Volume CXXXI, Number 24 May 3, 2002 f

Ted previews hottest summer albums
TED REINERT
STAFF WRITER

This is the last issue of the Orient for the year, but we wouldn't want you to be uninformed about the new music to be discovered this summer. So here's my guide to the best tunes to be found before September.

Punk rock group Weezer is scheduled to release its fourth album, Maladroit, on May 14. (rollingstone.com)

Weezer, possibly the best band in rock, will release their fourth album entitled Maladroit on May 14, almost a year to the day after The Green Album. You all already know "Dope Nose" is a great tune, and those of you who have been following along during the recording process as the band posted demos and live versions on their website know the rest is pretty good too. If you think this was fast, album number five is halfway recorded and hits stores in February. Add this to endless touring, and they're making up pretty well for the lost time after the painful commercial failure of their masterpiece Pinkerton. If their luck holds, they may end up with their first #1 album.

Moby releases 18 on the same day. The little bald dude's sixth album will feature some special guests including Sinead O'Connor and Angie Stone and features the single "We Are All Made of Stars."

Eminem returns after a fairly silent year on June 4 with The Eminem Show and its Moby-dissing single "Without Me." Eminem produces most of it himself. Unlike the sharing-inclined Weezer, Em is wary of online piracy and guarding the album fiercely, so no one's heard it yet.

Since record sales are in decline through the start of 2002, the industry is counting on big numbers for The Eminem Show and Korn's Untouchables, due out June 11. On "Here to Stay," the godfathers of nü-metal sound sort of scary and not nearly as commercial as on the singles from their last two albums, which might not be the answer to the industry's prayers. But hey, look how well Tool's Lateralus sold.

One of the most anticipated albums of the summer has got to be Dave Matthews Band's Busted Stuff, out July 16. The record is mostly the songs from the infamous Lillywhite sessions for their fourth album, which the band put aside, and then started from scratch to make the polished Everyday with Glen Ballard. A few new tunes are here as well. And the band is jamming again.

David Bowie and Oasis release Heathen and Heathen Chemistry respectively in June and July, respectively. Bowie's album will feature guests such as Dave Grohl and Moby. Oasis's will be their first to include new guitarist and bassist Gem Archer and Andy Bell. Liam gets to write more songs and Noel gets to sing more songs. Fellow Britpop act Coldplay will release their sophomore album, A Rush of Blood to the Head, this summer.
Other artists releasing albums this summer include Red Hot Chili Peppers (By the Way), Our Lady Peace (Gravity, June 18), Filter (The Amalgamut, July 23), Wyclef Jean (Masquerade, June 18), Flaming Lips (Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots), and maybe even Counting Crows. The fourth Foo Fighters album, guaranteed by Dave Grohl to rock, has been put on hold until September while he has returned to the drum kit for Queens of the Stone Age (Songs for the Deaf, July) and will be touring with them.
In case anybody cares (and I certainly hope not many of you do), Papa Roach will release lovehatetragedy on June 18. They say they've given themselves a punk makeover and the singer, formerly known as Coby Dick, has reverted to his birth name, Jacoby Shaddix.

For those sick of the tragedy that is modern rock radio today, be watching for the Vines, a young Australian band in the refreshing, stripped-down rock and roll vein of the Strokes, the White Stripes, and the Hives. The group will release their debut album Highly Evolved on July 16. In the meantime, pick up the Strokes and White Stripes albums if you don't already have them. Viva la revolution!