Special: Ryan's Most Anticipated Albums of 2009

In an attempt to make another shitty list, I give you my most anticipated albums of 2009. By the way, if you see an album which has been seen on previous lists, it is DEFINITELY not because I listen to some of the same music as other site contributors but because I don’t give a shit and decided to copy and paste random sentences.

50 Cent - Before I Self Destruct
50’s fourth studio album, coupled with the up-and-coming release of his second videogame 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand, is enough to make any self-respecting music fan look forward to this year in music. Thank god 50 never got that 10th shot.

Queens of the Stone Age
I’m not just writing this because of my insanely huge bias/man-crush on the Queens, but 2009 is gonna be a good year to be a Qotsa fan. Not only can you expect a remastered release of the band’s 1998 self-titled cut AND a new Desert Sessions, apparently, but also the band‘s sixth full-length record. With the promise that the new album will sound a bit like “a desert orgy in the dark,” the Queens are bound to put out another great addition to their already sexy discography. Count me in for the orgy, Josh.


A Day to Remember - Homesick
After two years of extensive touring, Ocala, Florida’s A Day to Remember finally return home to release their third studio album entitled Homesick. Chronicling the creation of the album, the band has put out an episodic mockumentary on youtube which shines some light on the album as well as stresses the fact that they really fucking hate pizza. In it, singer Jeremy McKinnon commented on the record, saying it, “… is the best record A Day to Remember could have possibly written right now.” Homesick is scheduled to be released on February 2nd and promises to feature some of the heaviest and poppiest tunes ADTR has to offer.

Muse
While not too much is known about Muse’s yet-to-be-named fifth album, it was confirmed last March by the band that several unrecorded tracks were finished and that the LP would definitely have a bit more of an electric feel than previous releases. Apparently, the closest the new album’s sound will come to any old work is “Map of the Problematique” off of Black Hole and Revelations. Since March, the band has started officially working on the album at their studio in Italy.

Radiohead
All that’s known so far about this possible ‘09 Radiohead record is that the band has been playing new material during soundchecks, premiered a new track named “Super Collider” live, and have been working on a lot of new material. In an interview with A.V. Club, Thom and Ed mentioned the band’s process when coming up with some of the new tracks as well as a promising quote from Thom concerning Radiohead’s desire to “keep the momentum of the operation going.”

Yeah Yeah Yeahs
So where are the Yeah Yeah Yeahs right now? Well, ever since the release of 2007’s EP Is Is, the NYC trio have been working on their third full-length album in an undisclosed rural recording studio. If you think it will sound a lick like anything the YYYs have released to date then guess what? You’d be completely fuckin’ wrong! As a matter of fact, there’s only one similarity between any older work and their unnamed, third LP. It’s the second album in their collection to be inspired by a cat … and the first was awesome.

Arctic Monkeys
These English indie-rockers have decided to submerse themselves in the deserts of Joshua Tree, California for the production of their latest record. Why, might you ask? The answer is simple, their producer is none other than Queens of the Stone Age’s own Josh Homme. According to drummer Matt Hedlers, the band has always admired the Queens and were inspired by their sound while touring with them. Hedlers went on to say, “They are an inspiration, they show you can still have top tunes and loud, heavy songs too.” Whenever this disc drops, it is guaranteed to be the Arctic Monkey’s heaviest.

Mastodon - Crack the Skye
In 2006, Mastodon released one of the best albums that year in the form of Blood Mountain. In 2009, they hope to do it again with their fourth LP, entitled Crack the Skye. Due out on March 9th, the album will consist of seven tracks and will apparently be approximately 50 minutes long. According to members of the band, Crack the Skye is far more focused than previous releases and will send the four-piece metal band spiraling into the darkness of the universe … I guess. Vocalist/Bassist Troy Sanders explained it best in an interview with Stereogum when he said, “we kinda strapped on our aeroshells and departed from Earth for a while.” Whatever Mastodon has in store, it’s bound to be fucking epic. As for Mastodon's departure from Earth, that might have looked like this.

Set Your Goals
After being screwed over by Eulogy Records, Set Your Goals will being releasing their second full-length album some time this year through another label. Other than this news and a single assumed to be on the album, entitled “The Fallen,” not much else is known about the record. If “The Fallen” is any indication of the rest of the album then SYG fans are in for something good in 2009.

Pearl Jam
This past December, rock legends Pearl Jam revealed to Billboard that they were currently recording their ninth studio album with the help of producer Brendan O‘ Brien. On other occasions PJ worked with O’ Brien, they created classics like Vs. and Vitalogy. As for now, the band doesn’t have a release date for the album but guitarist Mike McCready reassured fans by saying, “We won’t give you a Chinese Democracy.” So starts another Axel Rose blood-feud.

MSTRKRFT - Fist of God
With a tour already prophesying the coming of their sophomore album, Jesse F. Keller and AI- P will be dropping their latest project, nearly three years after their first, on March 17th. Keller has described the album to interviewers as being filled with, “darker, underground disco and house, with elements of American rock music.” However, the band will also be delving into hip-hop territory as well. The album will feature guests like E-40 and Ghostface Killah. Judging by the sound of things, MSTRKRFT’s Fist of God will be just as good as their debut.

While the new Radiohead and Muse ARE, sadly, only rumored to release in 2009, I will, without a doubt in my mind, drop a massive wad in my pants if they are. With these and other scheduled releases, this year is already shaping up to be better than last.