by Julian Spivey

10. Chris Cagle – “TBA” – Release: TBA
Country singer Chris Cagle hasn’t released new music since 2008’s “My Life’s Been a Country Song,” which produced the hit single (and one of 2008’s best songs) “What Kinda Gone.” He’s got new music coming out in 2012, but his album currently does not have either a title of a release date picked out. However, Cagle’s first single in over three years, “Got My Country On,” was released in late 2011. The song isn’t any good, but if the rest of the album features what he’s capable of then it should be a pretty decent country album. 

9. The Beach Boys – “TBA” – Release: TBA
Brian Wilson and the rest of the living original members of the The Beach Boys recently announced that they are reuniting for a tour and a new album coming out in 2012 in honor of their 50th anniversary. There isn’t a title nor a release date as of yet for the new Beach Boys album, but it sure is exciting to think of the living original members releasing new music, their first new music in over 20 years.

8. ZZ Top – “TBA” – Release: Sometime in March or April
It’s been nine years since ZZ Top released new music with 2003’s “Mescalero.” But, the group has announced new music for 2012. Like many of the biggest anticipated releases of the year the new ZZ Top album does not yet have a name, but singer-guitarist Billy Gibbons said in a 2011 interview that he expected the album to drop sometime in either March or April. Nine years has been way too long for new Texas blue-rock from the best beards in the business.  

7. Green Day – “TBA” – Release: TBA
Green Day is easily one of the best modern rock bands, sure that’s not saying much because rock music today isn’t very great, but they’re worthy of such an honor. There was a five year break between their modern classic “American Idiot” album in 2004 to their most recent album, 2009’s “21st Century Breakdown.” Luckily fans won’t have to wait that long this time as the band will reportedly release a new album sometime in 2012. Once again, though, there is no title or timetable for the release of a new album.

6. Tim McGraw – “Emotional Traffic” – Release: Jan. 24
Tim McGraw’s newest release “Emotional Traffic” actually came out yesterday (Jan. 24). McGraw has gone on record saying that his new album is the best of his great career in country music, though I sincerely doubt that it will be. I’ve heard three tracks from “Emotional Traffic” already: “Felt Good On My Lips,” “Better Than I Used to Be” and “Right Back Atcha Babe” and only like “Better Than I Used to Be.” If the rest of the album is up to what McGraw is capable of then it’ll be a good release. Fans have waited two and a half years for new music from one of country music’s best vocalists. 

5. Shooter Jennings – “Family Man” – Release: March 13
Modern outlaw country favorite Shooter Jennings, the son of country music legend and outlaw leader Waylon Jennings, is returning back to country music after rocking out hardcore on his last album “Black Ribbons” in 2010. I actually like Jennings’ edgy concept album, but I am also thrilled to have him go back to his alt-country roots on “Family Man.” Chances are it could be one of the best country albums of 2012.

4. Kix Brooks – “TBA” – Release: TBA
Former Brooks & Dunn member Ronnie Dunn released his self-titled debut album in 2011 that included some of the best songs of the year, but was also only middle of the road as a whole. His former partner Kix Brooks is rumored to have been working on solo stuff himself that could be released in 2012. Brooks didn’t get near as many singing opportunities as Dunn when they were a duo, but many of the Brooks’ lead vocals songs like “You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone,” “Lost & Found” and “Days of Thunder” were about the duos best songs. Kix Brooks’ album probably wouldn’t be as popular as Dunn’s, but it certainly could be better.

3. Lee Ann Womack – “TBA” – Release: TBA
Lee Ann Womack is without a doubt one of the best female vocalists that country music currently has, but unfortunately the songstress doesn’t put out new music too often, which is why a new album from her in 2012 is so exciting. Womack’s last album “Call Me Crazy” was one of 2008’s best albums, even though it didn’t really spawn off any big hits (though it should have). Womack has a new single, “There Is a God,” out now, but unfortunately I haven’t heard it once on a radio station.

2. Jimmy Fallon – “TBA” – Release: TBA
Last month “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” comedian and talk show host Jimmy Fallon announced that he was releasing a comedy album in 2012. The album will reportedly feature performance from Fallon’s show, as well as new, never before heard material. Fallon hasn’t released a comedy album in a decade since 2002’s “The Bathroom Wall,” which was nominated for a Grammy and was spectacularly hilarious.

1. Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band – “Wrecking Ball” – Release: March 6

I’ll admit it … anytime Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band releases a new album it’s going to make the top spot of any most anticipated albums list that I’ll ever make. But, you can’t say that they aren’t worthy, anyway. It’s been three years since Springsteen’s last studio album, “Working On a Dream,” and his fans are definitely ready to rock out to new songs from the “Boss.” Springsteen’s manager Jon Landau has said that “Wrecking Ball” is Springsteen at his angriest, which I believe shall make for one kickass record. However, the first single from the album, “We Take Care of Our Own,” is a little disappointing, which is very unusual from Springsteen. 

by Julian Spivey
After the Janet Jackson Super Bowl halftime incident in 2004 the halftime show seemingly went to the old guys for a few years (Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Prince, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band and The Who).
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In my opinion, with the exception of Prince, those other five performances are essentially the five greatest Super Bowl halftime performances in the history of the halftime show.

But, for years there were many younger viewers of the Super Bowl whining and moaning about the AARP status of the halftime performers and so last year the powers that be relented and selected The Black Eyed Peas to be the Super Bowl talent.

It never made much sense to me why the powers that be would kowtow to the younger Super Bowl audience, because statistically/demographically the average Super Bowl viewers is 43 years old, the average TV viewers is in their 50s and the average Super Bowl viewer is male.

How many 43-50s year old men want to watch The Black Eyed Peas or other young pop acts during the Super Bowl? My guess is not many. Thus, the classic rock oriented halftime shows of Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, The Who, etc. were probably more in tune with the majority of the audiences’ wishes.

Despite the young’uns getting their way many fans and critics alike bemoaned the Black Eyed Peas’ performance last year as possibly the worst halftime show in the history of Super Bowl halftime shows.  

This year the powers that be tried to find a way to make everybody happy by choosing a pop star that could entertain older audiences: Madonna. However, based on online traffic it would seem that Madonna is not the most popular choice and I personally expect the halftime show to be a trainwreck.

The thing is that it could have been avoided with one very logical pick. The Super Bowl this year is being played in Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium so the logical pick really would have been and should have been Indiana’s own favorite son John Mellencamp. Yes, it probably would’ve sent the young’uns crying on their Twitter accounts, but the NFL shouldn’t worry about the viewers who simply tune in for the halftime show and the commercials. They should worry about the ones who’re actually watching the entire night. Mellencamp most likely would’ve been an extremely popular choice among the majority of viewers.

The setlist for Madonna’s Super Bowl halftime show has already been announced and will include “Vogue,” “Music,” “Like a Prayer” and her new single “Give Me All Your Luvin’”. Is the Super Bowl really the best time to throw a new song at America, by the way? Marketing wise probably so, but it’s not what the audience wants. Also, by the way, nothing says football like Madonna’s “Vogue”. Right?

I think that a Super Bowl halftime setlist consisting of Mellencamp’s classics “Pink Houses,” “Jack & Diane,” “Small Town” and “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.” would’ve played better not only for the Indianapolis crowd, but for the average viewers at home on their couch trying to enjoy the complete Super Bowl experience.