New Year, New Releases

With almost one month gone in the New Year, it is well known that there will be plenty of new music out in the coming months.

Listed below are the albums that your cousin Ryo is eager to hear and get his hands on this year. The projected release date is also included. Be sure to mark your calendars, but remember all release dates are subject to change at the discretion of the record company.

Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band – Working On A Dream – January 27th

Wasting no time after the release and tour of Magic, Springsteen and company will be putting out a new disc this week. With the passing of Danny Federici last year, I’m sure that the music will have a different flavor than the previous album. It’s been rumored that at least one song will contain Danny’s work, and the opening track for the album clocks in at almost 8 and a half minutes. I’ve always enjoyed Springsteen’s epic songs, and this one seems to be a pleaser as well.

U2 – No Line On The Horizon – March 3rd

U2 has always been one of my favorite bands, and coming off the very strong How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, along with their decision to not release the album until they felt it was their best, well, the bar is set real high. I think that U2 will deliver, but it’s going to be hard to top their last album. Bono and the boys are coming off one of the best stretches of their careers, so perhaps that positive momentum followed them into the studio. We’ll find out this March.

Papa Roach – Metamorphosis – March 24th

Papa Roach’s last album was hands down their best, possibly one of the best rock records released over the past 5 years. It is going to be real hard to beat The Paramour Sessions but if Papa Roach can bring the energy of their live performances into the studio, then there will be nothing to worry about. With the energy they showed at Cruefest, and now being on the road with Buckcherry, Papa Roach is on the cusp of taking over the rock world. In another year or so, this group should be headlining their own festivals. Perhaps that will start with the release of their new disc. We’ll find out in the spring.

Dave Matthews Band – Untitled Release – April 14th

Dave Matthews Band is another fantastic band that hasn’t released a new record in years. This is the long awaited follow up to Stand which was delayed several times over the past year. With the sad and unexpected passing of Leroi Moore, it will be interesting to see who takes over the saxophone duties on a permanent basis, and how many of the tracks will contain Leroi’s saxophone from previously recorded sessions.

Aerosmith – No Title Yet – No Release Date Yet

Aerosmith was supposed to release a new disc in 2008, but it was delayed and ultimately the band never went back into the studio to finish it. Having not released an album of all original material since 2001’s Just Push Play it’s been a long time coming for the bad boys from Boston. As the band members approach the 60 years of age mark, it will be interesting to see what they focus their writing on. Is it still about partying, women, and fun, or will it morph into something else? Here’s hoping that we will find out this year.

These are the big albums that your cousin Ryo is anxiously awaiting this year. How about you? What discs can you not wait to spin in your CD player or load onto your IPOD?

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