Year In Rock 2015 Preview

It's been incredibly quiet over the last few weeks, and thankfully so; working my paying gig in retail is always a bitch at Christmas time, and this year was particularly taxing. Now, with things easing their way back toward something resembling normal again, I figured it's high time we take our annual look ahead. It starts with a handful of artists who have officially confirmed new stuff for early in the year and, as you'll see, there's some pretty intriguing albums on the horizon.

Let's dive in, shall we?


THE DECEMBERISTS
What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World
Releasing January 20

The hipsters will be quick to tell you otherwise, but The Decemberists' previous album (2011's The King Is Dead) was a great example of an interesting, intelligent band peeling back on pretension and focusing on writing good songs. Whether or not their seventh album picks up where The King Is Dead left off or sees a return to the theatrical aspects of their earlier albums remains to be fully seen, but thankfully we're only a couple of weeks away from all the answers.

MARILYN MANSON
The Pale Emperor
Releasing January 20

Considering the years of substance abuse and diminishing returns, it's no small wonder Marilyn Manson's once notorious career is but a shadow of its former potency. That said, the fact that he's about to release his ninth album is a minor miracle. More impressive still is the quality of the tracks he's premiered leading up to the album's release. I haven't given a shit about a new Marilyn Manson record in about fifteen years, but I'm intrigued for this one.

SLEATER-KINNEY
No Cities To Love
Releasing January 20

Taking a decade off can work wonders for a band. After seven loud and beautiful records that culminated in 2005's cathartic The Woods, Sleater-Kinney packed it in. It was sad because they were finally starting to reap the rewards of their hard work. If you needed any proof that they were missed, go ahead and gauge excitement for their new record on the web. Between this, the pending Veruca Salt reunion full-length and the rampant rumours of an L7 reunion, 2015 is shaping up to be a great year for female '90s rock bands.

TORCHE
Restarter
Releasing February 24

Torche's previous pair of LPs, 2008's Meanderthal and 2012's Harmonicraft, had two things in common:
a) They were both amazing records, and
b) They were both on tiny labels who had no idea how to properly promote said records.

The latter situation has been remedied by the group's signing to Relapse Records, and the former doesn't appear likely to not apply to Restarter judging by its thick and juicy lead single. Expect nothing short of greatness.

MODEST MOUSE
Strangers To Ourselves
Releasing March 3

Talk about a long time coming: after years of slow creation, doling out new songs in concert and teasing the follow-up to We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank, Modest Mouse's sixth album is finally about to see light of day, nearly eight years removed from its predecessor. At this point, it's hard to believe that the anticipation can do anything but hurt reception of the record, and first single Lampshades On Fire has taken harsh criticism from some for being a Modest Mouse song and not some otherworldly, generation-defining event.

CANCER BATS
Searching For Zero
Releasing March 10

Cancer Bats are one of those bands you just can't help but root for; they've yet to release that true classic it feels like they have in them (although Hail Destroyer back in 2008 came damn close), but they're always good for a few pit-worthy gems. Over their first decade, they've carved out a niche as one of Canada's most dependable hard rock bands, and Searching For Zero's preview tracks aren't giving me any reason to doubt them this time out. Sometimes a sick riff and a fist-pumping gang vocal are all you really need.




I've been pondering a "What Are The Chances?" 2015 edition, and it's looking like that'll be a go. Look for it soon!