Will Taylor Swift run away with the biggest-selling album of the year again?

Do geezer-rockers Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Carlos Santana and Robert Plant still have it?

Will T.I. make a comeback and stay out of jail?

Is there any love left for Nelly?

These are just a few of the intriguing plotlines in this fall's batch of new CD releases (dates are subject to change and surely will).

-- Scott Mervis

Just out

Interpol, "Interpol": Fourth album and first in three years finds the New York post-punk band down to a trio, with the departure of bassist Carlos Dengler, but still holding to the taut, gloomy sound.

Jerry Lee Lewis, "Mean Old Man": The Killer, still rockin' at 74, is joined by the worshipful likes of Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Slash, Solomon Burke, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and John Mayer.

Robyn, "Body Talk Pt 2": Second of a three mini-albums from the Swedish dance-pop star leads with the single "Hang With Me."

Sara Bareilles, "Kaleidoscope Heart": Second album from the singer-songwriter-pianist who broke out in 2007 with "Love Song."

Anberlin, "Dark Is The Way: Light Is A Place": Fifth album by the Florida band was recorded in Nashville with producer Brendan O'Brien (Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen) and features the single "Impossible" (not to be confused with Shontelle's).

Sept. 14

Linkin Park, "A Thousand Suns": Fourth album from the California rap-rock band was co-produced by Rick Rubin (U2, Johnny Cash) and comes with the promise that it will be "genre-busting."

Weezer, "Hurley": The power-pop band moves to Epitaph to issue its first album on an indie label in 17 years. Even though the "Lost" character appears on the album cover, the name derives from the clothing company. It's complicated.

Robert Plant, "Band Of Joy": Fresh from his Grammy-winning Allison Krauss project, the Led Zep frontman goes rootsy again with guitarist Buddy Miller and singer Patty Griffin on songs by Los Lobos, Low and more.

Brandon Flowers, "Flamingo": Solo debut from the Killers' singer was produced by Daniel Lanois and Brendan O'Brien and features a debut with Rilo Kiley's Jenny Lewis.

Trey Songz, "Passion, Pain & Pleasure": The sexually charged R&B singer's fourth album and follow-up to 2009's "Ready" is advanced by the single "Bottoms Up" with Nicki Minaj.

Grinderman, "Grinderman 2": A second helping from the dark punk band led by the legendary Nick Cave.

Jamey Johnson, "The Guitar Song": The follow-up to the country star's Grammy-nominated "That Lonesome Song" is a 25-song double-album narrative.

Mavis Staples, "You Are Not Alone": Gospel-soul icon turns to Wilco's Jeff Tweedy for production and songwriting.

Black Mountain, "Wilderness Heart": Third album by heavy and heavily acclaimed Canadian psych-rock band.

Of Montreal, "False Priest": Tenth album from the genre-bending Athens band was produced by Jon Brion and features Janelle Monae.

The Walkmen, "Lisbon": Sixth album from the sonic New York indie-rock band best known for the ambitious single "The Rat."

Sept. 21

Maroon 5, "Hands All Over": Producer Robert "Mutt" Lange (Shania Twain) is on board for the LA soul-pop band's first album in three years, leading with the hit single "Misery."

Zac Brown Band, "You Get What You Give": Southern-rock jam band and Best New Artist Grammy winners return with the follow-up to double-platinum debut "The Foundation."

Santana. "Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics of All Time": Guitar god takes on classics with Chris Cornell ("Whole Lotta Love"), Pat Monahan ("Dance the Night Away"), Scott Weiland ("Can't You Hear Me Knockin'"), Nas ("Back In Black"), india.arie ("While My Guitar Gently Weeps") and more.

John Legend & The Roots, "Wake Up!": The R&B singer and hip-hop powerhouse hook up for socially conscious songs from the '60s and '70s by the likes of Marvin Gaye and Donny Hathaway.

Shontelle, "No Gravity": Second album by the R&B singer from Barbados has already scored a Top 15 hit with "Impossible."

Michael Franti & Spearhead, "The Sound Of Sunshine": The follow-up to "All Rebel Rockers" was recorded with a mobile studio while the hip-hop rocker was touring with John Mayer.

Selena Gomez & The Scene, "A Year Without Rain": Second album from the "Wizards of Waverly Place" star features the single "Round & Round."

Maximum Balloon, "Maximum Balloon": "Poppy" side project by TV on the Radio's David Andrew Sitek features vocals by Karen O, David Byrne, and TVOTR's Kyp Malone and Tunde Adebimpe.

Sept. 27

Lil Wayne, "I'm Not a Human Being": Still serving his sentence in Rikers Island, the rapper commemorates his 28th birthday with a digital-only EP.

Sept. 28

Kenny Chesney, "Hemingway's Whiskey": Country superstar returns, this time celebrating the gridiron with the lead single "The Boys of Fall."

T.I., "King Uncaged": Atlanta rapper and "Takers" star returns with first album since his prison release.

Eric Clapton, "Clapton": Guitar hero takes on rare country blues songs and originals with help from Sheryl Crow, Steve Winwood Allen Toussaint, Wynton Marsalis and JJ Cale.

Neil Young, "Le Noise": The beloved singer-songwriter goes it alone on acoustic and electric guitars with sonic textures by producer Daniel Lanois.

Phil Collins, "Going Back": Genesis singer goes back to Motown and the soul music that inspired him.

Mark Ronson, "Record Collection": Rather than updating covers, the producer pens originals for third album, which features the likes of Q-Tip, Ghostface Killah, Simon LeBon and Boy George.

Ice Cube, "I Am The West": Ninth album from the N.W.A. rapper-turned-movie star features beats from Dr. Dre, DJ Quik, E-A-Ski, and Sir Jinx.

Seal, "6: Commitment": Sixth album from the ballad singer re-teams him with Grammy-winning producer David Foster.

Bad Religion, "The Dissent Of Man": Venerable LA punk band issues its 15th album and follow-up to 2007's "New Maps of Hell."

Young Jeezy, "Thug Motivation 103": Jay-Z sidekick from Atlanta works with Plies and Yo Gotti on new album.

No Age, "Everything in Between": Third album from noisy LA art-punk duo.

Doobie Brothers, "World Gone Crazy": The classic-rock band's first album in 10 years features guest spots by former member Michael McDonald and Willie Nelson and leads with "Nobody," a re-recording of its very first single.

Deerhunter "Halcyon Digest": Fourth studio release from the edgy Atlanta indie-rock band.

Oct. 5

Toby Keith, "Bullets In The Gun": Rabble-rousing country star's 15th studio album led by the single "Trailerhood."

Soundgarden, "Telephantasm": Seattle grunge band retrospective includes "Black Rain," an unreleased track from the "Badmotorfinger" sessions.

Bruno Mars, "Doo-Wops & Hooligans": The silky-voiced Hawaiian-born singer-producer, featured on recent B.o.B. and Travie McCoy songs, issues a debut, featuring the single "Just the Way You Are" (not the Billy Joel song).

David Archuleta, "The Other Side Of Down": Third album from the young "American Idol" crooner.

Guster, "Easy Wonderful": First album in four years features 12 new songs, a few of which were showcased here during the Three Rivers Arts Festival.

Oct. 12

Darius Rucker, "Charleston, SC 1966": A second country album from the Hootie and the Blowfish frontman.

Antony & The Johnsons, "Swanlights": Album number four from the eccentric New York chamber-pop darlings.

Trapt, "No Apologies": Fourth album from the angsty California alt-rock band.

Oct. 19

Bob Dylan, "The Witmark Demos: 1962-64 (The Bootleg Series Vol. 9)": Solo Dylan on 47 tracks including 15 songs never released.

Elton John & Leon Russell, "The Union": Collaborative effort between the two singer-pianists produced by T Bone Burnett. The first single "If It Wasn't for Bad" is available now digitally.

Ciara, "Basic Instinct": Much-delayed fourth album was co-produced by Tricky Stewart, The-Dream and Ciara and feature Ludacris on the lead single "Ride."

Ne-Yo, "Libra Scale": The R&B singer-songwriter's fourth effort, originally intended to come with a short film a la "Thriller," is a concept album about crime-fighting garbagemen. Really.

Sugarland, "The Incredible Machine": Lively Atlanta country duo of Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush delivers a fourth studio album, led by the single "Stuck Like Glue."

Oct. 26

Taylor Swift, "Speak Now": Last time, the 21-year-old superstar scored multiple Grammys and the biggest-selling album of the year with "Fearless." Now comes the follow-up, another collaboration with Nathan Chapman, led by the single "Mine."

Kid Cudi, "Man On The Moon 2: The Legend Of Mr. Rager": Sophomore album from the Cleveland rapper features production by the likes of Kanye West and the Neptunes and guest spots by Snoop Dogg, Pharrell and more.

Good Charlotte, "Cardiology": Second try at a fifth album from the Maryland pop-punk band, produced by Don Gilmore (Linkin Park).

Nov. 2

Elvis Costello, "American Ransom": Rootsy new album features the Imposters and Sugarcanes with guests Vince Gill, Marc Ribot, Buddy Miller and Leon Russell. One song is described as "rock and roll, as it sounded in 1921."

Jay Sean, "Freeze Time": British singer follows his breakout album "Down" a second American album featuring "2012," with Nicki Minaj.

Brad Paisley, "Hits Alive": Two CD set features studio and live versions of his hits.

Nov. 16

Nelly, "Nelly 5.0": Sixth album from the St. Louis rapper will feature guest spots by Play-N-Skillz, Sean Paul, Plies and Akon.

Kid Rock, "Born Free": Eighth album from the Detroit rocker features Bob Seger, Sheryl Crow, Zac Brown, Trace Adkins and T.I.

Lee DeWyze: As-yet-untitled major label debut from this year's "American Idol" winner.

Bruce Springsteen, "The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story": Three-CD, three-DVD box of outtakes, rarities and live performances from the "Darkness" era.

Nov. 23

Nicki Minaj, "Pink Friday": Debut from the singer-rapper from Trinidad will feature production from the likes of Swizz Beatz, Kanye West and will.i.am.

Nov. 29

Susan Boyle, "The Gift": Second helping from the breakout star of "Britain's Got Talent."

Scott Mervis: smervis@post-gazette.com; 412-263-2576. Follow him at http://twitter.com/scottmervis_pg.

Critics Andrew Druckenbrod and Scott Mervis talk about music on "The Beat," available exclusively at PG+, a members-only web site of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.