With 2008 firmly behind us, we stride bravely forward into 2009, wondering anew what musical awesomeness will punch us in the face and rock our socks off. Last year had some spectacular releases (my top 17 will be forthcoming), so I have high hopes for the next 12 months. Welcome to my most anticipated music list, a forecast of what should be pounding into my eardrums soon. As with anything claiming to know the future, there’s always a possibility one or more of these releases will be delayed (or will simply end up sucking)…but I remain ever hopeful.

Thursday – Common Existence – February 17

Thursday’s most recent release, a split EP with Japanese group Envy, was one of my favorite records from last year and some of the best work the group has ever done. It revealed them exploring new ambient aspects of their hardcore sound and it was beautiful. One of the tracks from that release, “As He Climbed The Dark Mountain,” will show up again on Common Existence. I’m stoked to hear a full album, hopefully moving in this refreshing direction.

Jeremy Enigk – OK Bear – February

If you’ve never heard of Jeremy Enigk before, drop everything you’re doing and go find a copy of a Sunny Day Real Estate album or the one record that’s been released from The Fire Theft. Enigk fronted both groups, along with releasing 3 solo albums (though one of those more of an EP with some live studio tracks). His voice is one of the best in music today. Though a lot of people point to Bono as the pinnacle in rock music, my vote’s on Enigk. His range and passion is unparalleled and, coupled with his songwriting skills, he creates music that is both moving and profound. This album is reportedly a return to the heavier, punchier indie rock sound that he and his cohorts in SDRE pioneered in the early 90s…and hey, the last time a band started their album name with OK… it turned out fairly awesome. I cannot wait to hear this.

New Found Glory – Not Without A Fight – March 10

Along with blink-182 and MxPx, New Found Glory were key components of my love affair with mid-90s pop punk. Yes, it’s not always the deepest music, but damn it’s catchy and a lot of fun to listen to. Their last album was good, but I’ve heard that this one ventures back to the sugary sweet hooks and vocals of Sticks and Stones and Catalyst. Should be tasty.

dredg – TBA – March 24

dredg is one of those bands who should be much bigger than they are. Lead singer Gavin Hayes has such a unique voice. He and his band mates blend prog rock leanings with poppier tendencies with such ease that they should be blowing out arenas around the world. Their music is beautiful, ethereal and rockin’ in all the right ways. While they haven’t released a title or album art yet, their fourth effort is scheduled for the end of March.

Mastodon – Crack The Skye – March

How do you like your metal? Heavy, technical and blended with lyrics that speak of myths, legends and weird creatures? Mastodon are here to meet your needs. These guys are sick, earning the respect of both fans and their fellow musicians. This should be a killer album.

MuteMath – TBA – March

If I were numbering these releases (rather than listing them chronologically), chances are very good that this one would be at the top. Hands down, MuteMath is one of absolute best live bands in existence. Their two albums (the Reset EP and their self-titled debut) are incredibly well done and very easy on the ears. But to truly appreciate the full talents of the four guys, you have to see them live. It’s been 3 stinkin’ years since the release of their debut, so you’ll forgive me if I’m chomping at the bits to get my hands on this. It’s going to be awesome.

MxPx – On The Cover II – March

Place a gun to my head and force me to choose one and only one punk group as my favorite and it would be these guys. While they never attained the same level of superstardom as their cohorts in blink-182, MxPx has been doing what they do for 15 years. And they’ve been doing at a level of consistency that most bands would kill to reach. This release is a sequel of sorts to their first covers EP from 1995. While it’s not a full-length album, it’ll be a lot of fun and worth checking out.

mewithoutYou – TBA – April 7

mewithoutYou have managed to carve a unique path musically. They’ve forged a sound that’s equal parts indie, folk, punk and hardcore. If that mix sounds too good to be true, you need to check them out. While their debut seemed like a tip of the hat to Fugazi, their subsequent two releases branched out and added quirky elements that only made their music more and more intriguing. Lead vocalist Aaron Weiss doesn’t always sing the lyrics as much as chant/shout them like some sort of spastic performance poet. This new one should be fantastic.

Maylene and the Sons of Disaster – III – Spring

Southern heavy metal hardcore. These guys bring it like no one else. When I heard their self-titled debut, I think I called it “southern fried hardcore” and said it sounded like Lynyrd Skynyrd got into a bar fight with Underoath. It’s a boot in the ass and a blast to listen to. I can’t wait to hear it.

Stavesacre – Against The Silence – TBA

Finally, one of my favorite bands of all time, come back from the dead. You see, back in 2007, Stavesacre announced that they were calling it quits after over ten years of solid, heavy rocking music. I was devastated, as they’ve been one of the biggest influences on me (both musically and personally). But then a strange thing happened. All went quiet and just a few months ago there was rumblings of new music from the Stavesacre camp. Lo and behold, they released info about a new EP (with a possible DVD component) scheduled to drop in December. December has come and gone and I’m waiting for this like a kid for, well, Christmas. I don’t have a final release date yet, but the EP is in the can and should be coming out very soon. It will be a glorious day when it does

Queens Of The Stone Age – TBA – Spring
Showbread – The Fear Of God(?) – Summer
Brand New – TBA – TBA
Neon Horse – TBA – TBA

These final four releases are more up in the air than the rest of my list, hence why they’re grouped together. I’m hoping that all of these will see the light of day this year, as all of these groups are reportedly in the studio and recording. But only time will tell…and so we wait…