Goofer rap-rockers the Bloodhound Gang return after a too-long hiatus with Hefty Fine September 13. Also, local resident B.B. King celebrates turning 80 with 80, teaming the blues guitar legend with an unusually high-end group of big-name collaborators, including U2, Elton John and Van Morrison. Unsurprisingly heavy on guests is Shaggy's Clothes Drop, which includes a now-obligatory cameo by a Pussycat Doll.
Despite the continued and welcome nonexistence of Chinese Democracy, '80s metal pop lingers in the form of Bon Jovi's Have a Nice Day, due September 20. And even when you think you are safe from the '80s, on that same day, Ten Thousand Fists from Disturbed makes its official release. The first single is "Stricken," but more disturbing is that Disturbed are said to cover the Genesis hit "Land of Confusion."
And lest we forget, it's hard to say if this is a celebrity story or a music event, but Lil' Kim, recently sentenced for perjury, offers up The Naked Truth at the end of the month, the first single being—wait for it—"Shut Up Bitch." Neil Young's highly anticipated Prairie Moon is due September 27, but the September release that is perhaps most notable of all is the Ray Charles box set, Pure Genius: The Complete Atlantic Recordings (1952-1959) with a bonus DVD of a 1960 concert.
Lots of questions are answered in early October. After being delayed, pulled from release and bootlegged on the Internet, October 4 finally sees the official release of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine. Also due that day, the Darkness return with the wonderfully titled The Painstaking, answering the question: Are they good for more than one laugh? Liz Phair returns October 4 with Sombody's Miracle, answering the question: Will her Britney Spears phase outlast Britney Spears' career. Rockin' The Joint is the title of Aerosmith's first live album since the last one, and while few details are available about the October 11 release, the band did professionally record a raucous concert at the Joint a few years ago. Coming out the same day and sure to be at the top of the charts this fall—The band: OutKast. The Title: 10 the Hard Way. The surviving titans of the Xtreme universe, Korn and A Perfect Circle, both have releases set for the end of October.
In November, critics' darling Ryan Adams returns with his first album in months, 29. And how's this for déjà vu: a new Santana release, teaming the guitarist with a wide range of celebrities from Clive Davis' party list, including Mary J. Blige, Black Eyed Peas and OutKast. The only wonder is that Santana has tentatively titled it All That I Am, perhaps exposing a previously unknown sense of irony. Also back from oblivion is '80s icon Bob Seger; Face the Promise is his first new release in a decade. Let's hope for a tour.
Madonna takes a break from exploring her spirituality and writing children's books to test if she still has viability as a recording artist with Confessions On A Dancefloor. But this is Rick Rubin's month, featuring both his highly anticipated collaboration with Neil Diamond and his production of the new System of a Down release, Hypnotize.