On The Shelf: Tomorrow’s New Releases Revealed Today

Welcome to On The Shelf, Idolator’s weekly look at the coming torrent of record releases. Tomorrow’s big release should be the sophomore album from the Game, Doctor’s Advocate; the raftload of guests and amazing way he’s kept himself in the press have us feeling that he’ll snatch the top spot, unless Hannah Montana continues her reign of tween terror.

After the jump, we look at Doctor’s Advocate, as well as releases from Kenny G, +44, and Joanna Newsom.

The Game, Doctor’s Advocate The artist: Everyone’s favorite SoundScan-reading West Coast rapper. The sound: Scott Storch and Sizz Beatz beats, cameos from Kanye, Busta, Nas, and Snoop, and lots of heated anger at 50 Cent. The first in line: Advance buzz on this record has been so good, we’re thinking that the only ones who definitely won’t be in line are G-Unit loyalists.

Kenny G, I’m in the Mood for Love … The Most Romantic Melodies of All Time The artist: Bill Clinton’s favorite squiggly-haired sax player. The sound: Smoothed-out renditions of James Blunt, Barbra Streisand, and Elton John, among others. The first in line: Easy lovers whose appetites were only whetted by the Barry Manilow and Rod Stewart cover-song compendiums.

+44, When Your Heart Stops Beating The artist: Blink 182, minus one guy, plus two other dudes, divided by another dumb numeric name. The sound: Well, now we know which members of Blink were into snide pop-punk. The first in line: Pogoing punkers who thought Angels & Airwaves were “too weird.”

Joanna Newsom, Ys The artist: Doe-eyed, harp-wielding folkie. The sound: Elaborate, elliptical epics. The first in line: Shaggy-haired kids who can quote Pitchfork ratings on command. (Ys picked up a 9.4.)

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