Most Anticipated 2012

While most of these albums don't have a name yet (or in most cases a release date) I'm still stoked!

5. Relient K - Untitled
I wont lie, I wasn't a huge fan of the stuff that I heard on Forget and Not Slow Down. Not as fun and goofy as the Relient K I know and love. Here's hoping that when this album comes out, that will change!

4. Gungor - Live
Since I discovered how awesome these guys are in 2010, they have released an album every year (yes, I'm pretty sure that is a coincidence... maybe not though...) This year it's going to be a live cd/dvd combo. I've actually already purchased this glorious worship compilation through Kickstarter. Now, to wait for a release date...

3. Anberlin - Untitled
Every since these guys left Tooth and Nail, they've gone from being all rock to more of an alt rock deal. I'm not complaining. Dark Is The Way Light Is The Place was stellar. Ballads, soaring rock tracks, twists, turns, all juggled in a very nice balance. Plus, this one will include guest appearances from random fans on vocals!

2. Owl City - OCTMS (I think???) 
Adam Young doesn't stop. The odds of him being a machine that just makes music day and night are pretty good at this point. After the catchy/summery/dreamy All Things Bright And Beautiful that came out last year, he has said this will be more of a dance album. BRING IT! (And I love Shooting Star... just saying)

1. House of Heroes - Cold Hard Want
By just saying "new House of Heroes" to me, you will cause me to as excited as a squirrel on Red Bull! Really weird analogy aside... There are very few rock bands that get the mix of deep and cleaver lyrics with insanely well planned out and executed music. House of Heroes is one of those bands! Proof of this can be found on the single Touch This Light (You can catch it on the Slam and 3SN) or the really hard to find Comfort Trap. It's awesome! Seriously, try to find it online. If you do, it will be worth the effort! Bring on July 10th!!!!

House of Heroes - Touch This Light

I love House of Heroes. I was ecstatic when I heard they would be at Air Raid 20. I was even more excited when the concert hit. To make the excitement reach a point where adjectives cease to work well, they did 6 (6!) new songs at the show. Since then, we have found out that the new cd will be called Cold Hard Want. Which is pretty much what I have for this cd (get it Cold Hard Want?.... I thought it was funny).
On top of that, we now have our first taste of the album, Touch This Light.
At first, I wasn't a huge fan... it sounded very aggressive for the guys. However after, 3 or 4 more listens, the song is really growing on me.
Great message, great beat and loud guitars. Bring on the album!

Most Anticipated of 2011

O.K. I admit it may seem a little late for a "most anticipated" of 2011... March is almost over.

But in my defense most artists have only announced that they have new albums coming out recently so... here are my "5 Most Anticipated CDs of 2011".

5. Family Force 5 - Untitled - I loved Dance or Die. The mix of rock/punk/dance is just to good not to like. Will this new cd continue this sound or will it go back the the grunge rock that made the Family famous? Well we'll find out.

4. needtobreathe - Untitled - Every album that needtobreathe has released has gotten progressively better. More originality, more advanced lyrics, more of a sound that sets them apart. This will be their 4th album and my hopes are that this will be their best yet.

3. Peter Furler - On Fire - I miss the (old) Newsboys. There is a place in my heart that needs that pop rock that they did so well. When I heard that Peter was doing a solo thing I figured it would be "caned worship" then I saw the album cover ...

This looks promising!

2. Owl City - All Things Bright and Beautiful - I think Owl City is a really talented solo act. If one guy can create such ambiance music in his parents basement, he has to be good. Plus this cd going for a more broad style musicly... namely rock... with synths... oh ya!!!

1. Fm Static - My Brain Says Stop, But My Heart Says Go - I have very high hopes for this album (it is at number one after all), I have loved every song that I have heard from the CD so far. April 5th can't come soon enough!

0. David Crowder * Band - Unknown - No David and the boys haven't announced a new CD... but... I have a theory that we will have a new album from them come late summer, early fall. ***Please remember that this is my theory based on the fact that they are recording right now***

And there you have it my "Most Anticipated of 2011". What are your most anticipated?