On The Horizon: Look Out!

December is almost here, which can only mean one thing: it's the season for greatest hits packages and heavyweight releases! Here are some of the future releases that I'm eyeing on, check them out!

Mariah Carey - The Emancipation Of Mimi: Platinum Deluxe Edition
As with most other money-spinning acts, Mariah's multi-platinum album is repackaged with 4 new tracks in this "Platinum deluxe edition". It contains a new single Don't Forget About Us, which is already climbing its way up the Billboard 100. This edition comes with a bonus DVD of videos for We Belong Together, It's Like That, Get Your Number and Shake It Off.


Green Day - Bullet In A Bible
This is Green Day's first live DVD and it captures them in top form performing at Milton Keynes in England. The set culls hits from their Grammy, VMA, EMA, AMA-winning album American Idiot, as well as older hits such as Basket Case and Good Riddance. Green Day have never been hotter and you can expect this to be a hot-seller this Christmas. This package comes in a DVD and CD combo set.


Madonna - Confessions On A Dance Floor (Special Edition)
The Queen of Pop is back, with a bang. After the disappointment and critical scathing of American Life, Maddy, or Esther as she is known now, returns to what she does best--pop tunes that gets your ass on the dance floor. First single Hung Up samples Abba, so you can expect a throwback to the 70s disco era, with a little update from Esther of course. This is one of the most anticipated albums this winter, and judging by the reception to her performance at the Europe MTV Music Awards last week, this will definitely mark a return to Number One for the Queen of Pop. However, look out for this special edition to be released in December...so don't go out and grab it too early!


Eminem - Curtain Call
This greatest hits set features tracks from all 4 of Eminem's albums to date, including mega hits like Cleanin' Out My Closet, The Real Slim Shady and Lose Yourself. Em has hinted of retirement recently and this album seems to add more weight to the speculation. However, don't be too disappointed as Em will concentrate on producing albums and occassionally drop a track or two. This album features 3 news tracks including the new When I'm Gone. A special edition of this album will also come with a disc containing his "memorable collaborations", and we can expect his duet with Elton John on Stan during the Grammys to be included here as well.


Diana Krall & Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra - Christmas Songs
I've recently fallen in love with Diana Krall and I'm greatly looking forward to this album. Even though Christmas tunes have been done to death by thousands of artistes already, I'm waiting to hear her interpretations, how she infuses them with her sultry baritone voice. It doesn't hurt that the Christmas spirit is in the air too.


Dave Matthews Band - Weekend On The Rocks
This is a 2 CD and 1 DVD set, capturing the best of DMB's performances at the famed Red Rocks from September 9th through 11th this year. DMB is known to be a great live act and this is their 7th live album! And they have only released 6 studio albums! They are one of the rare bands that sound better live, and they make sure that they don't repeat the set list for consecutive nights. I don't know how many bands can do that. This 2 CD set is a truncated version--there's an 8 CD and 1 DVD set available capturing all 3 nights' performances, but it's going to burn a hole in your pocket. It's only available through their website though. But for most of us, this 2 CD set should do fine.


Alanis Morissette - The Collection (Limited Edition)
This album captures Alanis' hits for the past 10 years. Jagged Little Pill is a tough act to follow, and Alanis hasn't exactly been able to keep up with the high benchmark set by her debut album. Nevertheless, it's still a worthy collection of songs from the original Miss Angst. Favourites include Head Over Feet, Uninvited and That I Would Be Good. A limited edition version of the album comes with a bonus DVD featuring an hour-long documentary as well.