Gordon Lightfoot Book, Music and More!

Depeche Mode represented the dark, dehumanized side of ’80s electropop. Despite frontman Gahan’s velvety vocals, Martin Gore’s deeply moody lyrics and the band’s cold, industrial sound always cast a pall. Gahan’s second solo album is no less depressing. Songs like the dreary “Down,” on which he sings “I feel so old, down on the ground is where I’m bound to end up,” deal with themes of aging and mortality. “Use You,” meanwhile, is a harrowing ode to self-loathing. Has Gahan never heard of Prozac? Oct. 23   

There’s nothing new about a female rapper dropping an album from prison. Lil’ Kim released one while she was sentenced for lying to a jury about a shooting (one that ironically involved Brown’s entourage). Brown, who shares Kim’s fixation on sex and the mafia, is now partially deaf and behind bars for parole violation. The Brooklynite’s latest is a tawdry affair, with tracks like “We Don’t Surrender” bitterly professing her supremacy while lamely insisting that she’s regained her hearing, if not her freedom. Dec. 11

Although they recorded only two albums before their demise amid Pete Doherty’s chronic drug use, these Brit-rockers left a huge legacy. NME readers chose four Libertine singles for the magazine’s “50 Greatest Indie Anthems Ever” list, fewer than Oasis and The Stone Roses but more than Blur, Radiohead and Joy Division. This collection gathers Doherty and vocal-songwriting partner Carl Barât’s finest work, including the joyful “Can’t Stand Me Now” and their fitting swan song “What Became of the Likely Lads.”

Only a performer as talented and audacious as Rufus could pull off a tribute to Judy Garland’s legendary 1961 concert. The Carnegie CD and the Palladium DVD capture all of Wainwright’s gifts and chutzpah, although the DVD doesn’t feature his show-stopping Garland drag routine. Instead, Rufus focuses on his surging tenor, wringing emotion from two dozen Garland classics like “Over the Rainbow.” Special guests include Garland’s daughter, Lorna Luft, Rufus’ mother, Kate McGarrigle, and his dynamic sister, Martha.

Life is a carnival for Wyclef Jean, whose solo albums are hip hop’s most colorful and diverse projects, tapping guests and styles from every corner of the planet. ’Clef’s latest is no exception. Featuring Bollywood beats, Brazilian vibes, dancehall grooves and rhythms from his native Haiti, it’s a pan-global party album with eclectic collaborators like Mary J. Blige, Paul Simon, Sizzla, Norah Jones, Akon and ’Clef’s “Hips Don’t Lie” partner Shakira. The former Fugee would undoubtedly make a cool UN ambassador.

Her fans range from Nick Cave and The Pet Shop Boys to Scissor Sisters, so it may only be a matter of time before Minogue finally becomes a major star in North America. Her first post-cancer album will certainly boost her profile. A joyously hedonistic affair, with plenty of disco and electropop highlights, it features such sensuous numbers as the throbbing “Like a Drug” and the pulsating, Kraftwerk-like “Speakerphone.” Minogue even dabbles in a bit of rap on “Heart Beat Rock” and the playfully erotic “Nu-di-ty.” Nov. 27

Lock up your daughters—the lecherous pretty boys of synth pop are back. The Durannies, still best known for provocative ’80s hits like “Girls on Film” and “Hungry Like a Wolf,” hope some of Justin Timberlake’s SexyBack powers rub off on them. JT joins Simon LeBon and crew on the disco noir of “Falling Down,” which features an X-rated video with topless models. Timbaland and JT muscle in on the edgy thump of “Nite Runner,” while Timba himself lends his authoritative rap to the ominous “Skin Divers.” Nov. 13

It’s hard to hate Seal. Sure, the British soul-pop singer’s a one-hit wonder (1995’s “Kiss From a Rose”). And he married German supermodel Heidi Klum and now spends most of his time skiing at Whistler resorts. But Joni Mitchell loves him, which should count for something. And the poor guy has to live with those facial scars, due to a childhood disease. Still, this hopelessly dated sounding album—complete with a self-indulgent Klum duet, the cringe-inducing “Wedding Day”—makes hating him just a little easier. Nov. 13

Still not your favorite band? Have you checked your pulse lately? From Veni Vidi Vicious and Tyrannosaurus Hives to this thrilling piece of modern garage rock, Sweden’s worst kept secret has been delivering the best adrenaline rush around. Here, singer Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist and his nattily attired cohorts team up with The Neptunes’ Pharrell Williams, taking wacky new turns and shifting time signatures on cuts like “Well All Right!” and the funky “T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S.” It’s a wild roller-coaster ride, full of surprises. Nov. 13

Canada’s Snowbird gets the high-class treatment with this impeccable collection, featuring pairings with some of her favorite singers from home and abroad. Produced by duet mastermind Phil Ramone (Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ray Charles), it features our Annie singing with divas ranging from Céline Dion, Shania Twain and Sarah Brightman to Shelby Lynn, Nelly Furtado and k.d. lang. Among the highlights is “I Just Fall in Love Again,” which magically stitches Murray together with the late, great Dusty Springfield. Nov. 13