Labor Day is past, and summer is all over. Hopefully, as you read this, gas prices are on their way down, and the glorious sport of football is just starting up. 2005 has been a different year in the music world, with some really strong music; and some just horribly weak stuff that has come out this year.

Normally, the fall release schedule is usually stronger than it is this year. But with many high profile releases already released this summer; I get the lack of some of the bigger names.

Which one of these albums will challenge the about-to-explode Kanye West album; or the unrelenting Green Day album, that shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon?

Only time will tell, and here are the releases to watch for Fall 2005…

September 13th:

David Gray: Life In Slow Motion- Remember that tirade I went on about me not favoring music that was mellow as I got older? Well, if you didn’t, put David Gray in that category of “me not listening to someone like this” anytime soon.

Sigur Ros: Takk- Man, if you really want to do a bunch of drugs and listen to some music, this may be your album. Also for fans that thought Radiohead’s highly experimental album “Kid A” was too mainstream. They're playing the Michigan Theatre in Ann Arbor on the 20th of September. This should be a kick ass show, but it's sold out so you'll have to have a good hook up to get tickets.

Lil Kim: Naked Truth- Well Kim might want to get nekkid on the album cover, because it’s gonna be prison blues for Kim for the next year. But, let’s face it; no one actually bought her albums anyways…

Trapt: Someone in Control- In theory, this should be a band that I completely loathe. But the first album and live act showed me that this band is somewhat of a guilty pleasure. Hopefully, they don’t disappoint on their second album. First single “Stand Up” sounds like they haven’t messed with the formula.

September 20th

Coheed & Cambria: Good Apollo, I’m A Burning Star IV Volume 1- What an album title! I have no idea what it means, but it’s interesting. If you don’t know who they are; imagine Slayer style riffs, over Geddy Lee’s voice. It is truly a weird thing, and I haven’t figured out if I hate them yet or not…

Disturbed: Ten Thousand Fists- Even though I really enjoy this band, I feel a little duped about the new album. I was promised songs that sounded like something out of their first album. But, so far, it just sounds like stuff from their more radio-friendly second album. Anyways, this will be the biggest rock release of the fall.

September 27th

Ryan Adams: September- Just don’t call him Bryan Adams! He just might kick the crap out of you. Next….

Sheryl Crow: Wildflower- I heard some new song from her called “Good Is Good”; it sounds like a 4th grader could have wrote it. She sounds bored; maybe she needs to dump Lance to get out of her slump.

Gretchen Wilson: All Jacked Up- Honestly, can we get rid of her, please? I don’t ask for much, but I really can’t stand her or Big & Rich either. Buh-bye….

H.I.M.: Dark Light- I made a crack about no one knowing who they were last year. After this fall, I think that will change. If you don’t believe me; check out the first single “Wings of a Butterfly”. If given the right push, this band could blow up.

October 4th

Fiona Apple: Extraordinary Machine- Why isn’t her album title 97 words long; and where the hell has she been for the past 8 years? The better question is: Does anyone still care about another tortured musician? My guess is….probably not.

Franz Ferdinand- You Could Have It So Much Better with Franz Ferdinand- The first single “Do You Want To” is highly catchy, along the lines of the breakout single “Take Me Out”. Will the rest of the album show that same groove? They are gonna have to; if they don’t want to become the next Men Without Hats, or Flock of Seagulls.

Nickelback: All The Right Reasons- Wow, I heard “Photograph”, and I must say…. It sounds like every other leadoff single Nickelback has ever done. Don’t expect much of a change with the new album. So, if you hated them before; this probably won’t alter your opinion of the band.

Twista: The Day After- The longtime underground rapper broke out two years ago, and finally got a platinum album. Now, will his shtick grow old, or will tongue twisting rhymes become all the rage? Don’t hold your breath…

October 11th

Dashboard Confessional: TBA- No doubt every suburban girl, aged 14 to 16, that lost interest in her Hilary Duff CD will be in line buying this one. A little too wimpy for my tastes… "It's so Dashboard"!

Story of the Year: In The Wake Of Determination- After showing me absolutely nothing on their first album, it's almost like they listened... and made this personally reach out to me. The first single, “We Don’t Care Anymore” sounds less emo, and a little more rock. But that may alienate their core fans, which means they may become the next Candlebox.

October 18th-

System of A Down: Hypnotize- Let’s hope the second half of the System of A Down “World Domination” plan is just as good as the first half. Let’s get it out right now, damn it!

Depeche Mode: Playing the Angel- Would be at the top of the list, if this were February… February 1991, that is… Great band, but I am not interested in this in the least.

Thrice: Vheissu- For fans that think the Story of the Year album is too rocking; Thrice’s album should be right up your alley.

Ashlee Simpson: I Am Me- EXCUSE ME!- After her dual fiascos on Saturday Night Live and at the Orange Bowl, why wasn’t her album contract ripped up in her face? I swear, this better be her last album, or there will be hell to pay!

October 25th

The Darkness: TBA- Oh man, there’s isn’t too much pressure to put out a good album here. I took so much crap after I named their first record the Album of 2004. I can still justify it, and I am hoping that spandex and falsettos still abound on the new album. Can’t wait….

November 1st

Santana: All That I Am- How many guests will be on this album? Will Lindsay Lohan do a song with him? Perhaps Avril Lavine? Anyways, Santana is usually good for one catchy tune per album, so we will give him that…

Others for November/December

Expect albums from Live; Madonna’s “dance record”, Outkast’s HBO movie soundtrack, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Stay tuned--- I'll listen to them and give you my opinions.

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