Pink will be out with the album Funhouse Tuesday, Oct. 28—but it's not necessarily one big thrill ride; the single 'So What' refers to her marriage to her ex, motocross rider Carey Hart. Funhouse is the follow-up to 2006's I'm Not Dead, which has sold well over 1 million copies in the United States. Find out more at www.pinkspage.com .
Beyonce will be in the mix as well, releasing the song 'Single Ladies' Tuesday, Oct. 7, although she may also release another single, 'If I Were a Boy,' the same day. The superstar co-wrote and co-produced 'Ladies' with the duo behind Rihanna's ''Umbrella,' so the song will probably be extremely catchy. ( The album will be out in November. )
Beyonce's Dreamgirls co-star, the Oscar-winning entertainer Jennifer Hudson, will have finally released her first album—named after herself—by the time you're reading this. You may have heard the first single, 'Spotlight,' and the album features cameos by everyone from hip-hop artist Ludacris to co-'American Idol' finalist Fantasia.
Continuing along the diva track, the long-awaited all-new album from superstar Whitney Houston may come as soon as November. It will be interesting to hear how good her voice really is after all the ( alleged ) turmoil she has been involved in.
Amanda Palmer, the lead singer of the Dresden Dolls, has released the critically acclaimed Who Killed Amanda Palmer. On WhoKilledAmandaPalmer.com, Palmer says, 'The record was supposed to be simple. It ended up not being simple at all. This is like my life.'
Alt-country singer/songwriter Lucinda Williams will tour in support of her forthcoming album Little Honey. The album, which is a bit sunnier than her previous efforts, features cameos from such artists as Susanna Hoffs ( who sang lead with The Bangles ) and icon Elvis Costello.
John Legend will be out with Evolver Tuesday, Oct. 28, and Andre 3000, Brandy ( who will have her own album, Human, out ) , Kanye West and Estelle are among the collaborators on this CD. Expect Legend's creamy, soulful vocals to soar over ballads and midtempo songs.
Ani DiFranco has released an album every year since 1990—and continues the trend this year with Red Letter Year, which dropped Sept. 30. According to DiFranco's Web site, RighteousBabe.com, the album 'celebrates existence, professes love and tackles thorny political issues.'
Dido is slated to release her third album, Safe Trip Home, in November. Recorded in Los Angeles and London, the album features a song co-written with Brian Eno.
Britney Spears continues her comeback with her sixth studio CD, Circus, which is slated for release Tuesday, Dec. 2—the singer's birthday. ( The first song, 'Womanizer,' is already being played. ) The release of Circus comes shortly after Spears' triple win at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Soul crooner Maxwell, who disappeared from the music scene for years, is set to embark on a short tour throughout October and November. Concertgoers should be prepared to hear his hits—and see him with closely cropped hair, as opposed to the huge hair he sported in recent years.
R&B singer Eric Benét ( known to some as Halle Berry's latest ex ) has released Love & Life, his first CD in four years. The album—which includes songs such as 'Chocolate Legs'—was recorded in his hometown of Milwaukee.
Bryn Christopher—a singer-songwriter from England who cites, among others, Nina Simone and Stevie Wonder as his influences—has just released the CD My World. The first single, 'The Quest,' was featured in season four of TV's 'Grey's Anatomy.' See www.BrynChristopher.com .
The Cure will release 4:13 Dream Tuesday, Oct. 14, via Suretone/Geffen. Songs will include 'Freakshow,' 'Sirensong' and 'Sleep When I'm Dead.'
The Veronicas—an Australian pop-rock band formed by twin sisters Jessica and Lisa Origliasso—recently released the CD Hook Me Up in the United States. ( Australia saw the group's release last year. ) The single 'Untouched' has already received some attention for its accompanying video.
Lastly, there will be offerings from the latest winner and runner-up from the machine known as 'American Idol.' David Cook ( the victor ) will release his CD Tuesday, Nov. 18, and it will feature 'The Time of My Life.' David Archuleta will also release his self-titled album this fall; his single, 'Crush' already climbed to number two on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart.
—Andrew Davis
