While this is a little late, I don't care. Here are the ten albums that I am most looking forward to in 2011.
My Morning Jacket:
I’ve been a fan of MMJ since I saw them open for Pearl Jam playing to a super dull (a.k.a typical Toronto) crowd shortly after Z was released. Jim James, the group’s primary songwriter/singer/beard grower, says the album, slated for a May release, will have a less polished, more "live" feel to it. This means only great things.
Website: My Morning Jacket
DeVotchKa:
These guys got a huge boost during their festival travels over the last few year. March sees the release of 100 Lovers, the follow up to 2008’s A Mad and Faithful Retelling. Rich instrumentation, global influences and an ever increasing incursion into the world of film and TV will help boost the band’s profile even further.
Website: DeVotchKa
Beastie Boys:
Delayed since 2009 so that MCA could focus on his cancer treatment, the two part Hot Sauce Committee sees a release in Spring 2011. What's odd and very Beastie Boy about the release is we're going to get Hot Sauce Committee part Two before we get part One. And as a bonus, the band will release a short film guest starring about half of Hollywood in honour of the anniversary of Fight For Your Right.
Website: Beastie Boy's website
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds:
I’ve read a few interviews with Cave and he said that he is planning on writing and recording a new Bad Seeds album after the current Grinderman tour comes to an end. I’m hoping he’ll come through. Hopefully Nick has time to write in between crashing cars.
Website: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Death Cab For Cutie:
While it would probably be too much to ask for a Postal Service release, a Death Cab album could fill that void. Codes and Keys look to take the band in a new direction, relying less on their signature guitar style. As to what would replace it, one can only speculate. The album is slated for a spring 2011 release.
Website: Death Cab for Cutie
Okkervil River:
I love this band. Seriously. There’s something about Will Sheff’s work that I dig; the lyrics, the music, all of it are bang on. Okkervil is releasing I Am Very Far in May and have showcased their new material on Jimmy Fallon.
Website: Okkervil River
Dr. Dre:
Hip-hop’s own Chinese Democracy is (maybe?) coming out this year. Dr. Dre’s Detox is almost a decade in the making, and while I’m not the biggest Dre as MC fan on the planet, I have to admit that I’m morbidly curious. Even if Dre pimps Dr. Pepper.
Website: Dr. Dre
The Low Anthem:
A recent find for me, thanks to Uncut magazine. This band is tough to peg into any real genre, while their quiet dulcet songs are classic indie/Americana, they are able to belt out a rollicking hybrid of dirty rock and blues just as easy. Their new album Smart Flesh is due tail end of February.
Website: Low Anthem
Drive-By Truckers:
Not only did these guys have one of the best albums out last year (The Big To-Do), they’re releasing what’s sure to be another classic. The album’s called “Go-Go Boots” and is referred to as an “R&B Murder” album, which, in the hands of any other group could inspire images of the so bad it’s good, but actually it is really, really bad “Trapped in the Closet” .
Website: Drive-By Truckers
Middle Brother:
One of my favourite albums last year was Deer Tick’s “Black Dirt Sessions”, and while I don’t think that there will a new Deer Tick release this year, there is a silver lining. Lead singer John McCauley has joined up with Taylor Goldsmith and Matt Vasquez, the lead singers of Dawes and Delta spirits, to form a pseudo super group “Middle Brother”. The band popped up unofficially during SXSW, played a few real shows after the fact and will be releasing their first album as a group this year.
Website: Middle Brother
And just to whet your whistle, here is a selection of music from the aforementioned artists. It's a Youtube playlist, so simply skip the ones that you don't dig. But that shouldn't be an issue, they're all winners:
And just to whet your whistle, here is a selection of music from the aforementioned artists. It's a Youtube playlist, so simply skip the ones that you don't dig. But that shouldn't be an issue, they're all winners:
