The year is still relatively new and a lot of bands took the winter time off from touring to record some albums that, hopefully, will be released by the end of this year. Most don’t even have release dates yet, let alone an album title. But here are some artists that I am super pumped for. Check out their previous work, you might discover your new favorite band.
1. Four Year Strong – Enemy of the World
A bunch of dudes from New England with the best facial hair on the planet are releasing their new record on Decaydance this week, Tuesday, March 9. Four Year Strong have really solidified their pop-core sound, broadening their audience from teenage girls to big ,manly men in their mid-20s. Not to mention they went viral with their promotion, which always makes some fun for Internet-savvy folks. I took an internship in the same building they recorded last fall, so I got a chance to hear some tracks in the making. For me this album might be Album Of The Year.
2. I Can Make a Mess Like Nobody’s Business – The World We Know
Ace Enders, the man behind The Early November & Ace Enders and a Million Different People, is back with his post-TEN project with the longest name ever that had only one other release a couple of years ago. In a recent interview, he talked about why this new album is back under this name and explained that it’s because it represents the time and place he is in currently. Happily married with a child, I will never understand how this man writes as much music as he does. While there are some filler songs on his records, most of them are topping his last.
3. Envy on the Coast – Low Country
Long Island heroes made a name for themselves in the scene with their last release, Lucy Gray, then disappeared after having some drummer issues. Hard at work to follow up to their solid debut, this record looks to either make or break the band in years to come. I think they are certainly one of the more talented bands out there today – their musicianship is astounding and I think this record will really prove what they can do in the future.
4. Saves the Day – Daybreak
One of my favorite artists of all time was about to release their third album in the trilogy (following “Sound the Alarm” and “Under the Boards”), until one member left for personal reasons and two other members left to rejoin their original band, Glassjaw. Frontman Chris Conley found three musicians to take their place and has thrown in some new songs on the band’s most recent tour. Now they have to start the recording process over to match the parts with the current members of the band. We are still promised to see the album by the end of the year. It’s also rumored to be their last album. I certainly hope not.
5. The Ataris – Untitled
This band has certainly had its ups and downs in the past couple of years. Their last album, “Welcome to the Night,” was so put off by fans that its surprising they are still doing what they love – but with that we have a new record coming out that is described as having influences off their popular “Blue Skies, Broken Hearts…Next 12 Exits” record. If the album hits the right spots, we could see this band make waves in 2010 and rightfully reclaim their spot in this ever-changing scene.
6. The Get Up Kids – Untitled
If you asked me a year ago about TGUK, I wouldn’t have even thought they would be touring again, let alone releasing a new album. Their old fans will sure be happy to find that they have sat in a recording studio to bring a bunch of new songs to our ears. Hopefully, they will make some new fans as well. And as a separate reason why they are so awesome – they are releasing an EP in the Spring to hold us over until they release a full length in the Fall. Indie/Emo-Rock at its finest.
7. Blink 182 – Untitled
Aha – lucky number seven. Tom says it will be out in 2011. Travis says it will be this year. And Mark says he will do everything in his power to release it this year. Easily the most anticipated album this year, or next (depends how you look at it..). This album will really set the course for the band who came back together a year ago and played over 50 dates this past summer to a mixture of happy punk rock kids which never got a chance to see them perform because they were too young and old veterans that used to be the kids jumping around at concerts before the band’s hiatus.
A rumored single was supposed to come out, but more has to be done to polish their recordings. The band members are too busy with each of their side projects. Rushing it won’t make it any better.
Let’s just hope and cross our fingers to see it, no matter what the timetable.
