POP/ROCK
Look for pleasant surprises
By Kevin W. Smith
KSMITH@AZSTARNET.COM
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 01.08.2009
While 2008 was kind of a sleeper year in the music industry, 2009 is looking to come out swinging.
Heavyweights like U2 are emerging from the recording studio to try to sell some records and kick-start the whole business part of music, currently being torn down by downloading. Good luck with that.
And look for more pleasant surprises, be it from an excellent, previously unknown indie group like Fleet Foxes in 2008, or an act like Radiohead just up and deciding to release an album digitally with little prior notice.
Locally, this looks to be another solid year for Tucson's continued ascension into the national music scene, led by new albums from up-and-comers Golden Boots and Holy Rolling Empire early in the year.
While local venues typically are able to plan concerts only a few months out, there are already some cool shows on the horizon, including a Valentine's Day concert by Andrew Bird at the Rialto Theatre.
And although we don't know the headliners, we do have a date for what could potentially be the biggest Tucson concert in years: April 29 at Arizona Stadium.
With all that said, here's a glance at releases set for the first few months of 2009, plus a rundown of upcoming concerts to get psyched for.
Anticipated Album Releases
"Middle Cyclone," Neko Case
β’ Release date: March 3.
β’ The word: Tucson-based songstress Case, left, has improved with every album, including 2006's "Fox Confessor Brings the Flood," and there's no reason to think this trend won't continue. "Middle Cyclone" was recorded in Tucson, Brooklyn, Vermont and Toronto, and snippets we've heard sound gorgeous.
"Merriweather Post Pavilion," Animal Collective
β’ Release date: Jan. 20.
β’ The word: These Maryland mind-melters are releasing what is perhaps the most anticipated independent album of 2009. "Merriweather" is the follow-up to 2007's "Strawberry Jam"β recorded at Tucson's Wavelab Studio β and is going to be massive in 2009. The only question is whether we'll be sick of it by summer.
"Live From Austin TX," Calexico
β’ Release date: Jan. 20.
β’ The word: "Live From Austin TX" is a live DVD featuring Calexico's full 2006 performance at Austin City Limits. The Tucson band was touring behind 2006's "Garden Ruin," but the set featured old favorites like "Convict Pool" and "Guero Canelo."
"Winter of Our Discotheque," Golden Boots
β’ Release date: Jan. 27.
β’ The word: The first CD-format release by Tucson's alt-alt-folk act Golden Boots on prominent indie label Park the Van Records, "Winter" is the follow-up to the digital-only but excellent 2007 release, "Burning Brain." Expect the brothers Boots to be touring a lot in 2009 behind this one.
"Working on a Dream," Bruce Springsteen
β’ Release date: Jan. 27
β’ The word: After wrapping up 2008's "Magic," Springsteen decided to keep writing material, and the 13-song collection "Working on a Dream" is the result. You've got to like the chances of albums crafted from a glut of inspiration. Especially from Springsteen.
"Tonight: Franz Ferdinand," Franz Ferdinand
β’ Release date: Jan. 27.
β’ The word: True, many saw Franz's sophomore effort, 2005's "You Could Have It So Much Better," as a major disappointment. "Tonight" is looking to revive Franz, being called dancey and disco. We'll see.
"Block Party," Missy Elliott
β’ Release date: Feb. 10.
β’ The word: Originally slated for release in September 2008, "Block Party" got moved to 2009 β never a great sign. The first single from the album, the Danja-produced "Best, Best," is decent enough but nowhere near the level of previous singles such as "Work It."
"No Line on the Horizon," U2
β’ Release date: March 3.
β’ The word: "No Line" will be U2's 12th album and first since 2004's "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb." It's being described as bolder and more experimental than anything the band has done since the days of "Achtung Baby." Of course, hyperbole is typical with any U2 release.
"Gigantis," Holy Rolling Empire
β’ Release date: March 3.
β’ The word: For a while there, it seemed like these guys were playing Downtown every night, slogging out the same tunes from their first EP. But Holy Rolling Empire's debut full-length shows impressive growth. "Gigantis" takes the band's poppy psychedelics and expands it to fantastic melodic heights. This 10-track collection is going to take a lot of folks by surprise. Prepare.
Other artists with new albums on the horizon:
β’ Dr. Dre β "Detox" is quickly becoming rap's "Chinese Democracy."
β’ D'Angelo β One-time R&B superstar D'Angelo kind of lost his mind for a while, but word is he's been working on some crazy good stuff. Music, that is.
β’ Grizzly Bearβ Aside from Animal Collective, in the indie music world, Grizzly Bear's upcoming release is being awaited with as much anticipation as U2's disc.
β’ Eminemβ After the debauchery of 2004's "Encore," Eminem is throwing his backwards hat back into the ring for another round of rap with "Relapse." It couldn't be worse than "Encore," could it?
β’ Jay-Z β The first "Blueprint" was a classic, the second was a bloated bust. Here's hoping Jay has another five-star album in the tank for "The Blueprint 3." When you take the step to a trilogy, you better be reaching for something good, instead of just reaching.
β’ Amy Winehouse β Reportedly darker than her previous smash albums, this one coincides with her vow of making a fresh start in 2009.
β’ Yeah Yeah Yeahs β Fans are being told the new record will be like nothing else this eccentric threesome has done before. Can't wait.
Arizona Concerts
TUCSON-AREA CONCERTS
β’ Jan. 10: Wanda Jackson β Plush.
β’ Jan. 14: Rebelution β The Rock.
β’ Jan. 15: 2mex β Club Congress.
β’ Jan. 20: Eric Johnson β Rialto Theatre.
β’ Jan. 22: The Beach Boys β Desert Diamond Casino.
β’ Jan. 23: Giant Sand β Club Congress.
β’ Jan. 23: Obi Best β Plush.
β’ Jan. 24: Amy Ray β Plush.
β’ Jan. 26: The Shaky Hands β Plush.
β’ Jan. 28: Lions β Plush.
β’ Jan. 29: Badfish β Rialto Theatre.
β’ Jan. 30: Blue Note Records 70th Anniversary Tour β Centennial Hall.
β’ Jan. 30: Golden Boots β Plush.
β’ Jan. 30: The Love Me Nots β Surly Wench Pub.
β’ Feb. 1: The Submarines β Club Congress.
β’ Feb. 2: Katy Perry β Centennial Hall.
β’ Feb. 3: Steve Poltz β Club Congress.
β’ Feb. 4: Tim Reynolds & TR3 β Plush.
β’ Feb. 5: Slightly Stoopid β Rialto.
β’ Feb. 6: Devotchka β Rialto.
β’ Feb. 7: Gem and Jam with Ghostland Observatory β Rialto.
β’ Feb. 8: Gem and Jam with The Greyboy Allstars β Rialto.
β’ Feb. 10: Eagles of Death Metal β Rialto.
β’ Feb. 10: The Appleseed Cast β Plush.
β’ Feb 11: Susan Tedeschi β Rialto.
β’ Feb 12: Jim Brickman β Centennial Hall.
β’ Feb. 14: Andrew Bird β Rialto.
β’ Feb. 14: Serena Ryder β Plush.
β’ Feb. 15: Joshua Radin β Club Congress.
β’ Feb. 15: Richie Havens β Temple of Music and Art.
β’ Feb. 19: Thursday β Rialto.
β’ Feb. 27: Kinky β Club Congress.
β’ March 10: Cute Is What We Aim For β Rialto.
β’ March 18: Etta James & The Roots Band β Centennial Hall.
β’ March 23: The Airborne Toxic Event β The Rock.
β’ March 29: Brett Dennen β Rialto.
β’ April 1: Madeleine Peyroux β Rialto.
β’ April 11: Lila Downs β Centennial Hall.
β’ April 25: Bret Michaels β Pima County Fairgrounds.
β’ April 25: Hot Tuna β Fox Tucson Theatre.
β’ April 26: Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers β Pima County Fairgrounds.
PHOENIX-AREA CONCERTS
β’ Jan. 15: John Legend β Dodge Theatre, Phoenix.
β’ Jan. 28: Lil Wayne β US Airways Arena, Phoenix.
β’ Jan. 30: Avenged Sevenfold β Jobing.com Arena, Glendale.
β’ Jan. 31: NOFX β Marquee Theatre, Tempe.
β’ Feb. 13: Cradle of Filth β Marquee.
β’ Feb. 25: Yes β Dodge Theatre.
β’ Feb. 26: Zappa Plays Zappa β Dodge Theatre.
β’ March 4: The Pretenders β Dodge Theatre.
β’ March 5: Slipknot β Jobing.com Arena.
β’ March 26: Billy Joel and Elton John β US Airways Center.
β’ April 24: Britney Spears β Jobing.com Arena.
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