For pop stars with an album to drop, no season is more frightening than the fall. That’s when the heaviest guns come out — making the potential for failure that much more common — and public.
Autumn ’07 has its own bloody battles in store. 50 Cent and Kanye West will go mano-a-mano on already loaded Sept. 11, releasing their respective third CDs to create a punishing game of compare-and-contrast. Alicia Keys will face the daunting task of topping her excellent first two CDs with a third (out Oct. 23), while Nicole Scherzinger kicks off a potentially ruinous trend for the culture at large by becoming the first Pussycat Doll to purr out a solo CD.
No one can say who will survive this fray, but here’s a look at some of the artists engaged in the fight.
50 Cent
“Curtis,” Sept. 11
Fif’s third official CD, and his first in three years. So far his singles haven’t clicked, so the heat is on.
Kanye West
“Graduation,” Sept. 11
The finale in the Chicago rapper’s trilogy of school-themed CDs.
NEW SOLOS
will. i. am
“Songs About Girls,” Sept. 25
The leader of the Black Eyed Peas puts out his first album as a solo artiste.
Pat Monahan
“Last of Seven,” Sept. 18
The debut from the ruggedly handsome singer of Train.
Nicole Scherzinger
“Her Name Is Nicole,” Oct. 16
The solo debut from the only Pussycat Doll who can kinda sing.
Serj Tankian
“Elect the Dead,” Oct. 23
The singer for System of a Down with his first lone flight. Let’s hope all the songs aren’t about his favorite subject: the persecution of Armenians.
Jordin Sparks
November
Now standing apart from her “American Idol” competition, this year’s winner will issue her risky debut. She better hope it does better than Taylor Hicks’ first, or Katharine McPhee’s for that matter.
COMEBACKS
Ja Rule
“The Mirror,” Sept. 25
The most vilified man in rap tries to regain his good name with his first CD in three years.
Seal
“System,” Sept 25
The husky-voiced singer took time away from model-wife Heidi Klum just long enough to put out his first work in four years.
Annie Lennox
“Songs of Mass Destruction,” Oct. 2
The great chanteuse’s first solo album in half a decade. Guests include Madonna, Dido, Bonnie Raitt, Pink, Fergie and KT Tunstall.
Kid Rock
“Rock and Roll Jesus,” Oct. 9
The self-declared white-trash rap-rocker’s first CD of new material in four years.
Backstreet Boys
“Unbreakable,” Oct. 30
The former boy band’s first release in three years — and their only one without the manliest member, Kevin Richardson.
Q-Tip
“The Renaissance,” Dec. 18
The endlessly delayed second solo album from the seminal and supertalented New York rapper finally (!) arrives. It’s Q’s first work in eight years.
STAYING ON TOP
Kenny Chesney (left)
“Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates,” Sept. 11
His second post-Renee Zellweger CD.
Foo Fighters
“Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace,” Sept 25
Back to hard rock from the guys who recently went (sorta) acoustic.
Bruce Springsteen
“Magic,” Oct. 2
The first album with Bruce and his E Street band since their 9/11-themed work, “The Rising,” five years ago. A return to what manager Jon Landau calls “high-energy rock.”
Ashanti
“The Declaration,” Oct. 23
The thin-voiced beauty’s fourth studio release.
Alicia Keys
“As I Am,” Oct. 23
The superstar’s latest studio album also is her first in four years.
GOING FOR HIT NO. 2
James Blunt (right)
“All the Lost Souls,” Sept 18
The first single is titled “1973,” which says a lot about the company, and era, Blunt wants to keep.
Chamillionaire
“Ultimate Victory,” Sept. 18
Features no N, B or P words. What fun could that be?
Chris Brown “Exclusive,” Oct. 30
The follow-up from R&B’s most-scream-inducing teen dream.
Lupe Fiasco “The Cool,” Oct. 30
An encore from the innovative rapper.
Carrie Underwood (right)
Title unknown, Oct. 30
The sophomore work from the biggest country “American Idol.” Her debut sold more than 5 million copies.
Amy Winehouse “Frank,” Nov. 13
An unearthed, earlier CD that’s coming out now to exploit her fame.
CULT HIPSTERS
Twista “Adrenaline Rush 2007,” Sept. 18
The fastest rapper on the planet returns.
P.J. Harvey
“Wolves,” Sept. 25
The avant-gardist’s first in three years.
David Banner
“Greatest Story Ever Told,” Oct. 9
The new one from the respected Southern rapper who just bolted from the “Rock the Bells” tour without explanation.
