The Hickensian

30.03.07

It's going to be a good year for music

It doesn’t seem like 5 mins since I was writing about my favourite albums of 2006, and already, I’ve bought some great music that are all contenders for this years top 5 list. In true Hicks style, 2 of these were released last year, but hey.

Raising your voice, trying to stop an echo – Hammock
Jarvis – Jarvis Cocker
Out of the Angeles – Amusement Parks on Fire
Girls and Boys in America – The Hold Steady
Neon Bible – Arcade Fire

All superb records, played non-stop.

Now I’ve heard that The National have a new album, ‘Boxer’, due out on May 21st, along with Wilco’s “Sky Blue Sky” the week before. Stereogum have a sample from Boxer, Fake Empire available to download. Crikey!

It’s going to be a good year for music.

UPDATE : Just discovered that Interpol’s, as yet untitled, 3rd album is to be released in June. Yay!

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No.1

Doug said 830 days ago:

I have a feeling (by the couple tracks that I have heard) that Boxer will be my #1 for the year. It would take something special to knock it out of the top.

No.2

Sam said 830 days ago:

Jarvis Cocker’s solo album is fantastic, as is Neon Bible – Arcade Fire. Have you got Arcade Fire’s first album? I’d argue it’s better than Neon Bible.

No.3

John Oxton said 830 days ago:

I will assume the glaring omission from planned releases this year is there, purposely, to goad me into commenting ;D

cough Radiohead cough

No.4

Doug said 830 days ago:

Is the new Radiohead coming out this year?

I think I have heard of a new Sigur Ros album later fall/winter 2007 also.

No.5

Jon Hicks said 830 days ago:

@Sam – I do, but I think Neon Bible is pretty much on a level for me

#John – Aha. Yes. Release date please?

No.6

John Oxton said 830 days ago:

Apparently it’s coming and they are certainly working on it

No.7

Jon Hicks said 829 days ago:

Well obviously, a new Radiohead elpee would be the crowning glory, but I’m not holding my breath. Wasn’t it supposed to be out last year?

No.8

David Emery said 829 days ago:

The new Modest Mouse album is also very, very good – think it’s out over here next monday.

Ooh, and the new White Stripes album should be out in June too…

No.9

Olly said 829 days ago:

Indeed. Brett Anderson’s first solo effort (out this week) is rather superb as well if you like a bit of Radio2ness which, worryingly, I’m increasingly partial too :)

No.10

Nick Harris said 829 days ago:

Let us not forget the new Bees album, released yesterday, and Wincing the Night away by The Shins is absolutely effing marvelous

No.11

Chris McElligott said 829 days ago:

I love Arcade Fire’s new album, one of the only few I actually bought on CD.

No.12

Rob Weychert said 829 days ago:

You know, I had been avoiding The Hold Steady for a long time purely on the basis that I didn’t like their name, but there was no denying the awesomeness of Boys and Girls in America. Of all of last year’s records, that one may have gotten the most repeat listens from me.

No.13

Tim Beadle said 829 days ago:

I’m eagerly awaiting The Cinematic Orchestra’s new album Ma Fleur, due out on May 7th.

No.14

Stephen Tudor said 828 days ago:

I think those are some great picks, Jon, particularly the Hammock (was really into Common Children in their day, too). Lately I’ve been really into the latest offering from Lovedrug, “Everything Starts Where It Ends”. You may want to check it out on iTunes if you can get it.

No.15

Brad Chmielewski said 828 days ago:

It has been the year of the Remixes for me, I’m having a hard time getting into the new Arcade Fire, seems like it is missing something that the last album had. But, thanks for the tip on Amusement Parks on Fire and Hammock going to have to check them out.

No.16

dave said 828 days ago:

nah the new radiohead album wasnt meant to be out last year, nor is it this year either all just filthy rumours, they haven’t set a date yet ;). I also love arcade fire’s new album. If you like arcade fire I would definatly suggest you look into “fields” & bloc party’s newest effort. Excellent stuff.

No.17

James Alternation said 828 days ago:

Also out this year is the new Portishead one which will hopefully be worth waiting 11 odd years for

No.18

Erwin Heiser said 827 days ago:

I’m really enjoying Charlotte Gainsbourg’s album 5:55 (Lyrics by Jarvis Cocker and Neil Hannon from the Divine Comedy, music by Air)
Frankly, IMO Arcade Fire is really being overhyped :)

No.19

Jon Hicks said 827 days ago:

“Frankly, IMO Arcade Fire is really being overhyped :)”

They are, but that doesn’t mean the music isn’t any good. In fact, I’d say that its because their music is so good that they’re overhyped.

No.20

Aaron T. said 827 days ago:

You have to see this absolutely amazing Arcade Fire clip.

I love all the new songs. But if I were to pick a favourite, it would have to be either “Black Mirror”, “No Cars Go”, or “Intervention”.

My favourite band, hands down. And they happen to be Canadian. Go us.

No.21

bennion said 827 days ago:

new ‘black rebel motorcycle club’ is coming out around the first week of may. good stuff. can’t wait.

No.22

Chris Fonnesbeck said 827 days ago:

Albums to add to the queue:

Peter Bjorn and John – Writer’s block
Williams, Lucinda – West
Bright Eyes – Cassadaga

No.23

Si said 827 days ago:

I’m heading to the Netherlands (from the UK) next week, with the original intention to see The Arcade Fire in Utrecht, but the singer’s lost his voice so they’ve cancelled the rest of their tour. ARGH I’M SO DISAPPOINTED

No.24

Marius Bastiansen said 827 days ago:

Hi there Mr Hicks,
I find yr taste in music very interesting & I also think Jarvis Cocker`s solo album is great. I´m a songwriter/musician and have dabbled with webdesign for 2 years now. I´m a recent switcher:-) and I actually found out about the editor skEdit through yr site and I think it`s a great editor. Please stop by my bands page at virb.com/alpinethosemyriads and have listen if you like.
Hope all is well and keep up the great work

No.25

Anton Andreasson said 824 days ago:

Jon, read this ? Jarvis Cocker will be there.

No.26

Sulcalibur said 823 days ago:

I wondered what happened to that skinny bastard Jarvis. I saw him in London once behind me in a 7/11 whilst I was buying some midnight munch. That dude is proper lanky lol