Most Anticipated Albums of 2011

With 2010 behind us we are set to begin a new year.

After a particularly strong '10 season one might be inclined to expect the worst out of the coming months. Here are 10 reasons to be optimistic or maybe to get your knives out.

1) Wild Flag - TBA
Sleater-Kinney's Carrie Brownstein and Janet Weiss join forces with the perpetually underrated Mary Timony(Helium), I await with baited breath. Search them on Vimeo for some hard proof of their impending awesomeness.

2) Destroyer - Kaputt
The safest bet on this list. I've heard it, it's beyond solid. If you've dug into Bejar's last two 12"s you'll be incredibly satisfied with this slab.

3) Fucked Up - TBA
Somewhere in Canada one of the best bands of our time is working on a "rock opera" which was the subject of some characteristic band jousts around subject matter. With that currently settled I'm putting this on here with the hopes that this will be done and released next year. Don't let me down guys.

4) Jay Electronica - Abracadabra: Let There Be Light
Its a little dicey to bet on Jay-Z's Roc Nation roster. For every Kanye West there's been three Memphis Bleek's. But this Jay already has a great series of singles and mixtapes to his name. So here's hoping for big things.

5) The Wrens - TBA
Ok, I've been let down before. I'll probably be let down again. But I've heard the new material, so it exists. Come on guys.

6) Jay-Z and Kanye West - Watch The Thrown
"So Appalled" and "Monster" are album highlights on Kanye's batshit-crazy and for me uneven 2010 album. Here's hoping Jay can balance Kanye out a bit. (Not that I'm holding my breath.)

7) Dr. Dre - Detox
This can't be worth the wait. Looking forward to putting it behind us though. I guess it could be good.

8) Hunx and his Punx - TBA
2010's excellent compilation Gay Singles wet my appetite for this theatrical garage punk band. Hoping this year's full length debut is nearly as fun.

9) Radiohead - TBA
Duh.

10) James Blake - James Blake
Loved James Blake's EPs and am sure there will be some solid stuff on his full length.

Dear Jay-Z,

Love the new song. Seriously, you seem to be in a fighting mood. We love that from you. One thing though, I see you're planning to call your new album The Blueprint 3. Not to step on toes, but does your mandals wearing ass really think that's a bright idea?

Remember The Blueprint 2? Yeah, no one else does either.

I'm just saying it cause I love you Jay.

Money Cash Hoes,
Tim


BLUEPRINT 3 from kwest on Vimeo.

Halleluia! The Possible and Probable Return to Form of Jay-Z!!

MtvHD plays the Jay-Z Last Waltz-esque doc Fade To Black often enough that I now have it's running order in my DNA. I can flick channels and show up right as Jay launches into "I Need Love" by LL Cool J, or the moment that you watch him click with Timbaland's beat for "Dirt Off Your Shoulders." It's an amazing document of an artist in his confident victory lap mindset and it's a joy to watch. Well, it would be a joy to watch if it didn't remind you of Jay's exit from retirement with the terrible Kingdom Come.

After that fatal misstep I hoped Shawn Carter might have learned his lesson and left his recording career be for fear of further tainting his sterling reputation. However this New York Times article reads like he might have found his mojo. Apparently he'll be recording an album inspired by the new Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe movie American Gangster. Judging from the lyrics they quote in the article and the hunger in Jay-Z's discussion of the album (which is being rushed out in November! Take that Radiohead) I'm banking that this is going to be a huge comeback. It is officially the album I am most looking forward to in the next coming months and I am leaping out of my skin just typing about it.