2013 Albums To Look Forward To
I know, I know, another list, another month or so till 2013 begins, yada yada yada. Half of these are speculation probably, but the word around the campfire is that some of these may be more likely than we think. Either way, I think 2013's gonna be big. |
| 1 |  | Deerhunter
Halcyon Digest
2012 was the only year that we did not have new music from Bradford Cox. After the excellence of both Parallax by Atlas Sound and this years Lotus Plaza sophomore gem "Spooky Action at a Distance" I think the next Deerhunter album could be their best. Lockett Pundt says Spring 2013, so here's hoping that's early Spring, rather than later. |
| 2 |  | No Age
Everything in Between
No Age, in a way, pioneered the popular lo-fi noise rock sound to the masses. They weren't the first, but they definitely help bring the genre some attention. Two excellent albums in, and I'm eager to see where this duo goes next. They've spent 2012 trying out new material and getting a bit more experimental. |
| 3 | | Chelsea Light Moving
Untitled As of Yet
Thurston Moore's first post-Sonic Youth effort should be a great one. The first few songs so far debuted have been very SY influenced but have progressed into a more abrasive feel. I'm definitely enjoying them so far and can't wait to hear the full album in March. |
| 4 | | The Replacements
TBA
This is merely speculation at this point, but with the recent events like the EP coming out this year (?), and rumors of the band reuniting for Coachella 2013, methinks an album may be in the works. Wishful thinking I'm sure, but it sure would be swell. |
| 5 | | Death From Above 1979
You're a Woman, I'm a Machine
2011 saw the surprise return of the metal punk duo DFA 1979 at SXSW. 2012 saw them playing their first new material since 2004. It's been a long time coming for a band with only one album under their belt (albeit, a fine album) but the anticipation for new material is at fever pitch. |
| 6 |  | Mikal Cronin
Mikal Cronin
Cronin's touring with Ty Segall Band right now and their set to retire to the studio sometime in the summer, putting a Fall release as a possibility. Another bit of speculation on my part, however, his 2011 debut was stellar, and if he churns out music like his partner in crime then we can expect to see a new album next year. |
| 7 | | Modest Mouse
No One's First And You're Next
Continuing my speculation run, but this one is merely based on time elapsed. It'll have been 6 years since "We Were Dead.." in March, but I don't forsee a new album till the summer. The EP from 2009 was solid but left much to be desired. MM have been debuting new songs for the last 2 years "Ansel" and "Heart of Mine," and Brock has stated as early as 2011 that the band is in the studio. |
| 8 |  | Phoenix
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
One of the "it" bands from 2009, Phoenix was everywhere, and even scored a headlining spot at Lollapalooza 2010. 1901 was overplayed like hell, but the French rock band has been promising new material for over a year. Earlier this year it was stated they had 4 new songs completed and some cryptic messages on their website lead everyone to believe the album would be out in the Fall 2012. Alas, obviously, it's not. Hopefully we'll see it in 2013. |
| 9 | | Local Natives
Hummingbird
Back in 2010, Gorilla Manor was an album that everyone seemed to love. I nabbed it in late 2009 and was instantly impressed by the blend of baroque pop, an Arcade Fire like sound with less pomposity. First single "Breakers" is hugely promising, so I can't wait till February. |
| 10 |  | Tool
10,000 Days
7 years ago Tool was just about all I talked about. Lateralus is still my favorite album of theirs, and 10K Days was... good, not great. But the anticipation for a release from Tool is always a big deal. A lot's changed since 2006 though, and I'm hoping the recent APC reunion will help things rather than hinder. The elephant in the room though is Puscifer, the idiotic side project of Maynard that seems more like an adolescent screaming than a serious endeavor. Regardless... it's Tool. |
| 11 |  | Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!
He's spent the last 5 years doing Grinderman, reissues, and collaborating with Warren Ellis on soundtracks/scores. But Nick Cave's already confirmed there will be new music from The Bad Seeds in 2013. DLD!!! was awesome, one of my favorites from 2008 by far. Definitely something to get excited for. |
| 12 | | The Dismemberment Plan
TBA
Another return. Less speculation, just a matter of time actually, the D-Plan have confirmed new material being written so it's just a matter of biding our time till the new stuff drops. I'm hoping it won't be a letdown, like so many returns are these days, but the D-Plan never disappointed in the past as a band, so my expectations I feel are just. |
| 13 | | Unknown Mortal Orchestra
II
Their debut was solid, if a little bit strange. The first single "Swim and Sleep" shows a bit of a departure for them - more clear vocals. This is a trend I've seen often with new bands. The debut is experimental, the sophomore expands. It'll be a welcomed change because the one thing that was somewhat irritating about their first was the lack of decipherable lyrics. |
| 14 |  | The Men
Open Your Heart
They've already written it and recorded it. It's just a matter of time for the announcement. Not a bad album yet by these punks. |
| 15 |  | Iceage
New Brigade
Set to drop in February, the Danish punks are following up a great debut. They've experimented quite a bit since, so it should be a fresh sound. If anything on here could be disappointing, I'm betting it's this one though. |
| 16 |  | FIDLAR
FIDLAR
I've already listened to this and it's great. I'm including it because it's still something to get excited for when they take to the road for a full on tour. I'm sure a lot of people will enjoy this band in the near future. |
| 17 |  | Vampire Weekend
Contra
3 years since Contra in January, and the band has spent a majority of their off season touring and doing benefit shows. I wasn't a fan of Contra that much, but everything the bands done since has garnered more respect from me. I'm eager to hear where they'll take their sound as one thing I can appreciate about Contra was it's desire to shake things up. |
| 18 | | The Olivia Tremor Control
TBA
This is another wishful thinking. At one point last year it felt like a real possibility but after the passing of Bill Doss this past summer, I think it's highly unlikely we'll see this. The band did reunite for a great line of shows and debuted a few new songs, particularly "The Game You Play Is In Your Head." Doss' untimely and saddening passing puts an obvious black cloud over this. |
| 19 |  | Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
The Brutalist Bricks
One of the most prolific indie personalities of the last decade, Ted Leo has crossed the nation with his Pharmacists and his own solo act performing some of the best shows you'll find. It's been 3 years since the BB, I'm hoping we'll see Leo return as he does usually every 3 years. |
| 20 | | The Wrens
The Meadowlands
Yeah right, I know. We hear it every year. However, 2013 marks the 10 year anniversary of the Meadowlands. I think it's time. The band's been claiming for months this year that they've got a majority of the album done, so I think we'll see it finally. |
| 21 |  | Surfer Blood
Astro Coast
This has slipped from my list. I know I shouldn't care about a singer's personal life, but after the transcript was disclosed... it's kind of hard to not see this guy as a woman beater. I loved their debut though and the EP was decent. Mixed feelings here, but their Facebook says the records done. So we'll see. |
| 22 |  | The Decemberists
The King Is Dead
The bands slipped a lot from my mind recently, which is a shame. I feel they've moved further from what I enjoyed about them originally, but the core sound is still there and they can still bust out the harmony really well. I don't think they'll ever match their heights of Castaways and Cutouts, but hopefully retreat to The Crane Wife. |
| 23 |  | Arctic Monkeys
Suck It And See
I didn't care for Suck It And See. I'm still waiting for the band to return to their glory days but I don't think it'll happen. Still, I'm a big fan of their first three albums, so it's possible that Suck It was just a small detour. They've kept the 2 year gap between albums pretty steady so we should see a new one in 2013. |
| 24 | | Cymbals Eat Guitar
Lenses Alien
Falling low on this list after a somewhat average sophomore album. I love their debut, but I was also disappointed by them at Lolla 2010. Just very average. Should be interesting to see where this band goes from here. |
| 25 | | Yo La Tengo
Fade
And lastly YLT release their follow up to the wonderful Popular Songs in January. I'd be more stoked if the first taste of the album wasn't so lackluster. Either way, Popular Songs was excellent, and the band hardly ever disappoints. |
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