(only albums that have been confirmed to be coming out sometime in 2011 will be on this list)

1. Tha Carter IV by Lil Wayne

Tha Carter III was a classic album and Lil Wayne’s 2 albums that came out in 2010 were kind of thrown together around his prison sentence and were not proper albums. Tha Carter IV seems to be the return of Wayne at the top of his game if first single 6’7’ is any indication because that song is a monster. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34Szg1_rvgc

2. The Token of The Wreckage by Megan Slankard

This is the long awaited new album from the San Francisco based singer; check out her first single/title track here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GySZ9TNR488

3. Lasers by Lupe Fiasco

This is a long delayed album because Lupe and his label Atlantic Records had beef over Lupe not recording a commercial enough single and regarding royalties and such; well they seemed to have kissed and made up and Lupe recently released his great Modest Mouse sampling single “The Show Goes On” which first verse address his label situation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rmp6zIr5y4U

4. Fiona Apple (album name unknown)

I love Fiona’s first 3 albums and was stoked to read that her new album is done and coming out this spring: http://www.billboard.com/news/fiona-apple-releasing-new-album-in-spring-1004115039.story#/news/fiona-apple-releasing-new-album-in-spring-1004115039.story

5. The People’s Key by Bright Eyes

Bright Eyes are one of my all-time favorite acts; in the past few years they have been on hiatus as Conor Oberst released some solo albums and an album with The Monster of Folk. There first single “Shell Games” is already out and has a slightly different vibe then some of their other stuff. It has a little bit of Digital Ash in Urn influence as well as sounding a little like mid-80s Tom Petty. Lyrically though it is all Conor- check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLAMg6o5w2s

6. The Bangz (debut album)

I accidently discovered the Bangz somehow on Youtube a few years back and instantly fell in love. It is not often you get female hip hop groups were the girls spit and trade rhymes. Unfortunately, one of the members had to spend most of 2010 recovering from being an innocent bystander caught with a bullet by random gun fire. By she is recuperated and they are back on the scene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_blNZLoe1k&feature=related

7. Detox by Dr Dre

I am go out and say I don’t really like the first single “Kush” that much. But this is still the first  new Dre album in about years and most likely will have great beats and guest like Snoop, Jay Zl and Eminem.

8. Born This Way by Lady Gaga

The world needs great pop dance records and no one in the world right now does that better than Lady Gaga

9. The Strokes (title TBA)

The Strokes burst onto the scene of as the most hyped band early last decade and I am most think they lived up to that hype. However, the inevitable backlash hurt their career and then Julian started to do some solo stuff. But now they have finished a new album and it looks like they are going on tour as well in 2011.

10. Mean Creek (album title unknown)

Mean Creek (from my hometown of H2Otown MA) are legit airs to the likes of  Boston music scene heavyweights like Dinosaur Jr. and Shelia Devine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_VLkH-5B-0

11. Bad Rabbits (album title unknown)

Bad Rabbits are like few bands in the history of the Boston scene. They have a new jack swing hip hop sound and are putting the finishing touches on their new album with legendary producer Teddy Riley.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QY4cwoMb3i8&feature=fvw