Gordon Lightfoot Book, Music and More!

Her fans range from Nick Cave and The Pet Shop Boys to Scissor Sisters, so it may only be a matter of time before Minogue finally becomes a major star in North America. Her first post-cancer album will certainly boost her profile. A joyously hedonistic affair, with plenty of disco and electropop highlights, it features such sensuous numbers as the throbbing “Like a Drug” and the pulsating, Kraftwerk-like “Speakerphone.” Minogue even dabbles in a bit of rap on “Heart Beat Rock” and the playfully erotic “Nu-di-ty.” Nov. 27

Lock up your daughters—the lecherous pretty boys of synth pop are back. The Durannies, still best known for provocative ’80s hits like “Girls on Film” and “Hungry Like a Wolf,” hope some of Justin Timberlake’s SexyBack powers rub off on them. JT joins Simon LeBon and crew on the disco noir of “Falling Down,” which features an X-rated video with topless models. Timbaland and JT muscle in on the edgy thump of “Nite Runner,” while Timba himself lends his authoritative rap to the ominous “Skin Divers.” Nov. 13

It’s hard to hate Seal. Sure, the British soul-pop singer’s a one-hit wonder (1995’s “Kiss From a Rose”). And he married German supermodel Heidi Klum and now spends most of his time skiing at Whistler resorts. But Joni Mitchell loves him, which should count for something. And the poor guy has to live with those facial scars, due to a childhood disease. Still, this hopelessly dated sounding album—complete with a self-indulgent Klum duet, the cringe-inducing “Wedding Day”—makes hating him just a little easier. Nov. 13