10 Most Anticipated Albums of 2013
As good as 2012 was for new rock albums -- trust us, it was a pretty stellar year -- the next 12 months are shaping up to be even more full of bountiful goodness. There are way too many discs we're excited about to make our Most Anticipated Albums of 2013 list even close to comprehensive, but we tried our best to narrow it down to 10, all the while picking from a wide swath of styles in a good-faith attempt to cover all our bases.
There are several notable omissions -- the first that comes to mind is My Bloody Valentine's long-awaited follow-up to 1991's 'Loveless,' which we left off simply because the disc's expected 2013 arrival has yet to be confirmed -- but the 10 that are featured here are all killer, no filler. So without further ado, here is Diffuser.fm's tally of the Most Anticipated Albums of 2013. Dig in!
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E Works / Vagrant
'Wonderful, Glorious,' Eels
Release Date: Feb. 5, 2013
Reasons for Optimism: First single 'Peach Blossom' (listen here), which comes across like a secret back road connecting Beck Avenue and Tom Waits Way.
Potential Drawbacks: Can recent touring guitarist P-Boo bring it in the studio?
Predicted Diffuser.fm Review: 9/10
Captured Tracks
'Clash the Truth,' Beach Fossils
Release Date: Feb. 18, 2013
Reasons for Optimism: "I've just ended up wanting to rebel against myself and make something really noisy," frontman Dustin Payseur has said of 'Clash the Truth' -- and he meant it.
Potential Drawbacks: Can guitarist Zachary Cole Smith effectively balance his time between Beach Fossils and DIIV?
Predicted Diffuser.fm Review: 7/10
Bad Seed Ltd.
'Push the Sky Away,' Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Release Date: Feb. 18, 2013
Reasons for Optimism: It's a concept album exploring the intersection of timeless, mystical mythmaking and throwaway Internet memes in the totally wired 2010s.
Potential Drawbacks: It's a concept album exploring the intersection of timeless, mystical myth-making and throwaway Internet memes in the totally wired 2010s.
Predicted Diffuser.fm Review: 6/10
Sire / Ada
'The Messenger,' Johnny Marr
Release Date: Feb. 26
Reasons for Optimism: Johnny Marr goes solo? Count us in!
Potential Drawbacks: This one has been in the works so long -- maybe there's a good reason he's been holding back?
Predicted Diffuser.fm Review: 8/10
ATO
'Regions of Light and Sound of God,' Jim James
Release Date: Feb 5, 2013
Reasons for Optimism: Jim James goes solo? Count us in!
Potential Drawbacks: The immensely boorish video for first single 'Know 'Til Now' shows us just how damn lonesome going it alone can be.
Predicted Diffuser.fm Review: 8/10
Matador Records
'You're Nothing,' Iceage
Release Date: Feb. 18, 2013
Reasons for Optimism: "Twelve examples of the myriad ways Iceage have written, and re-written the short aggressive rock song," promises a press release. Myriad rad!
Potential Drawbacks: Can these manic Danish post-punkers retain the urgent energy of their debut?
Predicted Diffuser.fm Review: 8/10
TBA, Charli XCX
Release Date: February 2013
Reasons for Optimism: Twenty-year-old Charli XCX (aka Charlotte Aitchison) promised big things with her 'Super Ultra' mix tape -- and delivered big time. Expect her as-yet-untitled debut to follow suit.
Potential Drawbacks: She said it best: “The XCX really stands for ‘kiss Charli kiss’ which is unbelievably crap.”
Predicted Diffuser.fm Review: 7/10
Sire
'Heartthrob,' Tegan and Sara
Release Date: Jan. 29
Reasons for Optimism: The Quin twins largely ditch the guitars for programmed beats and synths -- and insist the upbeat, dancey results are best experienced through headphones.
Potential Drawbacks: It's hard to dance with headphones on.
Predicted Diffuser.fm Review: 8/10
TBA, Depeche Mode
Release Date: April 2013
Reasons for Optimism: Does it really matter what it sounds like? To us, a new album is basically just an excuse for Depeche Mode to tour -- and when they roll through town, we'll be the first in line.
Potential Drawbacks: All these new tunes could weigh down the set list.
Predicted Diffuser.fm Review: 6/10
XL Recordings
'Amok,' Atoms for Peace
Release Date: Feb. 25, 2013
Reasons for Optimism: Thom Yorke's got the brains, Flea's got the funk and Nigel Godrich promises to pull it all together and make it sound good.
Potential Drawbacks: Too many cooks? Not enough Kiedis?
Predicted Diffuser.fm Review: 8/10