Vie’s Verses: Which Albums Are You Looking Forward To In 2011?
It’s a new year which is a time to look forward and plan ahead. For hard rock fans like myself that means it’s time to speculate about which hard and heavy albums are going to be amongst the favorites for 2011. Every year I get excited when thinking about which rock records are getting ready for release. I like to look and see which band is in the studio, who is close to releasing a new album, and of course debating on whether the new album will be light years ahead of the last.
Nice guy that I am I’ve compiled some of the hard rock records that I am looking forward to in 2011, along with the proposed release dates. Hopefully these are albums that you are looking forward to as well. Or perhaps you weren’t even aware that they were coming out, in which case I’m happy to fill you in. Sit back with me now for this edition of Vie’s Verses, upcoming hard rock records for 2011.
Social Distortion – Hard Times And Nursery Rhymes
Release Date – January 18, 2011
While I’ve never been a diehard fan of Social Distortion, I’ve always liked the band and I’ve always loved Mike Ness. I’ll be honest, I haven’t kept up with Social D and I haven’t listened to any of their newer material. However, when I saw they had a new album coming out in January it peaked my interest. Visiting their website (www.socialdistortion.com) I was able to stream Hard Times And Nursery Rhymes and take it for a test drive. The result? It was some solid rock and roll and a record that I will be adding to my collection. I am really looking forward to the release of Hard Times And Nursery Rhymes and seeing how well sales go for this band. This album deserves some attention.
Motorhead – The World Is Yours
Release Date – January 18, 2011
Anytime that Lemmy Kilmster is involved in releasing a new record a rock fan has to stand up and take notice. One of the Gods of metal, Lemmy is just an amazing rocker to follow. Motorhead has been a force to be reckoned with for decades. The fact that they are still making new music is exciting and liberating. It proves that the older you get, you can’t stop rocking. Hopefully, that will translate on The World Is Yours. Motorhead has never really disappointed, so it’s not much of a stretch to think that this album will be a hard rocking blast. The question is, will it be one of the best records of the year, or will it only be average?
Manowar – Battle Hymns MMXI
Release Date – February, 2011
Let’s get one thing straight. I LOVE Manowar. I’ve always thought they were one of the hardest rocking bands in the industry. I have also always been confused as to why they don’t have more popularity. Their music is outstanding, their live performances rival that of any rock band you can name, and their star quality is extremely high. With all that greatness, how come you almost never hear them on the radio? Battle Hymns MMXI is a re-recording of their 1982 debut album, Battle Hymns. Almost 30 years later and the band has decided to re-record every song on the album. This could be very, very great, or very, very heinous. We’ll find out in February.
Red Hot Chili Peppers – Title TBD
Tentative Release Date – Summer 2011
Having not released an album since 2006’s Stadium Arcadium, it will be real interesting to hear some new Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2011. Working with their new guitarist, Josh Klinghoffer, the Peppers have been in the studio since the fall, trying out the new material and determining what is good enough to make the new record and what isn’t. Drummer Chad Smith has stated that while a lot of songs have been recorded (more than 20), the new album will definitely not be a double album. I for one can’t wait to get my hands on some new material from the Peppers. They’ve not released a bad album since…well never, so I know new Peppers is going to be eartastic. Look for this album to arrive in stores by late spring/early summer.
Van Halen – Title TBD
Release Date – TBD
Rumors abound that Van Halen will be touring in 2011 (with David Lee Roth and Wolfgang once again). Rumors are also rampant that the band is working on a new album to take out on tour with them. What no one can confirm, however, is when this album will be released. It makes sense that the band would want to finish recording the disc before hitting the road, but with the snail pace that Eddie Van Halen works, it’s very conceivable that the record just won’t be finished in time. The summer touring season is a very lucrative time for ticket sales, and if there’s no album to support, then it’s highly likely the band will hit the road without it. I would love to hear a new VH record with David Lee Roth behind the mic, as I’m sure every other fan in the world would too. When you listen to Me Wise Magic or Can’t Get This Stuff No More (from the first Greatest Hits album, the last “new” songs recorded with Diamond Dave), you can’t help but salivate over what new material would sound like. It would be golden.
Rush – Title TBD
Release Date – TBD
Rush is another band that is up against the clock to release their new album. Having been out on the road for over a year and a half on their Time Machine tour, the band has performed two new songs in concert. These songs were supposed to be for the inclusion on a new record, but have since been made available as live recordings from their website (or ITunes). Has this stalled the potential of a brand new Rush record? While Snakes and Arrows was an amazing album, there’s still a lot of life left in the boys from Canada. It would be nice to see them turn that into something for the fans now, while their creative levels are still high and their talent is still hot. I would love to hear some new Rush before the year is over and hopefully our neighbors to the north will find the time in their schedule to oblige.
And there you have it. The hard rock records that I am looking forward to sinking my ears into this year. What albums are you excited about? What records can you not wait to be released?
New UFO and Black Stone Cherry.
Thanks ryovie!! ya know…in Vie’s defense, he did say “which albums r we” as in the readers, most lookin forward too….sorry for gettin on you in my statement. i’m really lookin forward to everything thats going to be put out…from the 70’s bands to today’s bands, man, i love it all. i love hearing what the older bands are gonna put out just cuz we all always compare it to they’re classic stuff(example, VH and Rush,Kiss,Motley crue, Ratt) and how lucky are we that these bands are still kickin it after all this time?!?! and todays music is so killer!
I love the pop evils and burn halo’s and shindowns and slash, then to throw in FFDP, avenged 7 fold, all that remains, sonic syndictic(spelling) sevendust etc. i’m always digging in my pocket as i’m passing the best buy to see if i have enough for another(hopefully killer) cd….bring them on!!!
You know, Chris is right. How the heck couldd I forget the new Pop Evil. I’ve even got it circled on my calendar!
I am looking forward to the new one from Black Stone Cherry, The Answer, the new KISS (rumored), Van Halen, Coldspell and Sixx A.M. (The new sound bite sounds really good).
this is just my guess, but I’m not holding my breath waiting for a new VH album. I would love for it to happen, but only if the new songs have that old swagger from back in the day. Me Wise magic and Can’t Get This Stuff No More were pretty weak tracks IMHO. I can already attest to the fact that the new Motorhead record is really good. It leaked a while ago so I’ve been able to enjoy it for a few weeks. I can’t wait for the release date so i can buy it. Tasty stuff! the record I’m really looking forward to which isn’t mentioned here is the new one by UFO. If all goes well, they should have a new record out by Summer.
come on dude…what about Sixx A.M. and pop evil and maybe(should i even say)GUNS N ROSES!!!! lol…that one made me chuckle.
i agree with the Van halen, but the rest….not so much.
I’m NOT looking forward to anymore re-issues, that’s for certain! I look forward to “anything” from RUSH… except a re-issue or another (gasp) “greatest hits”! The reason why record companies lump in a “bonus” live CD or a couple of bonus tracks with re-issues is they know these carbon copies wouldn’t sell without them.
Any year like we’ve had in 2010 I’ll look forward to when it comes to new album releases. 🙂