Would-be blockbusters

Industry rolling out biggest hitters

By GREG KOT

Chicago Tribune

Fall is traditionally the season of would-be blockbuster albums. The music industry inevitably rolls out its biggest hitters in hopes of generating sales for the holidays.

This year is no exception, with major releases expected from Mariah Carey, Jay-Z, Carrie Underwood and Pearl Jam, plus the Beatles (reportedly sounding better than ever in their remastered, reissued glory).

Here’s a rundown of what’s in store (all dates subject to change):

COUNTRY

URosanne Cash, “The List” (Oct. 6): The title refers to a list of the 100 greatest songs that the singer’s father, country icon Johnny Cash, once gave to her. She interprets 12 of them, including tracks by Hank Williams, the Carter Family and Merle Haggard, with a helping hand from Bruce Springsteen.

UToby Keith, “American Ride” (Oct. 6): Most country artists don’t want to risk losing sales by getting political. Not so with Keith, who lets his views fly on everything from immigration to global warming on the title song.

UTim McGraw, “Southern Voice” (Oct. 20): His 12th studio release is part of a busy season from Faith Hill’s main squeeze; he’s also scheduled to star in the football movie “The Blind Side.” The first single, “It’s a Business Doing Pleasure With You,” was co-written by Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger.

UCarrie Underwood, title to be announced (Nov. 3): Whatever it’s called, the former “American Idol” winner’s third studio album is certain to be a big deal as it follows two multimillion-selling releases.

HIP-HOP

UMissy Elliott, “Block Party” (Tuesday): Production by longtime collaborator Timbaland, plus Pharrell Williams, Swizz Beatz and T-Pain, and a cameo appearance by (who else?) Lil Wayne.

USean “Diddy” Combs, “Last Train to Paris” (Nov. 24): The hip-hop mogul’s fifth studio album will trace the journey of a character from London to Paris in pursuit of an elusive femme fatale.

ULil Wayne, “Rebirth” (Nov. 24): Is the world ready for Lil Wayne’s guitar solo? The frequently delayed seventh studio album from the prolific New Orleans MC will reportedly feature a more rock-oriented sound and collaborations with Fall Out Boy and Lenny Kravitz.

POP

UMariah Carey, “Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel” (Sept. 29): The singer has been working with producer Timbaland for the first time and has recorded a cover of Foreigner’s “I Want To Know What Love Is” for her 12th studio album.

UBarbra Streisand, “Love Is the Answer” (Sept. 29): Babs digs into some classic ballads and cabaret standards (“In the Wee Small Hours,” “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes”) with Diana Krall producing and Johnny Mandel handling orchestral arrangements.

USwell Season, “Strict Joy” (Oct. 27): The third album from Glen Hansard and Markta Irglov, the charming if unlikely couple that melted hearts in the hit indie movie “Once.”

USting, “If on a Winter’s Night ...” (Oct. 27): With the Police put to bed, Gordon Sumner furrows his brow and explores the frosty beauty of traditional carols and lullabies from the British Isles.

ROCK

UPearl Jam, “Backspacer,” (Sunday): Hooking up with Target for an exclusive release has some of the Seattle quintet’s fans in a lather, but the music is a throwback to the band’s grunge-coated past.

UAFI, “Crash Love” (Sept. 29): The eighth album from these California Goth-rockers and first since 2006 is reported to be less about subtlety and more about straight-up rock.

UAlice in Chains, “Black Gives Way to Blue” (Sept. 29): The Seattle grunge-metal band releases its first album since 1995; relative newcomer William DuVall shares lead vocals with guitarist Jerry Cantrell. The title track, with Elton John on piano, salutes founding singer Layne Staley, who died in 2002.

UWeezer, “Raditude” (Oct. 27): As suggested by the presumably tongue-in-cheek title, singer Rivers Cuomo is promising a “fun” pop-rock record, in a further move away from the emotional bloodletting of his ’90s albums.