Has anyone else noticed that very little is coming out on the major labels during the fourth quarter (October-December) of 2007? Traditionally, this season is reserved for blockbuster releases from major label flagship artists and big-buzz generators. Don't expect it this quarter, as industry reports indicate many expected releases are being pushed into the first quarter of 2008. We're not talking the perennial delay of Chinese Democracy, no one is surprised by that because it doesn't exist!  Delayed records include latest releases from The Mars Volta (Bedlam In Goliath is purportedly delayed to avoid competing with Radiohead's In Rainbows), Mariah Carey, Dr. Dre (Detox has been postponed while Dre works on the new release from Eminem), Uncle Kracker (label execs cite "marketplace" considerations for the postponement), Lil Wayne (Tha Carter Vol. 3 is pushed into '08, as Weezy says "A lot of things coming out this year."), Erykah Badu, The Cure, and others.

Scheduled chart-toppers coming out in time for the holidays (the big week of the season launching on 12/11) include a new release from Ashlee Simpson, Celine Dion and the Wu-Tang Clan. Other late '07 albums are coming from Dave Matthews Band (yet another live album), Beanie Siegel, Lupe Fiasco, and Mary J. Blige.

Don't expect the Wu-Tang album to blow the doors off, as modern purchasers are looking for that single to download rather than a full album of killer material. Mary J Blige is likely to sell strong, as Apple is featuring Mary in new iPod/iTunes commercials, and MJB always has a strong single to drive downloads. R&B and Hip Hop are suffering the most delays, apparently due to the Mary and Lupe albums.  Lil Wayne's delay has been going on for months, and by the time Carter 3 comes out, the prolific rhymesmith will have two more albums ready for summer and fall of next year. It's unfortunate that Wayne and others get pushed, because it's highly unlikely that Lupe will remain relevant, as nothing on The Cool will stand up next to the success of "Kick Push."

It's hard to say what motives drive the labels to push albums back to 2008. Is there nothing else good coming out in early 2008? Are the suits regrouping, waiting for fourth quarter and year results to justify talked-about layoffs? How about plans to officially focus on digital releases, sending CDs into the realm of cassettes and VHS? Whatever the rationale, major label artists feel slighted and their story only serves to compel entrepreneurial artists to dodge the ball-and-chain of 360 deals and a major contract to retain creative control, ownership, and the flexibility of no strings. But with freedom comes responsibility, and former major artists like Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails owe it to fans and their peers to pioneer the new business model while using some restraint to make sure music retains value, both intrinsic and financial. Where will the music go if artists cannot survive from their craft?

Tags: any given tuesday, business, New Releases