As the new decade/year begins I always look forward to the new music that is coming out. During the first decade of the new millennium we were lucky enough to witness some great and historic music. Radiohead proved they were the most influential band in the world. They put out four albums that will surely stand the test of time. We were lucky enough to witness the beginning of the White Stripes, Arcade Fire and the Strokes. All put albums that could argued were the best of the decade (Funeral, Elephant and Is This It?)
What to look forward to this year?
Radiohead: After releasing In Rainbows in 2007 with a pay-what-you-want model, the band is slated to make a quick turnaround and put out an album before the year is out. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien said, “10 years ago we were all collectively in the land of Kid A, and although hugely proud of that record, it wasn’t a fun place to be. What’s reassuring now, is that we are most definitely a different band, which should therefore mean that the music is different too and that is the aim of the game.” He comments on the new record, “I’m an eternal optimist, but I truly believe we can shift massively on this [next] record. That’s the thing we all know, that we feel in our bellies as we’re rehearsing — we’re on a big move here. We’re definitely on a journey. And it’s exciting.”
Portishead: Pitchfork reported in September that the British electro rock band, Portishead is in the studio hoping to release a new album within a year. According to band member Geoff Barrow, “We’re going to start writing and if all goes well it could be [out] in a year’s time.” Luckily fans of the band got a sneak peek of the new material when Portishead released a song for free in December, called “Chase the Tear.” The song was a benefit to Amnesty International.
Arcade Fire: After releasing Neon Bible in 2007, Arcade Fire is reported to be releasing a new album before the summer of 2010. Billboard reports the band may be a headliner at a few of the summer’s music festivals. They write, “Billboard sources say the album will be preceded by a single release earlier in 2010. The band is weighing multiple offers for live shows in the spring, and will likely take a top slot at one or more of the major North American summer festivals.”
Gogol Bordello: My new favorite band is not as well-known as others on this list, but the gypsy punks are scheduled to release their fifth album in 2010. There are not a lot of sources to confirm his, however, when I saw them live in May of 2009 they said a new album would be out next year. One article says famous producer Ric Rubin will be producing Bordello’s follow-up to Super Taranta. The Philadelphia Inquirer interviewed the gypsy punk bassist, Thomas Gobena, who confirmed the band was recording with Rubin at the helm and a new album soon out. “I think [Rubin] figured out I was a funky bass player,” Gobena says. “He wanted me to rock it like Flea (of the Red Hot Chili Peppers) and understand what space means.” He later adds in the same article that Gogol Bordello is slated to play upwards of 200 shows this year.
LCD Soundsystem: The electro/dance/rock band is working on its third album after releasing the acclaimed Sound of Silver in 2007. The 2010 album is scheduled to be released by March of this year. In October, Pitchfork reported the band released its first single.
Strokes: In spring of 2009 the Strokes confirmed they were back together after four years. In October, Spin interviewed lead singer Julian Casablancas, who said the band is at a stalemate. He says part of the band thinks the songs are ready, while others thinks they need work. “I’m somewhere in the middle,” Casablancas said. “”My idea was always to take undergroundish, cool music and make it mainstream. That was my goal, and we haven’t achieved it,” he said. “We got to the top of the underground, but we never got as big as Green Day or Creed or any of the bands we were supposed to be replacing in 2001. So, in my mind, there’s still a step to take. I hope we can do it.”
Also releasing new albums this year: Beastie Boys, Hot Chip (albums comes out in Feb.), Spoon, O.A.R., Dr. Dre, Interpool, Amy Winehouse, Gorillaz, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Eminem.
Daft Punk is rumored to be touring this year in support of a new album, but the only places I’ve read that have been un-sourced blogs and message boards.
It looks like many of the bands that shaped the first part of the 21st century will be kicking off this decade with a bang.
Here’s a quick list of my favorite albums (2000-2009)
1. Radiohead – In Rainbows
2. Man Man – Six Demon Bag
3. Arcade Fire – Funeral
4. Gogol Bordello – Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike
5. Radiohead - Hail to the Thief
6. LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver
7. Daft Punk – Discovery
8. Broken Social Scene – You Forgot it in People
9. Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes
10. Jay-Z – The Black Album
11. Gogol Bordello – Super Taranta
12. Beck – The Information
13. White Stripes – Elephant
14. Wilco – Sky Blue Sky
15. Queens of the Stone Age – Era Vulgaris
16. Coldplay – A Rush of Blood to the Head
17. Modest Mouse – We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
18. Radiohead – Kid A
19. The Black Keys – Attach and Release
20. The Strokes – Is This it?
Let me know what you think. Until Next time,
Dub
