Check This Out: 2010

2010 has just begun and there are already things on the horizon to be excited about. Here is a list of some of the things I’m looking forward to:

-Tapestry of Webs by Past Lives-

When The Blood Brother split in 2007, a little more than half the band reformed as the cold and angular Past Lives. They’ve, so far, only released an EP on Suicide Squeeze and their first full length is due out in February. If it’s going to be anything like the EP or their live show, then it’s going to be good. If it’s not, it’ll probably still get reviewed. You can listen to a sample from the album at their MySpace.

-Heligoland by Massive Attack-

The kings of Trip-Hop haven’t released an album since 2003 and that album was more of a solo project for Del Naja than anything else. Heligoland features such luminaries as Tunde Adebimpe from TV on the Radio, Damon Albarn from Blur and, of course, Mr. Horace Andy. Could this be a return to form for Massive Attack or have they lost their spark? We’ll have to wait and see, but if you want samples from the album go to their MySpace.

Additionally, the band has released an EP called Splitting The Atom, which features songs from Heligoland. Check it out or buy it.

-Option Paralysis by The Dillinger Escape Plan-

The Dillinger Escape Plan haven’t been back to Seattle in a long time and I’m hoping that the release of Option Paralysis brings them here on tour. If you’ve only heard but never seen Dillinger, you should know that their Jazz influenced Mathcore is even more spastic and spectacular live than it is on record. If Option Paralysis is half as good Ire Works than it promises to be good. But, if was even better that’d be cool too. They’ve released one song from the album, which can be heard here.

-Blood Cells-

The Schoolyard Heroes buried themselves this past year, but Jonah Bergman and Ryann Donnelly lost no time in forming a new band. Blood Cells drops the zombie shtick of Schoolyard but retains the furious energy and operatic vocals. From what they’ve got on their MySpace, it’s not super different from Schoolyard, but it could be in time. I don’t know if they’ve got an album coming out soon or at all, but it’s nice to know that Donnelly & Bergman haven’t quit music entirely. Listen to them at their MySpace.

-New Pinback?-

In 2009 Pinback announced a new album to be released in 2010 on Temporary Residence Ltd., home of Explosions In The Sky and Mono, among others. There’s no additional info besides speculation, but it’s exciting, nonetheless. Here's their MySpace, but there's no new info.

-New Nine Inch Nails/Trent’s Collaboration wit Gary Numan-

Trent Reznor and NIN have called it quits touring and playing live shows, but Reznor has stated that he’ll continue in music. He’s also mentioned recently that he’ll be releasing new material under the name NIN, but also something that isn’t NIN, in 2010. I don’t know which I’m more excited for. Gary Numan has also stated that he and Reznor are planning to collaborate. Whether it’s this collaboration that Reznor was referring to or not, it’s all very thrilling.

-New Jaguar Love-

Jaguar Love is made up of the other two members of the now defunct Blood Brothers. With this new album, to be released on Fat Possum Records, they’re planning to take things in a more Electroclash direction than their previous, Indie Rock record. I’m not sure exactly how I feel about this, as I liked the sound on their last album, but it should be interesting at the very least. You can listen to the first single from the new album at their MySpace and download it here.

-Fix. The Ministry Movie-

Ministry was a legendary Industrial Metal band from Chicago. Fix is a documentary about them. This movie can join Spinal Tap, DIG! and End Of The Century: The Story Of The Ramones in the list of movies that best detail how NOT to run a band. I’ve had some insight into the Ministry camp after reading Chris Connelly’s book on his time as a member of RevCo, but this documentary looks like it might have some pretty epic footage. Just remember, Ministry was a traveling engine of debauchery the likes of which have rarely been known to man. This will not be for the faint of heart. View trailer here.

-Transit Transit by Autolux-

OK Autolux. It’s been six years since Future Perfect. You’ve been promising a follow-up since 2008. Release the damn thing already. I’ve heard Audience No. 2. Obviously, it’s going to rock our socks off. So what’s the holdup? Well, the holdup is not having a record label to release the album, but they say they’re working on that part. In the mean time, enjoy this, their cover of Helter Skelter by The Beatles.

-Sisterworld by Liars-

All I know at this point is that Liars have a new album coming out and it’s called Sisterworld. Simon at Pretzel Logic says it sounds like a combination of Drums Not Dead and Lairs Self-Titled. Should be good, I think. Here's their MySpace.

-Contra by Vampire Weekend-

LIKE OMFG. VAMPIRE WEEKEND IS LIKE THE GREATEST BAND IN THE WORLD! HAVE YOU HEARD THEIR SONG “BLAKES GOT A NEW FACE?” LIKE OMFG, I DON’T KNOW WHAT THEY’RE TALKING ABOUT BUT LIKE OMFG I LOVE IT… Actually, I thought Vampire Weekend’s Self-Titled album sucked and I have no hope for Contra in the slightest. I only put this here because I’m looking forward to reviewing it. I’ll give it a fair trial but, really, if it’s going to be anything like Self-Titled, then we’re fucked. Doubly so, because everyone LOVES Vampire Weekend except for me. Which makes me a pariah. But I think I’m comfortable with that. You can listen to it here.

Cheers!