It will be interesting to see who will succeed and who will fail worse than the life of Scott Baio.

Last year, Outkast pretty much ran the fall release schedule, and exploded; while Limp Bizkit proved that results in success may vary, and they were lost in the pack.

Here is a list of Fall 2004s major releases, and what I think about them. Enjoy!

SEPTEMBER:

Nelly- Sweat & Suit (September 14th): What’s this? Nelly’s pulling a “Use Your Illusion” on us, by releasing two albums on the same day? Really, is he wearing his band-aid in the photos? I am already “getting my eagle on,” whatever the hell that means. Also, look for a duet with Tim McGraw. Expect Lil Jon to duet with Randy Travis next year. Can’t wait…

Prodigy- Always Outgunned, Always Outnumbered (September 14th): Prodigy’s still alive? After rocking in my CD player for the entire year of 1997, electronica’s greatest hope releases a new album. One problem: The electronica craze died in 1998, which gives Prodigy as much of a chance at success as the Lions reaching the playoffs this year.

Chevelle- This Kind of Thinking Will Do Us In (September 21st): Dependable rock from the Chicago band. The first single “Vitamin R” doesn’t sound like anything overly original, but in this day of age, sometimes playing it safe isn’t that bad.

Green Day- American Idiot (September 21st): Now ask me if anyone still cares about Green Day? The skateboarding fans will think they’re cool because they sound ‘kinda like Good Charlotte.’ Who’s the idiot now?

Joss Stone- Mind, Body & Soul (September 28th): Supposedly, Stone is supposed to remind me of Janis Joplin. She supposedly is this great voice for the music industry. Supposedly, I really don’t care to listen to music that’s supposedly made for people who are too cool to listen to anything else.

Interpol- Antics (September 28th): Interpol is the new music critic’s darling, but their brand of indie hipster wanker crap has not caught on with the masses. Gee, that sounds like Sleater-Kinney, Guided By Voices and hundreds of other groups these music critics try to shove down our throat. Resist the temptation.

OCTOBER

Good Charlotte- The Chronicles of Life & Death (October 5th): Do I choose life or death when listening to Good Charlotte? After listening to the first single “Predictable,” I think I will be taking a plunge off the Ambassador Bridge. The title for the first single sums up the album. Sadly, this will probably be the biggest selling rock release of the fall.

Mos Def- The New Danger (October 5th): Buzz is that it’s a very political based album from the socially conscious rapper. I just want to know when “The Italian Job 2” is coming out.

Jimmy Eat World- Futures (October 19th): Guitar pop-rock built to hear in Hollister and at your local Subway. Mmm… Jimmy eat a Chipotle Southwest Cheese Steak

Beck- still untitled (October 26th): Jesus, Beck, go away! This guy has been on the bus with the music critics types for 10 years. Let’s hope it’s better than his last album, “Sea Change”, which may be the most unlistenable album of all time, ever.

Simple Plan- Still Not Getting Any (October 26th): And personally, I don’t really care if they ever get any. When your lead singer is named Pierre, you shouldn’t expect much ass to begin with.

NOVEMBER

U2- Vertigo (November 9th): Anybody wanna take bets on if this is out by Christmas? I didn’t think so. But when it comes out NEXT November, it should be good.

Lil Jon- Crunk Juice (November 16th): YYYEAAAAHHHH! OOOOOKKKKK! I am sure you’re not tired of hearing that crap all the damn time. Expect more of the same from the snaggle tooth phenom of rap. Didn’t Nelly do this album last summer? Wasn’t it called “Pimp Juice?” On a side note: Those cups he has are cool as hell….

Ludacris- Red Light District (November 16th): Everyday is a ho-liday when Ludacris releases an album. Expect more of the same from one of the most entertaining rappers around. So all you ho’s listen up, move b—h, and throw some ‘bows. Honestly, I can’t wait.

Chingy- Power Ballin’ (November 16th): Did all the rappers decide to release their albums on November 16th? The rap elections are being held, and I don’t think Chingy’s got a chance. Especially after “One Call Away” came out.

Eminem- Encore (November 16th): Now, the rap elections just got a little more interesting. After “8 Mile” and D-12’s album, one has to ask if Eminem’s still got the fire the angriest man in the world once had; or will Eminem punk out like he did with Triumph the Insult Comic Dog a few years back?

Gwen Stefani - still untitled (November 23rd): Gwen! It’s about time! It’s only taken the chick 9 years to put out an album with her own name on it. Though, I thought she had been putting out solo albums the last couple times anyway. Who’s No Doubt? Get ready for ‘The Pasty Faced Gwen Stefani Hour.’ You may want to avoid this disc, unless you think she’s hot.

DECEMBER

System of A Down- still untitled (December 5th): You mean, System isn’t going to release their politically charged album until after the elections? That’s like Scott Peterson admitting he killed Laci after he’s acquitted. Not smart guys, but hopefully, it will still be good.

AND ALWAYS THE WILD CARD

Guns n Roses- Chinese Democracy (Who Knows): Just for a laugh… I think the world will be spun into utter chaos if this is the year Axl loses weight and puts this album out? But folks, let’s face it, this ain’t never, ever gonna come out.

Now I know the leaves turn red and orange, but you don’t have to too when you go and buy a crappy album. The fireworks are beginning for the fall, and hopefully my musical expertise (or lack of) will guide you to make the right purchase choices during these months. So guys, stop playing Madden 2005, and girls, get away from the baby showers and get thee to a record store.

Next week will bring the second part of the Fall Music Preview, when I preview big shows heading to Detroit during the fall months. Later.

Art Michalski thought he might wear a Band-Aid like Nelly and then realized he’s not a rapper with a gimmick, so he dropped that idea. But if you love Beck, P.J. Harvey, Interpol, and all those other bands that only employees at indie record stores like, feel free to e-mail him at arthatesyou@detroitbuzz.com.