Spring Break
Listen up! (in May)
JOHN BARRETT
Issue date: 4/30/09 Section: Out & About
New York Dolls
"Cause I Sez So"
May 5
Atco
Hugely influential on punk rock and new wave in the '70s, the glam-rock outfit was defunct for over 20 years prior to reforming in 2004. "Cause I Sez So" is the second full-length release since The New York Dolls' reunion and is the first album to be produced by Todd Rundgren since the band's acclaimed 1973 self-titled debut.
Isis
"Wavering Radiant"
May 5
Ipecac
The Los Angeles-based progressive/sludge metal quintet prepares to release its fifth studio album. The band's first in three years, guitarist/singer Aaron Turner and drummer Aaron Harris have proclaimed "Wavering Radiant" their most complete-sounding album yet, while also hinting that it will feature rawer production quality.
Meat Puppets
"Sewn Together"
May 12
Megaforce
Hallmarks of the '80s alternative rock scene and credited with influencing bands such as Nirvana and Pavement, the trio returns after numerous hiatuses and lineup changes with their twelfth album. Guitarist/singer Curt Kirkwood has commented that "Sewn Together" is the result of an intentionally hasty recording process.
Green Day
"21st Century Breakdown"
May 15
Reprise
The pop-punk trio's first studio album since 2004's massively successful "American Idiot," Green Day will continue the conceptual, political format established by its predecessor on "21st Century Breakdown": the album contains a dense 18 songs and is divided into three "acts." Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong has explicitly warned listeners not to expect a return to roots, also mentioning the album is inspired by classic rock groups such as The Who and Queen.
Eminem
"Relapse"
May 19
Shady/Aftermath/Interscope
Marshall Mathers' rap career has been on hiatus since 2005. As such, this marks the king of white rap's first album in five years, "Relapse" chronicles Slim Shady's battle with prescription drug addiction. Co-produced with Dr. Dre once again at the helm, "Relapse" is rumored to be heavily rhythmically driven and to feature fewer guest musicians than previous efforts. Sequel "Relapse 2" is slated for release later this year.
Grizzly Bear
"Veckatimest"
May 26
Warp
The Brooklyn-based experimental folk-rock band will unveil its newest album, the proper follow-up to 2006's "Yellow House." Named after an uninhabited island in Massachusetts, "Veckatimest" will display Grizzly Bear in brighter, more pop-sensible form compared to prior releases. A low-quality leak of the album appeared on the Internet in early March.
"Cause I Sez So"
May 5
Atco
Hugely influential on punk rock and new wave in the '70s, the glam-rock outfit was defunct for over 20 years prior to reforming in 2004. "Cause I Sez So" is the second full-length release since The New York Dolls' reunion and is the first album to be produced by Todd Rundgren since the band's acclaimed 1973 self-titled debut.
Isis
"Wavering Radiant"
May 5
Ipecac
The Los Angeles-based progressive/sludge metal quintet prepares to release its fifth studio album. The band's first in three years, guitarist/singer Aaron Turner and drummer Aaron Harris have proclaimed "Wavering Radiant" their most complete-sounding album yet, while also hinting that it will feature rawer production quality.
Meat Puppets
"Sewn Together"
May 12
Megaforce
Hallmarks of the '80s alternative rock scene and credited with influencing bands such as Nirvana and Pavement, the trio returns after numerous hiatuses and lineup changes with their twelfth album. Guitarist/singer Curt Kirkwood has commented that "Sewn Together" is the result of an intentionally hasty recording process.
Green Day
"21st Century Breakdown"
May 15
Reprise
The pop-punk trio's first studio album since 2004's massively successful "American Idiot," Green Day will continue the conceptual, political format established by its predecessor on "21st Century Breakdown": the album contains a dense 18 songs and is divided into three "acts." Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong has explicitly warned listeners not to expect a return to roots, also mentioning the album is inspired by classic rock groups such as The Who and Queen.
Eminem
"Relapse"
May 19
Shady/Aftermath/Interscope
Marshall Mathers' rap career has been on hiatus since 2005. As such, this marks the king of white rap's first album in five years, "Relapse" chronicles Slim Shady's battle with prescription drug addiction. Co-produced with Dr. Dre once again at the helm, "Relapse" is rumored to be heavily rhythmically driven and to feature fewer guest musicians than previous efforts. Sequel "Relapse 2" is slated for release later this year.
Grizzly Bear
"Veckatimest"
May 26
Warp
The Brooklyn-based experimental folk-rock band will unveil its newest album, the proper follow-up to 2006's "Yellow House." Named after an uninhabited island in Massachusetts, "Veckatimest" will display Grizzly Bear in brighter, more pop-sensible form compared to prior releases. A low-quality leak of the album appeared on the Internet in early March.
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