Collide Magazine

The Listen List

COLLIDE Staff - Originally posted Monday, January 19, 2009 -

To say that we here at COLLIDE like music is an understatement. So we've decided put together a small list of notable albums releasing this year that we are highly anticipating. By no means is this list exhaustive, but a mere overview. From the look of it, 2009 should be a great year in music, but we'll just have to wait and see (and listen).

Fiction Family – Fiction Family – Jan 20
www.fictionfamily.com
Fiction Family, also known as “The Real SeanJon,” is a new collaboration between Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek and Jon Foreman of Switchfoot. Expect a California rock style mixed with acoustic bluegrass. If the music of Foreman’s EP’s is any indication of what this album will sound like, then we are all in for a treat.

Andrew Bird – Noble Beast – Jan 20
www.andrewbird.net
This talented, multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter from Chicago mixes violin, guitar, Fender Rhodes, and wicked whistling to create his unique folk/indie rock sound. If you ever have the chance to see Bird live, you must take it. It will be worth your while.

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The Fray – The Fray – February 3
www.thefray.net
A new album from The Fray means that Grey’s Anatomy and those teen dramas on The CW will finally have some fresh tunes for end-of-episode dramatic climaxes. Sweet! In all seriousness, we’re curious to see what the sophomore release from these dudes is all about. Will they play it safe or will they dig deep?

U2 – No Line On The Horizon – March 3
www.u2.com
If you’re a Christian under 60, odds are you’ve embraced U2 (along with millions of others) as one of the most transcendent bands of the last 25 years. The imagery, the depth, the energy, The Edge and his delay pedal—we all love it. No Line on the Horizon is sure to be another great album from a great band on a hot streak.

The Decemberists – Hazards of Love – March 24
www.decemberists.com
Decemberists front man Colin Meloy is an adept storyteller, and for that reason alone The Decemberists are worth a listen. Add to that a refined-but-rambling indie world-folk sound and we simply can’t wait for Hazards of Love.

Dave Matthews Band – TBA – April 14
www.davematthewsband.com
This jam band made a name for itself in the 90’s and is one of the few still going strong today. Though the recent loss of their saxophonist, Leroi Moore, is a huge hit to the band, we still anticipate the same old Dave Matthew’s sound that’s made them famous all these years.

MuteMath – TBA – Spring 2009
www.mutemath.com
Since building fame for their progressive music and crazy shows, MuteMath’s new album has been highly anticipated by fans. Their musical style can only be described as rock, jazz, electro, new wave with ambient vocals. Though the release date has yet to be set, their website suggests early Spring. Also, their first single, “Spotlight,” was recently featured on the Twilight soundtrack.

Wilco – TBA – Spring 2009
www.wilcoworld.net
Has there ever been a band more underrated by the mainstream and more idealized by the alt-country underground? Probably not. But Wilco and their fans wouldn’t have it any other way. Every new Wilco album is an exercise is roots-rock jamming and inner-demons sharing, which sounds like our idea of a good time.

Switchfoot – TBA – Spring or Summer 2009
www.switchfoot.com
Despite being on the music scene since the late 90’s, this California rock band continues to pump out albums and radio hits as their sound evolves. However, with Jon Foreman’s successful EPs and side project with Fiction Family, could this be Switchfoot’s last album?

David Bazan – TBA
www.davidbazan.com
We’ve often described Bazan as a postmodern prophet to a generation of disenfranchised evangelicals, and we’re sticking with that. His long awaited debut full length following the disbanding of Pedro the Lion is guaranteed to feature doubt with a tinge of faith, despair with a tinge of hope, and defeat with a tinge of resolve. You’ll love how much this record bums you out.

Muse – TBA
www.muse.mu
These British rockers sound like a heavy Radiohead, but with soaring vocals and classical piano solos. While Muse is currently in the studio, the 2009 release date remains tentative. Sadly, many Americans haven’t heard of this stadium sell out band from across the pond. We suggest you check them out.

Michael Jackson – TBA
www.michaeljackson.com
After the plastic surgery, the legal troubles, and the general wackiness that has surrounded the King of Pop for the last decade or two, it’s easy to forget that his back catalog is chock full of great music. This album will probably be horrible, but what if it turns out to be Thriller: The Sequel?