What's Goin On

So recently there has been some news on some pretty big-name bands. New tracks have been released and artists have given a taste of what they have to offer fans during live sets. For the most part, so far so good ... with one fairly glaring exception in my opinion. Let me say this in the simplest way possible, U2's latest effort entitled "Get on Your Boots" kind of sucks. Hard. One Stereogum user said it best when they stated that it, "Seems a bit of a mess." I feel like Bono doesn't care anymore. He's phoning everything in. The lyrics are pretty generic and said without any kind of meaning or feeling. The same goes for the rest of the band. Everything from the weak, ordinary guitar intro to the meh "drum solo (?)." Hopefully, "Get on Your Boots" is not a sign of things to come on the band's upcoming album No Line On The Horizon. Click here if you wanna take a listen.

Not too long ago, Mastodon gave their fans a crease in the jeans when they released the album art for their up-coming record, Crack the Skye. If that's not enough for you, then hold your fucking horses. Mastodon also released the first single off the LP, entitled "Divinations." On a side-note, the single also has a badass cover. The track begins with a Deliverance-esque banjo intro and quickly explodes into a torrent of fast guitars, heavy drums, sludgy bass, and a soaring chorus. Translation: Brutal, Brutal Metal. Kind of reminds me of "Capillarian Crest" from Blood Mountain.Overall, this track makes my penis hard, like most, and is an extremely promising cut from the band's new album which drops March 24th. You can check out the album art on the bottom of the post.

Last but far from least, the Arctic Monkeys have been playing some of their new material live lately and responses have been pretty promising. While Homme's influence is not without a trace here, it is certainly not as prominent as many expected. It seems as though Turner and crew have traded in their brattiness for a much darker feel.Me Likey. Turner's vocals are a little more reminiscent of his work with "The Last Shadow Puppets" and the rest of the band, as usual, have come up with some pretty slick, tightly organized music. If you want to hear for yourself click here. The Arctics are currently wrapping up their untitled third album.

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.

Special: Gary's Most Anticipated Albums of 2009

Where the hell did 2008 go? Just as soon as it came, it went, and we were all hurriedly compiling our best-of lists before the calendar turned. Well, it officially has, and now it’s ready for another year in music. 2008 certainly had its share of solid releases for basically every taste, but it just could not live up to the bevy of blockbuster albums that 2007 boasted. There will be a shitload of albums due out this year, a lot likely from artists who had albums in 2007. Music will be released unbeknownst to myself, only to be discovered months later. However, these ten artists are already good favorites of mine, with more or less confirmed releases this year. Note: Animal Collective’s insanely hyped and insanely good Merriweather Post Pavilion would easily sit atop this list, but it has already been leaked and played ad nauseum. A review is on its way post-haste.

1. Arctic Monkeys – How do the Arctic Monkeys and Queens of the Stone Age tie together? Well, QOTSA mastermind Josh Homme is producing the Monkeys’ third album, and recording it where Homme records the Desert Sessions (which could also see a new album in 2009. I’m holding my breath.) The album could in theory be recorded already, with an arbitrary deadline of December set by drummer Matt Helders.

2. Beastie Boys (May 2009) – Not much is known about the latest album from the Beasties, other than it is probably due out in May, it has lots of vocals and is political. So, To The 5 Boroughs II? Meh. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t that good either. Regardless, I’m sure it’ll please more than 2007’s all-instrumental The Mix-Up.

3. Eminem - Relapse (Spring) – Anything from Marshall Mathers is worth anticipating, and after some time off, hopefully it is a little more focused than 2004’s Encore. Em would not comment on whether it would be a serious or playful record, but likely there will be a mixture of both. As usual, Dr. Dre is behind the scenes for Relapse, but not much else is known. A song “Crack A Bottle” is making its way around the internet, perhaps the first single from the album. There is also potential for a sequel to “Bad Meets Evil,” and a T.I. collaboration. Should prove interesting. Keep your fingers crossed for a follow-up to "Kim." I know I am.

4. Franz Ferdinand - Tonight: Franz Ferdinand (1/27) – Not much more anticipation is necessary for Tonight, as it is close to release, and already reviewed by several publications. Apparently, their third time around will feature Jamaican dub and African influences (Vampire Weekend, anyone?), synthesizers and more of a dance aesthetic rather than a rock feel. If first single “Ulysses” is any indicator, the album should be another solid entry into the Franz discography. Check out an early review here.

5. Grizzly Bear - Grizzly Bear had a pretty representative year in 2008, highlighted by the fact that they opened for a little-known band called Radiohead (I apologize for the obscurity.) Holed up in the Catskills, they are hard at work on their follow-up to their critically-acclaimed eerie yet fun freak-folk fest also known as Yellow House. “While You Wait for the Others” was introduced on Conan last year, while “Two Weeks” got its live debut on Letterman two months later. Great anticipation surrounds this album, but alas we are forced to wait until April or May (or until it leaks onto teh interwebz.)

6. Jay-Z - The Blueprint 3 (February) – Mr. Beyoncé Knowles will fulfill his commitment with Def Jam Records before moving onto his mammoth Live Nation deal. Produced by the almighty Kanye West, he promised the album would drop in February. “Swagga Like Us,” the monster collaboration with the aforementioned West, T.I. and Lil Wayne, is already expected on the album, as is his Obama celebrating “We Made History.” Lil Wayne took the hip-hop world by storm with Tha Carter III last year. It shall be interesting to see if Hov still has it to create a similar buzz, but as 2007’s American Gangster proved, he hasn’t lost anything, while all the while maturing.

7. LCD Soundsystem – I got my four walls and adobe slabs for my girls, now if there’s a new LCD Soundsystem album this year, too, we’ll be all set. James Murphy disproved rumors that they were breaking up, and in fact said he has ideas for eight songs in his head. Apparently, the DFA guru doesn’t do demos. He’ll start recording when he feels like it, too. Such a bad-ass.

8. Mastodon - Crack the Skye – Blood Mountain saw progressive metal at its finest, and certainly the demand in the minuscule genre by bands not named Dream Theater is certainly not going to fix itself. The idea behind the album is kind of out there even for Mastodon (Brent Hinds endured a head injury, so it’s okay.) Unlike their previous two albums, there is apparently less of a concrete story behind Skye. The Quietus somehow already did a nice track-by-track write-up of the album if you want to whet your appetite with fancy words describing the tracks. A thirteen-minute closing track? Four-part song called “The Czar?” What’s not to get excited about?

9. Queens of the Stone Age – It would not be a proper new year without an album featuring Josh Homme. Last year, we got Eagles of Death Metal’s Heart On. This year, we should be treated to the follow-up to the great Era Vulgaris. Homme summed up Vulgaris before its release as “dark, hard and electrical, like a construction worker.” This time around, we’re looking at a “desert orgy in the dark.” With teasers like that, it makes anticipating a new QOTSA album really hard (ahem, no pun intended.)

10. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – 2007 saw the NYC-based trio release the solid Is Is EP. Since then, the band has been at work on their third LP, currently untitled at the moment. Karen O said that it will not be like Show Your Bones. They already did that. Is Is certainly is not an indicator of their new sound either. As for Fever to Tell? “No looking back now silly.” Oh, Karen O. Apparently, you can bet your sweet ass that it will sound like the YYYs, just unlike you’ve ever heard them. We’ll take their word for it. LP No. 3 is slated for an early 2009 release.

Most, if not all, of these albums will be coming out in the coming year. I say most just in case one of the albums becomes an oft-delayed punchline, like another notorious album I can no longer list as an album I am sarcastically anticipating in the coming year. It’ll also be interesting to see who will pull a Radiohead or Raconteurs and release an album without anyone knowing. Oh shit, I forgot, new Backstreet Boys and Good Charlotte albums should be popping up in Best Buy’s end-of-the-aisle racks sometime this year, too. This year is looking better every waking day.