2008 Albums Preview: What's Hot

From Radiohead to Sheryl Crow to... Michael Jackson?

By Kurt B. Reighley
Special to MSN Music

The music-release calendar often starts out slow and is tough to pin down for more than a few months ahead, but early 2008 already promises some returning icons, compelling covers and even a "Thriller" or two. Here's a look at the first few months:

January
Is it cheating that the first big release of 2008 is also topping year-end "best of" polls for 2007? Nah -- Radiohead already threw out the rulebook with "In Rainbows." Now that the album is finally available via a physical, commercial release, folks can stop yammering about its revolutionary marketing and concentrate on the music, which ranks among the band's best work since "OK Computer."
 
Many warm-blooded creatures hibernate through January, and the music community follows suit; notable new releases are as thin on the ground. Indie rock fans, however, might want to bust out that gift card to their favorite music vendor they got last month: The Magnetic Fields release the Jesus & Mary Chain-inspired, feedback-drenched "Distortion" on Jan. 15. The following week, Cat Power issues "Jukebox" (out Jan. 22), her second set of other people's songs that features new interpretations of material originally popularized by Frank Sinatra, Joni Mitchell, James Brown and Bob Dylan.
 
Forward-thinking country music fans can anticipate several gems this month, too. After years of critical comparisons with the great Dusty Springfield, Shelby Lynne (who won the 2000 Grammy for Best New Artist) accepts the challenge with "Just a Little Lovin'" (out Jan. 29). Working with A-list producer Phil Ramone, Lynne puts her distinctive spin on songs immortalized by the soulful '60s British icon, including "Willie and Laura Mae Jones" and "I Only Want to Be With You." That same day, Willie Nelson unleashes "Moment of Forever." Produced by Kenny Chesney (who also sings on "Worry B Gone"), the bearded one's latest mixes up new tunes with covers of Bob Dylan ("Gotta Serve Somebody") and Dave Matthews ("Gravedigger").

Also in January: Kate Nash, Ringo Starr, Spice Girls "Greatest Hits," Natasha Bedingfield, Drive-By Truckers, Joe Jackson, Blind Boys of Alabama, the Mars Volta

February
In February, some perennial pop veterans resume activity. Sheryl Crow's latest, "Detours" (Feb. 5), was recorded in Nashville, Tenn., under the direction of producer Bill Bottrell, but it is not a straight-up country set as previously rumored. Kylie Minogue issues the domestic version of her tenth album, "X" (Feb. 12). The disc, which pairs the Aussie pop tart with producers such as  Bloodshy & Avant (the team behind Britney Spears' "Toxic") and newcomer Calvin Harris, is her first full-length since her battle with breast cancer. Janet Jackson has plenty of cool collaborators in her corner for "Discipline" (Feb. 26), her Island/Def Jam debut, including Ne-Yo, Stargate, Tricky Stewart and Jermaine Dupri; the first single, "Feedback," snuck out at the tail end of 2007.

Speaking of the Jackson clan: To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Michael Jackson's "Thriller," the landmark album gets a spiffy reissue come Feb. 12. The "best-selling album of all time" (that's what it says on the sleeve now) is beefed up with unreleased cuts recorded for the original 1982 release, plus remixes featuring contemporary hotshots Kanye West and will.i.am. And that's just the regular version. The deluxe package comes with a bonus DVD and 48-page book of lyrics and rare photos.

Originally slated for a late 2007 release, the sophomore set from Miami hip-hop star Rick Ross -- which was held up because of clearance issues -- sees the light of day Feb.

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