The Black Keys – Attack & Release
Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney aka The Black Keys mostly just record their albums themselves in a lo-fi kinda way. Hell, they recorded most of “Thickfreakness” in half a day!
Simple Plan – S/T
Simple Plan is essentially a boyband disguised as a poppunk act. And never before were they so blatantly obvious about it as on their new self-titled album.
The Donnas – Bitchin’
Expect a major Joan Jett flashback to hit when looking at the cover of The Donnas’ new album.
Cowboy Junkies – Trinity Revisited
I wouldn’t want to be in the Cowboy Junkies’ shoes… releasing the album you will be remembered for early in your career, I think it’s more of a curse than a blessing.
Jet Lag Gemini – Fire The Cannons
These guys were first called the Temporary Disruption of Bodily Rhythms Caused By High-Speed Travel Twins but then decided that Jet Lag Gemini was a slightly catchier title.
Protest The Hero – Fortress
Unlike their debut album “Kezia”, Protest The Hero’s “Fortress” is not a concept album. Instead these young Cannucks wrote about the refeminization of deities.
Drive-By Truckers – Brighter Than Creation’s Dark
A lot of people gave up on the Drive-By Truckers after the slightly disappointing “A Blessing And A Curse” and fans lost all hope when Jason Isbell left the band.
Warbringer – War Without End
Warbringer is an LA-based outfit consisting of a bunch of dudes aged 17-22 who like to play thrash metal. Like Metallica before they got old. Yes, the kind they used to play back in the 80s.
Farewell – Isn’t This Supposed To Be Fun!?
According to the sticker on the album ‘these power pop newcomers are determined to put the fun back into rock’.
The Audition – Champion
The Audition’s debut “Controversy Loves Company” was a fun album that got away with being as poppy as it was because the band sounded powerful and ballsy at the same time.