While the first few months of the year have been relatively light on major albums, the summer expects to see several releases worth grabbing. The Daily Cardinal previews five of the most anticipated albums of the summer.
Gimme Fiction by Spoon (May 10)
Spoon's last album, Kill the Moonlight, was released in 2002. It was, quite simply, an amazing album. The expectations that have built over the past three years will be difficult to live up to, but Gimme Fiction is poised to do just that.
Tracks have been available for early demo listening online for several weeks, and it appears the minimalist rockers from Texas have preserved their trademark sound. Lead singer Britt Daniel's classic rock vocals mixed with an ever-surprising blend of musical elements make for an irresistible combination. Whether it's rollicking piano, digitized percussion or simple hand claps, Spoon continually works in new components to complement Daniel's unmistakable voice.
For those first introduced to Spoon with Kill the Moonlight, or those who have been listening since Telephono, Gimme Fiction stands to be one of the best albums of the summer.
-William Temby
Demon Days by Gorillaz (May 24)
Proving that 2001's self-titled release wasn't just a flash in the animated pan, the cartoon band Gorillaz returns this summer with an album sure to further confound expectations of what a pop record should be. Copyright violation king DJ Danger Mouse, famous for creating the Jay-Z/Beatles mashup The Grey Album, takes over production duties from Dan the Automator, and guest spots on the record are both plentiful and confusing. De La Soul guests on the group's first single, \Feel Good Inc.,"" while Roots Manuva, MF Doom and Ike Turner join a plethora of others to contribute their respective talents.
Weirder still, Demon Days boasts a spoken-word piece from none other than Mr. Easy Rider himself, Dennis Hopper. The band has spoken at length about their desire to create a darker sound to match the current social climate, and in these days of upheaval, half-truths and illusion, perhaps Gorillaz have their finger on the pulse yet again.
-Jon Fischer
Don't Believe the Truth by Oasis (May 30)
The Gallagher brothers have a reputation for being outspokenly critical of their contemporaries, sobriety and especially each other. Given that all of their releases since 1995 have met with lukewarm-to-scathing reviews, however, it's not clear what leg Liam Gallagher was standing on when he struck out at Franz Ferdinand, The Libertines, Scissor Sisters, The Kaiser Chiefs and Bloc Party, respectively calling them ""Right Said Fred,"" ""rubbish,"" ""fucking rubbish,"" ""a bad Blur"" and something about contestants from ""University Challenge.""
Vitriol aside, with May comes Oasis' chance to re-enter the spotlight when the band's sixth studio record, Don't Believe the Truth, hits shores on the 30th. Here's what to expect: guitar-heavy, lyrically-light rock in the style of the biggest British acts of the last four decades that lives or dies on whether the melody can get you to ignore the things coming out of their mouths. This balance worked fantastically on their first two efforts, but if the forgettable first single ""Lyla"" is the best they have to offer these days, Don't Believe the Truth is going to make Right Said Fred look pretty damn good in comparison.
-Matt Hunziker
X&Y by Coldplay (June 6)
Coldplay has seen a whole load of success with its last two albums. Parachutes introduced the British band's stateside fans to Coldplay's sometimes mellow, sometimes energetic sound and A Rush of Blood to the Head reaffirmed the band's status as a favorite of American ears.
With the June 6 release of X&Y, the band is looking to truly cement itself as a pop culture mainstay. Coldplay already has had a handful of immensely popular songs off its previous two records and will likely add two or three more off X&Y.
Whether the band will be able to add to its already extraordinary popularity remains to be seen. Coldplay's last two albums did not display a wealth of musical diversity but, truth be told, the band did not need to with its tremendous songwriting ability.
-Eric Reinert
Jacksonville City Lights by Ryan Adams (August 9)
At the start of the year, Ryan Adams proclaimed he would release three full-length albums. This week's Cold Roses counts as album number one, while Jacksonville City Lights hits Aug. 9, and 29 drops sometime in the fourth quarter.
Very little is currently known about Jacksonville City Lights. With Adams' prolific nature and mastery of multiple genres, the album could be many things. Adams dropped several hints about Jacksonville, claiming it to be ""very, very honky tonk."" Also, one of Adams' producers said one track features a duet with Norah Jones.
Cold Roses is quite a beautiful album and, if Jacksonville can come anywhere near Roses' quality, Adams can proudly proclaim himself as two for two with his 2005 albums.
-Kevin Nelson
