The Eleven

We're a little over halfway through the year. We're not at the point yet of figuring out the best of the year yet but by September, the lists will start coming. So instead of looking back at the fast-paced start and mediocre summer, let's take a look at what is to come. With 4 good months of CD releases upon us, which are the albums that will spark the most excitement?

1. The Killers – Sam’s Town (Oct. 3) - The new song is everywhere and sadly, it's not that great. But that doesn't mean the rest of the album will follow suit. Or we hope. I would hate to see our favorite mormon rockers become a one-album wonder. Regardless, this is the record alternative rock radio is creaming their shorts for already... (Potential Goodness - 50%)
   
2. Outkast – Idlewild (Aug. 22) - Another bad with a mediocre first single. But the Outkasters never seem to follow the rules. So if their history is any indication, there's a good chance the rest of the album is full of mystery and intrigue. (Potential Goodness - 75%)
   
3. Bob Dylan – Modern Times (Aug. 29) - Any album Dylan releases is an event. Especially when it's composed of all new material. This will be headlining every critics review page by late summer. (Potential Goodness - 85%)
   
4. Pharrell – In My Mind (July 25) - The hottest celeb hip-hop producer delves into his first solo hip-hop record. (NERD was probably more of a rock band) Delay after delay doesn't bode well but let's hope that was for fine-tuning purposes. (Potential Goodness - 65%)
   
5. Mastodon – Blood Mountain (Sept. 12) - The hardest hard rockers in the underground metal scene deliver their first major label debut. Are they the next Metallica? We'll find out soon enough. (Potential Goodness - 70%)
   
6. Beck – TBA (Nov. 06) - Only 18 months after Guero, Beck returns. It's Beck. What else can you say? (Potential Goodness - 80%)
   
7. Modest Mouse – TBA (Nov. 06) - The alternative darlings of 2004 try to avoid being a piece of music trivia with their follow-up to their major label break-out debut. If Isaac Brock's animosity to the mainstream is any indication, expect the unexpected. (Potential Goodness - 85%)
   
8. Young Jeezy – Thug Motivation 102 (Oct. 24) - Why is he the best rapper since Jay-Z? Who knows but the world loves YJ. (Potential Goodness - 40%)
   
9. BT – The Binary Universe (Sept. 12) - A concept electronic album that has a companion DVD mini-film. The pre-word is amazing. But how practical will it really be? (Potential Goodness - 35%)
   
10. Cursive – Happy Hollow (Aug. 22) - An indie rock concept album from Omaha, Nebraska from a band that is not Bright Eyes. The emo kids are sure to gobble this one up and there's breakthrough critical potential in the making. But then again, what was the last great indie rock "concept" album? Yeah, exactly. (Potential Goodness - 65%)
    
11. The Mars Volta – Amputechure (Aug. 22) - The prog-punkers have already created buzz that this is their best album to date. Not very weird and more mainstream. Too good to be true? We'll see. (Potential Goodness - 70%)
    

Bonus numbers...

12. Guns N Roses – Chinese Democracy (Nov. 06) - This would be number one if I knew for sure it would actually come out. Axl swears the album will come out in the fall. But according to Geffen, Axl is asking for more time to tweak some of the tour songs and re-lay guitar tracks with new guitarist, Bumblefoot. Odds of it actually being a 2006 release are about 12-1.
    

And, last but least...

TV On the Radio – Return To Cookie Mountain (Sept. 5) - Technically this album should be on the top 11 but it's already been released in Europe. If you haven't heard it, then go seek it out. You'll be happy.

Back in the late 80s, Subpop changed music forever by finding a little known band called Fecal Matter. The three-piece from Aberdeen Washington went on to be the dominate driving force in mainstream rock until the singer's wife hired some junkie to blow his brains out. But the damage had already been done. Back then the 80s created a very medicore decade of rock music. Subpop came around to change the landscape anyway they felt the could. It took a few years but the goal they set out to accomplish came true. Now...15 years later, hip-hop is fighting the same malaise in their cultural. Very sub-average rap is dominating the airwaves. But one label is following the Subpop formula, trying to recreate the hip-hop world. They are called Definite Jux. they've only been around for a few years but in that time, they have managed to create a whole new underground following for their artists like EL-P (founder), Mr.Lif, Murs, and Aesop Rock. They have largely ignored hip-hop standards and pushed the bar in many directions when it comes to style, production, and substance. If there is a tomorrow in rap...it will be led by labels like Def Jux.

Here's a brief look at the best tracks the label has offered so far...

1. Live From The Plantation – Mr. Lif
2. 5 O’Clock – The Perceptionists
3. Daylight – Aesop Rock
4. Since Last We Spoke – RJD2
5. Sniper Picnic – Rob Sonic
6. Bad Man - Murs
   
7. Deep Space 9mm – El-P
8. 11:35 – Aesop Rock and Mr. Lif
9. Phantom – Mr. Lif and EL-P
10. Walk Like A Man - Murs
    
11. Dead Disnee – El-P

n rock n roll, the hardest act to follow is yourself. So when musicians leave the confines of their stardom and success, it's seldom that they find success with other musicians...especially when the other musicians are rock stars themselves. Many times it ends in disaster (we'll get to that in a couple of days) but every once in awhile, good things happen.

Here are the 11 best rock supergroups.

1. Blind Faith (Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Ginger Baker)
2. The Traveling Wilburys (Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne)
3. Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young (Buffalo Springfield, The Hollies, The Byrds)
4. Temple of the Dog (Soundgarden, Mother Love Bone)
5. The Highwaymen (Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson)
6. Audioslave (Soundgarden, Rage Against The Machine)
7. Electronic (Pet Shop Boys, New Order, The Smiths)
8. Me First And The Gimme Gimmes (NoFx, Swinging Utters, Lagwagon, No Use For A Name)
9. Velvet Revolver (Stone Temple Pilots, Guns N Roses)
10. Asia (ELP, Yes, King Crimson)
11. A Perfect Circle (Tool, Failure, Smashing Pumpkins, Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, Primus)