The fall CD season kicks off Sept. 11 with the highly anticipated releases of albums from 50 Cent and Kanye West. RedEye’s in-house public relations expert, Tab Tanner, weighs in on some of the other marquee artists’ projects and their sales prospects. We now turn to you, Tab.
Kenny Chesney
Album: “Just Who I Am: Poets and Pirates”
Due date: Sept. 11
Tab’s take: First off, LOVE the title. Pirates are hot right now — bless you, Johnny Depp, for bringing baggy pantaloons back en vogue — and there’s always the chance Gwyneth Paltrow will do something poetry-related. Don’t count Kenny out, folks. He could outsell Kanye and 50 Cent faster than you can say “Wait, he’s BALD under that cowboy hat?”
Foo Fighters
Album: “Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace”
Due date: Sept. 25
Tab’s take: I’ve treasured the Foo Fighters ever since they sang about fingernails, a subject near and dear to my heart. I actually call them the Foo Tang Clan, a nickname usually met with about 3 minutes of silence. But I digress — I smell a smash hit here, I really do. Aaaaand, back to the manicure.
Alicia Keys
Album: “As I Am”
Due date: Nov. 6
Tab’s take: It’s hard for me to be neutral on this one because I styled one half of my hair into cornrows and left the other half long when Alicia first reached the height of her popularity. Two words, Alicia: Call me. You won’t be cast in another “Smokin’ Aces” the rest of your acting career, and that’s a Tab Tanner guarantee.
Celine Dion
Album: “Taking Chances” (according to Web reports)
Due date: Nov. 13
Tab’s take: Celine’s album will be out the same day as Britney’s album. Both wear their hair too short, and both are notorious in Las Vegas, so the No. 1 spot on the charts that week is up for grabs. Frankly, I’m just hoping “Saturday Night Live” will make fun of them in a skit. I see Andy Samberg in the role of Celine.
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redeyeeditor@tribune.com
