Animal Collective

Hey, Folks! Happy new year!

The recently passed year of 2008 was a decent one, musically. Decent because we saw quite a couple of fine albums come out, with some nice, surprising debuts (see Fleet Foxes, Vampire Weekend, Bon Iver), but nothing really that stood out. Frankly, ten years from now 2008 will only be remembered by people as the year Chinese Democracy came out. Period.

For 2009, though, I’m hoping for a more memorable year and, judging from the list of albums coming up this year, it might just happen. Bellow, you can check out just a few of 2009’s albums that we’re dying to listen to.

1. Animal Collective – Merryweather Post Pavilion (January 13th)

I always loved AC for their eccentric and innovative way of abording music, and that’s not really hard to see, even for those who haven’t heard their music. When you’ve got band members going by the name of Panda and Geologist you know there’s something special about these guys. Strawberry Jam, the groups last studio effort, was really awesome, so I’ve got really high hopes for AC’s upcoming new album, Merryweather Post Pavillion, which gets out really close, in January. Nice way to kick off the year, eh ?

2. John Frusciante – The Empyrian (January 20th)

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are undoubtedly a killer band, with a catalog that would put most bands to shame. However popular they may be though, fans don’t seem to appreciate too much the solo work of the band members, and when I say RHCP solo work, I mean John Frusciante.

He’s released nine really hectic albums (ranging from lame to beautifully serene), with his tenth, titled “The Empyrian,” on the way. I’m feeling really sorry for all those people that think of John only as that dude who plays guitar for the Chillies and does some pretty backup vocals here and there, becasue they’re simply missing out on some quality, raffined music. It’s not for everyone, I know, especially in the period when he was on drugs (“Your Pussy’s Glued to a Building on Fire” is the title of a song from that time), but still if you learn to appreciate his music, you’ll surely be in for a treat. Here’s me rooting for a very special album from J.

3. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (January 27th)

Last time the ‘Boss’ teamed up with the jolly fellows from the E Street Band, they produced 2007’s Magic, one of the year’s best and another solid addition to Bruce’s intimidating discography. Last year’s election have seen Bruce committed to Obama’s presidential campaign, playing gigs across the country in support for the now recently elected president of the USA. This undoubtedly went on to influence how his latest album on the upcoming (had a chance to listen to a few tracks), going by the name of “Working On A Dream” – a record packed with messaged of hope, new beginnings and change.

A new Bruce Springsteen album is always a chance to rejoice, so, again, fingers crossed.

4. Lily Allen – It’s Not Me, It’s You (February 9th)

One of the best debut artist of the last few years, Lily Allen, is also prepping a new studio effort this, titled “It’s Not Me, It’s You.” Lily’s debut album “Alright, Still” took everybody completely by surprise and propelled her into instant fame. The album did extremely well both financially (it moved over 2.5 mil units) and critically. Well done, miss Allen, but can you put another Alright? We all hope so.

5. Morrissey – Years of Refusal (February 16th)

The man around a cult following has been born around time (you can always recognize a fan by the hair), Morrissey, has always dazzled people thanks to his extraordinary musicianship, as well as his songwriting, releasing a load of solo albums in the last year.

Undoubtedly, his latest upcoming new LP, dubbed “Years of Refusal,” will be among this year’s best (excellence seems to repeat itself through out his work), but we’re a bit unsure what make out of the album art. Wtf?!

6. U2 – No Line on the Horizon (March 3rd)

It’s a bit incredible when you think about the fact that the arena monsters U2 haven’t released a new album in over four years, since they released the critically acclaimed “How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb.” Guess Bono’s constant benefits, stage appearances and all round persona made the band always feel close and in the spotlight. Still, new music is missed from the Irish super group, and, like an answered prayer, the band is prepping to put out a new album, No Line on the Horizon, sometime in March.

7. Mastodon – Crack The Skye (March ?)

“The story starts with a seed and it grows. It´s a multidemensional story. It starts on planet earth, it deals with astral travel, goes to outer space, you get lost and you go on into a wormhole and you start exploring all sorts of Stephen Hawking’s theories, space continuum and all that, you go into the spirit realm, you get sucked into another wormhole that brings you into Tsarist Russia and you get put inside Rasputin´s body and Rasputin is assassinated and you fly off through the crack in the skye and back through outer space into the devil´s dominion, passed him, back into earth and into your body. It´s all real natural and it all kind of comes together. We like it. ” – Brann Dailor, Mastodon drummer.

Ok. Done reading that? If you also consider that a lot of the album’s composition was made by the band’s lead guitarist, whilst recovering from severe head trauma, you can easily come to a conclusion. Yes, there’s no doubt it – we’re dealing with epic shit on our hands. Their last album, “Blood Mountain,” was almost perfect, as far as progressive metal goes anyway, and we’re rootin for nothing less from the upcoming Crack The Skye.

8. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – TBA

Once hailed as the saviors of rock’n’roll, next to their fellow New Yorkers The Strokes, the garage rockers of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are definitely one of this year’s favorite bands with a new album to get out.

There’s a whole humongous fan base out there waiting and waiting for the new, still untitled album, but truth be it, there’s really little to nothing we know about it. Band promises it’ll be a whole new experience, though. Interesting…

9. Grizzly Bear – TBA (May ?)

“Yellow House,” Grizzly Bear‘s sophomore release, was a wonderful release, packed with tons of fun and the band’s signature eerie harmonies. Actually, it was GB’s breakthrough moment, that gained them a lot of attention and well deserved appreciation. After all, they didn’t tour with Radiohead for most of ’07 for nothing.

Now, all eyes are centered around their new effort, a yet untitled album, set for a release sometime in May.

Get ready a serious sonic orgasm.

10. No Doubt – TBA ( first half ’09)

We haven’t heard anything new from No Doubt in a very, very long time, and if you ask me (and another million people) it’s about time they put something out, together. Yup, the band’s back together and will soon unleash a huge tour, starting spring ’09, with a new album to go with it. Feels like Christmas already. Only 360 days left to go.

Bonus:

Franz Ferdinand – “Tonight: Franz Ferdinand”

Andrew Bird – “Noble Beast”

Chris Cornell – “Scream”

The Fray – “The Fray”

Kelly Clarkson – TBA

Depeche Mode – TBA

Dave Matthews Band – TBA

Dr. Dre – “Detox”

Goo Goo Dolls – TBA

Garbage – TBA

Lamb of God – TBA

Massive Attack – TBA

Matchbox Twenty – TBA

Joe Satriani – TBA

Muse – TBA !!! – it’s really more inclined towards ’10, otherwise it would’ve been in the top 10.

Stars – TBA

Amy Winehouse – TBA

ZZ Top – TBA

Note: There’s no telling when a certain band might pull a Radiohead on us and release a album out of the blue. Bands like The Raconteurs or Bloc Party did it last year, and I’m betting we’re see more of that this year as well. So, be on the look out from anything from the likely suspects – White Stripes or …. Radiohead (?).

What are your most anticipated albums of ’09?