Most Anticipated '06 Releases

Okay, I know I'm a little late with this, but I figure it's still early enough in the year to discuss the albums that I anxiously await.

*Disclaimer: I am very well aware that some of these albums have been available on import since last year, but upon gaining the knowledge that they would get U.S. releases, I've restrained myself from listening to them until I can buy them at a fair price on my own soil.

1. Joi-Tennessee Slim Is The Bomb (Her 2002 album, Star Kitty's Revenge, continues to get much play in my stereo to this day. That album proved that Joi is one of the most forward thinking artists in R&B today, and one of the most underrated in general. Expect more of her sultry and experimental brand of soul when the album hopefully drops this spring.)

2. The Polyphonic Spree-The Fragile Army (One of my top 5 favorite bands today. If they make an album better than Together We're Heavy, I may die from an abundance of joy.)

3. Junior Senior-Hey Hey My My Yo Yo (D-D-Don't Stop The Beat has become one of my favorite albums this decade. If "Itch U Can't Skratch" is any indication, we're in for another delightful mix of pop and bubblegum funk.)

4. Outkast-Idlelwild/The Hard Ten (Yeah, this is sorta cheating since I'm naming two albums, but Outkast is one of the few groups that I will follow anywhere and I anticipate both of these albums equally.)

5. Ghostface-Fishscales (He's my favorite active MC. None of his albums have yet to be average.)

6. The Coup-Bring A Bigger Weapon (Being on Epitaph could result in more exposure for a group that definitely deserves it. The best hip hop group that you've probably never heard of. Check out "My Favorite Mutiny" featuring Talib Kweli and Black Thought)

7. Scissor Sisters-untitled (Another anticipation based on the band's previous album. If they keep the sex and the Elton John tribute going strong, this one should be just as enjoyable as their debut.)

8. The Knife-Silent Shout (I have yet to be convinced that they can do any wrong.)

9. Pharrell-In My Mind (I've followed pretty much every Neptunes-related project and have been rarely disappointed. )

10. The Veronicas-The Secret Life Of The Veronicas (I've been told this is a good pop album, and the only song I've heard, "I Can Get Used To This," became pretty hard to get out of my head.)

11. Kanye West-Graduation (Both of his albums placed in my top 5 in their respective years. How could I not be anticpating this album?)

12. Goldfrapp-Supernatural (Goldfrapp makes some of the sexiest music around today. Judging from "Ooh La La" and the Number 1 EP, the duo will continue to move forward with the electro dance sound of 2003's Black Cherry.)

13. Flaming Lips-At War With The Mystics (I could leave this space blank and you guys would still understand that anything the Lips do should be paid attention to.)

14. The Grates-untitled (I fell in love with them when I saw them open for The Go! Team. Their songs had a very juvenile, energetic quality to them.)

15. Gnarls Barkely-untitled (I'm honestly more excited in the Cee-Lo half of this project instead of the Danger Mouse half, but there are few who can deny the hotness of "Crazy."

the rest


Christina Aguilera-untitled
Erykah Badu-untitled
Bubba Sparxxx-The Charm
Busta Rhymes-The Big Bang
Cannibal Ox-untitled
Neko Case-Fox Cofessor Brings The Flood
Clinic-untitled
The Concretes-In Colour
Death From Above 1979-untitled
The Delays-You See Colours
Dixie Chicks-untitled
DJ Shadow-untitled
Dr. Dre-Detox
Fiery Furnaces-Bitter Tea
Fugees-untitled
Nelly Furtado-Loose
The Futureheads-untitled
The Hives-untitled
Junior Boys-untitled
Lady Sovereign-Public Warning
Ludacris-Release Therapy
The Mars Volta-untitled
Nellie McKay-Pretty Little Head
Rhett Miller-The Believer
Mylo-Destroy Rock & Roll
Nas-Nasir bin Olu Dara
The Noisettes-untitled
Obie Trice-2nd Rounds On Me
Ol' Dirty Bastard-A Son Unique
Beth Orton-Comfort Of Strangers
Peaches-untitled
Pink-I'm Not Dead
Radiohead-untitled
Redman-Red Gone Wild
The Roots-Game Theory
The Secret Machines-10 Silver Drops
Starlight Mints-untitled
The Stills-untitled
The Streets-The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living
T.I.-King
Justin Timberlake-untitled
Travis-untitled
Vitalic-OK Cowboy
Yeah Yeah Yeahs-Show Your Bones