upcoming albums in '08

• R.E.M., Accelerate (this one may be exceptionally good, check out Supernatural Superserious. While I do think the single isn't anything too special, what I've heard of the other songs on this piece are indeed very special. It's a short 35 minute record, out on April 1st.) update, March 24th: The album has indeed leaked and I have had a chance to spend some time with it. it is quite good, a very critical sharp sounding record. please check this one out
  
• THE DEARS, as yet untitled album (I have no doubt that this will be amazing, I happen to think Murry Lightburn is probably the strongest Canadian singer-songwriter today. They were phenomenal when they came to Kingston last year. If you want an idea as to just how good they are live, track down a copy of "Thank You Good Night Sold Out", an official live album that shows what this band is capable of)
• SAM ROBERTS, Love at the end of the world (don't expect much, "Them Kids", the first single released earlier this week, gives me a strong 'let's-do-the-same-thing-but-different-like' vibe, which I got a strong enough dose of after seeing them in concert)
• COLDPLAY, Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends (Well, Coldplay and I don't always agree, don't always see eye to eye. When I read that the lead singer Chris Martin was having trouble coming up with lyrics for this new record, I snickered a bit. If you listen to any of their previous work, you will notice that lyrically they've never really been that strong. That said, the X&Y follow up [Twisted Logic still gives me chills] has been rumoured to have Timbaland collaboration as well as the backing of X&Y producer extraordinaire Brian Eno. I don't believe Timbaland collaboration makes for good music [Timbaland produced and collaborated on Bjork's Volta, which I found nearly unlistenable. Then again, I've found that with most of Bjork's albums], but who knows. It could be interesting.
• WEEZER, unknown title (I have no idea what magical supernatual power keeps this band going. Harvard educated Rivers Cuomo seems to arouse unending creative tension [that's the worst kind of tension!] in the band. That said, this album is rumoured to be more experimental and free flowing, supposedly with 'longer compositions' and layered synthesizer instruments. This would be an interesting change since they haven't put out a song longer than 4:30 since their first record, back in 1994. The band once again is getting their work produced by Rick Rubin, who gave their past three albums his trademark meticulous loud stadium sound.)
• MATTHEW GOOD, sometime in the fall after touring Matthew plans to re-enter the studio. Possibly with this mysterious new band that he has put together in Toronto.
• THE JOHN PUNCH BAND, when they finally go into a studio something magical will happen and I said it first.

if you've got an album you're looking forward to, leave it in the comments, I will update this list with any information as it comes.