Aug 22, 2008  |  By: REBECCA ARMENDARIZ  | COMMENTS     

Divas and gay indie rockers alike released a slew of albums this spring, leaving the fall with a mere smattering of noteworthy releases.

Madonna, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey and Kylie Minogue blessed the world with their fabulous efforts earlier in the year. Bob Mould, Mark Eitzel and Stephin Merritt did the same. So what’s to look forward to for fall?

Love or hate ’em, New Kids on the Block are back, and at least they’re better looking (and more fashionable) than before. “The Block,” the quintet’s first release since 1994, drops Sept. 2 on Interscope Records. The group wasn’t shy about playing old hits — “Please Don’t Go Girl” sounds great post-puberty — during their inaugural appearance on “The Today Show,” showing a welcome lack of reinvention.

“The Block” won’t be much different from the tracks the group released 15 years ago. First single “Summertime” seems almost a pathetic attempt at keeping their teen fan base. In reality, it’ll be the 20- and 30-somethings buying this record. The video shows them shirtless on a beach (not bad!) ogling too-young girls in bikinis. Most of the members have wives, ex-wives and/or children at this point. But those who are looking to reminisce will probably forgive the flaws for a chance to relive NKOTB fandom.

Jessica Simpson will release “Do You Know” a week later. This is her second record since her divorce from male teenybopper counterpart Nick Lachey, and the first in her crossover to country music. She keeps to her usual pop sentiments, however, and just adds slide guitar and cheesier lyrics to the tunes to get that bumpkin feel. The album features a duet with Dolly Parton.

Also on Sept. 9 comes the ninth studio album from lesbian singer/songwriter Catie Curtis called “Sweet Life,” on Compass Records, an indie label based out of Nashville that focuses on folk and bluegrass artists. Curtis, who describes her music as folk/pop, says the album is upbeat and celebrates resilience. Her music has been included in movies like “A Slipping Down Life” and “500 Miles to Graceland” and on TV shows “Desperate Housewives,” “Alias,” “Dawson’s Creek” and more. She’s a past winner of GLAAD’s album of the year award. Curtis plays the Birchmere in Alexandria on Nov. 21.

Welsh singer-songwriter Jem, née Jemma Griffiths, made mini-waves with her first album, “Finally Woken,” released on Dave Matthews’ record label after radio buzz landed her recognition for her demos. A few of her tracks have been featured on mainstream TV shows. Jem’s first single of her new album, “Down to Earth,” made it big with an appearance in the “Sex and the City: the Movie.” She produces new wave backbeats and sings operatically over the trippy, mellow music.

If Jem’s release on Sept. 16 doesn’t sound mainstream or popular enough, never fear — Sony will release the Annie Lennox Collection on both CD and DVD the same day to quench those who thirst for a more established diva. The compilation of 12 hits and two new songs will be the first “best of” release for the Scottish beauty and former member of the Eurythmics.

Since the band’s demise in 1991, Lennox has made a name for herself with a spectacular solo career. She is also a prominent AIDS activist. Songs like “Walking on Broken Glass,” “Why” and “No More I Love Yous” have today become classics.

Jennifer Hudson, Oscar winner and former “American Idol,” will finally release her self-titled debut on Arista Records Sept. 30. The soulful R&B singer showcases her pipes in an empowered performance akin to her Effie White role in “Dreamgirls.” For a woman who cites Whitney Houston as an influence, Hudson is well on her way to becoming her equal (she’s on Whitney’s label, Arista). First single “Spotlight,” written by Ne-Yo, could be Hudson’s “I’m Every Woman,” and other contributors on the album — Timbaland, Robin Thicke and Tricky — should please anticipating fans.

Jenny Lewis, while not exactly “underground,” isn’t as celebrated as most other prima donnas in music. But she’s no less talented. The front woman of indie rock band Rilo Kiley went twangy and alt-country with her first solo record, “Rabbit Fur Coat”; her next effort, “Acid Tongue,” will hit stores Sept. 23. Lewis is everything a straight girl wishes she was, everything a lesbian wants to be with and everything a gay man admires in a woman. Lewis seems to have leapt into full country mode on “Acid Tongue,” but somehow manages to pull off every feat she ...