The summer was a little light for new rock releases. The fall is a different matter.
Jimmy Eat World/Invented (Sept 21):
Phoenix outfit releases their seventh album using the producer that helped shaped their early sound.
Maroon 5/Hands All Over (Sept 21):
Produced by the former Mr. Shania Twain — Robert “Mutt” Lang (a fan of the band). The band has dropped hints that this may be their second-to-last album.
Santana/Guitar Heaven (Sept 28) The Greatest Guitar Classics of All Time (Sept 21):
Carlos decides he can improve upon (or reimagine) rock standards from everyone from Van Halen to Jimi Hendrix.
Vocal help comes from Chris Cornell (Soundgarden), Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots) and others.
Neil Young/Le Noise (Sept 28):
This one is coming on CD, vinyl, via an iTunes download, Blu-Ray and as both an iPhone and iPad app.
Producer Daniel Lanois promises that “there’s nothing else out there like it.”
The Doobie Brothers/World Gone Crazy (Sept 28):
It’s back to the Tom Johnson-fronted Doobies and producer Ted Templeman, the guy behind the band’s big early hits. Deluxe edition features a DVD with a retrospective of the band’s 40-year career.
Oh, and Willie Nelson shows up.
Phil Collins/Going Back (Sept 28):
With the Genesis reunion, work on soundtracks and health issues (including one that precluded him from playing drums), Phil’s first solo album in eight years features covers of his favourite Motown and soul songs.
Soundgarden/Telephantasm (Sept 28):
Resurrected after 13 years on ice, SG reintroduces themselves to a new generation with a retrospective collection.
Bedouin Soundclash/Light on the Horizon (Sept 28):
After a hiatus necessitated by touring burnout, a new drummer should inject new life into Kingston’s best known alt-ska/alt-reggae band.
Ben Folds and Nick Hornby (Sept 28):
Piano dude supplies the music. High Fidelity/ About a Boy/Juliet, Naked author supplies the lyrics. This could be interesting. Or a mess.
Finger 11/Life Returns Electric (Oct 05):
Them vs. You vs. Me will be a tough act to follow, but the first single, Living in a Dream, has already reached No. 1 on the Canadian rock music charts.
Kings of Leon/Come Around Sundown (Oct 19):
Has the requisite five-syllable album title. Some of these songs have already been road-tested.
U2/Songs of Ascent (Who knows?):
They have to get something out there to counteract the apathetic reception of No Line on the Horizon. But when?
