Aural Intercourse: The year of the comeback?

By Mike Prevatt

As I've mentioned before in this column, revisionism seems to be the trend in modern music, with groundbreaking musicians shoved toward the fringes. However, among the already-established pillars of pop, there are some genuinely interesting re-emergences scheduled or under way this year (see Prince and Rod Stewart), most of the artists having had their heyday in the `80s. Let's see who and what all the fuss is about.

Morrissey: In the alternative rock world, all eyes are on the former Smiths leadman, who on May 18 will release his first album in seven years, You Are the Quarry. Mozzer held out for a label (Sanctuary) that wouldn't ask him to do anything out of character, and early reports say that Quarry, shaped by Green Day producer Jerry Finn, is one of his best solo efforts yet, reminiscent of his creative peak in the early to mid-`90s. He's already begun a press onslaught, and expect the man to tour the world all year. Last weekend, he sold out five dates at Los Angeles' Wiltern LG theater in an hour, and on Monday he was announced as headliner for this year's Lollapalooza tour (see Quickies).

Van Halen: Yes, it's true. After months of rumors, Eddie and the boys recently announced not only will they be touring this summer, but former singer Sammy Hagar has rejoined the band. The currently unsigned quartet--Warner Bros. and the act broke it off after the dismal reception to 1998's Gary Cherone-helmed Van Halen III--has a summer arena trek planned, stopping in Las Vegas Aug. 7 for a show at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. (Tickets go on sale Sat., April 3 at 10 a.m.) However, with no album release in sight, expect this revival to be limited to the stage.

The Pixies: Truth be told, the Pixies weren't all that worshipped while they were making albums in the late '80s/early '90s. But now they're regarded as alt.rock heroes. A small club tour precedes the "official" comeback gig--Southern California's Coachella Festival in May--and an amphitheater/arena tour is in the cards for early fall. Also, look for a new best-of compilation in early summer.

Janet Jackson: She certainly knows how to make an entrance, doesn't she? Three years after her All for You album and 20-plus years since she began performing, Jackson is striving harder than ever for relevance, and whatever success she'll garner from her new release, Damita Jo (it's her middle name), chances are she'll have earned it. Following the public relations bombshell that was her Super Bowl halftime performance, Jackson has lined up several TV performances, steamrolling ahead as if nothing happened. And if she plays her cards right--like, avoiding the pompous, self-important posturing of her erstwhile brother, Michael--the backlash won't be directed toward her, but to the Chicken Little morality critics who have no influence over teenage girls and hormonal twentysomething men.

Beastie Boys: A few 2003 concert appearances aside, the Beasties have been quiet since the 1998 release of its last studio album, Hello Nasty, and the tour supporting it. There's very little indication what their new material will sound like, though the Beasties are as reliable a band as any when it comes to commercially oriented, forward-thinking music. Expect to hear a lot about the longtime hip-hop trio come early summer, when its next album d-r-r-r-r-r-ops.

The Cure: If there was any doubt the Cure still held favor with music fans, it was vaporized when the veteran English act helped tastemaker L.A. rock station KROQ sell more than 50,000 tickets for a flashback-oriented concert last September. With a recently released box set, the ubiquity of its 1989 classic "Pictures of You" prominently scoring Hewlett-Packard commercials, headliner status at Coachella, singer Robert Smith's vocal duties on the recent Blink-182 record, an upcoming studio album produced by nu-rock boardsman Ross Robinson and general `80s nostalgia still running rampant, the Cure seems positioned to enjoy a significant resurgence.

Madonna: "Comeback" may not be the best word to describe any potential triumphs Madonna may have in 2004. After a poorly received album (last year's American Life) and a couple of movie bombs, the Post-Maternity Girl looks to remind people she's still a significant pop figure with her Re-Invention tour. Current press reports infer the setlists will be more hits-friendly than her 2001 Drowned World tour, which, to the disappointment of some ticketholders, focused mostly on her Music and Ray of Light albums. (Madonna plays Vegas May 29-30 at the MGM Grand.)

Dark horses: A Tribe Called Quest, Tears for Fears, Loretta Lynn

Quickies

This year, the Lollapalooza tour is trying its hand with a two-day format, much like the European festivals and Coachella. Organizers claim it's to shirk the one-day, multi-act concert now adapted by seasonal radio shows, and allow for a more diverse bill over the course of two days. Billboard.com recently confirmed the following participants: Morrissey, the Flaming Lips, the String Cheese Incident, Sonic Youth, the Polyphonic Spree, Modest Mouse, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Le Tigre and the Fire Theft.

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