After the mammoth year that was, it's hard to imagine another 12 months of big new releases, slickly produced concert tours and the subsequent chatter about all the artists involved.

 

Judging by the scheduled line-up of new releases though, 2008 is set to be just as big.

 

Madonna -- who will turn 50 next year -- has been in the studio, working on what will be her 11th studio album. After successfully tackling disco on her last album, the Material Girl is rumoured to be trying her hand at hip hop with her latest effort. Apparently, super-producer Timbaland and Pharrell Williams are involved, which means this album already has mega-hit written all over it.

 

Fergie's debut solo album, The Dutchess, is still on the charts after being released in September of 2006. But her continued success certainly doesn't mean she's resting on her laurels. In addition to recording another album with the Black Eyed Peas, Fergie is also rumoured to be busy working on follow-up solo album, which is tentatively set to be released early next year.

 

The Cure postponed their 2007 tour at the last minute because they were having difficulties finishing an album. But the tour has been rescheduled for the spring, suggesting the album -- which will actually be a double-disc venture -- is either finished or nearing completion.

 

Coldplay -- the band hipsters love to hate -- is in the mixing stage of their fourth studio album, according to their website. But the possible release date is confused by the fact Chris Martin is reportedly still writing new material for the album. Coldplay's last album, X&Y, was released in 2005 and became the best-selling album of that year with worldwide sales of more than eight million copies.

 

Alanis Morissette has been staying out of the spotlight for the last few years. But the once-angry Canadian singer whose popularity exploded with her 1995 release Jagged Little Pill, is set to make something of a comeback. She's touring in the new year with Matchbox Twenty and is gearing up to release a new album, called Flavors of Entanglement.

 

Dido, the British siren who made millions weep in 2001 with her song Thank You, has also been staying quiet for the past few years. Her last album was released in 2003, but she's set to release her third studio album in March. No word on whether Eminem will make a guest appearance.

 

Bryan Adams is also poised to make a return to the spotlight in 2008 with a new album set to be released in the spring. It will be his 11th studio album. The big question is, of course, whether it will contain any hits.

 

For the music geeks who frequent online music forums, the most hotly anticipated releases for 2008 are those that have the potential to fly under the radar of the average joe.

 

The excitement about the new Portishead album is practically palpable in certain online forums. The British band was big back in the '90s, but hasn't done any significant performing or recording in nearly a decade. Will they still be cutting edge, or will the new album be a re-hash of their signature '90s sound?

 

There is also excitement mounting online about a new album from Death Cab for Cutie, which guitarist/producer Chris Walla has said has a "creepy and heavy" sound to it.

 

Cat Power, a.k.a. Chan Marshall, is releasing an album of mostly covers some time early in the new year, paying tribute to musicians such as Bob Dylan, Hank Williams, and James Brown.

 

Scottish rockers Franz Ferdinand are reportedly coming out with new material, as are Wolf Parade, who we could once claim as B.C.'s own, but the boys have since moved to Montreal.

 

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastlife/story.html?id=68df76e0-2a39-4662-8e42-eda4365677fe

The Verve!!! :) :dance:

REM early 2008 as well

U2 in fall ;)

From that list, the only albums I have a slight interest in is:

Coldplay, Bryan Adams & Franz Ferdinand.

that list failed to mention the most important album ever that is coming out in march. we are scientists.

STARS OF TRACK AND FIELD[/color]

 

:rolleyes:

"Bryan Adams is also poised to make a return to the spotlight in 2008 with a new album set to be released in the spring. It will be his 11th studio album. The big question is, of course, whether it will contain any hits."

 

OUCH!:laugh3:

 

I'm lookinjg forward to the new Portishead album. I won't even mind if it's a rehash of their old sound.

I heard new Franz Ferdinand material live two nights ago :smug:

From what you heard, do you think it's as good as the last album?

I heard new Franz Ferdinand material live two nights ago :smug:

 

Lucky girl

Obviously I'm really looking forward to the new R.E.M., Coldplay, Doves and The Verve albums.

 

Oh, plus Andy Yorke's debut album. That should be good as well.

Anybody want to bet that Radiohead will have another new album out by the end of 2008?

:rolleyes:

 

har har!

Anybody want to bet that Radiohead will have another new album out by the end of 2008?

 

I really can't think of any 'known' tracks which might have been recorded.

Basically all the new tracks from last years tour have been released (except from Spooks), plus a bunch of 'lost gems' have been released now as well (Nude, Last Flowers, Up On The Ladder...)

 

I honestly think we will have to wait another 3 or 4 years until a new record is released.

 

So, my bet is:

 

Not a chance in hell.