New Music Update

All kinds of new music should be on its way this spring – some from contemporary rock legends, and some from promising upstarts.  Instead of making all of these updates its own post, I’ll hit you guys with a quick list of what to look out for in the next few months:

• The Red Hot Chili Peppers are back.  Lead singer/hero/fucking weirdo Anthony Kiedis told SPIN the other day that despite the departure of lead guitarist John Frusciante, the Red Hots are in the middle of recording another album.  Josh Klinghoffer, who had previously toured with the band, is replacing the legendary Frusciante and has apparently brought some ‘African vibes’ (SPIN’s words) to the sessions.  Apparently he and Flea (brand new music theory degree in hand) took a trip to the continent and came back inspired.  And if you’re worried that your favorite band in high school might never be the same, be comforted by this: the album’s working title is Dr. Johnny Skinz’s Disproportionately Rambunctious Polar Express Machine-head.
• One of my personal favorite bands, My Morning Jacket, are also in the middle of recording their follow-up to 2008′s awesome Evil Urges.  Jim James & co are doing the recording in a church in Louisville, Kentucky (drove through there last weekend – nice looking place) and expect the album to come out sometime soon.  Bassist Tommy Blankenship said this album would be a return to the sound of their first three albums – in other words, infinitely spacey country-influenced rock that swallows you whole.  If it’s anything like At Dawn, we’re in great shape.
• One of MMJ’s most obvious followers, Fleet Foxes, are also planning on a spring release for their second album.  This album was supposed to come out months ago, but lead singer Robin Pecknold apparently got cold feet about what the band had recorded and scrapped all of it.  They have since pretty much re-made the album, and it should come out soon.  The single, “Helplessness Blues”, has been floating around the internet as a free download for a while now.  I’m not going to post it here, though, because I don’t think it’s very good.
• Finally, I guess spring break comes early to the California public schools.  High schoolers Dirty Gold are following up their song “California Sunrise” (you might know it as the one I gushed about not too long ago) with an EP.  It will be called Roar and it’s coming out April 12th.  Expect a review shortly thereafter.

And there you go.  Good luck with midterms everyone!