Summer is traditionally a time to kick back, but tell that to the music business. The next few months will be hair tugging ones for musicians, fans, and execs alike. Will 'N Sync complete ''Celebrity'' (due July 24) before they start their stadium tour? Will TLC's Lisa ''Left Eye'' Lopes wrap up her first solo project, the tentatively titled ''A New Star Is Born,'' in time for its scheduled August arrival? And who besides Lil' Kim will guest on it? Will Usher finish his much delayed album by Aug. 7, to ensure its title -- ''8701'' -- still makes sense?
Also, will Radiohead fans take to ''Amnesiac'' (June 5), even though this speedy follow up to ''Kid A'' continues that album's head music drift, or will they flock to the Radiohead lite melodies of Travis' ''The Invisible Band'' (June 12)? Will Sisqó convince us he's more than a one thong wonder with ''Return of Dragon'' (June 19)? Will a Luther Vandross – Jill Scott duet on Vandross' self titled comeback bid (June 19) reestablish him in the retro soul age? Will ''Devil's Night'' (June 12), the first album by Eminem's group, D12, make ''The Marshall Mathers LP'' seem tame, as has been promised?
There's no question that those unmoved by mainstream country will revel in the downcast balladry of Lucinda Williams' ''Essence'' (June 5), or that fans of breezy pop and Mark McGrath's biceps will want Sugar Ray's eponymous fourth album (June 12). Lovers of Santana's ''Maria Maria'' will get an album by the voices behind that hit, the ''Product G&B; Ghetto & Blues'' (June 19) features Santana, Joe, and, possibly, accessory of choice Lil' Kim. Electronica-ites will groove to Basement Jaxx's two stepping ''Rooty'' (June 26), while hip hoppers curious to hear Foxy Brown's retorts in her recent feud with Lil' Kim will get them on ''Broken Silence'' (June). Those who prefer their music extreme can bash their heads against the nearest wall in anticipation of new ones from System of a Down (August) and Powerman 5000 (July 31). Reports of Lil' Kim cameos on each are unfounded.
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