johnny@sfbg.com
SEPT. 1
Peter Broderick 4 Track Songs (Tape) A large reissue collection of lovely songs by the man who spans from Berlin to Portland, Oregon.
The Entrance Band The Entrance Band (Ecstatic Peace) Ten Thurston Moore-approved tracks, recorded in Los Angeles.
Robin Guthrie Carousel (Darla). The Cocteau Twin did a fine job soundtracking Gregg Araki‘s 2004 Mysterious Skin. Frazer-free, he sticks to instrumentals.
Whitney Houston I Look to You (Arista) Post-Bobby, she looks to you, listeners, with a little help from Alicia Keys.
Insane Clown Posse Bang! Pow! Boom! (Psychopathic) Juggalos and Juggalettes unite!
The Clean Mister Pop (Merge) Attention all Flying Nun fanatics — the Kiwi pop revival gets stronger and stronger.
SEPT. 8
Carl Craig 69: Legendary Adventures of a Filter King (Planet E) Vinyl-only box set of four EPs by the Detroit techno technician.
Os Mutantes Haih…or Amortecedor (Anti-/Epitaph) The troubadours of tropicália return with their first album in 35 years.
Yo La Tengo Popular Songs (Matador) But exactly how popular?
SEPT. 11
Jay-Z Blueprint 3 (Roc Nation/Atlantic) Dramatic release date for the rapper who comes back more times than cockroaches and Cher.
SEPT. 15
Air Supply The Singer and the Song (Odds On/E1) Just when you thought they couldn’t get any softer, they record acoustic versions of their old hits.
Dodos Time to Die (French Kiss) Phil Ek produces the San Francisco duo’s follow-up to 2007’s acclaimed Visiter.
The Fresh and Onlys Grey-Eyed Girls (Woodsist) Pitchfork is onto the locals who wrestle success from failure.
Kid Cudi Man on the Moon: The End of the Day (Dream On/G.O.O.D./Universal Motown) A big production, with Kanye, Snoop, and Common out to catch some shine.
Lovemakers Let’s Be Friends (Talking House) The sophomore album, produced in San Francisco.
Radioslave Fabric 48 (Fabric) Multi-monikered Matt Edwards contributes to the mix series, including some of his own tracks.
SEPT. 22
Girls Album (True Panther/Matador) A great album by the SF group, set to soundtrack summers and other seasons to come.
The Mantles The Mantles (Siltbreeze) Another great album by a SF band, set to soundtrack as many seasons as Girls’ debut.
Yoko Ono Plastic Band Between My Head and the Sky (Chimera) Ono meets Cornelius on some tracks — it had to happen.
The Pastels/Tenniscoats Two Sunsets (Domino) The pre-C86 legends team up with the atmospheric pop duo — sublimity results.
SEPT. 29
Mariah Carey Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel (Island Def Jam). More flitty finger gestures in our future.
Kris Kristofferson Closer to the Bone (New West) The bearded one collaborates with Don Was.
Madness The Liberty of Norton Fulgate (Yep Roc) Twenty-some years later, they’re here again, and with the same producers from yesteryear.
Melvins Chicken Switch (Ipecac) Fifteen-song remix endeavor.
Barbra Streisand Love is the Answer (Columbia) Babs is back, and she’s got Diana Krall with her.
Wallpaper Doodoo Face (Eenie Meenie) Do do that doodoo.
OCT. 6
Air Love 2 (Astralwerks). French perfume.
Basement Jaxx Scars (Ultra/XL) Weird cast of guest contributors: Yoko Ono, Kelis, Santogold, Lightspeed Champion, and Yo! Majesty.
Roseanne Cash The List (Ultra/EMI) Covers of songs that her dad said were important.
The Clientele Bonfires on the Heath (Merge) Songs that jingle-jangle-jingle.
Lita Ford Wicked Wonderland (JLRG Entertainment) Bow down as the queen of hair metal returns.
The Very Best Warm Heart of Africa (Green Owl/ILG) M.I.A. and Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend contribute guest vox to this eagerly-awaited club stormer.
OCT. 13
Patrick Cowley and Jorge Socarras Catholic (Macro) Amazing found album by Sylvester collaborator Cowley is set to start an Arthur Russell-like revival.
Echo and the Bunnymen The Fountain (Cooking Vinyl) Comeback time.
The Roots How I Got Over (Def Jam) I’ll never get over how they got over.
Shakira She Wolf (Epic) Still kooky, still raking in millions.
Thao with the Get Down Stay Down Know Better Learn Faster (Kill Rock Stars) Wise words and sharp sounds.
OCT. 20
Atlas Sound Logos (Kranky) Another one by Bradford Cox’s side project, which many prefer to Deerhunter.
Themselves CrownsDown (Anticon) Six years since their last one and ten years since their debut.
OCT. 27
Cobra Killer Uppers & Downers (Monika) These crazy, funny chicks from Germany sure know how sample the Monks. Love them or lose.
Train Save Me, San Francisco (Columbia) If you insist?
NOV. 3
Sean Lennon Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Undead (Capitol) A soundtrack to the zombie comedy. Weird guest appearances: Jeremy Sisto and Kool Keith.
NOV. 10
Fuckpony Let the Love Flow (Bpitch Control) Good old dirty house music.
NOV. 17
Annie Don’t Stop (Smalltown Supersound) The Norwegian pop princess jumps to another label for her long-awaited second album.
dj/Rupture and Matt Shadetek Solar Life Raft (The Agriculture) Mix maestros unite.
NOV. 24
Mary J. Blige Stronger (Geffen) Stronger, no doubt. But more relaxed and singing in a lower key, one hopes.