It’s dawned on me for some time, that 2009 is going to be one hell of a year for music. It’s 3 months in and so far there’s a massive amount to be excited for.
First off is the seemingly new fashion for bands to re-form. Ok, so it’s not a ‘new’ thing but it seems to be happening with alarming regularity. Arguably the biggest of all the bands re-forming are Faith No More, who have reformed for a European tour, and one of the main headliners for Download Festival. Another band with less history, but keeping the teens happy is Blink 182, confirming a new album and tour. Blur are back too, hopefully to put Liam and Noel Gallagher back in their place and give brit-pop a new lease of life. Limp Bizkit have also followed suit but does anyone really care anymore? I’ll admit here that i do like them and await the abuse for it, but i can’t see them hanging about for long.
Anyway, the list of bands that are releasing and hopefully touring is a long one. I’ll try and pick out the possible highlights:

Yeah Yeah Yeah’s
It’s been 3 years since Show Your Bones but Karen O and co are back. They announced 3 dates in April in these shores and they have all sold out in a flash; that’s the power of the YYY’s. Karen has stated it will sound a lot different to their previous efforts, but will “still sound like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs”. The album was leaked online so the record label pushed the release date forward so it has already been out for a couple of weeks. I still need to get hold of it, my speed on the new releases isn’t up to scratch so for in 2009.

Cursive
I’ve looked forward to Mama, I’m Swollen for some time. An interesting form of release too; a 320kbps digital download costing just $1 from the 1st March, with the price rising $1 each day until it was released on CD on the 10th. Any self-respecting indie-kid will happily regale you with stories of how good Cursive were back in their prime; Domestica in 2000 and The Ugly Organ in 2003 are splendid pieces of work and though it doesn’t feel like it, it is less than 3 years since Happy Hollow appeared. I’m harbouring hopes for a UK appearance on their tour, meaning i’ll be there like a shot.

The Decemberists
Oh, my love for Colin Meloy’s troupe is never wavering; The Crane Wife was great, Picaresque was sublime so the pressure is on to make another top LP. The Hazards of Love is essentially a concept album, telling the story of love, jealousy and murder in a fantasy world - Meloy’s fine storytelling ability in full flow. A European tour is planned for the album which, like Cursive i will be right there, singing. Having already seen them (Manchester, Feb ‘07) they can put on a really fun, enjoyable gig and i hope for much the same.

Doves
One of the more underrated bands to come from the Manchester music scene, Doves are back for album #4. Two Mercury Prize nominations (for Lost Souls and The Last Broadcast) and a #3 chart hit (There Goes The Fear) should mean they are one of the UK’s premier bands but unfortunately dwarfed by their more successful friends (Oasis, Coldplay et al). Festival regulars so be sure to see them if they appear at all.

Metric
2005’s Live It Out was a lovely little record, showing the full extent of Emily Haines and her gang’s ability- it’s sinister, intelligent, sleazy, gutsy and as catchy as anything you’ll have heard. Help, I’m Alive has been available on iTunes since before Christmas, bur they’ve waited until now to give us the rest of it. I obtained a copy the other day and will report back with how it is soon.

As a little bit about each of the albums i’m excited about would take me forever, here’s a list of more i’m e-creaming over. A little (!) will mean that they are on my ‘to see’ list, if they tour/are touring the album:
CKY - Carver City
Iron & Wine - Around The Well (!)
Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown
Sonic Youth - The Eternal (!)
Placebo - Untitled (an annoucement on the album is due this weekend, their website reports)
Bowling For Soup - Sorry For Partyin’
Brand New - Untitled (!)
Eisley - Untitled
Imogen Heap - Untitled
Kasabian - West Rider Pauper Lunatic Asylum
Radiohead - Untitled (!)

So there we go - with those and a truckload of the usual festivals looking increasingly attractive (Great Escape, Reading, Latitude et al) 2009 is shaping up to be one hell of a year, and one hell of an expensive one too.

*cue epic music, ride of the Valkyries style*

Yes, i’ve actually taken to using this as a blog - normally it was going to be a portfolio site but the lack of Prolific Graham showing his rather attractive face meant that idea has been filed under ‘meh, i’ll get round to it’.

As for the direction of this blog? I have no idea. Nonsensical rants, blatent flaming and probably some pimping will occur, whether aided by alcohol or not.

I’ll be changing the look of the blog at some point, as i don’t really like this one that much but it’s a lot better than the default layout. If there’s any layouts you can recommend then use that wee little link at the bottom that says ‘comment’ and hit me up, yo…or whatever those kids are saying these days.