This Month's Top Albums: December

Words: John Balfe

As we approach the end of another year a glut of new album releases are set to hit the shelves, each of which harbouring ambitions to reap the benefit of the inevitable rush of sales during the Christmas period and inclusion on critics eventual best of 2011 lists. Some of this months releases have chances at both and some have next to none, but we'll let you read through the list and draw your own conclusions. There is a pretty diverse mix of releases pencilled in throughout the next few weeks and we've chosen our highlights.

Kate Bush - 50 Words For Snow - 21st November

It's been a busy year for Kate Bush. Having already released a re-working of old material in May, Bush is putting out her tenth studio album, and first since 2005's Aerial, this November. This is the first time that Bush has released two records in the same year since 1978, so will this be a career resurgence for her? Let's hope so.

Nickelback - Here & Now - 21st November

Love 'em or hate 'em, Nickelback are still going strong. The Canadian rockers sure aren't everyone's cup of tea (just ask the Detroit Lions fans who petitioned against a planned Nickelback half-time performance recently), but they have to be doing something right to be releasing their seventh album this month.

Rihanna - Talk That Talk - 25th November

Rihanna's rise from 'pretender' to 'global superstar' has been slow but consistent. The Barbadian's sixth album features collaborations with Calvin Harris and Jay-Z and will look to capitalise on the massive success of last year's Loud. We get the distinct impression that Rihanna is just getting started...

Amy Winehouse - Lioness: Hidden Treasures - 5th December

Fans of Amy Winehouse have been clamouring for new material from the late singer since her passing in July of this year and now her first (and management team say only) posthumous release is on the eve of its release. Lioness: Hidden Treasures features of mix of b-sides, alternate takes and rarities and has been worked on by long-time Winehouse collaborators Salaam Remi and Mark Ronson.

The Black Keys - El Camino - 6th December

The pressure's on for The Black Keys. Their 2010 Grammy Award winning album Brothers was by far the most high profile and successful of their career and, whether they like it or not, the standard by which their seventh album El Camino will be judged. The few tracks we've heard already seem to be of the highest quality and, seriously, when have The Black Keys ever let us down? We're expecting more brilliance from the Ohioan duo.

Story by EI Team | 09:00 | Tuesday 15th November 2011 | Music

Comments

Rose Desmond

Nickelback, Rihanna, The Black Keys etc... Legendary stuff really!!!! You cant argue with success :)

Posted 22:44 | Tue 15th Nov 2011

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