Summer CD rivalry could be a bit torrid

It’s deja vu all over again.

Back in January, a panel of music insiders surveyed by Pop Eye said that two of the most anticipated albums for the spring were upcoming releases from Coldplay and Black Eyed Peas.

Now, asked to look ahead to the summer season, panelists say two of the most anticipated albums are upcoming releases from ... Coldplay and Black Eyed Peas.

Such are the vagaries of album release schedules, with both of those CDs having been pushed back a little in the year.

But if anything, the wait has only made anticipation for each stronger.

Coldplay’s third album, “X&Y;,” due Tuesday, is expected to take the English quartet to the top of the pop world, its heartfelt romanticism and searches for meaning firming up long-standing comparisons to U2’s wide reach.

“This is now officially the Biggest Band in the World That’s Not U2 or Green Day,” says Spin executive editor Doug Brod.

“I don’t think Chris Martin knows how to write a bad song,” says Matt Smith, KROQ-FM (106.7) music director, about Coldplay’s frontman.

The Black Eyed Peas, after a decade as a highly respected but so-so selling force in hip-hop, broke through as a hit presence with 2003’s “Elephunk.” With that platform, the group is considered a sure thing with “Monkey Business,” also due Tuesday. The Black Eyed Peas have been embraced by several radio formats, and the broad appeal is reflected in the cast of guest performers, including Justin Timberlake (who was also on the last one), James Brown, Mos Def, Sting and Jack Johnson.

But even with those albums’ release dates pushed back from the crowded spring, the field is hardly clear. Between now and Labor Day, they will face stiff competition from strong contenders in hip-hop (Kanye West), R&B; (R. Kelly), country (Faith Hill), rock (the White Stripes) and youthful pop newcomers (Courtney Jaye).

“It feels like there’s a little something for everyone,” says Billboard senior analyst Geoff Mayfield. “My concern is that during May we had a decent amount of high-profile artists, but [there was] only one week in the parade that started with Bruce Springsteen’s new album in which sales were up over what they were last year. But summer can be a time that can be a barren part of the schedule, and it doesn’t sound like we’ll have a drought this year, so that’s promising.”

Joining Brod, Smith and Mayfield among the polled experts this round are radio station music directors Julie Pilat of pop station KIIS-FM (102.7), E Man of hip-hop outlet KPWR-FM (105.9) and Tonya Campos of country’s KZLA-FM (93.9); Vibe music editor Erik Parker; and Fred Fox, executive vice president of merchandising and marketing of the Trans World Entertainment group of retail store chains.

Overall

Win: Coldplay

Place: West, “Late Registration” (due July 12)

Show: Black Eyed Peas

Pop

Win: Black Eyed Peas

“The single ‘Don’t Phunk With My Heart’ is already a No. 1 at KIIS,” says Pilat. “And the album gives fans many new, infectious pop songs as well as some unexpected gems.”

Place: Backstreet Boys, “Never Gone” (June 14)

Breakthrough: Jaye, “Traveling Light” (Tuesday)

“It’s tough to put her in a category,” says Pilat. “She’s very pop but also alt-country. I think her story will build through summer and fall and grab the attention of the kids watching ‘TRL’ on MTV.”

Also watch: Shakira (Spanish-language album “Fijacion Oral Vol. 1,” due Tuesday with English version set for November), Ricky Martin’s comeback and the “Herbie Fully Loaded” soundtrack.

Hip-hop

Win: West

“Three Grammys later, the Chicago rapper-producer will likely hit -- and perhaps even surpass -- the heights of his debut album,” Brod says of the immodest performer. “Even if he does say so himself.”

Place: Black Eyed Peas

Show: Young Jeezy, “Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101” (June 28)

“Atlanta’s next big thing raps about crime, drugs and street lore,” says Vibe’s Parker. “Infectious choruses, decipherable lyrics and gangster talk with flair makes this guy the most anticipated new rapper.”

Breakthrough: Paul Wall, “The People’s Champ” (July 19)

Also watch for: G-Unit protege Tony Yayo, DMX, Missy Elliott, Ying Yang Twins, Fat Joe.

Rock

Win: Coldplay

Place: Foo Fighters, “In Your Honor” (June 14)

“We always get two or three great songs from every Foos record,” says KROQ’s Smith. “This one is two discs and off to a great start with the single ‘Best of You,’ so we might get five songs.”

Show: White Stripes, “Get Behind Me Satan” (Tuesday)

“We still play three songs from ‘Elephant’ and two from ‘White Blood Cells,’ and I’m sure this will give us a few more,” says Smith.

Breakthrough: The Bloodhound Gang, title and release date TBA.

Smith says the group’s novelty angle is perfect for the season -- “in the summer it tends to be exactly what people want to hear.”

Also watch for: Oasis, All-American Rejects, Transplants, Jason Mraz.

Country

Win: Hill, “Fireflies” (Aug. 2)

“The current single ‘Mississippi Girl’ is her first in two years, and there is a lot of anticipation for her return,” says KZLA’s Campos.

Place: Brad Paisley, “Time Well Wasted” (Aug. 16)

Show: Sara Evans, title TBA (Aug. 30)

“She was voted one of People magazine’s 50 most beautiful people,” Campos says of the singer, who also was the most-played female artist on country radio in 2004.

Breakthrough: Ryan Shupe & the Rubber Band, title TBA (Aug. 16)

Also watch for: Brooks & Dunn, George Strait, Dwight Yoakam, Jessica Andrews.

R&B;

Win: Kelly, title TBA (July 5)

“This is getting a lot of attention for the single ‘Trapped,’ a five-part yarn,” says Mayfield. “The story progresses across five singles, and you won’t hear the fifth until the album is released. It seems the target audience is reacting.”

Place: Keyshia Cole, “The Way It Is” (Tuesday)

“With the heart and soul of Mary J. Blige, she brings fresh perspective to the R&B; set,” says Parker.

Show: Various, “Jermaine Dupri Presents . . . Young, Fly & Flashy Vol. 1” (July 19).