B List: Top 8 Upcoming Albums for 2012

Last year was filled with high quality album releases and 2012 is shaping up to be just as good, if not better. Many artists have albums planned for release this year and more than a few have us excited with anticipation. For the list below we stuck to albums with confirmed titles and release dates, so no Dr. Dre Detox and no Black Sabbath or any other “TBA” LPs.

Here are eight albums that have DaveO and me stoked for 2012.

Lana Del Rey – Born To Die
(January 30, 2012)

With a spot on Saturday Night Live this weekend a full two weeks before the release of her much awaited major label debut and a newly inked modeling contract, Lana Del Rey’s album just might live up to proverbial hype. Judging by her hard to find self-titled first album (as Lana Del Ray) and more recent singles, there’s enough to her voice and songwriting to build intrigue beyond any well-crafted persona. This album could make her the star she thinks she is or fizzle like a lead balloon.

The Shins – Port of Marrow
(March 20, 2012)

Port of Marrow will be The Shins first album on frontman James Mercer’s Aural Apothecary label after having left Sub Pop and features a completely new lineup from 2007’s largely solo effort Wincing the Night Away. Five years later and Mercer has decided to go back to The Shins as a full band including guitar and pianist Richard Swift and Modest Mouse drummer Joe Plummer. New band, new label and a long time off is the recipe for high anticipation from a band that has constantly improved sound and songwriting with each record.

Air – Le Voyage Dans La Lune (A Trip To The Moon)
February 7, 2012

Taking inspiration from Georges Méliès 1902 silent film of the same name, Air composed an original score to the fully restored new version of the film, which progressed into an entire album. Victoria Legrand of Beach House guests on one of the tracks as does Au Revoir Simone. The French duo proved in 2009 with Love 2 that they can still produce top notch electro-dream-pop and a turn of the century sci-fi short film seems like the ideal inspiration for them. Check out the Legrand guested track Seven Stars here.

Miike Snow – Happy to You
(March 26, 2012)

Their stellar self-titled 2009 debut seemingly got more and more popular with the single Animal being remixed by everyone and their mother. For Happy To You the Swedish synth pop band is keeping silent, save for this post on their Facebook page: “Miike Snow’s new album release date was announced today. Columbia Records and Downtown Records confirmed the week of March 26th 2012 will see the release of ‘Happy To You’. No more information about the tracklists, single titles or who exactly the person in the Devil’s Work film is was given. January will see more information hitting earth along with news on live dates. Until then…Happy To You.”

Leonard Cohen – Old Ideas
(January 31, 2012)

As long as he’s alive and able to breathe Leonard Cohen should record songs. His voice is a treasure and his songwriting remains sharp and graceful – he’s just so fucking cool. Cohen penned ten new tracks that are sure to be as poetic as they are melodic. The singles released reinforce that Cohen isn’t getting better with age – he’s simply always been great.

of Montreal – Paralytic Stalks
(January 30, 2012)

Even if the music from the twisted mind of Kevin Barnes isn’t for you, the song titles themselves are always entertaining just on their own. How do you not want to listen to We Will Commit Wolf Murder or Exorcismic Breeding Knife. Of the album’s last four tracks, the shortest one is over 7 minutes, not for the indie faint of heart.

Andrew Bird – Break It Yourself
(March 6, 2012)

Recorded at his barn in Illinois, the whistling-phenom is delivering his seventh solo album in March. Buy a ticket to any show on his upcoming tour and you’ll get a code to download this album, a live EP from 2011 and an additional live EP from the upcoming tour.

Paul McCartney – Kisses On The Bottom
(February 14, 2012)

Hidden Track’s love for Paul McCartney is well documented so it is no surprise we are anxiously awaiting to hear this album of 12 old-time covers and 2 new Macca originals. While the album title may sound like the title of a Porno, it’s actually taken from a lyric from the albums first track, a cover of Fats Waller’s I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter.

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