So, it seems like we've hit the end-of-the-year/Christmas doldrums a little early this year when it comes to record releases. This week's Billboard charts are littered with greatest hits albums, Christmas albums, live albums and such fun. In fact, Bruce Springsteen was able to regain his #1 spot after taking some time away. Beyond that, a few observations:

• Jimmy Eat World are still popular! They made it in at #5 with their new disc, Chase the Light.
• Santana's new greatest hits comp, Ultimate Santana, came in at #8.
• Thrice's obtusely titled The Alchemy Index Vols. I and II: Fire and Water debuted at #24. Not to be outdone, fellow emoprog band, Coheed and Cambria released this week a new album with this (absurd) title: Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV Volume Two: No World for Tomorrow. Wow.
• And now, we can all enjoy a Toby Keith Christmas! (#39)
• Am I the only one surprised that R.E.M.'s new (and first) live album debuted at a fairly shameful #72. Michael and the boys need a major career revival …

So, what do we have to look forward to the rest of the year? Some upcoming releases:

10/30: Let's Travel Backwards Through Time Day — New albums from Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys, Duran Duran, and The Eagles (albeit only at Walmart and Sam's Club)

11/6: Angels and Airwaves (Blink 182 detritus), Jay-Z's American Gangster (oddly, unrelated to the Ridley Scott film of the same name), Nas Greatest Hits compilation.

11/13: Celine Dion! Alicia Keys! Queensryche cover album!
Oh yeah, and the Hives, a CD release of LCD Soundsystem's 45:33; and greatest hits comps from: Boyz II Men, Led Zeppelin, Spice Girls (available only at Victoria's Secret), and the Goo Goo Dolls (disturbingly refered to as Volume 1… do they have more than one Greatest Hits package in mind and if so, huh?)

11/21: At least on the 21st we get a new Lupe Fiasco album, then a lot of leftovers: Daft Punk Live! Some B-sides from the Killers. Sebastian Bach (from Skid Row) solo! Nine Inch Nails Remix! Re-release of Amy Winehouse's Frank.

Rest of 2007: Godsmack Greatest Hits! Libertines (?) Greatest Hits; Rivers Cuomo home recordings! Excitement!