MTV's Most Anticipated Albums of 2004

[haVoc 0]

We Ask The Pros About All The Year's Biggest Releases

 

What will it take to beat a year that saw the debut of 50 Cent, the retirement of Jay-Z, a solo smash from Beyoncé and the rise of new stars Evanescence and Sean Paul? Well, how about new albums from Eminem, Avril Lavigne, Coldplay, the Beastie Boys, Dr. Dre, Nine Inch Nails, 'NSYNC and 50 Cent, plus Gwen Stefani's star-studded solo debut?

 

This year ahead is already shaping up to be one wrapped in intrigue, from the uncertainty surrounding an 'NSYNC reunion, to the specter of R. Kelly releasing new albums as a child-pornography trial looms. Fresh from a prison stint, Wu-Tang's Dirt McGirt (a.k.a. Ol' Dirty Bastard) has hooked up with Roc-A-Fella and is out to prove he still has what it takes, and dancehall's Sean Paul is hoping his smash Dutty Rock album wasn't a fluke.

 

But the biggest struggle might belong to Velvet Revolver — featuring ex-Guns N' Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum and former STP singer Scott Weiland — who are slated to release their debut as Weiland continues to receive help for his recurring drug addiction.

 

A few artists we haven't heard from in several years are also prepping comeback albums, but it remains to be seen whether Nine Inch Nails and the Beastie Boys can rally their core audiences after more than four years out of the spotlight.

 

We asked a panel of experts to give their predictions on the year's most anticipated albums.

 

 

 

Beastie Boys

 

Have the godfathers of alt-rap reached the end of the line?

 

It's been five years since Hello Nasty, and the trio appear to have lost their love of the album/promotion/tour grind. Lisa Worden, program director for Washington, D.C.'s WHFS-FM, said the time away could make the still-untitled new Beasties album, due in June, one of the biggest of the year, a sentiment echoed by Bob Bell, senior rock buyer for the Wherehouse Music chain. "There's always a curiosity about what they will come up with," said Bell. "They have credibility with rap and alternative fans, and the critics love them too."

 

Prediction: Unless they go country again, expect more ill communication.

 

 

Beyoncé

How long can this Child survive on her own?

 

The Destiny's Child leader hopes to release her second solo album in March, featuring some of the more than 30 leftovers from the Dangerously in Love sessions. Meanwhile, DC have plans to record a new album early in the year. "If they're good songs, she should do fine and I'd expect it to be an album to contend with all year," said Geoff Mayfield, senior analyst for Billboard magazine. As for returning to the fold, Mayfield says it's definitely possible. "You can go back. Diana Ross had solo hits and then did more with the Supremes."

 

Prediction: For now, R&B's golden girl can have her cake and eat it too.

 

 

Coldplay

Will tabloid romance chill their honeymoon with fans and critics?

 

Timbaland has said Coldplay are the only band he wants to work with, critics can't write enough good things about them, and they sell millions of records by writing emotionally gripping, majestic rock. Their third album — for which they've already written more than 50 songs — is due in the fall, just months after singer Chris Martin and girlfriend Gwneyth Paltrow become parents for the first time. "I think they're in a position to be the next U2 or Radiohead," said Wherehouse's Bell, a sentiment echoed by Oedipus, VP of alternative programming for Infinity Broadcasting. "They've got a long way to go and they haven't peaked yet," he said.

 

Prediction: Martin and Paltrow smartly avoided the Bennifer trap by sneaking off for a secret wedding, avoiding the paparazzi. They've done things right so far, so the third time should be a charm.

 

 

 

The Cure

Will hearing Smith & Co. again be just like heaven?

 

The pioneering goth-rock band is working on a new album with nü-metal producer Ross Robinson (Korn, Slipknot) that singer Robert Smith has said will be slower and heavier than ever. "They're classic alternative at this point," said Oedipus. "They've had a number of farewell tours, but creativity lives in an artist's soul, and you can't turn it on and off. Robert Smith is a perfect example. I love what he did with Blink-182, [lending vocals to a song on their latest LP], and I think he remains viable and valuable as an artist."

 

Prediction: Likely to be a cult classic, and Korn shouldn't have anything to worry about.

 

 

Dr. Dre

Is the good doctor really closing up his hip-hop practice?

 

Dre has claimed that his long-in-the-works third solo effort, the concept album Detox, will be his swan song. Dre has repeatedly put off work on it to cut tracks with Ice Cube, Rakim and 50 over the past year. "I don't know how seriously fans take it when rappers say they're going to retire, but his last album sold well," said Billboard's Mayfield. "You can't look at it with the same expectations as Eminem or 50, but he has been relevant longer than most rappers, aside from Ice Cube and LL Cool J. If it's pure Dre genius, it could connect. But if it's too high falutin', he could fall on his face. I would not underestimate him, though."

 

Prediction: Even if he goes hip-hopera, you know the beats will be slammin'.

 

 

 

Eminem

 

Does it still feel so empty without him?

 

Little is known about the sessions for Em's follow up to 2002's The Eminem Show, other than that he's cooking it up in his Detroit lab and that it's due sometime this year. It will be preceded in March by the second D12 album, which will feature production by Em. "He's among the select few hip-hop artists that can debut high on the charts and hang around them for a while," said Mayfield. "Like him or not, he's undeniably popular and I'd expect that to be one of the most significant albums of the year."

 

Prediction: A guaranteed #1 debut and likely the biggest album of 2004.

 

 

Evanescence

 

Is there life after Ben?

 

These Arkansas goth rockers came out of nowhere and released one of 2003's biggest albums, launching a star in darkly seductive singer Amy Lee. As they get to work on their second album, the big question is whether they survive the recent departure of co-founding guitarist Ben Moody. "Their success is about her voice, which is stunning," said WHFS' Worden. "Maybe they'll find another songwriter, but I think people will give it a chance just because the last album was so huge." Wherehouse's Bell agreed, saying, "Amy is the face and voice, so as long as she has good collaborators to work with, I don't think it will make that much of a difference."

 

Prediction: They could nosedive and be the next Kittie or explode into the goth No Doubt. As long as Lee's voice holds up, they should be fine.

 

 

50 Cent

Will the party continue, or has he had his last bottle full of bub?

 

The hottest rapper in the business had 2003's #1 album with his major-label debut, Get Rich or Die Tryin'. The first outing from his G-Unit posse wasn't exactly a blockbuster, but it kept his rep up. Expect to hear him on the debut from Unit member Lloyd Banks, and count on this summer's second album to be one of the most hyped releases of the year. Billboard's Mayfield thinks it's too early to predict whether 50 has peaked, but his track record is already impressive. "For some diehard rap fans, he's not a new act," Mayfield pointed out. "But for many mainstream fans he is."

 

Prediction: See Eminem.

 

 

R. Kelly

Can you be on trial and on the charts at the same time?

 

Kelly, facing trial on child-pornography charges, is prepping a solo album and a collaboration with Cash Money's Baby. "He's had a great year this year, and don't forget, Tupac was once behind bars when he had a #1 album," Mayfield said. "It depends on the music. If the trial happens and he ends up looking horrible ... it's a crapshoot. There's been a shadow of allegation looming for some time, and with the exception of the album with Jay-Z, he's had some huge hits and radio hasn't walked away, because the public still wants to hear him."

 

Prediction: The Teflon superstar has weathered the storm and kept the hits coming, but a conviction could finally stop the music.

 

 

Avril Lavigne

Will the bois and girls stick with her as she grows up?

 

The pint-sized Canadian exploded with her 2002 debut, Let Go, and avoided being lumped in with the other teen-pop girls thanks to her slightly harder but still radio-friendly songs. Lavigne is recording her sophomore set in Los Angeles and has said it will benefit from her more mature guitar playing and the growing up she's done since writing most of her debut at 15. No matter what it sounds like, Bell said, Lavigne faces an uphill battle. "When you have a debut that is that big, no matter what you do, some people will view the next record as underperforming," he said, citing Alanis Morissette's difficulty in following up Jagged Little Pill. "I think she can still be relevant, but it's hard to say if it will sell as many as the last record."

 

Prediction: She wisely sidestepped the girl-pop ghetto, but does this sullen teenager have enough interesting stories in her?

 

 

Nine Inch Nails

Can Trent Reznor return from exile and reclaim his goth throne?

 

Reznor's first new studio album since 1999's The Fragile is reportedly titled Bleedthrough and due this year. He's begun recording the more stripped-down affair in Los Angeles, but little else is known about the direction or personnel. "There will be a core of people who run out and get it because he's shown an ability to reinvent himself, but he represents a music that is no longer in vogue," said Mayfield. "He might be able to spin himself 'round again, but I'd put it as a long shot."

 

Prediction: Reznor is one of the most talented composers of his generation, but as time goes by, fewer people are still interested in buying his albums.

 

 

 

'NSYNC

After rocking our bodies, can Justin really go home again?

 

Timberlake tasted solo success, and JC Chasez is next in line to try, so can the biggest boy band regroup and recapture the magic? They recently pushed back sessions for the follow-up to 2001's Celebrity to this summer, and Justin has lately hedged on committing to another album. "The presence of Justin on the record will guarantee a certain level of interest, but most of the boy bands have been away a couple of years, so the jury's out on whether they're still relevant," said Bell. Mayfield said Justin's turn toward an R&B sound might make it harder for 'NSYNC to return with its sugary pop, but the time between albums might work in their favor. "No one is expecting them to sell 2 million copies a week anymore, so they can have more modest sales now and it won't be considered a failure. If they market it the right way, Justin's solo success could actually help the band."

 

Prediction: If Justin were smart, he'd leave the five-part harmonies and questionable hairstyles in the past.

 

 

 

Nicole Richie And Paris Hilton

Take two spoiled rich girls and put them in a studio ... FOX, are you listening?

 

The best-buds reality queens are each prepping debut albums, with Paris, whose voice has been pegged somewhere between Jessica Simpson and Beyoncé, aiming for a hard dance sound, while piano/violin/cello triple threat Nicole is going for an "edgy" Christina Aguilera/Fiona Apple vibe. Bell doesn't have high hopes. "It's very tough for celebrities who are not necessarily known as musicians to cross over and make a hit record," he said. "People will approach those albums with skepticism."

 

Prediction: We've got a stack of Joey Lawrence, Jamie Lynn-Sigler and Jennifer Love Hewitt albums that say these two don't have a chance.

 

 

Gwen Stefani

Will solo success mean no more No Doubt?

 

The iconic frontwoman of No Doubt has been working with the Neptunes, Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott, Outkast, the Matrix, Linda Perry, Tim Armstrong, Nellee Hooper, the Eurythmics' Dave Stewart, Dallas Austin and Damon Elliott on her eclectic debut. She recently tapped ND bandmate Tony Kanal to lend a hand, and the close-knit group has presented a united front about sticking together. "If she goes the Eve route, it might be a top 40 record. But if she stays planted in alternative, I'll play it," said WHFS' Worden. "She's the biggest female rock star in the alternative world right now." Bell said the last No Doubt album proved that "she can do no wrong," giving him high hopes for the album.

 

Prediction: The princess of rock has made all the right moves so far, but will a dip further into the pop/R&B mainstream spell the end for No Doubt?

 

A few efforts remain forever in the "Will it ever happen?" category: Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy, for example. Word is the nearly-decade-in-the-making album will definitely come out in 2004. Definitely. Former Fugee Lauryn Hill has reportedly been working on her proper follow-up to 1998's The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill for more than a year, but no release date is in sight and her recent anti-church rant has pushed the increasingly erratic singer even further to the fringes. Courtney Love's America's Sweetheart solo debut was pushed back to February, but who knows if it'll get bumped again if the ex-Hole singer ends up in jail or rehab. Former Rage Against the Machine frontman Zack de la Rocha has been cooking up his solo debut for more than two years but still no release date.

 

The Rest: As if that weren't enough, Weezer are finally in the studio with Rick Rubin working on a follow up to 2002's Maladriot, U2 are prepping the follow-up to their career-reviving All That You Can't Leave Behind, and Slipknot will see if they can put the masks back on and keep their audience. N.E.R.D., the Vines and Norah Jones will all release their second albums, and fans can expect new records from Wilco, the Hives, Sum 41, Vanessa Carlton and Lenny Kravitz.

 

Only album I want on that list is Velvet Revolver. Hell, that and Aerosmith's blues album are the only two CD's I can think of wanting in the near future. I really have lost touch with current music.

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

WOOO!!!

 

I can't wait for Chinese Democracy.

 

...

 

I wonder if it really does exist...or if Axl just pretends it does to gte mentioned in these lists every year.

[justsoyouknow 0]

New Nine Inch Nails? I'm there.

[Guest Krazy Karter]

Axl said in 2002 he was planning on releasing three albums and that Chinese Democracy would be the first.

 

He also said the songs played by the new band so far (Chinese Democracy, Madagascar, Silkworms, The Blues) might not even be on the albums.

 

If they do put an album out, I'll be in line the night before with a sleeping bag.

 

Keyword: If...

[Youth N Asia 0]

Since when has MTV been involved in music?

 

I'm looking forward to Jimmy Eat World's new album, due out early/mid 04

[razazteca 0]

Beastie Boys!

[Youth N Asia 0]

Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy, for example. Word is the nearly-decade-in-the-making album will definitely come out in 2004

Come on...this stopped being funny a couple of years ago.

 

And since when does MTV pretened to care about The Cure again.

[jimmy no nose 0]

Guns N Roses I'll buy for sure if it ever does come out. Beastie Boys I'll be checking out. The CDs I really want this year weren't even mentioned in there though. I'm looking forward to Clutch's new "Blast Tyrant" CD, and the new CKY may be out this year.

[Youth N Asia 0]

I'll definatly pick up the new CKY when it comes out...I was suprisingly impressed by their last one.

[Steviekick 0]

Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy, for example. Word is the nearly-decade-in-the-making album will definitely come out in 2004

Come on...this stopped being funny a couple of years ago.

 

And since when does MTV pretened to care about The Cure again.

Since they've gone nü-metal

[Guest Choken One]

Bastards neglected the potential new LOA album...

 

Although it's not confirmed...it's still more likely then Axl's "project"...

 

Face it monkeys, Chinese Democracy never existed and it never will

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

The song does...and it ROCKS!!!!!!!!!

 

Live anyways.

[The Amazing Rando 0]

MTV would have NO IDEA what to do with an LOA album. Period.

 

as for that list...

 

if the Cure sticks to their roots...I'll shell out 20 bucks...

 

 

oh....and Zach de la Rocha's album will basically be a Rage album with just his name on it. That seems about right.

[Edwin MacPhisto 0]

I don't get why people still remain excited about the Axl Rose Band. He hasn't written any songs worth noting in the past decade, and he's turned into a tubby little man with silly braids. "Oh My God" should be evidence enough that he's just plain awful without everyone else behind him.

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

I disagree completely.

 

The Blues and Madagascar and Chinese Democracy were all good.

 

In fact, The Blues is one of my favorite tracks.

[snuffbox 0]

The Blues and Madagascar and Chinese Democracy were all good.

I second that.

[Guest Choken One]

You've all drank the kool-aid.

[Henry Spencer 0]

Madagascar is awful. AWFUL. Even worse than Oh My God.

 

Anyways, I'm not particularly looking forward to the new Cure album, but I'd place it higher than anything else they mentioned, at least.

[Guest Krazy Karter]

Oh My God grew on me.

 

Good fucking song.

 

Silkworms - now that's a piece of shit.

[Guest Krazy Karter]

In fact, The Blues is one of my favorite tracks.

I didn't like The Blues until I got the Rock In Rio III bootleg and saw Axl singing it atop a piano.

 

That sealed the deal for me.

[1234-5678 0]

Oh My God grew on me.

 

Good fucking song.

 

Silkworms - now that's a piece of shit.

Silk Worms was written by Dizzy Reed and Chris Pittman.........not Axl's fault. Oh My God has damn good lyrics, they're just hidden by Axl's poor attempt to be "industrial". Chinese Democracy should've been the first single, followed by The Blues, followed by Madagascar THREE FUCKING YEARS AGO. But oh well.

 

I predict a May release before, or right after they perform at the next Rock In Rio. However, if they come out singing "Jungle", "Patience" and all the other old shit, with only "Blues" "Madagascar" or "C.D." being the "new" material, I might have to give up. Finally give up. No, this time I swear.

[Guest Krazy Karter]

However, if they come out singing "Jungle", "Patience" and all the other old shit, with only "Blues" "Madagascar" or "C.D." being the "new" material, I might have to give up. Finally give up. No, this time I swear.

Exactly - they should let the new album promote itself.

 

If it's any good, people won't care what they play at the shows.

[CanadianChick 0]

Evanescence are goth rockers? What the hell is a goth rocker? Does MTV know what goth even is?

 

I'll probably get the Gwen Stefani record, just because I'm a hopeless No Doubt mark. Nothing else seems to really jump out at me though.

[Edwin MacPhisto 0]

The most exciting thing on there for me: the Beastie Boys. I don't know if they'll still have it after taking half a decade off, but I hope so. I love every damn album of theirs.

 

Next up is Nine Inch Nails. It'll probably suck, but I'd like to hear what Reznor's been up to since '99. I stand by most of the music he's done, but since I'm not 15 anymore, he's going to have either go all-instrumental or stop being such an angsty ponce for me to get into it at all.

[jimmy no nose 0]

Since everyone else has been talking about GNR in here, I guess I will too. I had pretty much given up on them years ago, not paying much attention at all to them for a long time. I wasn't too excited when I heard about their 2002 tour. I didn't think they'd be worth paying money to see. What changed my mind was hearing that CKY and Mix Master Mike would be on the tour, followed by hearing that Buckethead and Brain were both in the band. Liking all of those performers, I decided that I had to give it a shot. Axl totally brought me back with that performance. He can still sing like Axl Rose, and they all put on a great show. I was surprised they let Buckethead do his thing in the middle of the set. It was the first time I heard any of the new stuff and I liked it all. It gave me a lot of hope for a new album, I still don't totally believe it will come out though.

[B. Brian Brunzell 0]

I'll say my piece on Guns. I've been a fan for a long time, but this album is never fucking being released. EVER.

 

Now, a new album from The Cure makes me happy, as I'm a huge mark for Robert Smith.

 

Oh, and fuck MTV for not mentioning the new albums due from The Roots and A Tribe Called Quest. Those two will be better than anything else on that list(save The Cure).

[Guest Mindless_Aggression]

I'm still a bit confused about how people are getting excited for the new GnR tracks via live tracks. Axl can't sing at all live anymore, unless I've managed to stumble upon the absolute worst possible version of Madagascar ever. He just sounds horrible and can't hold a note worth a damn.

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

I saw them play live in Toronto...and by that part of the tour (which would end abruptly a week later in NYC) his voice was shockingly affective. I've heard it was great in NYC too.

[Red Baron 0]

New Nine Inch Nails? I'm there.

Never been disappointed with any NIN work.

 

 

Now a new Tool CD will come in handy, and I'll be fine

[5_moves_of_doom 0]

I want Beck, dammit. And aren't we just about ready for another Dandy Warhols album, or is it too soon? A lot of other bands need to follow up on their debuts, as well -- Yeah Yeah Yeah's, Interpol, Hot Hot Heat; I don't love them all to death, but I am interested in seeing where their sound will go from their first albums.

 

Aside from that, the Beastie Boys have got me psyched and hopefully haven't lost their edge... same goes for the Cure... and I'll check out Weezer's album, too -- hopefully it'll be better than Maladroit. Gag.

 

...But why has no one else noticed the Kill Bill 2 soundtrack~!? Heh, if it lives up to the soundtrack of every other Tarentino soundtrack ever, than we shall be in for a treat. Lookin' forward to it almost as much as the movie.