It’s been almost six years since the release of The Notwist’s latest album Neon Golden. They’re finally giving us something new in late spring (if you’re not counting 13+God). The Wrens, who gave us The Meadowlands and in so doing gave me one of my very favourite rock albums of all time (and were, unknown to me at the time, playing in the same building the night I saw Notwist live in Toronto), might give us a new album this year — they’ve been saying that for a while now though, so don’t get too excited.
R.E.M.’s new album Accelerate is being hailed as a return to their rocky roots and a lot of the songs have already been played live so we have an idea of what to expect. Jacknife Lee is producing, though, and he doesn't have the best track record: stripping both U2 and Bloc Party of their interesting qualities, and giving us Kasabian, Snow Patrol, and the Editors (a.k.a. oh so mediocre) is the best thing he’s done. I’m not gonna bother getting my hopes up, but ya never know.
Elbow and Doves are two bands I tend to think of together, and just like 2005, they both have albums coming out this year. Elbow’s well-titled The Seldom Seen Kid comes out in March, but information on Doves new disc is sparse, so probably not till a bit later. Sigur Ros are also expected to release a studio album this year, and it’s being produced by Flood. I can only hope they can reclaim the heights of Agaetis Byrjun. I suggest a little more intricacy and creativity, a little less bombast and whining. I hope they can do me proud.
On the oft overlooked hip hop side of things, Big Boi (of Outkast) has a solo disc allegedly coming up, though there’s not too many details, other than that the first single was supposed to be out by now. Andre 3000 might also have new stuff, but let’s face it these guys are taking it real slow these days. The hip hop I’m most looking forward to, personally (if Anticon even counts as hip hop), is ExitingArm, the new album from Subtle due out in May. It will complete the Hour Hero Yes trilogy that began with A New White.
Electronic music for me tends to not work the same way. I don’t find myself anticipating too many techno/house/ambient etc releases. I am more likely to hear about tracks/albums after they’ve already leaked and gotten approved by some series of random internet music junkies. This is a bit of a new policy since I was hotly anticipating Twine’s new album that someone said was going to come out last year, and then I suddenly couldn’t find any info on it anywhere. I’m sure there’ll be great stuff, though, because my anticipation or lack thereof won’t change that.
Article comments
1 - Kevin Eagan
I'm definitely going to check out some of these albums. Especially the Elbow and Doves albums (I love those bands). Thanks for the 2008 album information.
2 - Josh Hathaway
I'm very excited about new Doves. I wore Last Broadcast and Some Cities out.