Son Volt

While we spent the last couple issues of 2006 looking back at the best music of the year, we figured why not a moment to peek into the potential of 2007? While many artists and labels are still solidifying key factors in the releases for the year in front of us—titles, street dates, etc.—there’s enough info for the first quarter to get the buzz going.

Brooklyn’s indie upstarts Clap Your Hands Say Yeah put out their second, the hotly tipped Some Loud Thunder (Wichita Recordings), with an embrace of the digital world that helped make them sensations in the first place. Some Loud Thunder will be at brick and mortar shops on January 30 but available for download a full two weeks earlier this Tuesday, January 16. January 30 sees the US release of Brit Lily Allen’s beat crazy pop gem Alright, Still (Capitol Records), which has already made her sensation in Europe. Allen’s record made many US “best of” lists in spite of its import status. Due to a leak to the internet a few months ago, the Shins’ Wincing the Night Away (Sub Pop) is one of the worst-kept secrets around. All of the accolades from blogs and other illegal downloaders, however, are likely to help sales when this new Shins comes out officially on January 23. Another victim of internet leakage is English post-punk progeny Bloc Party’s A Weekend in the City (V2)—which has had polarizing reviews in the online world. It’s to be released on February 5. The arty Austin instrumental quartet Explosions in the Sky are back on February 20 with All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone (Temporary Residence Limited) with their best album of impressionistic post-rock soundscapes yet.

Arcade Fire

Arguably the most feted release of 2007 is the sophomore record from Arcade Fire, Neon Bible (Merge), which their label confirmed for release on March 6. The band recorded throughout 2006 in Quebec, New York, Budapest and London. In typically left-of-center fashion, Arcade Fire are previewing parts of the album for fans who dial the toll free number 1-866-NEON-BIBLE.

That first Tuesday in March has more in store. Much loved alt.country avatar Jay Farrar’s band Son Volt returns with The Search (Transmit Sound/Sony Legacy), which reportedly expands on the roaring guitars and pointed politics of 2005’s Okemah and the Melody of Riot. And—if you believe what W. Axl Rose says—Guns ’n’ Roses’ Chinese Democracy will hit shelves on that same March 6. Given the checkered history of the long-delayed Chinese Democracy, which has seen a tumultuous birthing of almost a decade and a half, the dissolution of the original core of G’n’R and missed street dates stretching back before the current millennium, we don’t count on it.

Also due in March is the latest from Modest Mouse, titled We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank (Epic)—mainman Isaac Brock reinvigorated with the addition of legendary Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr to MM’s ranks. The funky first track “Dashboard” is being previewed on the band’s Myspace page. The word is also out that new sets are due from Wilco, Radiohead, the New Pornographers and Bjork at some point in the year. Back-from-the-dead acts expected to have new material in 2007 include a reemerging Smashing Pumpkins, the first record from the original lineup of Dinosaur Jr. in nearly 20 years and the long-awaited return of Iggy Pop and the Ashton Brothers as the reunited Stooges, who’ve been in the studio with noted “recorder” Steve Albini.