“from a basement on the hill”
To be released: October 19
Unlike the usual plethora of “new” music put together after an artist’s death, “from a basement on the hill,” the upcoming album from the late Elliott Smith, was actually close to completion before Smith’s death last October.
The album was put together by long-time friend and producer Rob Schnapf and former girlfriend Joanna Bolme, who were both summoned by Smith’s family to help finish the album that Smith had been working on for three years.
With the help of notes and demos left behind, Schnapf and Bolme pieced together the album in the direction they believed Smith would have wanted.
Musically, “basement” combines both of Smith’s creative styles. While including the psychedelic pop sound of his later material, the new album succeeds in recognizing and remembering Smith’s older material – a raw, yet profound and emotionally driven acoustic sound.
Even though a whopping 34 tracks were recorded from the “basement” sessions, only 15 made the final cut. As of now, it is unknown whether or not fans will get a taste of the final 19 Elliott Smith songs. All Smith’s unreleased demos and tracks are legally owned by DreamWorks Records.
Although the B-sides’s future lies in DreamWorks hands, I have a feeling that “basement” won’t be the last we hear from Smith.
Eminem
“Encore”
To be released: November 16
After sending D-12 to stardom with the explosive hit “My Band” and album “D-12 World,” Eminem, aka Marshall Mathers, will drop his fourth solo album this fall with “Encore.”
Fans of the rapper/actor can expect more of what Em does best: intricate rhyming, celebrity bashing and crude profanity spread throughout.
“Encore” is produced by Mathers himself, along with the help of his long-time friend and collaborator Dr. Dre. Although the album is under tight security to prevent internet leakage, the first single “Just Lose It” can be heard nationwide on the radio or at eminem.com, while the video is on heavy rotation on MTV’s “Making the Video.”
Destiny’s Child
“Destiny Fulfilled”
To be released: November 16
Three separate solo albums and two and a half years later, Beyonce, Kelly and Michelle’s destiny is fulfilled. The fourth studio album from the former quartet-turned-trio is sure to sell.
Fresh off the success of her “Dangerously In Love” record, Beyonce Knowles simply can’t fail. Despite proclaiming her own solo status and dabbling in Hollywood, Beyonce did what many thought she’d never do and returned to Destiny’s Child for another full length album.
“Destiny Fulfilled” is going to “show a side of Destiny’s Child that a lot of people haven’t seen,” said Kelly Rowland in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly. Rowland and management assure that the group is heading towards a more mature sound with more mature content as well.
“Game Over” and “Cater to You” are a few of the upcoming track names, but most information concerning the CD is being kept hush-hush.
Beyonce’s pulled hamstring could delay a video shoot scheduled for October 8 for the album’s first single “Lose My Breath.” However, the song has already been released on radio.
Gwen Stefani
“Love Angel Music Baby”
To be released: November 23
No Doubt singer and fashion designer Gwen Stefani takes a break from her 17-year run with the band to put out “Love Angel Music Baby,” her first solo CD.
“I have loads of ideas and tricks up my sleeve so watch out. I’m scared for you,” Stefani warned fans on NoDoubt.com.
Stefani calls the album an 80’s dance record, taking cues from some of her favorites such as Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, Prince, and the Eurythmics.
Although the pressure is on for Stefani to put out a successful record, she has many writers, producers, and collaborators backing her up including Andre 3000, Outkast, Dr. Dre, The Neptunes, and Missy Elliot, who calls Gwen’s release not only an album, but “an event.”
The first single, “What U Waiting 4” depicts Stefani’s inner struggles and conflicted feelings about writing an album so far from her comfort zone. A Japanese electronic/house type background supplements the rhythmic dance beat as Gwen sings to herself, “Take a chance ’cause you might grow.”
“Making The Video: Gwen Stefani” premieres on MTV October 13 at 6 p.m.
U2
“How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb”
To be released: November 23
Over the past two years, U2 have been furiously writing tracks for their follow up to 2000’s “All That You Can’t Leave Behind.” With “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb,” U2 hopes to deliver the same quality hits that fans of the past love, while also adding a more edgy rock vibe in an attempt to reach out to new fans.
Band and management alike assure that this will be U2’s first official rock’n’roll album.
“Bomb” is U2’s fifteenth studio album and is produced by Steve Lillywhite, who also worked on the band’s first three albums, “Boy,” “October,” and “War.”
Plans to tour are underway but probably won’t happen until 2005 when the album has had a chance to circulate. The first single, “Vertigo” has hit the radio waves and can be heard at U2.com.
“Fahrenheit 9/11” Release date: Released this week Out on DVD in time for the elections, Michael Moore’s documentary uses truth, fibs and in some cases outright lies to paint a negative picture of George W. Bush. A little of this, a little of that, but even if some of it is fiction, it’s an interesting film to watch.
“Aladdin” (Special Edition) Release date: Released this week The classic 1993 Disney animated movie is out for the first time on DVD. You can finally see the Robin Williams-enhanced genie in full digital quality and hear Williams’ unique humor in Dolby digital surround. Holy King Ali! Like all Disney movies, the amount of time it’ll be available is limited, and the next release window won’t swing around for what feels like 250 years.
“Ren ‘ Stimpy Uncut: The First and Second Seasons” Release date: October 12 The sarcastic and funny pair is back, with the original episodes and not the sub-par Spike TV derivatives. The classic MTV (and later, Nickelodeon) show is finally available for freeze-framing and repeat viewing. This is when the show was still really good and also had some truth to it: everyone really does need a log.
“Van Helsing” Release date: October 19 The movie that pays homage to classic horror movies while providing all sorts of other thrills and laughs makes its first appearance on DVD. Interestingly, it’s released the same day as…
“The Mummy” Boxed Set Release date: October 19 We’re not talking those updated ones, but the original Universal pictures from the 30s and 40s starring Boris Karloff. These classics are really entertaining to watch, especially when combined with a viewing of Van Helsing.
“The OC Season One” Release date: October 26 Just in time for the second season, this first season, which had youngsters glued to their TVs every Wednesday night, has arrived. All the episodes, including the summer ones that got the show off the ground, are here for continued guilty-pleasure enjoyment. Fascinating tidbit: along with a generally humorous before-credits intro, the show attempted to write in someone getting punched each and every episode. Well, maybe not, but doesn’t it seem that way?
“That 70s Show Season One” Release date: October 26 Another Fox show sees its DVD debut. Sure, it’s on practically every hour of every day on some local channel, but it’s funny, and Ashton Kutcher has definitely not hit the point of overexposure yet. Er, wait… anyway, the first season set the stage for what has remained a consistently funny show, and it’s worth the investment.
“Shrek 2” Release date: November 2 In your choice of full-screen or wide-screen, see one more reason why Mike Myers manages to avoid sequel curses on a regular basis. “Shrek 2” is another humorous movie, filled with even more great humor and green characters. My sister says it’s great, but then again she also watched “From Justin to Kelly” over 35 times. I’ve yet to see it, but chances are it’ll sell big even if I don’t get to catch it before the holidays.
“The Simple Life 2” Release date: November 2 Because we couldn’t get enough of two rich girls trying to milk cows, here comes round two with Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie still showing that they can’t hold a job for more than a few hours. Apparently, money can buy happiness, but not a work ethic.
“Friends – The Complete Eighth Season” Release date: November 9 Sure, the show’s no longer on NBC and has been replaced by the less humorous but still watchable “Joey,” but the DVD boxed sets keep on coming. Although this season is one a lot of people panned when it originally aired, there is no doubt that diehard fans will scoop up this boxed set.
“Star Trek Voyager: Complete Fifth Season” Release date: November 9 Was anyone even watching then? Actually, they probably were, since Jeri Ryan was around by this time. She definitely saved this show’s bacon from being cancelled early. Too bad they can’t use her on “Enterprise” too.
“Gone With the Wind” Four Disc Collector’s Edition Release date: November 9 Yeah, you read that right. Despite the movie’s age, the DVD release has managed to pack in more extras than a really large movie set. The film itself is spread over two discs, no doubt to provide the highest quality transfer possible, while discs three and four are full of interviews, documentaries, and other delightful extras that really add depth to the film. This is an amazing movie, coupled with an amazing price on the box set: Amazon’s offering it for under $30 as of press time.
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