New Ludacris album set for October
Ludacris is finishing the final tracks for his upcoming new album "Theater Of The Mind." His new music effort is set for a October 21 release date. Simultaneously he will also be co-starring in the movie "Max Payne" which is set to open on October 17 and was adapted from the popular videogame as well as star in Guy Ritchie's "RocknRolla" which is set to open on October 31. The album "Theater Of The Mind" features guest performances including T-Pain, the Game and T.I. Producers include Dre & Vidal and 9th Wonder. Other participants on the projects are Juicy J and DJ Paul of Three 6 Mafia, Chris Brown and Sean Garrett.

Coldplay to release EP featuring Viva La Vida leftovers
Coldplay’s Chris Martin has confirmed that an EP of extra tracks will be released. The release will be titled “Prospects March” or “Prospects Songs.” About two months after releasing their new album “Viva La Vida” it has already become the best-selling rock album of 2008, selling more than 1.6 million units in the US. In a radio interview, frontman Chris Martin has said that Coldplay will release an EP with leftovers of that project on December 26. Apparently, the band's sessions with producer Brian Eno yielded much more than the 12 tracks that actually made it to the album. Some of these will now be released after all. Additionally, Coldplay is planning to release an album of all new material by the end of next year.

New Scott Weiland solo album set for November release date
Stone Temple Pilot’s Scott Weiland is releasing his second solo album "Happy" on November 18. The album was co-produced by Weiland and Doug Grean, with Steve Albini also engineering some songs. The set includes guest appearances by No Doubt members Tony Kanal, Tom Dumont and Adrian Young. Weiland is planning a tour in November to support "Happy."

Queen set October 28 release date for new album
Queen & Paul Rodgers have set an October 28 US release date for their new album "The Cosmos Rocks." It will be the band's first new release since 1995 and their first with Rodgers as lead singer. The band already debuted several new songs at live shows, including first single "C-lebrity," with vocals by Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, and "Say It's Not True." The new Queen effort will contain a total of 14 new tracks.

The Cure set to release new album
The Cure's new album, "4:13 Dream" is planned for an October 14 US release. The album initially was set for a 2007 summer release date and was preceded by the release of singles on the 13th day of each of the past four months. Those tracks will also be featuring on a remix EP titled "Hypnagogic States" which is set for a September 13 rlease date. Remixing was done by 30 Seconds To Mars, AFI's Jade Puget, My Chemical Romance's Gerard Way, Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz and Patrick Stump and 65 Days Of Static and royalties will be donated to the Red Cross.

New Smiths compilation due this fall
The Smiths will be releasing another compilation this fall. The set will be titled "Hang The DJ: The Very Best Of The Smiths" and is due October 7 in both single- and double-CD versions. The regular edition includes 23 tracks and the optional bonus CD contains album tracks and B-sides, as well as alternate versions of "This Charming Man" and "Pretty Girls Make Graves."