Blast from the past: ‘90s bands set to release new music this fall

By Rebecca Timberlake–

Fall 2012 promises to be a blast from the past. With popular nineties bands such as No Doubt, Matchbox Twenty and Green Day all releasing albums after varying hiatuses, music this fall may seem more familiar than new.

No Doubt’s album “Push and Shove,” to be released September 25, will be the group’s first album since 2001’s “Rock Steady,” which many consider to be their greatest success as musicians. As of now, it has reached the two- time Platinum status in the United States, Silver in the United Kingdom and Platinum in Canada. Although “Rock Steady” is the fifth studio release from the band, it was their second highly acclaimed album, only after 1995’s “Tragic Kingdom.” which had such hits as “‘Just a Girl”’ and “‘Don’t Speak.” However, if “Push and Shove” lives up to its hype as one of the most anticipated albums of the year, as the commercial success of their recently released single “‘Settle Down”’ suggests, No Doubt could prove that a band’s best work is always yet to come.

Matchbox Twenty also plans to release their album “North” in September. After five years without new material as a group- lead singer Rob Thomas has kept busy with solo albums- the band has gotten together once again, releasing the single “She’s So Mean” this summer. Although the single has widely been received by fans on YouTube as “trying to stay current,” most admit that it still falls under the “Matchbox Twenty Sound.” Think an upbeat “Push,” not “3A.M.” And while each album has produced numerous hit singles, Matchbox Twenty’s debut in 1996, “Yourself or Someone Like You,” had the highest number of successful singles, like the aforementio

ned “Push” and “3A.M.”, as well their very first single “Long Day,” “Back 2 Good” and “Real World.” Luckily, Thomas maintains the attitude that making the music is what matters, and fans are just a perk. He has been quoted as saying, “You have control over making a record, you have control over making songs, control over playing live and performing the best show that you possibly can, but as far as people liking your record and people buying your record, there is so little that you can do about that.”

Green Day has decided to do something just a bit different, however. While they will be releasing their first new studio work since 2009, they will be doing so in installments. Originally set for release in October “Uno!”, November “Dos!” and December “Tres!”, they will now be issuing the trilogy as follows: “Uno!” on September 25, “Dos!” on November 13 and “Tres!” will bring in the New Year with a January 15 release. After changing their sound in 2004 with “American Idiot” from their traditional punk rock to a more politically aware style, front man Billie Joe Armstrong says the group is going for a “power pop” sound this time around, something “between AC/DC and the early Beatles.”

However, these bands are not the only nineties favorites to bring new material to the table this fall. The slightly less anticipated releases of The Wallflowers (October 2) after seven years, P!nk (September 18) and Alanis Morissette (August 28), both after four years harkens back to 1997-1998.

Along with the new albums, P!nk and Matchbox Twenty, among others, have plans on touring to promote their albums. And after a summer of tours from other former chart-topping groups Red Hot Chili Peppers, Motley Crue and Guns N Roses, such concerts accompanied by new music have great potential to feature many sell-out dates.

Finally, what would new releases from ‘old’ artists be without Kiss, Bob Dylan and, of course, Aerosmith? Their albums, October 16, September 11 and November 6, respectively, all have fans eager to see if they’ve still got it.

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Photo courtesy Reprise Records