90+ albums to look forward to in 2015

Is it too early to call it? Sleater-Kinney's latest may be 2015's best.
Is it too early to call it? Sleater-Kinney’s latest may be 2015’s best.

Don’t call it a comeback. It’s just worth acknowledging that years have passed since the forecast for upcoming releases has been this bright. Here’s hoping it doesn’t amount to an audio equivalent of the anticipation and subsequent let down one might experience on New Year’s Eve. Giorgio Moroder (who really made Daft Punk’s latest album a worthwhile listen), The Juliana Hatfield Three, and Sleater-Kinney are just a few of the sorely-missed acts making triumphant, long-awaited returns in 2015.

This list may have grown by twenty additional albums compared to last year, but that doesn’t mean every last major release was included. Sorry to inform you, in advance, that you won’t find the likes of Papa Roach, Marilyn Manson, Fall Out Boy, Fergie Ferg, or Canada’s *pride*/current Calvin Klein cover boy, Justin Bieber listed. Even Mumford & Sons will not be mentioned beyond this sentence. That’s just Spinning Platters allowing me and my subjective musical tastes to run amok. However, there is something here for every musical taste imaginable and as I mentioned at the conclusion, if there was something we must all know about that was overlooked, let it be known in the comments.

Read on, discover some new gems, and get an overview of what to expect this coming year. I’ve even included links to lead-off tracks where they’re available and, of course, my own witless banter when absolutely necessary. Happy New Year of listening.

Continue reading “90+ albums to look forward to in 2015”

New Release Round Up 6/22/10 – 19 Instant Album Reviews

Pouria asked that this one be the photo for this week. Sure, why not?

Rough week. Guess I was getting my comeuppance for not doing this for a while. [Editor’s Note: It’s OK. The transition from Lala to alternate listening methods hurt us all.]  Some straight up dogs out this week. There were a few highlights though. Read on dear readers. Continue reading “New Release Round Up 6/22/10 — 19 Instant Album Reviews”

New Release Round Up 4/20/10 – 43 Instant Album Reviews

What's better than some 420 on 4/20? When one of these comes out.

Man I got through a lot of albums this week. Not a record but I kinda don’t know where I’m at right now. Need to go outside and lay in the sun. Continue reading “New Release Round Up 4/20/10 — 43 Instant Album Reviews”

New Release Round Up, 4/13/10 – 35 Instant Album Reviews

This is the album I made Pouria listen to for skipping last week's column

Sorry to everyone who expected to see this last week. Due to some unexpected laziness I only listened to new releases and didn’t review them. There was general outrage and I won’t do it again. Continue reading “New Release Round Up, 4/13/10 — 35 Instant Album Reviews”

New Release Round Up 3/30/10 – 39 Instant Album Reviews

Paul and Storm have a new album, and are the only ones in this column who've been interviewed by us.

Instant album reviews is my favorite weekly column on the web, I use it as a way to filter out the LaLa.com list of stuff to decide what to listen to. With Pouria off in foreign lands, they needed a suitable fill in but since they couldn’t find one, you get me.  I’ve been honing my pithy comments and I’m ready to go. Continue reading “New Release Round Up 3/30/10 — 39 Instant Album Reviews”

Mega New Release Round Up 3/16/10 and 3/23/10 – 52 Instant Album Reviews

Don't stare too hard or you'll go crazy

So I’ve been working a lot of long hours. It has sapped my will to be funny or amusing. Basically sapping my will…although I guess it could also be a direct result of listening to Bieber. Zing! Continue reading “Mega New Release Round Up 3/16/10 and 3/23/10 — 52 Instant Album Reviews”

New Release Round Up 3/9/2010 – 38 Instant Album Reviews

Does Pouria think that this guy delivers?

There was a lot of boring crap for most of my listens. A few fun gems in there like Prizzy Prizzy Please and Via Audio’s Animalore. Continue reading “New Release Round Up 3/9/2010 — 38 Instant Album Reviews”

New Release Round Up 3/2/10 – 39 Instant Album Reviews

Connect these dots and you get my album pick of the week.

Pouria is taking a week off with the Noise Pop flu. I think he went out one too many nights, so I’m covering for him again. My personal favorites this week are things with exclamation points, so look for those within. Also, a southern rock concept album starring Stephen King. Really. Continue reading “New Release Round Up 3/2/10 — 39 Instant Album Reviews”

New Release Round Up 2/23/10 – 30 Instant Album Reviews

Nice drugs, dude.

There’s gonna be some more obscure stuff this week because I foolishly left lala running while I went to lunch. Missed out on some of the more popular stuff, but you’ll still be entertained. Continue reading “New Release Round Up 2/23/10 — 30 Instant Album Reviews”