2011: Top 10 Albums To Look Forward To

2010 is over, a decade of music is up and we move onto the next one. But as we go into 2011, it's the titans of the Noughties that will light this year up with their respective returns. Last year saw Kings of Leon, Kanye West and My Chemical Romance return to form, but this year sees the comebacks of some of the biggest bands of today. So, here are my top ten albums to look forward to over the next twelve months:

10. Florence + The Machine

A second album is a difficult thing. It can make or break a career; destroy a blossoming debut and its reputation, or thrust a band or singer into the mainstream. Florence certainly enjoyed a fine debut. 'Lungs' sold massively, her live show and on-stage presence became commonly beloved in the music world and it has been almost impossible to escape her booming vocals on 'You've Got The Love' or 'Dog Days Are Over' since the album was released in 2009. And she is writing the follow-up to her immensely successful debut, in that difficult second album position. If she carries on doing what made her successful; those loud vocals, hooking melodies and odd lyrics; she can avoid the dreaded flop and shoot herself to even headier heights.

EXPECT IT: Latter part of the year

(Here's new track 'Strangeness And Charm' from her live show, a similarly-styled taster of the new album)

9. Bombay Bicycle Club

It's fair to say I'm heaping a lot of praise and expectation on this band in equal measure, but with their fine debut 'I Had The Blues...' and my album of 2010, the acoustic 'Flaws', BBC have the potential to go very far. They are expected to plug the guitars back in for 2011's release, returning to their debut style and the music that has given them a solid following since their 2006 V Festival opening performance. Song names 'Bad Timing', 'The Sleep Song' and 'Beggars' have been mooted in NME, but not much more will be heard until the middle of the year. But these London boys have a big reputation with two great albums to back it up, so expect this release to push them nearer the limelight.

EXPECT IT: June

8. Kanye West + Jay Z

The titans of hip-hop have collaborated and recorded an album in France, due to be called 'Watch The Throne'. But rather interestingly from first release 'H.A.M.', it could have been better. Slightly languid, and many will be hoping to hear more from the two icons who made it. And this has served only to make the album much more anticipated. I mean, it should be great, right? Jay-Z's 'The Blueprint 3' was good, and Kanye West's last album was many people's shout for best album of 2010. But I think a lot of people will want a bit more than 'H.A.M.', and we all probably know deep down that it will be a fine record.

EXPECT IT: March-time

7. Foo Fighters

Dave Grohl is back and he has a mission statement; to reclaim Foo Fighters' post as the biggest rock band on the planet. It's ominous when someone of such great talent comes out with something so bold, and followed by the quote 'I think Foo Fighters just made the best record we've ever made', it's an exciting thing. The Foos are busy in 2011 aswell, the Isle of Wight Festival and a Godlike Genius award from NME just two appointments in what promises to be a big 12 months in their career. And if it follows on in the same style as their previous releases, Foo Fighters have a big chance to stake their claim as the biggest group in the world.

EXPECT IT: Springtime

6. Coldplay

Despite selling millions of albums, selling out Wembley Stadium and becoming one of the undisputed biggest bands around, Coldplay still feel that they haven't delivered their masterpiece. 'Viva La Vida' was probably the closest they've got; big tunes met the typical Chris Martin melancholy to create an epic album, but the foursome still feel that they have something to prove. And that means good news for fans of the band such as myself, as a talented lyricist like Martin, backed by his band of top-class musicians, with something to prove means they are still trying hard. Expect big things from Coldplay.

EXPECT IT: Springtime

5. Kasabian

Move over Oasis, Kasabian are here and ready to take their place at the head of British rock 'n' roll. 'West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum' was a big album for Tom Meighan and Co.; well received and sticking to their roots, spurting monster tunes 'Underdog' and 'Fire', with the gems 'Fast Fuse' and 'Thick As Thieves' only adding to their building reputation. With an almost legendarily good live show also on their CV, this album could really catapult Kasabian into the halls of Britain's best. As Noel Gallagher once said, 'if Kasabian aren't playing stadiums soon, someone will have really messed up'. Their fourth release could seal this.

EXPECT IT: By the summer (hopefully, according to Serge)

4. Arctic Monkeys

I was not part of the crowd that disliked 'Humbug', but it was a sizeable group that weren't fans of the Arctic's departure from Sheffield-fuelled indie rock. But 'Humbug' did see Alex Turner evolve the group into a good and true rock band, influenced by Josh Homme and producing some great guitar tunes. And that was good to see from one of Britain's leading guitar bands, and I'd expect to see a similar progression with the next release. Hopefully something a bit more optimistic after the moody style of 'Humbug', a slight return to the joys of 'Favourite Worst Nightmare'. But no matter what they come out with, it will be one of the most anticipated albums of 2011.
EXPECT IT: Late springtime

3. Blink 182
I'm not ashamed to admit I'm a huge Blink 182 fan, and the anticipation of this album does outweigh that of Kasabian and Arctic Monkeys releases. It's been a long 8 years since 'Blink 182' was released, and their presence has been in the pop-punk genre that the likes of Paramore don't quite live up to. I would expect a slight change in style but good old Blink at the heart: maybe a departure from 'All The Small Things' and 'What's My Age Again?' and into the more heavier and experimental sides that the band members ventured into in Angels and Airwaves and +44. But whatever the outcome, and with good noises coming from the Blink camp, I cannot wait for this album to show itself.
EXPECT IT: Summertime

2. The Strokes
Another huge American band of the Noughties is making its comeback this year, with this one probably the bigger of the two. While Blink have a core group of fans, The Strokes have a loyal following of indie kids that have been captivated since 2001's generation defining 'Is This It?'. But it has been a decade now since that epic release, and six years since 'First Impressions of Earth', so you could say the New York five-piece have something to prove. Add into this rumours of discontent in The Strokes camp (Julian Casablancas recorded vocals separate to the band playing), it all adds to a hugely anticipated release. The Isle of Wight Festival show last year showed they are still a potent force on the stage, which all adds up to a fine showing from Casablancas and Co. in 2011.
EXPECT IT: In March

1. Beady Eye

Surprise, surprise, the return of Liam Gallagher is my number one album to look forward in 2011. Already out are two tantalising tasters of up-and-coming album 'Different Gear, Still Speeding'; the raucous piano-jig 'Bring The Light' and in-yer-face rocker 'Four Letter Word' both raising expectations further. Haters of Oasis will no doubt have reasons to hate this one too, but fans have been eagerly waiting for the results of the Gallagher brother fall-out; and Liam is the one to strike first. And in rock 'n' roll's most compelling story in the last 20 years, Gallagher Junior seems to have taken an early lead, with all the press surrounding Beady Eye being so far surprisingly positive and praise coming from most angles of the musical press, only heightening excitement further. Roll on February.
EXPECT IT: 28th of the month of February

Also, counting in an expected Red Hot Chili Peppers release (just missing out on the top ten, expect it much later on - autumn time), only an unlikely Killers reunion would see all my current favourite bands releasing in 2011. On top of this, the likes of Plan B, Paul Weller, Elbow, The Maccabees, Radiohead, The Ting Tings, Kaiser Chiefs, Friendly Fires, R.E.M. and Outkast are all set to make a return in 2011, surely making it one of the best years for music in recent memory. And the icing on the cake? The Lonely Island are set to release the follow-up to 2009's 'Incredibad'. 2011 is going to be a goood year.

COMING SOON: My Top Three Up-and-Coming Bands of 2011

NWR