AC/DC
Black Ice
Release: 10/20
They’re the best use of four letters since curse words! Rock legends AC/DC are releasing their first studio album in eight years. Eight years! But, no matter how long since their last album release, their singles are still chart toppers. The new album, Black Ice, will be sold exclusively in the U.S. at Wal-Mart. Yes that’s right, Wal-Mart. The 15th studio album from the Australian rock band has surprisingly gained full cooperation from its home label, Columbia, which says it is planning “multiple activities for fans” leading up to the release date. In a 2004 interview, lead singer Brian Johnson revealed he would be handling the lyrics for the first time since the 1988 album Blow Up Your Video. “Rock ‘n’ Roll Train,” the first single on the set, features Brian’s wails about skies on fire, blood in his eyes, storms raging, lightning flashes, hard rain and pretty women while Angus Young shreds in the background. The 15-track album is sure to rekindle the flame in all AC/DC lovers’ hearts.
Kenny Chesney
Lucky Old Sun
Release: 10/14
In keeping with the give-a-little-bit-more spirit of his live shows, country music’s main man is bringing his concerts into the homes of listeners everywhere. This October, Kenny Chesney will be releasing the deluxe version of his newest album with four bonus songs recorded from live concerts. The bonus tracks will include “Boston” and “Got a Little Crazy,” both of which were recorded at Kenny’s stadium concert near Boston. The other bonus tracks are “Soul of a Sailor” and “Guitars and Tiki Bars,” the latter of which was recorded live at the Hog’s Breath Saloon in Key West. Fans will also get a chance to win a trip to attend the opening of Chesney’s 2009 tour when they buy the deluxe album. Lucky Old Sun will feature “largely self-penned” material and was inspired by a recording session of the title track with Willie Nelson a couple of years ago.
Oasis
Dig Out Your Soul
Release: 10/7
Oasis has started their Dig Out Your Soul 2008–2009 World Tour to promote their seventh studio album of the same name. Since their previous album was described as “songy,” the bad has written this album with more focus on the grooves. In an interview with BBC 6 Music, Noel Gallagher admitted to running out of material for his songs but revealed that he was going to visit some of his more psychedelic trips of a younger man. In addition, they’ve removed acoustics from the record, trying a few new sounds in the process. It’s been described as “rocking without using a bagload of chords.” Recording sessions began mid-2007 but were put on hold due to the birth of Noel’s second child. BBC Radio1 DJ Zane Lowe announced the band’s release date during one of his shows and added, “Oh yes! Oasis is officially back and in rocking form.”
Pink
Funhouse
Release: 10/28
Who was that woman who performed at the 2008 Video Music Awards? Her hair has gone platinum, a far cry from her signature color – pink! How can you be Pink without the pink hair? Well, the answer lies in her upcoming fifth studio album, Funhouse. The first single from the album, “So What,” has already topped the charts since its release in August. The track takes a jab at her ex-husband, Carey Hart, and shows Pink on board a John Deere tractor drinking vodka straight from the bottle in the music video. Confirmed album collaborators include Butch Walker, Max Martin, Billy Mann and many others. To promote the new album, Pink has twice guest-hosted on the new TV station FNMTC and performed “So What” at the 2008 VMA.
