Ah, second semester. The days get longer and the weather gets warmer, and this year a slew of long-anticipated music releases will hit the shelves before the school year comes to a close. So get out the calendar and save room on that iPod for the top six upcoming releases of 2006.
6. Arctic Monkeys - "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not" Feb. 21
Yes, the music market has been over-saturated with British buzz bands over the past few years. However, if an indie band can crack the top of the U.K. charts in the first week of their release, they must be pretty damn good.
There's no denying the talent that these newcomers from northern England possess. Influenced more by The Clash and The Jam than many of their counterparts, the Arctic Monkeys' American debut release is highlighted by their ridiculously catchy single, "I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor." Get on MySpace and have a listen. "Whatever People Say I Am..." will be released in the U.S. by Domino Records. Arctic Monkeys will play the 9:30 Club on March 27.
5. Matisyahu - "Youth" March 7
This is the Hasidic reggae star's studio album follow-up to "Live At Stubbs," one of the best live releases of 2005. "Stubbs" was released relatively quietly early last year, but thanks to a ton of college radio airplay and the subsequent success of the single "King Without A Crown," Matisyahu became one of the most popular college acts of 2005. The question now is how the man who encompasses everything - reggae, rap, ska and beatboxing - will translate his live act's phenomenal energy to the studio.
"Youth " will be released by Epic Records. Matisyahu will play Rams Head Live in Baltimore on March 20.
4. Snow Patrol - "Eyes Open" April
In an interview on Snow Patrol's website, lead singer Gary Lightbody said this about the new album: "We pushed ourselves (musically) as far as we can but the essence of what we are is still the same." Early word from the band is that "Eyes Open" will be more raw and experimental than "Final Straw."
Lightbody told Billboard Magazine that the band tried to expand their sound with more distortion and unusual instruments not used in prior releases. The band's sound may be different from "Final Straw," but former U2 producer Grant Lee has returned to the studio with Snow Patrol for his second recording session with the Scottish quintet.
"Eyes Open" will be released by Interscope Records. A club tour of North America in support of the new release is tentatively scheduled for this summer.
3. The Roots - "Game Theory" Late February/early March
After a falling out with former label Geffen over the future of the band, the boys from Philly quickly signed with longtime supporter Jay-Z's new Def Jam Left label and have promised a return to form after the uncharacteristically mediocre "Tipping Point."
"Tipping Point" was without question the most commercialized album The Roots have put out as a band, a fact that irritated much of their fan base. Drummer Ahmir "?uestlove " Thompson indicated in the November issue of Rolling Stone that Geffen management was more concerned with attracting a broader audience for The Roots than pleasing the loyal fan base they had built during their near two decades as a band. This conflict lead to the two sides parting ways, which both fans and critics alike were glad to see. "Game Theory" will feature collaborations with Mos Def, Saigon (of Entourage fame), Talib Kweli and Hova himself among others.
2. Outkast - "Idlewild" Feb. 14
Imagine ragtime meeting rap. Who else but Andre and Big Boi could manage to pull this off?
This soundtrack to Outkast's film of the same name was originally scheduled for an early December release. A combination of the duo's difficulty picking a first single and wanting a shorter lead-in period to the movie's debut ended up pushing Outkast's new album back to a Valentine's Day release. It should be worth the wait. Synths and drum machines have been replaced with big band jazz and piano, but the unmistakable flow of Andre and Big Boi will remain much the same.
"Idlewild" will be released by LaFace Records. The "Idlewild" film will be released March 10 by Universal.
1. Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Stadium Arcadium" May 9
AU Chili Pepper fans have every reason to be counting the days 'til May 9, and not just because it's the penultimate day of finals. Four years after the brilliant "By The Way," the Chili Peppers return with their most ambitious project yet - a 25-track, double disc set. According to frontman Anthony Kiedis' interview with Billboard, "Arcadium" will feature some of the best guitar solos of John Frusciante's career and some of the funkiest tracks the band has ever written.
All the pieces are in place to make this an early favorite for best album of 2006. Longtime Chili Peppers producer Rick Rubin is again at the mixing boards and the band is as fresh as ever after a two-year break from an extensive touring schedule. According to Kiedis, RHCP's chemistry has never been better.
"Stadium Arcadium " will be released by Warner Bros. Records. A North American arena tour is scheduled from August to November, and fans can bet there will be at least one stop at the MCI Center.
