Britney, Bowie, Bono. . . Tony Clayton-Leaon the heavy hitters with new albums just around the corner.
AEROSMITH: TBC
American old school rockers aim to embrace 2007 with a big smile (following singer Steve Tyler's recent throat surgery), big production (courtesy of U2 stalwart Steve Lillywhite) and big songs. Some songs on the record, says wizened guitarist Joe Perry, could have been written in the '80s. Is that a good thing? We'll see. March
DAMON ALBARN: THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE QUEEN
Is it a solo Albarn album? Or is Albarn foisting yet another new band upon us? Whatever it is, you can virtually guarantee that it's going to be good - just look at the "cast" list: former Clash bassist Paul Simonon, former Verve guitarist Simon Tong, and Fela Kuti's drummer Tony Allen. Brian 'Danger Mouse' Burton produces. Lookin' good, then. March
ANTONY & THE JOHNSONS: TBC
Antony Hegarty looks deep into his relationship with the world around him in this follow-up to his crossover album I Am a Bird. By all accounts, the material is a little less melancholic than usual. May
ASH: TBC
The much belated follow-up to 2004's Meltdown; Ash's Tim Wheeler reckons that there are at least nine singles on this one, which, frankly, doesn't surprise us for a nanosecond. The first single is released in March, with the album to follow. April
BLANCHE: LITTLE AMBER BOTTLES
Friends of White Stripes, Brendan Benson and The Raconteurs release their follow up to their low key if excellent 2004 debut If We Can't Trust the Doctors. The band's Dan John Miller (who played Luther Perkins in Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line) reckons this record is a little bit more optimistic than the doleful debut. February
BLOC PARTY: A WEEKEND IN THE CITY
Big things are expected from the second album from the heretofore lauded British buzz band. Their potent indie-disco has been jettisoned in favour of R'n'B-styled beats, which are garlanded with strings, piano, detuned guitars and whatever else sounded appropriate. The album was recorded at Westmeath's Grouse Lodge studios, which gives it a rustic flavour in theme if nothing else. February 2
DAVID BOWIE: TBC
Following the creative turn about that Bowie unleashed in 2003's Reality, his new album promises much. Will it deliver? Who knows, but after his heart scare last year there are rumours doing the rounds that this could well be his Time Out of Mind. And he's 60 on January 7th - happy birthday, mate!
DIDO: TBC
Following up 2003's multi-million Life for Rent shouldn't be a problem for Dido - she is, after all, the biggest-selling British female artist of, well, ever. She decamped to Los Angeles to soak up the sun and collaborate with whoever took her fancy. When you're rich you can do things like that, apparently. March
DINOSAUR JR: TBC
Improbable though it may seem (almost 20 years of sour law suits and tit-for-tat sniping in the media) J Mascis regrouped Dinosaur Jr over 18 months ago. Even more improbably, they're back with an album - spurred on, claims Mascis, by the fact that they were sick of playing old songs. The new material? Dreamy metal/pop, apparently. April
THE FALL: REFORMATION POST-TLC
When Mark E Smith's UK musicians resigned en masse during the summer, the Mancunian moaner traveled to America, where he picked up US personnel. The result, say insiders, is a bona fide Fall classic. February
THE FLAWS: TBC
Carrickmacross's Flaws were the Irish band to name drop last year, and, judging by the tunes we've heard so far, it's a record that threatens to send Ash to the trash can. Only threatens, mind. May
PETER GABRIEL: I/O
Rumours of a Genesis reunion bounce back and forth, but former lead singer Peter Gabriel isn't saying anything just yet. This album is the belated follow-up to 2002's Up, and looks set to give Gabriel yet another classy credible fillip in his already glittering career. April
GREEN DAY: TBC
American Idiot was such a brilliant album that it's difficult to believe that Green Day would even consider trying to better it. Will they/won't they? We'll see. April
HAL: TBC
It seems that the former Sunshine Boys of south County Dublin have hardened their arteries and dispensed with being influenced by the Beach Boys. Cue the influential arrival of Fleetwood Mac and sombre folk rock. Probably a good idea not to release it in July, then, lads. April
THE HEALERS: REIGN DOWN THE NEW DAYS
Records from former Smiths whose surnames start with M are always highly anticipated events, so Johnny Marr's new record looks set to be a highlight of the season. Marr promises upbeat guitar-pop built from the studio floor upwards. The guitar, by the way, is a Rickenbacker. March
THE HORRORS: TBC
It's amazing what a bit of make-up can do to enhance a band's career. UK buzz band The Horrors (think Rasputin crossed with Screaming Lord Sutch) barely have enough for a half hour gig. The album might be slightly longer than that. The music? The antithesis of Coldplay. April
INTERPOL: TBC
Currently between record labels and having gone through a particularly fraught year (they split up several times, apparently), everyone's favourite charcoal-suited rock band hope that this, their third album, will keep them as much in the public eye in 2007 as they were in 2005. Here's hoping. April
NORAH JONES: NOT TOO LATE
Following an astonishing 30 million sales of her first two albums (record company advances well and truly recouped), Jones is now in the enviable position of doing whatever she damned well likes. Which is probably why this new album was recorded at home (in her NYC apartment) and is produced by herself and her boyfriend/bassist Lee Alexander. What to expect? More original material, for starters - and that voice. Late January
KAISER CHIEFS: TBC
Can this Leeds band top a song like I Predict a Riot? Certainly, there are worse terrace anthems you could sing along to, but this will have to break the back of the 'difficult second album' syndrome to prevent the KCs becoming just a fond memory. Late February
LINKIN PARK: TBC
The amount of songs recorded for this - 70. The producer - Rick Rubin. The advance the band extracted from their label, Warners - $15m. Boston's nu-metal survivors had best pull out all the stops for this clearly make-or-break third album. Have they gone softer than usual? Apparently so - "It's dark and spooky, poppy and very melodic," says singer/songwriter Chester Bennington. February
MANIC STREET PREACHERS: TBC
Following solo efforts of varying worth by James Dean Bradfield (worthy, often very good) and Nicky Wire (lo-fi, indie, not much cop), the band per se return with a record that they recorded in Westmeath's Grouse Lodge studio. We love them - but this can't afford to be anything less than brilliant. Here's hoping. April
MAROON 5: IT WON'T BE SOON BEFORE LONG
Lightweight US band team up with Dr Dre producer colleague Mike Elizondo. "This one pounds harder," says lead singer Adam Levine. May
METALLICA: TBC
Metal's shining example of how it should be done have hauled in Rick Rubin to oversee their ninth album. Expect, as usual, an astute blend of bone crunching riffs and decent tunes. April
SINEAD O'CONNOR: THEOLOGY
So much for retirement, then. The now rather prolific O'Connor returns to the public domain with a themed album of spiritual-related songs. The double album (disc one is acoustic/stripped down, disc two is full-on stadia-filling hip-hop, according to O'Connor) features originals (Beautiful) and cover versions (including Curtis Mayfield's We People Who Are Darker Than Blue, Rivers of Babylon, and from the soundtrack of Jesus Christ Superstar, I Don't Know How to Love Him). April
NO DOUBT: TBC
It's a busy time for Gwen Stefani, who is juggling her successful solo career with her equally successful ska/pop/rock band and being a mother for the first time. This is the follow-up to 2001's Rock Steady, and we can see it going mega in jig time.
RADIOHEAD: TBC
They're between record labels, their live shows in 2006 have extensively previewed new material, and quite frankly they're one of the best rock bands on the planet. April
RICHMOND FONTAINE: THIRTEEN CITIES
One of the best US kinda-alt.country bands continue to release records that pitch them somewhere between Richard Ford (check out the initials - spooky!) and Wilco. This is a travelogue concept album - hey, they even provide a map! Yes, we're expecting to like this one a lot. February
MAX ROMEO: POCOMANIA SONGS
Reggae main man reunites with precision rhythm section Sly & Robbie for one of the most highly anticipated genre albums in years. February
THE SHINS: WINCING THE NIGHT AWAY
Oregon indie-pop outfit The Shins continue to release quite a fine blend of scuzzy pop. Expect we're-not-worthy nods to Morrissey and some Jesus & Mary Chain-influenced tunes. Sounds good to these ears. Oh - Natalie Portman is a fan. Just thought you might like to know. January 23
BRITNEY SPEARS: TBC
Will Spears manage to keep her Princess of Pop crown on her head, particularly after a much publicised divorce? And does anyone really care? Spears is working with 50 Cent producer Jonathan Rotem, who hopes (along with Spears, no doubt) to top the likes of 2003's In the Zone. April
THE STOOGES: TBC
This one could be a doozy - the re-formed but probably not reformed proto-punk band release their first album in almost 25 years. The production duties are shared between rock underground genius Steve Albini and White Stripes/Raconteurs main guy Jack White. Iggy Pop is in the house and on the case. Lord, we thank you. March
TINARIWEN: AMAN IMAN (WATER IS THE SOUL)
African greats return with founder member Mohamed Ag Itlale at the helm. Result? One of the best World records of 2007 at your service. January U2: TBC
They're on a roll, what with the success of All That You Can't Leave Behind and How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, and they do say that lucky strikes come in threes. For a good portion of 2006, U2 were holed up in an unfamiliar studio environment (Abbey Road) with a producer they haven't worked with before (Rick Rubin). What do expect? Probably the usual, albeit with a twist or four. The release date? Whenever they bloody well want.
WILCO: TBC
Following the electronic ramblings of 2002's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and the Krautrock stylings of 2004's Grammy winning A Ghost is Born, Jeff Tweedy reckons this new album will luxuriate in concise and cohesive rock music. Wot - no weird stuff? Ah, shucks. April
AND THE REST. . .
Apples in Stereo, The Bees, Boys and Girls in America, Chamillionaire, Belinda Carlisle, Melanie Chisholm, The Cinematic Orchestra, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Cold War Kids, Chris Cornell, The Decemberists, Erasure, Bryan Ferry, Diamanda Galas, Good Charlotte, The Gutter Twins, Steve Hillage, Husky Rescue, Idlewild, La Rocca, Jesse Malin, Malcolm Middleton, Samantha Mumba, Ronan O'Snodaigh, Rilo Kiley, Simply Red, Super Furry Animals, Rosie Thomas, Tracey Thorne, The Thrills, Juliet Turner, The Undertones, The View, Jah Wobble, Patrick Wolf.
