Look Out For: January 2008 Releases

Happy New Year. Welcome to 2008, which does look as if it could be a very promising year for new music, given the noticeable change in attitude of artists towards the end of 2007 and the ever increasing number of fresh bands who are willing to try and bring something new to the table.

It’s certainly guaranteed to be a year of challenges and problem solving for the major record labels, after tough questions were mounted upon them continuously last year. Will the traditional music industry continue to struggle in the face of declining sales, rampant piracy, DRM battles and fickle consumers, or can 2008 be the year that revolution grips the majors? Only time will tell, and rest assured 2008 will be under severe scrutiny from myself right here.

With the beginning of every month, it can be quite overwhelming to keep on top of what music is worthy of your interest and what is passable junk, re-releases of some old classics, or yet more junk, and the usual best of collections. Sometimes things will be quiet (like this month) and other times there'll be so much great music released you'll have no time to give your ears or your wallet a rest. Therefore, at the beginning of each month I’ll be highlighting albums released in that month that I feel are essential listening. Feel free to comment on the selections made, or even suggest your own must haves for the benefit of other readers. After all, variety is the spice of life!

Looking at the releases this month, I've actually found it a bit of a struggle to cobble together much that is worth looking into. That being the case, I know of two releases that I'll be keeping an eye out for, and here they are (I appreciate it's quite depressing knowing that out of a whole month I can only pick two selections, but such is the January blues).

Bloodsimple - Red Harvest

With only their debut album to their name, 2005's 'A Cruel World' and a relentless touring schedule alongside the likes of Slayer, Alice in Chains and Stone Sour, Bloodsimple have managed to build up a loyal following after being discovered by Mudvayne vocalist Chad Gray. The debut was quite a blistering assault on the ears, but had enough sensitivity to balance it out and suggest a band that had more than one noise.
The second album seems to have taken a stronger influence from the likes of Mudvayne, and hasn't seemed to have lost any of the passion expressed in the debut, so this could definitely be one album to look out for if you like it heavy.





















The Mars Volta - The Bedlam in Goliath

After last years 'Amputechture' split fans of the ever indulgent band down the middle it will certainly be nothing short of interesting to see what Omar and co. will come up with in their fourth full length release, apparently an album based on the tales of the band's Ouija board experiences. Not shy to let listeners have a preview of what's to come, the Volta have put four videos on their website which so far suggest an album somewhat more varied than last years effort, and a sound that certainly comes across as more of a mix between Deloused in the Comatorium and Frances the Mute, which is no bad thing. The band are often criticized for their relentless overindulgence, but Bedlam is guaranteed to be another longtime mindfuck.

Any other January releases I come across during the month shall be added on, but so far it's looking like a quiet, cold beginning to 2008!