Release Date: Early Summer
First Single: "Never Again" - only a remix has leaked so far, but it's going for radio plays tomorrow.
How I Became A Fan: American Idol of course, and I've stuck with her thru From Justin to Kelly and she's grown into an awesome artist.
Seen Live?: Only, like, 5 times....
Rufus Wainwright - "Release The Stars"
Release Date: May 15
First Single: "Going To A Town"
How I Became A Fan: Heard him on soundtracks (Shrek, Moulin Rouge, I Am Sam), then slowly gathered his albums.
Seen Live?: Yes, with Ben Folds a couple years ago (awesome "Careless Whispers" duet)
Bjork - "Volta"
Release Date: May 7
First Single: "Earth Intruders" - Collab w/Timbaland, just downloaded it off iTunes this week, its crazy cool.
How I Became A Fan: Her movie "Dancer in the Dark" - she played a going blind woman who lived for music; it's a dramatic musical. From there I realized her genius and started collecting her albums.
Seen Live?: Not yet, but I have a live DVD
Maroon 5 - "It Won't Be Soon Before Long"
Release Date: May 22
First Single: "Makes Me Wonder" - a great return for one of my favorite bands in college, this song has the makings of another hit.
How I Became A Fan: My friend introduced me to them in the Fall of 2002, then about 2 years later they exploded.
Seen Live?: Four times. First time I was leaning my elbows on the stage in San Fransisco, second time was a little further back in L.A., third time I was in the lower balcony at Universal Studios, then I was in nosebleed at the Savemart Center.
Avril Lavigne - "The Best Damn Thing"
Release Date: April 17
First Single: "Girlfriend" - not the best song on the album (it already leaked), that would go to "Runaway".
How I Became A Fan: Saw her first video on MTV the first Summer after my freshman year in college...resisted until I downloaded her full album and found out that she could sing. She's my guilty pop/rock pleasure.
Seen Live?: Fresno 2004
Rooney - "Calling The World"
Release Date: June 19
First Single: Unknown
How I Became A Fan: Through my brother, then they got big after they were on the OC. Really solid debut album.
Seen Live?: With Kelly Clarkson last year in Marysville *shudder*
