The albums released so far in 2008 have been less than stellar and it’s no wonder that more and more people are downloading music. The music industry is only going downward from lack of purchases of albums. But can you blame consumers? In a musical age where a person can be a “Cyclone” while wearing Apple Bottom Jeans and buying a drank for a bartender, it’s obvious that the music industry is dumbing down consumers and their musical tastes.
So instead of taking out your precious time deciding on what album to download, why not take our considerations on who’s albums will be potential hits and misses? Here’s our predictions on who’s albums will sink, and who’s will be on top.
MARCH 18, 2008

The UK’s answer to Whitney and Mariah is Leona Lewis, projected to be the next big thing. Leona was discovered on The X-Factor (UK’s Idol) and has been the biggest selling artist in England this year. While watching the show, I’ve noticed that Simon Cowell was so smitten with the new starlet that he never ceased to smile and compliment. It was actually really out of character and a bit weird if you ask me. If you haven’t heard her dramatic and addictive first single, “Bleeding Love,” (co-written by Jesse McCartney–weird, we know)with an 80′s-esque flair, you should seriously go back to living under that rock you came out of.

Leona Lewis, Spirit–HIT

Destroyer Trouble In Dreams
DeVotchKa A Mad and Faithful Telling
The Dodos Visiter
Five Times August Brighter Side
Daniel Lanois Here Is What Is
Lyrics Born Everywhere At Once
Rustic Overtones Light at the End
Keith Sweat Just Me
Switches Lay Down the Law
Jaci Velasquez Love Out Loud
Virginia Coalition Home This YearMaking the Band

Sorry, but Diddy, didn’t you take a clue that after your album sank, your proteges would sink too? I don’t care if Danity Kane debuted at number 1 last time around. Only three girls can sing, two can dance, and only one is hot. Not only does the new Danity Kane single suck, the video is a complete debauchery of everything we loved about the futuristic/cyber themed videos of the nineties. The new video is a mix between TLC’s “Scrubs” and Britney’s “Oops” except it’s boring, banal, and mind-numbingly painful. The end is also gawdawfully CORNY. The song Damaged really cannot fix all of their problems.

Day 26 on the other hand, is a talented group of individuals. Sadly, talent only goes so far. Their debut song is seriously boring and is a waste of their voices. Apparently, Day 26 already released their album and only peaked at 76–on the R&B charts! Sad?
Diddy…you’re in the hole after all of this money spent on these albums…it’s time for another marathon.
Danity Kane, Welcome to the Doll House–MISS
Day 26, Day 26–MISS
Listen to “Got Me Going” below!

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MARCH 25, 2008
Ashanti has been off of the scene for years, most recently being seen presenting awards with a lot little junk in the trunk, thighs, breasts, stomach, face, and toes. She made headlines when Irv Gotti, head of The Inc. (formerly known as Murder Inc.) confessed on Wendy William’s radio show that he had been shaggin’ her . No one listened to her single, “Hey Baby” last year, and with a voice that has no dynamics or flair, she’s bound to become another failed artist remembered for one hit. We can learn at least one lesson from the singer: sleeping with your boss doesn’t always get you far. Ashanti The Declaration–MISS
The B-52′s Funplex
Cherish The Truth
Counting Crows Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings
Elephant Man Let’s Get Physical
Panic! at the Disco TBA–MISS
Ricky Skaggs Honoring the Fathers of Bluegrass: A Tribute to 1946 and ’47
We Are Scientists TBA
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April 28th, 2008The queen of pop has already been honored into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Iggy Pop and pop prince Justin Timberlake which is a huge accomplishment in itself. Though The Madge is having some marital problems, we’re sure there won’t be any with her new album, Hard Candy, filled with collaborations with JT (“4 Minutes to Save the World”) and hit-maker Timberland. If not, we know she’ll just continue bulking up her arms and hang up her performing chops for body building. Advice for Madonna: no guy that I know likes their woman to be more muscular than they are…right Mr. Guy Ritchie? Oh yeah, and we miss the “Like A Virgin” days.

Madonna, Hard Candy-HIT
The Black Keys, TBA
Augustana, TBA

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APRIL 8, 2008
The intensely addictive chorus of Gnarls Barkley’s single, “Crazy” is still stuck in my head. Recently, the artist’s newest music video, “RUN” was banned from MTV not because it was too sexual or violent, but because it was really just crazy. MTV said in a statement that the mixed colors flashing across the television could cause seizures. Well if this is any indication of how the album will be, we know it’ll be a hit.

As for Tweet…? Exactly. We didn’t know you were still alive. You go girl(?)

Eric Avery Help Wanted
Billy Bragg Mr. Love & Justice
The Breeders Mountain Battles
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!
Gnarls Barkley Atlantis-HIT
Tweet Love, Tweet-MISS

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APRIL 15, 2008

The Kooks Konk
M83 Saturdays = Youth

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APRIL 22, 2008
Two words. “HipHopopotmas, Rhyme-o-sauras.” Not only does Flight of the Conchords make music fun and funny at the same time, they bring a twist on words that is witty and fresh, along with intelligently musical.

We’re not sure if Weezer’s new album will be a hit. They seem to break up and make up every two years and come out with a different brightly colored album. What do you think?Story of the Year TBA
Ben Taylor TBA
Weezer TBA
Flight of the Conchords, Flight of the Conchords–HIT
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APRIL 29, 2008
With Snoop’s “Sexual Seduction” already released, we believe that yet again, the king of cool will be on top. Meanwhile, Death Cab For Cutie, the Seattle band with the frontman from Postal Service, will release their new album, “Narrow Stairs” soon. Listen for their new single, “I Will Possess Your Heart.”
Snoop Dogg, Ego Trippin’-HIT
Disturbed, Indestructible
Death Cab For Cutie, Narrow Stairs-HITMay 20, 2008
I know what you’re thinking, Jesse McCartney, hit?! Well, as much as we think he’s annoying, the boy has got some skills–he did co-write Leona Lewis’ “Bleeding Love.” He can write, kinda carry a tune, and is trying to break out of his teen-king image. His newest video for, “Leavin” is surprisingly highly sexualized and we feel Jesse is trying a little too hard to prove that yes, he is a man. The song might be just meh but you know many will think it’s catchy and tweens everywhere are going to be buying the music. Personally, we think he’s wack, but it doesn’t matter what we think. We know that people are going to buy this shizz up. Question: When is Zac Efron coming out with an album?
Jesse McCartney, Departure- HIT

Spring/Second Quarter
Oh Amerie. Yes, the same singer that brought you “1 Thing” is “supposedly” coming out with “Because I Love It” into the States. Already released in the UK, Columbia, her record label, keeps pushing back the CD. This album is by far her best, but has not been receiving as much praise as it deserves. Every track is innovative, mixing funk, the 80′s, groove and a hint of R&B, to make each unique to its own. We don’t know why Amerie isn’t as big as she should be and is the epitome of what an underrated artist is. In our opinion, Amerie should be a worldwide star by now.

Amerie, Because I Love It–HIT
Mariah Carey, TBA
Usher, TBA
Cassie, TBASorry
Alanis Morissette, Flavors of Entanglement
Lil Mama, Voice of the Young PeopleYo’ lip gloss may be poppin’ and it MAY be cool, but your album has been pushed back a total of four times. Obviously your record label doesn’t believe in you which is a shame. Even help from Chris Brown and nappy boy T-Pain can’t help your game. Maybe you should go back to school?

Aimee Mann, Smilers
Tom Jones, TBA
Deborah Cox, TBA
TaTu, Waste Management
Jennifer Hudson, TBA
Esmee Denters, TBA
Nick Lachey, TBA
My Morning Jacket, TBA
Toni Braxton, TBASummer
Beyonce, TBA
LeToya Luckett, Lady Love
Mya, Smoke & Mirrors
Coldplay, TBA
The Fray, TBA
Franz Ferdinand, TBA
Jewel, TBA
Eve, Here I AmEve, Tambourine was as entertaining as playing beer pong with water and a tennis ball while sitting in a wheelchair. Scratch that. Wheelchairs are actually fun.

Eminem, TBA
With Eminem getting bigger and bigger every year (his weight) we’re not sure if he’ll be able to walk onstage. But when he does, we’re sure that his “last” album will be a surefire hit. He already has a book coming out about his life, so maybe he’ll be able to add a final chapter about the “finale” of his music career?
Lauryn Hill, TBAFall/WinterOne word Lauren: crazy. That’s you. Crazy says what crazy do…and you are crazy doo doo.Taylor Swift, TBA
Shakira, TBA
The Black Eyed Peas, TBA
Timbaland, TBA
Cher, TBA
Ricky Martin, TBA
Rihanna, TBA (Dec.16)TBA – 2008 Releases
U2. TBA
Metallica, TBA
Jessica Simpson, TBA
Sugerland, TBA
Lindsay Lohan, TBA
Christina Milian, TBA
Paris Hilton, TBA
John Mellencamp, The Company We Keep
Ciara, TBA
Whitney Houston, TBA
No Doubt, TBA
Shania Twain, TBA
Michael Jackson, TBA