In pop music, the forecast for fall is superstars - particularly in the CD stores. Frankly, the recording industry could use a star-studded season. With sales sagging for two straight years, the business is in desperate need of hits. And if big names equal big sales, there should be lots of cheer in the corporate suites by Christmas.
Things on the concert front won't be so exciting, however. Most of the big acts either have put off touring until next year, or - as is the case with R.E.M. - are forsaking the road altogether. At this point, shows by Aerosmith, Blues Traveler, the Bare Naked Ladies and the Artist Formerly Known as Prince have been confirmed, while local visits by Depeche Mode, Maxwell and Liz Phair are likely.
The biggest news on the album front is a new disc by Alanis Morissette, whose "Jagged Little Pill" has sold over 16 million copies since its release in late '95. Morissette will deliver "Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie" in November.
Jewel is also expected to have a new album out that month, although it's unclear whether the disc will be a Christmas album or the long-awaited follow-up to her octuple-platinum "Pieces of You."
Because there's usually such a huge time gap between albums, many assume that Bruce Springsteen doesn't do a lot of writing. Wrong. He's just very choosy about what he'll release - a fact that will become eminently clear when he releases a boxed set of unreleased songs this November.
Marilyn Manson, either the smartest or scariest man in pop (depending on whether you're a fan or a parent), unleashes his latest assault on decency, "Mechanical Animals," on Tuesday.
Dru Hill, the Baltimore-bred quartet whose debut dominated the R&B; charts last year, returns with "Enter the Dru" in October. Also that month, Beck, whose pop-savvy, sample-heavy "Odelay" knocked the alt-rock audience on its ear, tries for more with "Mutations," while R.E.M. debuts its new lineup on "Up."
Here is an overview of some of the fall season's most significant pop CD releases. Keep in mind that many titles are tentative, and that all release dates are subject to change.
SEPTEMBER
Hootie and the Blowfish
"Musical Chairs" (Atlantic)
A tuneful, solidly-rocking album showcasing the band's ambition and intelligence. Sept. 15.
"King of the Delta Blues Singers" (Columbia/Legacy)
Reissued to include a recently discovered version of "Travelling Riverside Blues." Sept. 15.
Los Super Seven
"Los Super Seven" (RCA)
Mexican-American all-star band, including members of Los Lobos, the Texas Tornados and more. Sept. 15.
Marilyn Manson
"Mechanical Animals" (Nothing/Interscope)
The scariest man in rock shifts gears, moving from industrial clangor to Bowie-style glam rock. Sept. 15.
Bette Midler
"Bathhouse Betty" (Warner Bros.).
A typically Midlerian mix of heart-tugging ballads and over-the-top fabulosity. Sept. 15.
Various artists
"Nuggets: Original Artifacts from the First Psychedelic Era 1965-1968" (Rhino)
A four-CD expansion on "Nuggets," the anthology that helped listeners make the connection between garage rock and punk. Sept. 15.
Chemical Brothers
"Brothers Gonna Work It Out" (Caroline)
Work it again would be more like it, as this is mostly remixes. Sept. 22.
Sheryl Crow
"The Globe Sessions" (A&M;)
With this intensely personal album, Crow continues to prove her mettle as producer and performer. Sept. 22.
Kirk Franklin Nu Nation
"Project" (Interscope/GospoCentric)
This adventurous gospel/soul outing includes cameos by R. Kelly, Bono and Mary J. Blige. Sept. 22.
Goo Goo Dolls
"Dizzying Up the Girl" (Warner Bros.)
After finally tasting success with the single "Iris," the Goo Goos go for the big time. Sept. 22.
Chris Isaak
"Speak of the Devil" (Reprise)
An especially passionate effort from the master of moody retro-rock. Sept. 22.
KISS
"Psychic Circus" (Mercury)
The first studio recording by the original lineup since 1979's "Dynasty." Such a standard to maintain! Sept. 22.
Lyle Lovett
"Step Inside This House" (Curb/MCA)
A 21-song tribute to the songwriters who influenced Lovett's sound and style.
Sept. 22.
Hank Williams
"The Complete Hank Williams" (Mercury)
A mammoth tribute, this 10-CD set includes some 225 tracks, 53 of which are previously unreleased. Sept. 22.
Ray Charles
"The Complete Country & Western Recordings, 1959-1986" (Rhino)
All of Charles' country recordings, from the "Modern Sounds in Country and Western" albums to the '80s Nashville sessions. Sept. 29.
Elvis Costello with Burt Bacharach
"Painted from Memory" (Mercury)
Who said they don't write 'em like that anymore? A stunning collaboration from two of rock's most sophisticated writers. Sept. 29.
Ethel Ennis
"If Women Ruled the World" (Savoy)
A mix of standards and contemporary pop tunes showing that the Baltimore jazz legend's magic can be applied to the music of any era. Sept. 29.
"Is This Desire?" (Island)
There's a stark, synthetic edge to the music that makes it seem cooler than Harvey's last album, but the emotions are blazingly intense. Sept. 29.
Joni Mitchell
"Taming the Tiger" (Reprise)
Jazzy and slyly tuneful, this album will put listeners in mind of her 1976 album, "Hejira." Sept. 29.
A Tribe Called Quest
"The Love Movement" (Jive)
The long-awaited - and apparently last - new album from the legendary rap trio. Sept. 29.
Various artists
"Bad Boy's Greatest Hits" (Bad Boy)
In which Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs recycles his own music for a change. Sept. 29.
OCTOBER
Phil Collins
"Greatest Hits" (Atlantic)
Just what it says. Oct. 6.
Cypress Hill
"IV" (Ruffhouse/Columbia)
More sonic mayhem from B-Real and the boys. Oct. 6.
Depeche Mode
"The Singles: '86-'98" (Warner Bros.)
Just what it says. Oct. 6.
Herbie Hancock
"The Complete Blue Note '60s Sessions" (Blue Note)
A six-CD compendium of Hancock's pre-electric solo work, including "Watermelon Man" and "Maiden Voyage." Oct. 6.
John Mellencamp
"John Mellencamp" (Columbia)
Rootsy and direct, like his classic work, but with enough rhythmic seasoning to sound fresh. Oct. 6.
Original Cast
"The Capeman" (Dreamworks)
For those (and apparently there were a lot of you) who didn't catch Paul Simon's musical when it was on Broadway.
Oct. 6.
Rush
"Live" (Atlantic)
A three-CD set documenting two full tours of Rush music. Oct. 6.
Bob Dylan
"Bootleg Series Vol. 4: Live 1966 The 'Royal Albert Hall' Concert" (Columbia/Legacy)
One of the most treasured bootlegs of all time, here's Dylan and the Band, all cleaned up and legally available. Oct. 13.
Bruce Hornsby
"Spirit Trail" (RCA)
A smart, tuneful, ambitious double album from the singer/pianist. Oct. 13.
R. Kelly
"R." (Jive).
No word yet on whether Kelly will play the big balladeer for this album, or will try to sex things up. Oct. 13.
Aerosmith
"A Little South of Sanity" (Geffen)
Live material from the "Get a Grip" tour. Oct. 20.
Beck
"Mutations" (DGC)
In which the king of post-modern rock shows that there's life after sampling. Oct. 20.
Black Sabbath
"Reunion" (Epic)
Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward, together again and reworking the classics. Oct. 20.
John Lee Hooker
"The Best of Friends" (Virgin)
An all-star celebration of the bluesman's 50th anniversary as a recording artist. Oct. 20.
Phish
"The Story of the Ghost" (Elektra)
Even though much of the material stems from jams, this is the band's most tuneful effort yet. Oct. 20.
Various artists
"South Park" (American/Columbia)
Oh, dear! They recorded Kenny! Oct. 20.
Bryan Adams
"On a Day Like Today" (A&M;)
Yet another album by the gruff-voiced king of mainstream pop/rock. Oct. 27.
Shawn Colvin
"Holiday Songs and Lullabies" (Columbia)
Traditional Christmas and baby songs. Oct. 27.
Dru Hill
"Enter the Dru" (Island Black Music)
After three Top-10 singles, this Baltimore-based R&B; quartet stakes its claim on the mainstream. Oct. 27.
Faith Evans
"Keep the Faith" (Bad Boy)
A new album from Biggie Small's widow. Oct. 27.
Metallica
[Title to be announced] (Elektra)
The metal maniacs' second collection of cover songs.
Oct. 27.
Pras
"Ghetto Supastar" (Ruffhouse Columbia)
In which the last member of the Fugees makes his claim for pop fame. Oct. 27.
R.E.M.
"Up" (Warner Bros.)
A moody, slightly jazzy album featuring the band's new lineup. Oct. 27.
Rolling Stones
"No Security" (Virgin)
A live album from their last tour. (October release date to be announced.)
NOVEMBER
Burt Bacharach
"The Look of Love: The Burt Bacharach Collection" (Rhino)
Three CDs showing just how sexy and classy rock-era pop can be. Nov. 3.
U2
"The Best of U2 Volume One 1980-1990" (Island)
A singles collection focusing on the period before "Achtung Baby." A corresponding album of B-sides is also rumored. Nov. 3.
Cardigans
"Gran Turismo" (Mercury)
Darker and more introspective, it shows that this band has more than just another pretty pop voice. Nov. 3.
The Clash
[Title to be announced] (Epic)
The long-awaited live album. Nov. 3.
John Coltrane
"The John Coltrane Quartet: The Complete Impulse! Studio Recordings" (GRP Impulse!)
Eight CDs by what many consider the greatest jazz quartet of the '60s. Nov. 3.
Miles Davis
"The Complete Bitches Brew Sessions" (Columbia/Legacy)
These are the sessions that invented jazz rock. Nov. 3.
Marvin Gaye
"Midnight Love & the Sexual Healing Sessions" (Columbia/Legacy)
Two CDs reconstructing Gaye's last great album.
Nov. 3.
Alanis Morissette
"Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie"
Without doubt, the pop music season's most-anticipated sequel. Nov. 3.
Oasis
"The Masterplan" (Epic)
A collection of B-sides and rarities, for fanatics mostly. Nov. 3.
Soundtrack
"Prince of Egypt" (Dreamworks)
Actually three separate albums, including the original score from the film, a country-oriented "Nashville" album and a gospel-style "Inspirational" version.
Nov. 3.
Various artists
"The Blue Note Years" (Blue Note)
A 14-CD history of the legendary jazz label. Nov. 3.
Various artists
"N.W.A. Straight Outta Compton 10th Anniversary Tribute" (Priority)
Gangsta rap nostalgia. Nov. 3.
Mariah Carey
"1" (Columbia)
Anyone who can assemble a whole CD of songs that went to No. HTC 1 deserves a concept album like this. Nov. 10
Hanson
"Live" (Mercury)
Just what it says. Nov. 10.
Seal
[Title to be announced] (Warner Bros.)
No word yet on what the singer's third album will sound like. Nov. 10.
Bruce Springsteen
[Title to be announced] (Columbia)
Details are sketchy, but expect four to six CDs consisting largely of previously unreleased material. Nov. 10.
TLC
"Fan Mail" (LaFace)
After bankruptcy and personal problems, the R&B; group tries for its big comeback. Nov. 10.
Whitney Houston
"Greatest Hits" (Arista)
Just what it says. Nov. 17.
Jewel
[Title to be announced] (Atlantic)
Possibly a seasonal album, possibly the follow-up to "Pieces of You." Nov. 17.
Ice Cube
"War & Peace" (Priority)
The gangsta rapper's long-awaited new album. Nov. 17.
Blackstreet
"Finally" (Interscope)
The title sums up the fan's sentiments. (November release date to be announced.)
Garth Brooks
[Title to be announced] (Capitol)
A live album from his last tour. (November release date to be announced.)
To come in 1999:
Albums by critical favorites Radiohead, former Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell, Danish dance pop jesters Aqua, R&B; iconoclast MeShell N'Degeocello, and a Stevie Ray Vaughan boxed set.
Pub Date: 9/13/98