June 28, 2010 by A.S. Van Dorston

High profile album releases seem to come out in three major chunks, in the Winter (Jan/Feb), Spring (May) and Fall (Aug/Sep). For some reason summer is the slow season. Perhaps sales are low because people are too busy with bbqs, vacations, seeing crappy movie blockbusters and listening to standby summer soundtracks of reggae, Madonna, whatever. With the pause in big releases, it’s a good time to build up some excitement for the ones that are coming.

ALBUMS

Maximum Balloon Aug 24
TV On The Radio’s Dave Sitek said this solo project is influenced by mid-80s era Prince, Cyndi Lauper… and Mike & the Mechanics. With friends Karen O, Katrina Ford, Little Dragon, David Byrne and TVOTR bandmates on guest vocals, this could be a really, really fun album.
M.I.A. – /\/\/\Y/\ Jul 13
M.I.A. is loaded with possibilities. Between her backstory, politics, internationalist magpie musical influences, she has inspired a ton of discussion and debates. I always felt her tunes never quite measured up to those other factors, and was mediocre live. But she’s got a way of keeping people on edge and curious, and it’s infectious. I hope her third album measures up to the hype.
Grinderman – Grinderman 2 Sep 14
Man, Nick Cave has been on fire in middle age. The first Grinderman sideproject really loosened him up, and the next Bad Seeds album was the best in nearly 20 years. The next one promises to take plenty of risks.
Torche – Songs For Singles EP Sep 21
Torche wowed a wide cross section of rock and metal fans with their second album, Meanderthal in 2008. They honed their stoner sludge rock with catchy hooks into a pretty tight signature sound, and big things are expected from them. To ease the pressure, they decided to release an EP this year, with a full-length to follow in 2011.
Arcade Fire – The Suburbs Aug 3
I’ve had mixed feelings about this band from the beginning. I bought the first album unheard the day it came out based on frothing recommendations. I was really disappointed, as I thought the songwriting was too meandering. Apparently everyone else was swept up by the simultaneously maudlin and celebratory themes of death. I was impressed by their live performance at Lollapalooza, especially that they kept up the energy level despite being dressed head-to toe in black, wool and vests in 110 degree heat. Not bad for Canadians. Neon Bible tightened up the songwriting, and though I strongly disagreed that it was anywhere close to even the top 20 best albums that year, they were moving in the right direction. There’s something special about them, so this one could be it.
Klaxons – Surfing The Void Aug 23
Starting the concept of Nu Rave as an in joke, it threatened to make them a joke. The album was carried by three brilliant singles, including “Gravitys Rainbow” which has literally haunted my dreams. They thought they were finished with the album in early 2009, but Polydor rejected it because it was too dense and psychedelic. I’ve learned sometimes, what results after a label’s rejection can improve the album. Hopefully we’ll have a chance to hear the rejected tracks and compare.
Black Mountain – Wilderness Heart Sep 14
Vancouver’s Black Mountain specialize in 70s style psychedelic and stoner rock that’s most often associated with Swedish bands lately, more than the indie rock bands they generally tour with. There’s not exactly any promise that their third one will delve into anything new, but just the fact that the first two were so great is enough for me to be excited.
Interpol – Interpol Sep 7
Like The Strokes, Interpol has spent the past decade trying to live up to the excitement originally generated by their debut album, with diminishing returns. After disappearing for a number of years, they seem to be prepared for a comeback. At this point it’s really hard to tell if it’ll be great or just okay, or suck. I’m hoping for the former.
The Sword – Warp Riders Aug 24
Despite being Lars Ulrich’s favorite band, The Sword’s second album, 2008’s Gods Of The Earth, found them in a bit of a holding pattern. The new one is reported to be a big step up, a sci fi concept album inspired by the likes of Slough Feg. I’m excited.
Iron Maiden – The Final Frontier Aug 16
To anticipate the 15th album by a band that’s been together for 35 years is something to note. since Bruce Dickinson and Steve Harris rejoined a decade ago, they’ve been releasing consistently good albums. They’ve managed to make this new one feel like a real event, suggesting it could be a new career peak. We’ve heard that one before, but I’m open minded.
N.E.R.D. – Nothing Sep 7
Blonde Redhead – Penny Sparkle Sep 14
Zoroaster – Matador Jul 13
Blind Guardian – At The Edge Of Time Jul 30

No release date
D’Angelo – James River
Missy Elliott – Block Party
Graveyard
The Strokes
Patrick Wolf – The Conquerer

BOOKS
China Mieville – Kraken Jun 29
Ian McDonald – The Dervish House Jul 27
Michael Chabon & others – Sympathy For The Devil Aug 1
William Gibson – Zero History Sep 7

MOVIES
Arrested Development (Mitchell Hurwitz)
The Green Hornet (Michael Gondry) Dec 22
Black Hole (David Fincher)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I (David Yates) Nov 19
Inception (Christopher Nolan) Jul 16
The Last Airbender (M. Night Shyamalan) Jul 2
Paul (Greg Mottola)
Black Swan (Darren Aronofsky)
Tron Legacy (Joseph Kosinski) Dec 17
The Social Network (David Fincher) Oct 15
The Adjustment Bureau (George Nolfi)
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (Edgar Wright)