The Who [ tickets ]
"Endless Wire"
(Universal Republic)

It will be a very happy Halloween for The Who fans, as the classic rock act releases its first new studio album since 1982's "It's Hard."

According to a press release, the new record will include new tracks, "as well as music culled from a 29-minute operatic work, described by The Who's co-founder Pete Townshend as a mini-opera inspired by his novella 'The Boy Who Heard Music.'" All of the songs that appear on "Wire & Glass," an EP recently issued by The Who (available in the US only as an import), will turn up on the forthcoming album.

The sole remaining founding members of the group are guitarist/singer Townshend and frontman Roger Daltrey. Original Who bassist John Entwistle died of a cocaine-induced heart attack in 2002. Original drummer Keith Moon died of a drug overdose in 1978.

Last month, The Who kicked off its first world tour in 20 years. The touring lineup includes drummer Zak Starkey (son of Ringo Starr), guitarist Simon Townshend (Pete Townshend's brother), bassist Pino Palladino and keyboardist John Bundrick.

Meat Loaf [ tickets ]
"Bat Out Of Hell III"
(Virgin)

What better time than Halloween for Meat Loaf to release the third installment of this ghoulishly titled series? The first two efforts, 1977's "Bat Out of Hell" and 1993's "Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell," were tremendously successfully, combining to sell some 45 million copies around the globe.

"Bat Out of Hell III" features seven songs written by longtime collaborator Jim Steinman. Steinman's involvement follows the amicable resolution of a lawsuit regarding ownership of the lucrative "Bat Out of Hell" trademark.

Produced by Desmond Child (Aerosmith, Cher), "Bat Out of Hell III" features additional vocal arrangements by Todd Rundgren, producer of the first "Bat Out of Hell" album, and songs by Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue), John 5 (Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie) and Marti Frederiksen, a contributing Aerosmith songwriter.

During a recent teleconference, Meat Loaf said that the upcoming "Bat Out of Hell III" tour, slated to start March 1 in Florida, will be his last.

Barry Manilow [ tickets ]
"The Greatest Songs of the Sixties"
(Arista)

Having hit the jackpot with "The Greatest Songs of the Fifties," Manilow now jumps a decade and shoots for gold with this set.

"The Greatest Songs of the Sixties" find the crooner covering such well-known '60s chart-toppers as "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," "Can't Help Falling in Love," "Blue Velvet," "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" and "Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime."

Deftones
"Saturday Night Wrist"
(Maverick)

The Deftones return with the first release since their 2003 self-titled album. The first single from the record is "Hole in the Earth."

The band is supporting the album with a lengthy tour, which kicked off last week and is currently scheduled to last through an early December date in Washington, DC.

Phish
"Colorado '88"
(JEMP)

This three-disc live set chronicles the legendary jam band's early trip through the Rocky Mountain state, and features many songs that would go on to become staples of the group's concerts. "Colorado '88" is available exclusively through the band's website.

Other new releases:
Ayo, "Joyful" (Universal)
Behemoth, "Pandemonic Incantation" (Metal Mind)
Birdman, Lil Wayne, "Like Father, Like Son" (Cash Money)
Closterkeller, "Nero" (Metal Mind)
Sonny Curtis, "Beatle Hits Flamenco Style Guitar" (E)
Desdemona, "Version 3.0" (Metal Mind)
DJ Jazzy Jeff, "Hip Hop Forever, Vol. 3" (Rapster)
Kevin Federline, "Playing With Fire" (Reincarnate)
Flavor Flav, "Hollywood" (Draytown)
Lady Sovereign, "Public Warning" (Def Jam)
Lizard, "Spam" (Metal Mind)
Pitbull, "El Mariel" (TVT)
Theatre of Hate, "Revolution" (USD)
Various Artists, "Bayou Blues Blasters" (ACE)