Originally written by Colin Roberts · 20 January 2005
DiS spends a few days in the company of every press release, magazine, newspaper, message board, carefully disguised rumour on the face of the earth and bagpipes their rhetoric into a delicious, digestible rundown of 2005's trouser-manipulating (and some significantly less affecting) releases.
In this first part, we cover the releases we're faced with between now and the glorious start of Summer. The list is by no means comprehensive and if there's any glaring omissions you want to see added, e-mail DiS at colin.roberts@drownedinsound.com
Now 'til June
Band: Bright EyesAlbum: 'I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning' & 'Digital Ash in a Digital Urn'Out: January 24thConor is often refered to (on this site) as the 'Outta tune voice of a generation'. Cementing his crown on both of these records, you can literally hear a young man maturing and living up to the hype being piled on him. 'I'm Wide Awake...' is a delicate acoustic masterpiece and a testament to a true singer-songwriting talent, with 'Digital Ash...' holding up as a diverse, intriguing and altogether addictive grower of an album. A must-buy on both counts.Have we heard them?: Yes, diverse, exciting and intriguing. Both sides of Conor in stunning form.
Band: The Wedding PresentAlbum: 'Take Fountain'Out: 24th JanuaryGrown-up guitar pop return from the aging Wedding Present. A hotly anticipated new release from a band with a massive cult following. It drops on Valentine's day.... Ahhhh.Have we heard it?: No.
Band: Gruff RhysAlbum: 'Yr Atal Genhedlaeth'Out: 24th JanuaryThe inimitable frontman of possibly Wales' finest indie exports of all-time, Gruff gives us a big Welsh-language helping of solo material to tide us over until the new SFA album.Have we heard it?: It's been on constant rotation in the office for a week now. Fragile at times, riotous at times and always forward-thinking. It's a stunning record.
Band: M83Album: 'Before the Dawn Heals Us'Out: January 24thA mature, lush and truly affecting journey. M83 are an absolute revelation in electronica and should soundtrack films and your life. Let them do so with this, their most polished and immersive record to date.Have we heard it?: Yes, we certainly have! Read Gen's spanking review here.
Band:...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of DeadAlbum: 'Worlds Apart'Out: January 31stTexan four/five/six-piece...Trail of Dead have been a constant source of noisy aural pleasure for a good while now and while some of their contemporaries would shows signs of regression, or a general downturn in the quality of songwriting,...Trail of Dead have consistently progressed in a positive and exciting way.Have we heard it?: Yes and it is fabulous. A more defined, coherent sound awaits you, as well as some of the most intensely riveting songs you'll hear this year.
Band: Chemical BrothersAlbum: 'Push the Button'Out: January 31stFor ten years, the Chemical Brothers have consistently innovated musically, whilst still appealing to the mainstream of dance music listeners. They ignore the endless calls of 'dance is dead' and continue to release albums filled with interesting colloborative work and exciting, rhythm-heavy tracks.Have we heard it?: Yes, it's a real return to form. The collaboration with Bloc Party's Kele predictably put a smile on the face of DiS as well.
Band: Bloc PartyAlbum: 'Silent Alarm'Out: February 14thBloc Party? Never heard of them... Arguably one of DiS' favourite bands in our history, the Paul Epworth-produced debut finally drops this February and is set to truly send them stellar. NME covers, national press-acclaim and a massive and growing fanbase mean this will more than likely be an 'Album of the Year'.Have we heard it?: Yes and quite frankly, it's fantastic. Look here.
Band: DovesAlbum: 'Some Cities'Out: February 21stJimi Goodwin and his band of merry men unleash their third LP as Doves. Recorded in the Scottish Highlands, the band have said that the countryside has really rubbed off on the recording. Expect epic balladry and their trademark reverb-laden lush soundscapes.Have we heard it?: No. Review in the next few weeks though!
Band: The House of LoveAlbum: 'Days Run Away'Out: February 28thOld-skool Creation Records stalwarts return with a brand new album, but their classic sound. They're also playing a couple of gigs to celebrate the release.Have we heard it?: No.
Band: Boom BipAlbum: Blue Eyed in the Red RoomOut: FebruaryLargely instrumental and sample-free, Boom Bip drops this new LP via Lex. In fact, the only vocalists on this record are Gruff Rhys and Nina NastasiaHave we heard it?: Yes - whilst currently unadored by the masses, this is lush, expansive electronica. Splendid.
Band: Mando DiaoAlbum: 'Hurricane Bar'Out: March 7thSweden gave us all Hives, Mando Diao's second offering 'Hurricane Bar' hopes to be the cream which we've all been prescribed. Memorable riffs, good live shows, all through the sultry Scandanavian rock filter. If this is your bag, then you won't do much better than checking it out.Have we heard it?: No.
Band: Kaiser ChiefsAlbum: 'Employment'Out: March 7thOh, how they grow... You'll remember DiS put out their debut single 'Oh My God' a little while back and after a minor label battle, here they are to release their first full-length. Splendid guitar-pop from the Leeds five-piece.Have we heard it?: Yes, it's compulsive and catchy. Check out 'Modern Way', melodic genius.
Band: IdlewildAlbum: 'Warnings/Promises'Out: March 7thFollowing the top-three 'breakthrough' success of Idlewild's last album 'The Remote Part', Idlewild return with a new bassist and a second guitarist.Have we heard it?: Not yet.
Band: Damien DempseyAlbum: TBAOut: March 14thFresh from supporting Morrissey on some UK dates and all over the States, Damien Dempsey has shown audiences all over the world his potential. This is the record where he really delivers. Beautiful, heartfelt songwriting, combined with one of the most uniquely beautiful voices in music, Damien's Irish folk is easily accessible, yet deep and emotionally sublime. Embrace him.Have we heard it?: Yes. The live feeling on this record showcases his songs in the most perfect of lights. A must-buy.
Band: MobyAlbum: 'Hotel'Out: March 14thWe should all be excited that Moby is an international megastar, loved by human and animalkind alike and is an actively political player. It's just hard to get excited about someone who is dull, musically and personally. One can only hope that this album represents a shift in his times. A return to sample-free instrumentalism has been signalled and this sweeping change could be exactly what the bald hippy needs.Have we heard it?: No.
Band: The Mars VoltaAlbum: 'Frances the Mute'Out: March 21stThe Mars Volta have proven that there is life after At The Drive-In and this life is exciting, challenging, diverse and hairy. You may have already listened to this via the unbelievably low-rent leak circulating the internet and be aware of its majesty.Have we heard it?: Yes, check the Michael Diver-penned bizzy-nizzle right here.
Band: Daft PunkAlbum: 'Human After All'Out: March 21stThe return of the inimiatble French duo, and their first studio work since 2001's 'Discovery', with its mind-blowing accompanying 'Interstella 5555' animated film.Have we heard it?: No.
Band: GorillazAlbum: TBAOut: March 21stThis time with Danger Mouse at the helm rather than Dan the Automator, Damon Albarn's hip-hop-pop-strop side project gives us a second helping. As with most things Damon seems to work on, the record is shrouded in secrecy, but we have been promised a darker and in places rootsier sound than the project's eponymously-titled 2002 debut.Have we heard it?: No.
Band: New OrderAlbum: 'Waiting for the Sirens Call'Out: March 28thApparently, this record has 11 tracks - 9 of which are possible singles. Sounds good, eh? First new material since 2001's 'Get Ready'.Have we heard it?: No.
Band: StereophonicsAlbum: 'Language. Sex. Violence. Other?'Out: March 28thRidiculously-haired-drummer-free, it has been stated elsewhere that 'this is the album the 'Phonics should have recorded after 'Word Gets Around',' DiS remains skeptical until we get our dirty hands on a copy, but maybe we'll get lucky.Have we heard it?: No, but it's sitting on the desk in front of me.
Band: Brendan BensonAlbum: 'Alternative to Love'Out: MarchJack White's best mate gets this new LP produced by erm... Jack White. Benson is a melodic genius and a consistently rousing live perfomer and this album will hopefully showcase this more than previous, occasionally lacking efforts.Have we heard it?: No.
Band: Queens of the Stone AgeAlbum: 'Lullabies to Paralyze'Out: MarchAfter splitting, then not splitting and losing a member along the way, US hard-rocking, drug-taking mentalists QOTSA are back this March with a brand new LP.Have we heard it?: No.
Band: British Sea PowerAlbum: 'Open Season'Out: March 21stDescribed as a mellower side of BSP, it's a comedown from 'The Decline of...'Have we heard it?: No.
Band: Rufus WainwrightAlbum: 'Want Two'Out: March / out now on importElton John recently proclaimed Rufus Wainwright 'the greatest songwriter of modern times', which probably isn't far from the truth. A true talent, with an unnervingly perfect grasp of songwriting. This is guaranteed to be an emotional journey of the highest order.Have we heard it?: No.
Band: FischerspoonerAlbum: 'Odyssey'Out: April 4thPreceded this March with the single 'Just Let Go', Fischerspooner continue to take every genre in existence, turn them on their proverbial heads and record the results. More make-up, but possibly less hype this time, it's going to be something special.Have we heard it?: Yes and the easiest way to describe it is, quite simply 'mental'.
Band: The Go-BetweensAlbum: 'Oceans Apart'Out: AprilThey've been knocking out their punchy, punky pop classics since 1987 and after last year's triple-header of re-issues, there's a brand new album on the way this year. Hooray!Have we heard it?: No.
Band: The Flaming LipsAlbum: 'At War With The Mystics'Out: April/MayEleventh/Twelfth studio record for them crazy Americans. Predicting a 'Lips record is generally a pointless exercise because it quite obviously will end up being completely different. Just expect Wayne Coyne and a theramin at least.Have we heard it?: No.
Band: System of a DownAlbum: 'Hypnotize' & 'Mesmerize'Out: April & AutumnTwo new studio albums for the bearded political metallers. With System of a Down, you can always expect obtuse rhythmic patterns, bordering-on-insane guitar lines and one of the most distinctive howls in rock today. Look forward to these as well as extensive UK touring and festivals.Have we heard it?: No.
Band: ElbowAlbum: 'Station Approach' (working title)Out: April/MayElbow have adopted a 'back-to-basics' approach for this new album. Recording in open-plan studios in Manchester, laying down songs that were written whilst touring over the last few years, the band have been recording in front of projected works-in-progress from visuals man Mark Thomas. He's done imagery for Girls Aloud and Appleton as well, don'tchaknow!Have we heard it?: No.
Band: Sleater-KinneyAlbum: 'Entertain'Out: May 24thFeminists, riot grrrls, man-haters - whatever you label S-K as, you can't deny the fact that they are rather excellent. Sub Pop release this, their seventh studio album and following 2002's 'One Beat'. Dig it.Have we heard it?: No.
Band: Massive AttackAlbum: TBAOut: Spring2003's 100th Window was generally well-received by critics, yet failed to convert this positivity into a good deal of sales. Everyone knows Massive Attack are capable of producing arguably some of the most influential and interesting music of this generation. Let's hope this new LP is a true return to the commercial and critical heights of 'Mezzanine'.Have we heard it?: No.
Band: Boards of CanadaAlbum: TBAOut: SpringThe LP has been late in arriving at the Warp offices apparently. Look forward to more relaxing beats with inimitable synth lines. Exciting stuff.Have we heard it?: No.
Band: LadytronAlbum: TBAOut: SpringFreshly signed to Island, Ladytron return in the spring with this record plus an extensive tour. Word on da street is that this LP is more progressive and deeper than previous efforts. Plus, they're all quite pretty really, aren't they.Have we heard it?: No.
Band: The CoralAlbum: 'The Invisible Invasion'Out: SpringLiverpool's scraggly six-piece are currently working on their follow up to last full-length 'Magic & Medicine' with Geoff Barrow and Adrian Utley of Portishead fame. The band released an interim mini-album 'Nightfreak And The Sons Of Becker' in January 2004 and state that it was more representative of the direction their sound is heading than any previous release.Have we heard it?: No.
Band: The WhoAlbum: 'WHO2' (working title)Out: SpringTownshend and Daltrey have been demoing and recording together in preparation for this brand new recording for a couple of months to date, and Daltrey states that if the sessions are successful, they will tour this year too.Have we heard it?: No.
DiScuss: What's getting you excited this year?