???Hope is coming. The musical sin that corrupted the airwaves and charts in 2008 will soon be replaced by a slew of new releases from the bands we greatly missed yesteryear. And since it's '09 and we're creative, here are the nine artists you need to know about.
Green Day -- American Idiot was the biggest alternative album of the last decade. They rode it to a Grammy and sold nearly 20 million copies worldwide - and then disappeared. It's only fitting that once the "American Idiot" has moved out of office, they'll return with a new CD.
Paramore - Ms. Hayley Williams has got herself a new boyfriend (Chad Gilbert of New Found Glory), a new hair color, a boatload of new tweenage Twi-hard fans and a classy looking pink razor tattoo sure to remind her to shave her "legs" on tour. The only way to finish off 2009 is with the release of Paramore's highly anticipated third full-length album.
My Chemical Romance - Back from the Dead! and vowing to not release a concept record, My Chemical Romance's tentative 2009 release is sure to be the concept record of the year.
U2 - Uno. Dos. Doce.
Dr. Dre - Detox just to retox. Andre the Giant returns from his crib with a studio and a wall full of plaques to take his final hit. The Chinese Democracy of the rap genre is set for an '09 release. We all know that he can finally afford to provide his family with groceries, but whether or not he can outsell Taylor Swift is the real question.
Kelly Clarkson - Since she's been gone and hiding behind her hazel eyes, her latest album teases a return to the days of her being Miss Independent and a future pop icon.
Timbaland - The Jo Bros. Linkin Park. Justin Timberlake. Gwen Stefani. Madonna. Chris Cornell. Keri Hilson. Lil Wayne. Vanessa Hudgens. Nelly Furtado. Rihanna. NOW That's What I Call Shock Value 2.
Prince - Jehovah's Witnesses rejoice, your purple prince(ss?) is back with his phallic-shaped guitar.
Eminem - Rap needs him. And deep down inside, we all miss Marshall.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
