Top 10 New Albums to Covet In Early 2007

1. Stars of Track & Field: Centuries Before Love and War

View Full-Size I've gushed about these boys before. Hailing from the soggy town of Portland, Oregon, Stars of Track & Field have come of age with a sound that fuses the crystalline pop of the Postal Service with gritty texture and an honest emotional edge. Hype or no, these guys are worth checking out. The release of their album, Centuries Before Love and War, has been pushed back a few times already, but hopefully 2007 will see its official release into the world. Look for it. It's already one of my favorite of 2007. Read Review

2. America: Here & Now

Surely, America, a folk rock band from the '70s and '80s is irrelevant to an alt/indie music site, right? Well, no. Not this time. Reunited after years of doing other things, America has teemed up with some of the most current in alt/indie rock to release a come-back album that even you could enjoy. On 2-disc Here & Now (get it?), America covers songs by NYC indie rockers Nada Surf, Fountains of Wayne and indie-jammers My Morning Jacket. In addition, one entire disc is produced by James Iha (of Smashing Pumpkins fame) and Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne). If that's not worthy of an indie ear then...well, it is.

3. Deerhoof: Friend Oppurtunity

Bust magazine called Deerhoof "the arena-rock of the indie scene." Pitchfork claims they are "the best band in the world." Teen People has referred to their music as "absolutely delicious." Time Out New York calls them the "world's best live band." Are you telling me you aren't anticipating a new release by this thirteen year-old indie rock powerhouse that has toured with Radiohead, the Roots and Wilco? Because if that's what you're telling me then, well, stop telling me it. If this album is anywhere near the best of Deerhoof than it'll easily be near the best of the year. There, I did it. I made a prediction.

Read Review

4. The Shins: Wincing the Night Away

The Shins may have gotten a big boost when Natalie Portman shilled their first album during the touching "meeting at a shrink's office" scene in the movie Garden State, but the strength of their second album, Chutes Too Narrow, seemed to quell the naysayers' rumble. Now with their third release on the horizon, it'll be interesting to see how the "hipper than thou"s can handle a band that makes excellent music and sells fairly well. Surely there will be those struggling to not enjoy it. Surely it'll also be an album's worth of solid tunes. Will it stand up to their reputation? Don't let Natalie Porman decide.

5. Echo & the Bunnymen: More Songs to Learn and Sing

Formed in 1978 in Liverpool and one of the leaders of the post-punk movement, Echo & the Bunnymen have released 14 albums to date. This expansive oeuvre has been incredibly influential for today's indie rock -- bands like Nada Surf and Superdrag are direct descendants of their melodic brand of forceful post-punk music. This year will see the release of their second "Best Of" collection, More Songs to Learn and Sing, a snarky accompaniment to their 1985 singles collection Songs to Learn and Sing. Get in touch with the foundations of contemporary alt/indie rock. Check it out.

6. Hella: There's No 666 in Outerspace

Sacramento, California duo Hella play a tuneful type of experimental math-rock/noise-rock that is, strangely, far from self-indulgent. Their tunes, though originally only the product of distorted guitar and heavily-abused drums, is actually full-sounding, easy to follow and, well, enjoyable. Their recent studio projects, however, have departed from this paired down sound and incorporated vocals, other instruments, and a fuller sound. Fresh from 2006 tours with The Mars Volta, Les Claypool, and Dillinger Escape Plan, who knows what their 2007 release There's No 666 in Outerspace will end up sounding like.

7. Clinic: Visitations

In Liverpool, nearly 20 years after the formation of Echo & the Bunnymen, was born Clinic. The band, formed in 1997, is a four-piece that sounds "like no other." Or, according to Wikipedia, like Can, The Velvet Underground, Violent Femmes, Sonic Youth and Suicide. Since that gives you no idea what they actually sound like, I'll recommend you check out one of their four studio releases -- or their anticipated new album Visitations, which promises to further indulge the idiosyncrasies of their sound, look and style. Which, frankly, is hard to describe, but easy to look forward to.

8. Apples In Stereo: New Magnetic Wonder

Oh the goods that flow from the Elephant Six Collective and the bands that are part of it (Neutral Milk Hotel, Secret Square and Olivia Tremor Control and, this band, with a new release in early 2007: Apples In Stereo). For the best joyous pop music, drentched in catchy melody and bouncy guitars there is no other than the Elephant Six, and of the Six no band more prolific and consistent than Apples in Stereo. There is little doubt that their sixth studio album, New Magnetic Wonder, will bring as much charm as their previous five. So: anticipate. It'll pay off come release day.

9. Bloc Party: A Weekend in the City

Remember Bloc Party? They were the ones hogging all the hype in 2005 when they released their critically acclaimed (and maimed) debut, Silent Alarm. The alarm was anything but silent. However, the music was quite good. The question this time around, with their follow-up, A Weekend in the City, out in 2007, is can the band with all the press hype keep the fans interested. Frankly, after the Killers dubious sophomore release I think it's up in the air. You and I, we'll just have to wait and see.

10. !!!: Myth Takes

You may not be able to Google them properly, and God knows I can't seem to find a link to their new album for you, but, if you like danceable indie rock, this is a release you should anticipate. !!!, sometimes pronounced "chk chk chk," are back this year with an album title using conventional letters: Myth Takes. The ten track release will be another "dance-punk" album. However, where past studio albums failed to capture the spontaneous intensity of !!!'s powerful live shows, perhaps this new album will fair better. Or it won't. Either way, I'll be curious to hear it. And you should be, too.