I'll come out and say it: I think that 2011 may end up being a disappointing year in music. No, I'm not talking about what the mainstream has to offer us. Every year is a disappointing year if we're talking about what's being played on the radio. Instead, I'm talking about the underground rock scene. Last year was a PHENOMENAL year for underground rock (specifically stoner rock, doom metal, retro rock, and blues rock). It seemed like every week, a great album (or two) was being released. Hell, I'm still discovering great releases from yesteryear. Realistically, how can we expect 2011 to hold up that trend? Honestly, I don't think it's feasible. At some point, it's going to have to taper off, and I think we're at that point. I think a lot of it has to do with the coincidence that 2010 ended up being this huge convergence of new music. Everybody and their brother had his band releasing a new album. It's entirely possible that the ratio of good to bad releases hasn't changed. Still, the fact remains that I am dramatically less excited for 2011 than I was for 2010.

Don't get me wrong, it's only the end of March. There is still 9 more months ahead of us for great music to be released. I get that. In fact, I've already discovered and have fallen in love with several 2011 releases. Also, I have a growing list of upcoming releases that continues to peak my interest. There's going to be plenty of music for me to get into this year. There just won't be AS MANY as we saw last year. Plus, some of the releases that I held as highly anticipated for myself have already shown themselves to be lackluster. For every 2011 release I have fallen in love with, I came across, at least, one release that disappoitned me. Maybe my expectations are just too high because we were spoiled rotten last year. Whatever it is, it's a fucking downer. The only sensible thing to do, at this point, is to forget about what was released last year and focus on what is being released this year.

Here's some upcoming releases that shall (hopefully) help me with that task:

Kamchatka - Volume IV
Radio Moscow - TBD
Gozu - TBD
Backwoods Payback - TBD
Graveyard - Hisingen Blues (if any of the current feedback is any hint, this WILL be a top album for 2011)
Freedom Hawk - TBD
Greenleaf - TBD
Parlor Mob - TBD
Mothership - TBD
Orange Goblin - TBD
Venomin James - Unholy Mountain

I'm sure there will be more, but that's a good (yet not quite as great) start...