Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown (May 15)Five years after their landmark American Idiot, Green Day returns with their eighth studio album. Faced with the difficult challenge of following up Idiot--a concept album about post 9/11 America that became the band's biggest commercial and critical success--the band has risen to the challenge, producing another epic concept rocker. Continuing in the everyman political vein, Breakdown is the story of a young couple living in contemporary America told in three acts. Early reviews have been very positive. Says the Guardian with four stars: "Green Day's greatest accomplishment, though, is the manner in which they've constructed a supremely cohesive whole out of such seemingly disparate parts. The characters, themes and motifs that recur throughout 21st Century Breakdown are marshalled into an engrossing narrative that recalls both Bruce Springsteen and novelist Chuck Palahniuk." This could very well be the most exciting new album release of the year so far.
Eminem - Relapse (May 18/19)Also back with a first album since 2004 is pioneering rapper Eminem with his sixth album, following 2004's Encore. After such a long break, during which Mr. Mathers has been focusing on his efforts as a producer, Relapse will be an important test of whether audiences still love his shtick--which based on first singles "We Made You" and "Crack a Bottle" hasn't changed much--or have grown tired of it.
Daniel Merriweather - Love & War (May 25)Mass audiences got their first taste of Australian singer Daniel Merriweather on Mark Ronson's 2007 album, appearing as featured vocalist on Ronson's "Stop Me" remake. Now he's got his first major label release out. First single "Change" hit the UK top 10 earlier this year, and new single "Red" is garnering airplay. Ronson appears to have worked on several of the songs here, as well as Eg White, who worked with Will Young on his last release. Even Adele shows up to duet on "Water and a Flame."
Passion Pit - Manners (May 18/19)American electro pop act Passion Pit releases their debut album. Last fall they whetted appetites with the EP Chunk of Change, and the album's first single "The Reeling" is starting to get airplay. Along with Dan Black (his Un is out May 25), Passion Pit is one of the two BBC Sounds of 2009 artists releasing albums in May, making a total of five of the top 10 acts to do so thus far.
Also out this may:
May 4/5
Ciara - Fantasy Ride
Maccabees - Wall of Arms
Madina Park - Attics to Eden
Fischerspooner - Entertainment
May 11/12
Bloc Party - Intimacy Remixed
Sarah McLachlan – Closer: The Best Of
May 18/19
Manic Street Preachers – Journal For Plague Lovers
Tori Amos – Abnormally Attracted to Sin
May 25/26
Gary Go - Gary Go
Mandy Moore - Amanda Leigh
Dan Black – Un
Zero 7 - The Best of
3 comments:
Are Gary Go and Daniel Merriweather seeing a release here?
Oh. The only definite one i will get is Green Day though i may be tempted by Gary Go...
Gary Go? Really? I don't think either of them will be imminently released in the US. I had heard that DM was getting a US release, but his Web site only has UK pre-order info right now. Perhaps in a few months? I'm definitely excited about Green Day as you could probably tell.
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