David Cook, The Killers, And Britney Spears Get Into The Ring

noah | September 15, 2008 12:00 pm
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This segment of the news cycle has seen even more big-name artists announcing albums that will hit store shelves sometime before the end of 2008. And this time, they’re artists who people actually care about! After the jump, the scoop on upcoming releases by American Idol champ David Cook, new/old wavers The Killers, and career-rehabbing pop princess Britney Spears.

David Cook RELEASE DATE: Nov. 18. LEAD SINGLE: Undetermined. WHAT THE TITLE CAN TELL US ABOUT THE RECORD: The American Idol powers that be hope that you can remember David Cook after all these months. BURNING QUESTIONS: Will the success–or failure–of Cook’s album, which will be something of a departure for Idol coronation records as far as it being more guitar-based and less straight-up pop, result in the judges being more (or less) kind to post-grungers during the course of the competition? Did anyone at 19 Entertainment decide that Cook collaborating with Hinder was a good idea? (Please say no.)

The Killers, Day & Age RELEASE DATE: Officially, “late November,” although some sources have it pegged for Nov. 26. LEAD SINGLE: “Human.” WHAT THE TITLE CAN TELL US ABOUT THE RECORD: I’m hoping that it’s not the idea that their new sound is a fusion of Days Of The New and No Age, which is what popped into my head when I first saw the title. BURNING QUESTIONS: Will the critical drubbing of the 2006 outing Sam’s Town result in the Killers playing it safe on their third record? Is there going to be a slow grower as good as “Read My Mind” on this new album? And, finally, is “Human” going to be a cover of this Jimmy Jam/Terry Lewis-produced classic?

(I actually think Brandon Flowers’ voice would sound terrific on this song. Here’s hoping!)

Britney Spears, Circus RELEASE DATE: Dec. 2. LEAD SINGLE: “Womanizer” WHAT THE TITLE CAN TELL US ABOUT THE RECORD: You thought her whole VMA appearance was built on a sandpile of meta? You ain’t seen nothing yet. BURNING QUESTIONS: Will having Spears somewhat involved in the process of making the album result in another peppy dancepop album like Blackout, or will the world be treated to an album full of her explaining just what happened over the past two years over robotic beats by the likes of Danja and Dr. Luke? Did someone at Sony jokingly float the idea of her reprising her infamous Upskirt Incident Of 2006 in order to “poke fun” at her past, and was said suggestion taken seriously? Will bringing her back together with Max Martin result in gold being struck once again?