Fall classics

Sustaining a pop career is like storming Normandy Beach on D-Day – all by yourself. Every time artists release some music, they’re besieged by the industry’s equivalent of heavily armed soldiers (i.e. unsympathetic radio programmers, fickle consumers and cutthroat competitors), all firing bullets that could end their career. And fall is when the heaviest guns come out (i.e., the most starry competition), making the potential for failure that much more common – and public.

This autumn has its own bloody battles in store. 50 Cent and Kanye West will go mano-a-mano on Tuesday, releasing their respective third CDs to create a punishing game of compare-and-contrast. (Fitty has vowed to quit his solo career if Kanye outsells him.)

Alicia Keys faces the daunting task of topping her excellent first two CDs, while Nicole Scherzinger kicks off a potentially ruinous trend for the culture at large by becoming the first Pussycat Doll to purr out a solo disc.

And stars who’ve been delinquent on the scene for a dangerous spell – from Seal to Annie Lennox to Joni Mitchell – will test the waters with their first works in eons.

Who will survive this fray, no one can say. But we can offer a guide to who’s engaged in the fight:

Struggling to stay on top

“Kenny Chesney, “Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates” (Tuesday). His second post-Renee Zellweger release.

“50 Cent, “Curtis” (Tuesday). So far his singles haven’t clicked, so the heat is on his third official CD, and first in three years.

“Kanye West, “Graduation” (Tuesday). The finale in the Chicago rapper’s school-themed trilogy.

“Babyface, “Play-list” (Sept. 18). An all-covers album from mainstream R&B’s swankiest singer.

“Gloria Estefan, “90 Millas” (Sept. 18). Spanish-language odes to her native Cuba, featuring Latin guests like Santana, Jose Feliciano, Johnny Pacheco and more.

“Barry Manilow, “The Greatest Songs of the ‘70s” (Sept. 18). The third in Manilow’s series of hit CDs, which previously covered the ‘50s and ‘60s. (Also known as “Barry Murders Yet Another Decade’s Hits.”)

“Foo Fighters, “Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace” (Sept. 25). Back to hard rock from the guys who recently went (sorta) acoustic.

“Bruce Springsteen, “Magic” (Oct. 2). The first album with Bruce and his E Street band since their 9/11-themed work, “The Rising,” five years ago is a return to what manager Jon Landau calls “high-energy rock.”

“Santana, “Ultimate Santana” (Oct. 16). A hits disc featuring three new songs that pair the guitar ace with Shakira, Lil Wayne and Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger.

“Ashanti, “The Declaration” (Oct. 23). The thin-voiced beauty’s fourth studio release.

“Alicia Keys, “As I Am” (Oct. 23). The superstar’s latest studio album is also her first in four years.

Going for No. 2

“James Blunt, “All the Lost Souls” (Sept 18). The first single is titled “1973,” which says a lot about the company, and era, Blunt wants to keep.

“Chamillionaire, “Ultimate Victory” (Sept. 18). No N, B or P words – what fun could that be?

“Keyshia Cole, “Just Like You” (Sept. 18). The best breakout R&B singer in recent years tries to live up to her terrific debut.

“KT Tunstall, “Drastic Fantastic” (Sept. 18). The Scottish singer gets rockier this time.

“Chris Brown, “Exclusive” (Oct. 30). The follow-up from R&B’s most-scream-inducing teen dream.

“Lupe Fiasco, “The Cool” (Oct. 30). An encore from the innovative rapper.

“Carrie Underwood, untitled (Oct. 30). The sophomore offering from the biggest country “American Idol.”

Making it on their own

“Pat Monahan, “Last of Seven” (Sept. 18). The debut from the ruggedly handsome singer of Train.

“will. i. am, “Songs About Girls” (Sept. 25). The Black Eyed Peas leader, and a prolific producer in his own right, puts out his first solo album.

“Nicole Scherzinger, “Her Name Is Nicole” (Oct. 16.) The solo debut from the only Pussycat Doll who can kinda sing.

“Serj Tankian, “Elect the Dead” (Oct. 23). Let’s hope all the songs from the System of a Down frontman aren’t about his favorite subject: the persecution of Armenians.

“Jordin Sparks, untitled (November). Now standing apart from her “American Idol” competition, this year’s winner will issue her risky debut. She better hope it does better than Taylor Hicks’ first – or Katharine McPhee’s, for that matter.

Comebacks from the edge

“Ja Rule, “The Mirror” (Sept. 25). The most vilified man in rap tries to regain his good name with his first CD in three years.

“Joni Mitchell, “Shine” (Sept. 25). The legend’s first album of new material in nine years appears on the Starbucks label, a la Paul McCartney’s latest.

“Seal, “System” (Sept. 25). The husky-voiced singer took time away from model-wife Heidi Klum just long enough to put out his first work in four years.

“Chaka Khan, “Funk This” (Sept. 25). The deep-soul diva’s first album in 10 years features production from Jam and Lewis, and guest spots for Mary J. Blige and Michael McDonald.

“John Fogerty, “Revival” (Oct. 2). The former Creedence Clearwater Revival leader puts out his first solo album in four years, released on the label he famously battled for decades, Fantasy.

“Annie Lennox, “Songs of Mass Destruction” (Oct. 2). Her first solo album in half a decade – and only her fourth overall – features guest spots from Madonna, Dido, Bonnie Raitt, Pink, Fergie and KT Tunstall.

“Kid Rock, “Rock and Roll Jesus” (Oct. 9). The self-declared white-trash rap-rocker’s first CD of new material in four years.

“Backstreet Boys, “Unbreakable” (Oct. 30). The former boy band’s first release in three years – without the manliest member, Kevin Richardson.

“Q-Tip “The Renaissance” (Dec. 18). The endlessly delayed second solo album from the seminal and supertalented New York rapper, his first work in eight years, finally arrives.

Looking to break out

■Kenna, “Make Sure They See My Face” (Tuesday). Kenna opened the New Jersey Live Earth show, giving him instant exposure to millions. Produced by Chad Hugo of the Neptunes.

■Eskimo Joe, “Black Fingernails, Red Wine” (Sept. 25). Australia’s No. 1 band tries to become the next Men at Work.

■Iron and Wine, “The Shepherd’s Dog” (Sept. 25). Following up on the hit soundtrack to “Garden State,” this could be the next indie-pop act to hit big, a la Arcade Fire, Spoon and The Shins.

■J. Holiday, “Back of My ‘Lac” (Oct. 2). A new R&B singer who already has a hot hit single with “Bed.”

Cult hipsters

“Joe Henry, “Civilians” (Tuesday). The brilliant latest CD from one of the world’s most respected producers.

“Angie Stone, “The Art of Love and War” (Sept. 18). The excellent R&B singer (and ex-girlfriend of D’Angelo) returns on the revived, and revered, Stax Records.

“Twista, “Adrenaline Rush 2007” (Sept. 18). The fastest rapper on the planet returns.

“Devendra Banhart, “Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon” (Sept. 25). The king of freak folk hopes to retain his quirky crown.

“Steve Earle, “Washington Square Serenade” (Sept. 25). An ode to the city, with a political twist, no doubt.

“P.J. Harvey, “Wolves” (Sept. 25). The avant-gardist’s first in three years.

“Queen Latifah, “Trav’lin Light” (Sept. 25). Not rap – it’s jazz standards, like the last one.

“Deborah Harry, “Necessary Evil” (Sept. 25). The ex-Blondie’s first solo album in 14 (!) years.

“David Banner, “Greatest Story Ever Told” (Oct. 9). The new one from the respected Southern rapper.

“Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, “Raising Sand” (Oct. 23). The former Led Zeppelin singer and the country mainstay form a unique tete-a-tete.

“Dave Gahan, “Hourglass” (Oct. 23). The second solo album from the bosso profundo singer of Depeche Mode.

“Sex Pistols, “Never Mind the Bollocks” (Oct. 23). A commemorative package celebrating 30 years since the seminal punk album appalled the world. Does it come with its own vintage syringe?