Most Anticipated Upcoming Albums Include Paul Simon, Foo Fighters

by Julian Spivey

1. “Paper Airplane” by Alison Krauss & Union Station
Alison Krauss might have the most angelic voice in music and her backing band Union Station might also be the best in the biz. The group’s new album “Paper Airplane,” which will be released April 12, is the group’s first in seven years since 2004’s “Lonely Runs Both Ways.” If it’s like past Krauss/Union Station albums it’ll showcase some of the finest bluegrass tinged country crossover tunes you’ve ever heard.

2. “So Beautiful or So What” by Paul Simon
Paul Simon, the more talented half of maybe the greatest duo in music history Simon & Garfunkel, is releasing his new album “So Beautiful or So What” on April 12. The album will be Simon’s first since 2006’s “Surprise.” Simon is hands down one of the greatest songwriters of all time and recently told showbiz411.com that this album is his best work in 20 years. The album will reportedly have a bluegrass influence.

3. “This is Country Music” by Brad Paisley  
Brad Paisley is likely the most reliable younger artists in country music these days. His eighth studio album “This is Country Music” will be released on May 24. Paisley has already released his first single from the album, the title track. The song is far from one of Paisley’s best, but the album will likely have other hits. The album will also include collaborations with Don Henley, Blake Shelton, Alabama, Sheryl Crow, Marty Stuart and Carrie Underwood.
 
4. “Hard Times” by Tracy Lawrence
Foreman, Ark. native Tracy Lawrence, who is one of country music’s most underrated artists of all time, will release his new album “Hard Times” sometime in 2011, the official release date has yet to be determined. Lawrence has one of the greatest voices in country music and is a throwback to country music’s good ol’ days of the early-to-mid ‘90s. “Hard Times” will be Lawrence’s first country album since 2007’s “For the Love.”

5. “Wasting Light” by Foo Fighters
“Wasting Light” by the Foo Fighters will be the rock group’s first album since their great and critically acclaimed 2007 released “Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace.” The album will be released on April 12 and the album’s first single, “Rope,” is currently number one on the Billboard rock chart. The Foo Fighters have said that “Wasting Light” will be heavier than ‘Echoes,’ which could be a good thing or bad thing depending on your tastes.