Spring Break
Holiday hits
Stephen Ortiz
Issue date: 11/13/08 Section: Focus
The holiday season is upon us and that means one thing: big releases by big artists. No matter what you're celebrating, here are the must-have albums of this winter, presented chronologically.
"Chinese Democracy"
Guns N' Roses - 11/23
The importance of this album is impossible to fathom. Axl Rose has been promising "Chinese Democracy" for 17 years and it's finally here. The first single (which goes by the same name as the album) is solid, hard rock. But be aware, you can only pick it up on iTunes or at Best Buy.
"808s & Heartbreaks"
Kanye West - 11/24
West takes a shot at the autotune bandwagon. While he may have used it in the past, it's going to be interesting to hear him try it across a whole album. For purists, West said he's getting a more traditional album ready for a Spring release.
"Theater of the Mind"
Ludacris - 11/24
Ludacris saw big numbers from 2006's "Release Therapy." He's a favorite in both mainstream radio as well as hip-hop, so expect more of the same witty lyrics and great collaborations.
"Prospekt's March"
Coldplay - 11/25
This Coldplay EP will feature leftover cuts from their platinum selling "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends." Currently, eight tracks are confirmed, so it's just as good as a whole new release. It will be available alone or as part of a "Viva La Vida" special edition.
"Circus" Britney Spears - 12/2
It's true - Britney is back. "Blackout" was the first step in the right direction for the former queen of pop, and it seems she has all her wits about her again. Lead single "Womanizer" is gaining heat and proves Spears is ready to take her spot back.
"Universal Mind Control" Common - 12/9
Originally scheduled for the summer, Common's eighth album was pushed back to December due to a busy Hollywood schedule. Expect a lot of feel-good smart hip-hop from Pharrell.
"Before I Self Destruct"
50 Cent - 12/16
"Get Up" is big on the radio, and 50, displeased with how Interscope and Jimmy Iovine handled his last album's release, can't wait to get this one out of the studio and into stores. "Before I Self Destruct" marks the last album (besides a greatest hits compilation) he owes to the label, making him a big free agent in music.
"Chinese Democracy"
Guns N' Roses - 11/23
The importance of this album is impossible to fathom. Axl Rose has been promising "Chinese Democracy" for 17 years and it's finally here. The first single (which goes by the same name as the album) is solid, hard rock. But be aware, you can only pick it up on iTunes or at Best Buy.
"808s & Heartbreaks"
Kanye West - 11/24
West takes a shot at the autotune bandwagon. While he may have used it in the past, it's going to be interesting to hear him try it across a whole album. For purists, West said he's getting a more traditional album ready for a Spring release.
"Theater of the Mind"
Ludacris - 11/24
Ludacris saw big numbers from 2006's "Release Therapy." He's a favorite in both mainstream radio as well as hip-hop, so expect more of the same witty lyrics and great collaborations.
"Prospekt's March"
Coldplay - 11/25
This Coldplay EP will feature leftover cuts from their platinum selling "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends." Currently, eight tracks are confirmed, so it's just as good as a whole new release. It will be available alone or as part of a "Viva La Vida" special edition.
"Circus" Britney Spears - 12/2
It's true - Britney is back. "Blackout" was the first step in the right direction for the former queen of pop, and it seems she has all her wits about her again. Lead single "Womanizer" is gaining heat and proves Spears is ready to take her spot back.
"Universal Mind Control" Common - 12/9
Originally scheduled for the summer, Common's eighth album was pushed back to December due to a busy Hollywood schedule. Expect a lot of feel-good smart hip-hop from Pharrell.
"Before I Self Destruct"
50 Cent - 12/16
"Get Up" is big on the radio, and 50, displeased with how Interscope and Jimmy Iovine handled his last album's release, can't wait to get this one out of the studio and into stores. "Before I Self Destruct" marks the last album (besides a greatest hits compilation) he owes to the label, making him a big free agent in music.
Be the first to comment on this story