat is being turned up. Not only was he recently awarded as the biggest selling American solo artist in HISTORY (sorry Elvis and Michael), but his new single “More Than A Memory” became the first to enter the U.S. Country charts at Number One. The Ultimate Hits is a 2-CD/1-DVD Hits compilation released and distributed by Garth himself (like he needs more money) and contains 4 new songs.
And that’s not all, folks! There’s a new album from Blink-182 side project Angels & Airwaves, the comeback album from rapper Cassidy (following an overturned murder conviction and a near-fatal car accident) and, for those who are reissue crazy, a plethora of live albums (Jimmy Buffett, Bright Eyes, Barenaked Ladies, Five For Fighting…who the hell wants to see THEM live??), hits compilations (the 675th greatest hits album from Aerosmith, plus new comps from Van Morrison and Teddy Pendergrass), and…Christmas albums (from The Captain & Tennille and Rick Springfield!)
Get a complete list of this week’s new releases here: http://www.pauseandplay.com/cdfront.htm
Happy shopping!!
