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LOOK INTO MY CRYSTAL BALL:

The 2004 Music Scene

by Kristi Kates

With 2003 all wrapped up into a tidy little package and put away on a
shelf, it's time to turn our eyes to what 2004 will have to offer as far as
what we can expect from the bands and artists that we listen to.

As musicians are often thought to be, many of them remain skittish and
unspecific when asked exactly when we'll see their latest recordings hit
the shelves. And some of these dates may change - but, if we could have the
powers of prediction, we'd say that it looks like it's going to be a pretty
interesting year, with new efforts on the way from such big hitters as
Beck, Justin Timberlake, Duran Duran, U2, Weezer, and Filter.

Whether they all come through or not is anyone's guess, but, hey, we'll
have fun waiting it out.     LOOK DEEEEEP INTO THE BALL... SEEEEE THE FIRST
QUARTER OF THE YEAR...

January is setting itself up to bring several interesting choices into the
New Year.  Justin Timberlake is perhaps one of the bigger ticket items on
the way, with his "Live From London" CD set to further establish him as a
serious artist; it was only a few months ago that Timberlake, via a few
well-chosen collaborations and an acclaimed appearance on Saturday Night
Live, managed to break (mostly) free of his N'Sync history.

Fellow N'Syncer JC Chasez offers up his own new disc, "Scizophrenic."  And
Lou Reed is another highlight of the month, as he reunites with the rest of
the Velvet Underground on "Bataclan '72."

Also coming up in January: Air's "Walkie Talkie" - The Church's "Forget
Yourself" - Bruce Hornsby's "Greatest Radio Hits" - Stereolab's "Margerine
Eclipse" - Cher's "Millenium Collection" - and Crystal Method's "Legion of
Boom."

In February, several long-awaited titles will be making their mysterious
(or not-so-mysterious) appearance.  A reunited Duran Duran - whose album
remains untitled, although the monikers "Sunrise" and "Lazy Bedstar" are
two of the choices being bandied about - are set to drop their new set of
original material.

Alanis Morissette is back in the emoting game with her "So-Called Chaos."
Aussie-to-Brit transplant Kylie Minogue keeps her pop hooks grooving with
her latest, "Body Language."  And Incubus finally reappears with "A Crow
Left of the Murder."

Shirley Manson and the boys in Garbage have been in the studio apparently
aiming for a February release date, too, but there's been little news on
that one as of late, so we'll have to keep our eyes/ears open.

Also on the way in February: John Frusciante's (Chili Peppers guitarist)
"Shadows Collide With People" - The Indigo Girls' "All That We Let In" -
The Orb's "Bicycles and Thieves" - David Grohl's (Foo Fighters) offering
from his side project, Probst, and the Beta Band's latest, which remains
untitled as of press time.

March blusters in quietly with a small list of interesting, indie-leaning
releases.  N.E.R.D. offers up "Fly or Die," Soulfly gives up their
"Prophecy," Squarepusher lets in an "Ultravisitor," and PJ Harvey offers up
her latest, too, although she's so far without a title.

U2 is perhaps the biggest offering of the month, if they come through as
planned with their tentatively-titled "Solar," and also much-anticipated is
The Vines' second big disc, "Winning Days."  Also on the way in March: The
Finn Brothers' "Finn 2" and a whole host of as-yet-untitled discs from
Beyonce, Aerosmith, Tom Waits, and Joe Jackson.

I SEEEEE SPRING...  AND FLOWERS...  AND MANY CDS... Spring is all over the
place with a big list of artists who are prepping to put their latest tunes
out on the market.

Although many of them, as we mentioned earlier, won't solidify their
release dates just yet, we still have (thanks to our Crystal Ball) found
out who we can expect to see new CDs from as the temperatures warm up.

In April, new discs are rumored to be springing up from Velvet Revolver,

whose disc will be titled either "Contraband," "Controband," or "Comrades,"
Paul Westerberg ("Folker"), Elvis Costello's new wife Diana Krall ("The
Girl in the Other Room"), Tears For Fears ("Everyone Loves a Happy
Ending"), and Modest Mouse ("Good News For People Who Love Bad News."

In May, Melissa Auf Der Maur (formerly of Hole and Smashing Pumpkins)
offers up her first solo album, and in June, New Order is said to be
presenting some new material, as well.

Not "attached" to any spring month in particular are upcoming releases from
Hot Hot Heat, Tortoise, Magic Hour, Kate Bush, The Cure, and Creed, who
reportedly have "a number" of discs on the way.

THERE IS SUNSHIIIIINE....AND MORE NEW CDS... AND SUMMER TOOOOOURS... BUT
THINGS ARE NOT ENTIRELY CLEAR... Although the Crystal Ball's starting to
look a little foggy at this point, there's still a lot to anticipate for
summer.

This early in the year, it's hard to pinpoint, as this is when a lot of
bands and artists are just starting to really solidify their schedules, but
we've got some of the goods for you anyway, most notably the latest on Beck
- he'll be putting out a new album sometime during the summer, and is
rumored to be planning tour dates, as well.

Also coming out in those long summer months are new discs from Miriam
Makeba, Wilco, Sum 41, Jimmy Eat World, and Sparta; and we already know
that the popular Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, The Warped Tour, and the Merlefest
events will be back, although Merlefest and The Warped Tour are the only
one so far to list their performers (Merlefest's being Bela Fleck, Donna
the Buffalo, Lucinda Williams, and Gillian Welch, and Warped's being Anti
Flag, New Found Glory, NoFX, Lillix, Thursday, and The Sounds).

THE BALL IS BECOMING DIM... DIMMMMM... YOU MUST NOT BE CONCENTRAAAAATING...
Things are even more up in the air as we try to look ahead to fall and
winter 2004.

With all of these musicians trying to coordinate their schedules, it seems
that no one's saying much of anything.

Our Crystal Ball, nearly cracking with the effort, has still managed to
dredge up a few details, though - new releases expected in the fall and
winter include offerings from System of a Down - the Yellowjackets ("Peace
Round") - and the Manic St. Preachers.

Not willing to pin their release date down yet to anywhere in the year -
but hoping to make the scene in 2004 nonetheless - are a number of artists
both major and indie.

Look for these new discs sometime in 2004 (yeah, thanks a lot, Crystal
Ball) - The Eagles' album of all-new material, title TBA - Bjork's "Lake
Experience" - Nine Inch Nails' "Bleedthrough" - Radiohead's new EP - My
Bloody Valentine's box set - and other new albums from Weezer, Green Day,
Interpol, the Chemical Brothers, Sigur Ros, Brian Eno, Faithless, Fatboy
Slim, Massive Attack, Fischerspooner, Moby, The Get Up Kids, Doves,
Underworld, and, we're sure, many, many more.

THE FORTUNE TELLER IS EXHAAAAAUSTED...  THE BALL IS DAAAAARK... YOU MUST
GOOOOO NOW...
Uh, yeah, $24.95, please. So that's our look at what to expect in 2004.
And, as the year progresses, many more albums and tours will most likely be
revealed, if not by our bargain-bin Crystal Ball and it's reader
(HEEEEEY!), then they will reveal themselves.

Have yourself a great musical year.