Things You May Hear in 2010

Aerosmith have been working on a new album off and on (mostly off) since November 2007. With the uncertainty surrounding lead singer Steven Tyler (he checked himself into rehab for the umpteenth time in December) and his recent erratic behavior, it isn't at all certain that the album will be finished or released in 2010. But it is, theoretically, possible. When it does appear, it is expected to contain a combination of new songs and tracks that were recorded for -- but not included on -- previous albums. The band's last new studio release was 2004's Honkin' On Bobo.

The recently reunited portion of the original Bachman Turner Overdrive (Randy Bachman and Fred Turner) are already making tour bookings (they'll be headlining the Swedish Rock festival in June) and say they are already working on an album of new material that they hope to release in 2010. Although quick to say they aren't living in the past with the material on the new album, Bachman's website invokes the spirit of a familiar BTO track in promising, "If you thought Bachman & Turner would never appear again - You ain't seen nothin' yet."

There have been just five Boston studio albums released between 1976 and now. The last was Corporate America in 2002. The band toured during the summer of 2008, the year after lead singer Brad Delp committed suicide. Could 2010 be the year of the next new Boston album? Anything's possible, but I wouldn't consider it likely. Tom Scholz, who meticulously mixes, produces, plays multiple instruments and writes many of the songs is notorious for taking a long time to make an album. He was sued by CBS Records back in 1982 for taking too long to deliver an album. (After years of litigation, Scholz won.) In the absence of any particular incentive (other than fan interest) for a new album, the odds favor it being later rather than sooner.

Scheduled for release 2/15/10 is Peter Gabriel's eighth solo studio release, Scratch My Back. The ex-Genesis rocker will forego typical rock instruments for orchestral accompaniment on covers of songs like David Bowie's "Heroes" and Neil Young's "Philadelphia". As the album title subtly implies, the idea is that each of the artists covered will, in turn, cover a Gabriel tune on a future album.

To say that the Wilson sisters (Ann and Nancy) of Heart are taking their time with their much-anticipated new studio release would be a bit of an understatement. As of April 2009 at least eight tracks had been laid down (per a Reuters UK report) and the Wilsons were expressing hope for a summer 2010 release. In the meantime, they've been busy touring (with Journey, The Bangles and on their own) and a release date has yet to be announced. Heart's last studio release was 2004's Jupiter's Darling, although we got something of a Heart-Lite on Ann Wilson's 2007 solo album, Hope And Glory, on which she teamed up with Nancy on three of the tracks.

In a December 10, 2009 YouTube clip, Meat Loaf celebrated the end of the recording of an as-yet untitled album that is expected in April. Piecing together bits of information in that clip and a Twitter video, we know that Queen's Brian May will be heard, as will Meat's daughter, Pearl, and his longtime tour duet partner, Patti Russo. This is his 11th studio release, the last being Bat Out Of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose in 2006.

Already in the pipeline for 1/12/10 release is Ringo Starr's 15th studio release, Y Not. The self-produced album will feature contributions from Paul McCartney, Eagles' Joe Walsh, Benmont Tench (The Heartbreakers), Dave Stewart (ex-Eurythmics) and Joss Stone.

Early in 2009 Eddie Van Halen told Guitar World magazine, "I’ve done all kinds of stuff, and more is coming." He referenced his 2009 wedding and his son (and Van Halen bassist) Wolfgang's graduation from high school saying, "We’ll pick it up after that." Both of those things have happened, but so did extensive surgery on EVH's right hand, and a lengthy recovery/rehabilitation period. Although he reports steady progress, this set back any schedule there may have been for writing and recording new material.

Pete Townshend reports he is working on a new rock opera that "touches on the current issues faced by the Boomer generation." Called Floss, it is to be featured on an album that's expected sometime in 2010. This would follow the format of The Who's 2006 release, Endless Wire, nine tracks of which comprised the mini-opera Wire and Glass.

After a brief summer 2009 reunion fling with his former J. Geils Band mates, vocalist Peter Wolf is back to concentrating on his solo career. His seventh solo album, Midnight Souvenirs has a planned 4/6/10 release date. The album is an eclectic mix of hard rock, ballad, R&B, and country. Duet partners include Neko Case, Shelby Lynne and Merle Haggard.