ALBUMS STILL TO COME IN 2009

2009 is starting to wind down and we have had some really great albums released this year (Our Lady Peace "Burn Burn," 311 "Uplifter," and Imogen Heap "Ellipse," to name a few), but there is still some amazing stuff yet to come! Or at least, we've been promised, but you never can tell until there is an actual release date, and even that can change. Here's what I am still waiting on pins and needles for:

Royksopp "Senior" - Late 2009? This is a follow up album to "Junior" which came out in March. It was quite enjoyable (I may write a review of the album at some point) but I'm looking more forward to "Senior" because it is said to be more mature than "Junior" (how appropriate). Royksopp Official Website

30 Seconds to Mars "This Is War" - 11/24/09 - I've heard clips from this album when I was part of the recording at The Summit (one of the coolest experiences ever) and let me tell you, this is going to be a KILLER album. I cannot wait to blast this in my car and sing along! I had goosebumps hearing one of the new songs and that doesn't happen often. 30STM Official Website

Say Anything "Say Anything" - 11/3/09 - Say Anything albums typically need time to grow on me and then I can't stop listening to them, so I wish I had more time to digest this album before I see them in concert only one week after the album comes out. On the other hand, I'm sure seeing the songs performed live will coerce me into loving them immediately. I think this will still be a fun album but might be a bit more contrived than their past efforts seeing as the lead singer/songwriter Max Bemis is now off drugs (maybe, for the most part), a little more sane, and married. I hate to be one of those people who believes that amazing music is created while an artist is in emotional turmoil and self-medicating with drugs (although I would never recommend this). What would Smashing Pumpkins "Siamese Dream" have been without LSD and Billy's tortuous childhood? I also have a philosophical twist on this theory, but that is a blog for another time. :) Say Anything Official Website

Kerli - She has said before that she would be releasing an album this year, but I won't hold my breath. I really hope she does, but there are too many factors out of her control, record label-wise. In the mean time, if you haven't heard of her, please give her a listen - this is a very talented young woman! Kerli's Myspace

John Mayer "Battle Studies" - 11/18/09 - I'm not sure what this is or if it's even real since I saw it on John's Twitter, but it sounds like he might be releasing something. We'll see... John Mayer's Twitter

Smashing Pumpkins "Teargarden by Kaleidyscope" - releasing songs beginning on Halloween '09 - Oh Billy, what will you think of next? Apparently this 44-song album will be released in 11, four-song EPs over a length of time to complete an entire album by the end. But, the highlight here is that if you just want the digital version of the songs, you can get them free. The entire album will be made available for free download as songs are released, but collecting fans can purchase limited-edition 4-song EPs as well, creating a box set. Billy desccribes the music as "psychedelic...atmospheric, melodic, heavy, and pretty." Well, I hope it's good! Smashing Pumpkins Official Website