2009 is more than halfway over. while the first half of the year has seen some exceptional releases, the rest of the year is sure to be just as good, if not better. i’ve assembled a list of my most anticipated albums for the rest of 2009. as always, you can view a full release calendar for 2009 at my RYM account. enjoy.

tides of man – empire theory
release date: august 4th
earlier this year, i ran a piece on tides of man, the florida native progressive-rock 5 piece. sounding like a mix of anthony green era saosin, the mars volta and the sound of animals fighting (tiger & the duke) tides of man seem like one of the few bands on the rise records roster poised for big things. they will release their much anticipated debut empire theory august 4th.
tides of man @ myspace

modest mouse – no ones first and you’re next
release date: august 4th
modest mouse is one of my favorite bands of all time and i’m still struggling to just scratch the service of their expansive discography. brock and company will surely be making this no easier on me with a string of one off single 7″ releases followed by no ones first and you’re next, a collection of b-sides ranging from the good news.. to we were dead.. eras.
modest mouse @ myspace

as tall as lions – you can’t take it with you
release date: august 18th
it took as tall as lions over a year to record and produce you can’t take it with you, the follow up to the band’s 2006 self-titled release. YCTIWY is sure to live up to the hype produced by such a time consuming release if the lead single “circles” (now up at myspace) is any indication. the expansive, percussion heavy number showcases as tall as lions right in form.
as tall as lions @ myspace

arctic monkeys – humbug
release date: august 24th (uk)
if humbug sounds like a pessimistic name for the arctic monkeys third full-length, don’t think it wasn’t done intentionally. if the album’s lead single crying lightning is any indication of what is to come for humbug, we’re probably in store for a brilliantly dark release by the arctic monkeys
arctic monkeys @ myspace

fun. – aim and ignite
release date: august 25th
fun. is the name of nate ruess’ (the format) new project. although i’ve only heard two songs from the upcoming debut, i’m positive this is going to come out of nowhere to top many best of 09 lists. just wait, by the end of this year, fun. is a band everyone will love
fun. @ myspace

david bazan – curse your branches
release date: september 1st
david bazan is one of my favorite songwriters of all time and it feels like i’ve been waiting forever for new material. curse your branches, the second solo effort by bazan will finally be released september 1st.
david bazan @ myspace

brand new – daisy
release date: september 22nd
very little is known about brand new’s fourth full-length other than the album title (it was previously changed to daisy from ‘and one head can never die’). however, from previewing some new tracks in their live versions, it’s apparent that this might be brand new’s hardest record yet. jesse lacey has already called the album “pretty exhausting”. can’t wait
brand new @ myspace

monsters of folk – monsters of folk
release date: september 22nd
monsters of folk is the moniker chosen for the supergroup combination of conor oberst, jim james, and m.ward. i’ve been waiting for this release since 2007 when distant rumblings initially started on this release. it’s been a long time coming. september 22nd is definitely circled on my calendar.
monsters of folk official site

glassjaw – glassjaw
release date: TBA
i’m definitely hesitant to put glassjaw’s chinese democracy in the making on this list. i’m highly skeptical we will see this till sometime in 2010-2011 (not joking). along with the rest of the blood-thirsty glassjaw crowd, i’ve already worn “you think your john fucking lennon” to it’s maximum play count. new material plz
glassjaw @ myspace

circle takes the square – ritual of names
release date: TBA
much like glassjaw’s release, ritual of names is probably not going to be released till 2010. i’m still patiently waiting for the follow-up to one of the most scathing timeless albums ever recorded.
circle takes the square @ myspace

the chemist vs the computer – HYDROSUFOOLOOWEEN
release date: TBA
this band has the potential to do VERY big things. the band’s debut EP loki was a combination of post-hardcore and experimental stylings rarely executed as perfect as well as TCVTC did. since then, i’ve been waiting for new material, although the band put out two demo’s last year, there is no news on when we HYDROSUFOOLOOWEEN will actually be released. heres to hoping it’s sometime this year.

julian casablancas – phrazes for the young
release date: tba
along with brand new and monsters of folk, this has to be at the top of this list. while we wait for the new strokes album, we’ve seen solo efforts from strokes bassist nikolia fraiture (nickel eye), guitarist albert hammond jr., as well as drummer fabrizio morretti’s awesome side project little joy. however, something tells me that jules will easily top all 3 with his debut solo effort, phrazes for the young. honestly, has the guy EVER written a bad song?

thus concludes my list, i’m sure more releases will be announced that could be added to this list in the future, so keep checking back, and if you dig it, tell a friend

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