Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne, and R.E.M. Highlight New CD Releases for March 2011

After a slow start to the year in hot music releases, the month of March heats up as several big name acts hit the airwaves with new albums. Check out some of what's in store this month:

March 8^th

Avril Lavigne - Goodbye Lullaby

After several delays, Canadian pop/punk singer Avril Lavigne will finally be releasing her fourth studio album, "Goodbye Lullaby," this March. It is her first set of new music since 2007's "The Best Damn Thing" and it's been two years in the making. Look for a mix of typical pop/punk sounding songs like the first single "What the Hell" (which the singer previewed on Dick Clark's "New Year's Rockin Eve" in January) and heartfelt, honest ballads. "Not only is this the most meaningful and special record I have written, it is sincere, honest and close to my heart," Lavigne wrote in an open letter to her fans. Check out the video for "What the Hell" right here.

R.E.M. - Collapse Into Now

Georgia-based super group R.E.M. will be releasing their first set since 2009's "R.E.M. Live at the Olympia." The record is their 15^th studio album and their first since 2008's politically-charged "Accelerate." The new set contains 12 tracks that are far more personal in nature and features guest appearances by the likes of Patti Smith, Eddie Vedder, Lenny Kaye, and Peaches. Check out a short preview trailer of "Collapse Into Now" right here.

March 15^th

New York Dolls - Dancing Backwards in High Heels

Who knew that this legendary 70's punk band was still around? They're dropping their newest this March.

March 22^nd

Chris Brown - F.A.M.E.

The embattled R&B singer is glad that people are finally giving attention to his music after several bouts of notoriety beginning with his much hyped breakup with former girlfriend Rihanna. The singer has been putting out singles all along, including the hits "Deuces" and "Yeah 3X." If the success of these are any indication, the new album will keep Brown's music on the front burner for awhile to come! Check out the high flying "Yeah 3X" here.

Duran Duran - All You Need is Now

Yes, the boys...men, that is, from Duran Duran are still making music together. This new record will be the band's 13^th, and is said to be an effective mix of 21^st Century club music and a "throwback" to the band's glory days. Should be interesting! Check out the title cut here.

Green Day - Awesome as a F**k

Green Day's latest live set contains the best f the best from their 21^st Century Breakdown Tour. A companion DVD of "Awesome as a F**k" will also be made available. For a full track listing of the set, click here.

Jennifer Hudson - I Remember Me

The former American Idol contestant, Oscar winner, and current Weight Watchers spokesperson will be releasing her long-awaited sophomore album, "I Remember Me," this March. Take a preview of the album's first single, "Where You At?" right here.

Also coming March 22^nd:
Soundgarden - Live on I5

March 29^th

Panic! At the Disco - Vices and Virtues

Panic! At the Disco is back, this time as a duo, for their first set in three years. After the departure of founding members, guitarist Ryan Ross and bassist Jon Walker, the remaining duo of Brendon Urie and Spencer Smith set out to create a musical album of songs that are admittedly "all over the place." "They don't sound anything like each other..." says Urie in an interview with MTV. The band says fans of their first record, "A Fever You Can't Sweat Out," will be happy with the music on the new record. Time will tell! Check out the video for Panic!'s first single, "The Ballad of Mona Lisa," here.

Britney Spears - Femme Fatale

Fresh off the heels of her hit single, "Hold It Against Me," Britney Spears will be debuting her follow-up to 2008's platinum "Circus" LP this March. The new record will contain 12 new songs (a special digital version of the album will feature 16) and the singer characterizes it as "definitely upbeat" and calls it the "best album [she's] ever made." Check out the video for "Hold It Against Me" here.

Also coming March 29^th:

Florence and the Machine - Between Two Lungs

Snoop Dogg - Doggumentary

*Release dates are always subject to change.

Sources:

http://www.aolradioblog.com/2010/12/14/avril-lavigne-goodbye-lullaby-2011-new-album-preview/

http://www.aolradioblog.com/2011/01/12/britney-spears-2011-new-album-preview/

http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/jennifer-hudson-to-release-i-remember-me-on-march-22nd/8692245

http://www.billboard.com/news/new-r-e-m-album-collapse-into-now-out-march-1004134978.story#/news/new-r-e-m-album-collapse-into-now-out-march-1004134978.story

http://www.billboard.com/news/panic-at-the-disco-sets-mar-29-release-for-1004139329.story#/news/panic-at-the-disco-sets-mar-29-release-for-1004139329.story

http://consequenceofsound.net/2010/12/album-review-duran-duran-%E2%80%93-all-you-need-is-now/

http://features.metacritic.com/features/upcoming-album-release-calendar/

http://www.greendayauthority.com/news/2128/

http://idolator.com/5730002/avril-lavigne-raises-what-the-hell-on-new-years-eve

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1653800/avril-lavignes-goodbye-lullaby-due-out-march.jhtml

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1656627/panic-at-the-disco-vice-virtues-new-album.jhtml

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657068/chris-brown-fame-release-date.jhtml

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659087/britney-spears-criminal.jhtml

http://www.prefixmag.com/reviews/new-york-dolls/dancing-backwards-in-high-heels/48205/

http://stereogum.com/567251/r-e-m-collapse-into-now-details/news/