Most Anticipated Albums Of '13

2012 was so...2012.  Right?  It's 2013 people, which means there are some great releases on the horizon.  Per time honored tradition, here are Matt's picks over at The Sight Of Sound.

Bayside- TBA:

When you break out during the emo phase of the early 2000s, it’s hard to come out as anything different. Ask a lot of similar bands, from Taking Back Sunday to Fall Out Boy - it’s hard to make new music when you are constantly being compared to what you put out during that time period. But Bayside has begun to break as a credible rock band, with 2011’s Killing Time serving as a surprisingly strong record. All that’s been said is a Facebook post that a new album is coming in 2013 and longtime fans have been excited. The most interesting part of new material: Can Bayside breakout and earn some new fans in 2013?

The Black Keys- TBA:

While technically not confirmed for a 2013 release, all signs indicate the follow-up to El Camino will arrive at some point this year. The duo has said they are going in the studio this spring to work on new material and that may be the smartest move for one of the hottest acts in the industry. Though they’ve deviated from a their early sound, the past two records have been fantastic and can only be built upon.

Cage The Elephant- TBA:

Not much is known about Cage the Elephant’s third album, but that could be a good thing. The debut provided some catchy, albeit schizophrenic rock that netted their biggest song to date in “Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked.” The follow-up sounded the same, but with more effort shown in the production side. All that has been posted for the untitled third record is studio footage from working on songs, but if these guys make anything half as good as the first two then it will be good. Anything more than that and we could be looking at a surprise hit of 2013.

Paramore- Paramore (April 9):

If controversy creates interest, then Paramore is one of the most popular acts in music. After lighting up the Internet a couple years back with the high school-type stories that surrounded the Farro brothers’ departure from the band, the reenergized trio is pushing on. Five songs have been released since the lineup change, one for the Transformers soundtrack, a three-song E.P. and the first single of the upcoming self-titled fourth record. “Now,” along with the other tracks, show that Paramore is more than ready and able to keep going. More than a dozen tracks were revealed to be a part of the record so fans are in for a treat come April.

Vampire Weekend- TBA (May 6):

Vampire Weekend was one of many bands to take advantage of Internet buzz and be one of the first “hipster” bands to make it to the mainstream in the second half of the 2000s. Their first album could have been considered a one-off (like so many others from that time period) but their follow-up was just as good. Now, three years later Vampire Weekend will return once again. The live performance of “Unbelievers” on Jimmy Kimmel shows the band hasn’t changed much and that could bode well for an album that will be mostly about the question of if they can perform more so than the music itself.

Honorable Mention:

Justin Timberlake- The 20/20 Experience (March 9)

The Neighbourhood- TBA

New Politics- TBA

Senses Fail- Renacer (March 26)

Taking Back Sunday- TBA (*possibly* 2013)

And here are MY picks for 2013....

Atoms For Peace- Amok (February 25):  Thom Yorke and Flea for the price of one LP?  Count me interested.  While the spacey “Judge, Jury & Executioner” sounds like an anxious computer at some cosmic dive bar, expect some red-hot grooves this time around.  There’s life outside of Radiohead and the Red Hot Chili Peppers for these two famed musicians, let’s hear what that sounds like.

Jimmy Eat World- TBA:  Edgier and brasher, Jimmy Eat World are promising a record that really goes for the throat in 2013.  Recent Twitter posts suggest the album is in its final mixing stages, but the real surprise is to see where they go after the emotive, and Marshall stacked fuzz of 2010’s Invented.

Queens Of The Stone Age- TBA (April/May):  Josh Homme has a party on his hands because Dave Grohl is laying down drum tracks and everyone from Trent Reznor to Nick Oliveri are laying down vocals.  Whether the new Queens record will continue to explore the angular robot-rock of Era Vulgaris is anyone’s guess, but it sounds like they’re having fun making it.

Sleigh Bells- TBA:  Sounds like Alexis Krauss and Derek Miller are antsy.  After their 2012 world-conquering tour, the Internet’s favorite bubblegum-pop by way Slayer contingent are reportedly hard at work on their follow up to the bone-crushing Reign Of Terror.  Viva la feedback.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs- Mosquito (April 16):  Mayhem comes in many forms for Karen O; gone are the post-disco Blondie trappings of It’s Blitz! and enter the tribal, dubby, “Sympathy For The Devil” swagger of Mosquito.  If the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ live previews are any indication, this record should be a real barnburner.

Honorable Mention

The Black Keys- TBA

Black Sabbath- 13 (June)

James Blake- TBA

M.I.A.- Mantangi (April 15)

My Bloody Valentine- TBA

What are YOU looking forward to on 2013?  Let me know in the comments!