Five albums waiting in the wings for 2015

Published 6:25 pm Saturday, January 17, 2015

Things are already well underway with new music in 2015, but there’s plenty more to come. Here are five albums I’m watching for in the early part of this year.

 “All Hands”

By Doomtree, Jan. 27

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The Minneapolis hip-hop favorites return with their latest full-length album, “All Hands,” later this month. With seven members, the group is known for its varying style, so expect an album with a little bit of everything. If the group’s YouTube video for “Gray Duck” is any indication, get ready for some addicting beats (Plus, the video features some great segway moves).

 “Shadows in the Night”

By Bob Dylan, Feb. 3

Just when you think Bob Dylan couldn’t surprise you anymore, he announces “Shadows in the Night,” an album of all Frank Sinatra covers. Surprising? Yes, but Dylan has proved his doubters wrong before.

 “I Love You, Honeybear”

By Father John Misty, Feb. 10

Joshua Tillman’s first album under his Father John Misty pseudonym, “Fear Fun,” featured some great tracks, showed worlds of potential, but seemed to struggle from Tillman’s broad exploration into indie, psych and other genres after several folk albums. Here’s hoping the former Fleet Foxes drummer can keep the energy while honing his vision on “I Love You, Honeybear.”

 “Gliss Riffer”

By Dan Deacon, Feb. 24

Few artists today feel as explosive as Dan Deacon. “The Feel Lighting,” the first track from his upcoming album “Gliss Riffer,” feels a bit subdued compared to his past work, like 2009’s “Bromst.” But that doesn’t mean the music is any less engaging, and it might take Deacon to a wider audience.

 “Stump Jumper”

By Charlie Parr, TBD/spring

Winter weather thwarted Austin native Charlie Parr’s plan to record a live album in Austin last November, but his latest release is due out in the next few months. Parr recorded “Stump Jumper” in North Carolina in an old tobacco barn converted into a studio. It sounds like a great place for Parr’s folk/blues sound.

Honorable mention: “Strangers to Ourselves” by Modest Mouse, March 3; and “Short Movie” by Laura Marling, March 23.

New album of the week 

“No Cities to Love” by Sleater-Kinney — 4 of 5 stars

Sleater-Kinney’s reunion album “No Cities to Love” is a shot of energy during the winter doldrums.

On the group’s first album since 2005’s “The Woods,” the group produces an album that’s lively and effortlessly toes the line between indie and punk. Unlike some reunion albums, no prior experience with the band’s catalog is required.

Perhaps the Washington-based trio’s greatest strength on the album is balance. The trio produces a lush sound without ever overplaying reaching, which can be symptoms of reunited acts striving to hard to match past work. “No Cities to Love” is, if anything, a bit too brief at just over 32 minutes, but it’s dense with tightly performed songs that get better on each listen.

For newcomers, perhaps it’s best to listen to Sleater-Kinney’s without thinking too much of the TV show “Portlandia.” That’s because before Carrie Brownstein, who stars on the quirky IFC show with Fred Armisen, plays guitar and provides backup vocals to singer-guitarist Corin Tucker. But this isn’t a case of an actor turning to music. It’s just the opposite, as Brownstein and Tucker formed the band in 1994 and we later joined by drummer Janet Weiss.

For “Portlandia” fans, Sleater-Kinney isn’t really what you’d expect from some of the music on the show. But that’s a good thing.

Key tracks: “No Cities to Love,” “Bury Our Friends.”