New Releases: The Shins And Bloc Party Lead Off Big 2007

12/04/06 7:30pm

by Noah Love (CHARTattack)

If there's anything to be learned about entertainment writing, it's that people always want to know what's coming next. So without further ado, here are a few of the big releases that will kick off what promises to be an unbelievably stellar 2007.

Of Montreal finally broke out this year with their ridiculous live shows that have included wedding dresses, champagne and a lot of jumping. It's likely that their new record, Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?, will lean more toward the dance-rock vibe that got them the attention they've deserved for years. The new LP is out on Jan. 23.

A week later, The Shins are back with their first record in nearly four (or just over three, depending on how you want to look at it) years. Wincing The Night Away isn't a giant departure for the New Mexicans, who also reached a new tier of popularity following their infamous involvement in Zach Braff's Garden State. But they're still on Sub Pop and are poised to become the label's biggest success.

Bloc Party's sophomore album will be released on Feb. 6. Weekend In The City is, in fact, a huge departure for the British quartet, whose Silent Alarm debut made them stars in 2005. Instead of the drum-and-guitar attack that was their signature sound on that LP, they've gone for a much heavier and melodic approach on album number two.

Exactly one month later, Air return with Pocket Symphony. The French duo get help from Jarvis Cocker, and they'll play a number of instruments never featured before on their previous records.

There'll be a lot more to talk about when 2007 gets started. And when we say a lot, we mean more than you could even possibly imagine. The new year is expected to see releases from Arcade Fire, Interpol, Modest Mouse, Feist, Buck 65, Constantines, Magneta Lane, Cadence Weapon, Tokyo Police Club, Islands, Stars and The New Pornographers, plus solo efforts from Broken Social Scene's Kevin Drew and Death From Above 1979's Sebastian Grainger.