GOOD LOOKIN' OUT
Jan 1, 2006 12:00 PM
The deluge of releases coming in 2006 could fill up many a landfill one day. But some will probably be worth holding on to. Here's a short list of artist albums and insider information.
Mary J. Blige: This generation's Queen of Soul has been dealing with flip-flopping release dates — between late 2005 and March 2006 — for her new album, The Breakthrough (Geffen). As of this writing, it's teetering on Dec. 20, 2005. But with an all-star cast of producers (Dr. Dre, Kanye West, Swizz Beatz, The Neptunes, Rodney Jerkins), this one's too good to miss the cutoff.
Dr. Dre: He recorded it. Next, about 4 million MCs and R&B artists tore him away from his album to work on theirs. Then, he abandoned Detox (Aftermath), redid it, and rumors still fly about when it'll actually come out. The Dre camp is saying “sometime in 2006” now, so don't give up hope.
Eve: Between her acting ambitions and her music career, it's hard to focus on one thing. But Eve's new album is apparently locked down for spring 2006 on Aftermath, with production from Dr. Dre, Scott Storch and Swizz Beatz.
Flaming Lips: At War With the Mystics (Warner Bros.) is slated for April 2006. It remains to be heard how Remix-centric it'll be, though. Front man Wayne Coyne told Billboard to expect some “heavy guitar riffs.” Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Kaskade: “Steppin' Out,” from 2004's In the Moment (Om), was an excellent dance anthem. There are no real details about the next album yet, but it's apparently coming in 2006.
Outkast: The Hotlanta hip-hop duo was expecting to release its soundtrack album Idlewild (LaFace) in late 2005, but both the album and the film of the same name have been bumped to 2006.
Portishead: Portishead's camp won't confirm or deny that the new album will come out in 2006, but fingers are crossed. Recently, Beth Gibbons composed a film score (for L'Annulaire) and wrote songs for Joss Stone and Jane Birkin. Currently, she's working with Geoff Barrow on the third Portishead album.
Primal Scream: Rumors are confirmed as true: Brian Eno is working with Primal Scream on its next album, coming sometime in 2006. That rules.
Scissor Sisters: Scissor Sisters is writing its next album with help from Elton John (he's not actually singing, though). The album, due June 2006 on Universal, will include “Everybody Wants the Same Thing,” which the band performed at Live 8 in 2005.
TV on the Radio: The band toured Europe, then Brazil. And the album is at home in Brooklyn, N.Y., waiting patiently to be mastered. Here's hoping people can hear the damn thing this spring.
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