25 Most Wanted Albums Of 2011

2011 is set to be a stellar year of major releases, including some artists we have not heard from in many years and others we just heard from a few months back. From the long awaited new Beastie Boys and Dr. Dre discs to comebacks from The Cars and Van Halen to the rumored Arcade Fire and Blur sets, if everything hits like we hope it will, this year will be mighty nice, indeed.

Here are the albums we're most excited about in 2011, presented in alphabetical order.

Alt-country bad boy, Ryan Adams was one of last decade's most prolific artists, but disappeared after marrying Mandy Moore. Last year's excellent III/IV with The Cardinals had been sitting around since 2006, so it was not exactly the 'new' album fans have longed for, but according to his Facebook page, Adams has been busy recording a new solo album for release this year.




File this under 'wishful thinking'. Canadian indie rock geniuses, The Arcade Fire have released albums every three years dating back to their killer debut. Following last year's stellar examination of suburban life so closely seems unlikely, but there are whispers that a new album will see store shelves this year.




Following a bout with cancer, for MCA, rap-rock outfit Beastie Boys have pushed back and twice resequenced their new album. Regardless of what they call it and what tracks end up on the final version, fans are salivating for a taste of Hot Sauce this spring.




No release date has been set, but the ex-Destiny's Child singer has not been shy talking up her upcoming fourth album. Beyonce told MTV that she intends to blend every genre that she loves and has been inspired by for the new album.




With no albums since 2003's Think Tank, a few reunion shows in the last several years and last year's Record Store Day release of "Fool's Day", the time seems to be ripe for a full-on reunion for the eclectic British rockers.




Seventies and Eighties power pop band, The Cars announced the unexpected reunion with Ric Ocasek last October. The quartet announced on their Facebook that the first Cars album since 1987, potentially titled Free will be available this spring.




Chris Martin and crew are rumored to be recording with producer Brian Eno in a North London church. Holiday themed single, "Christmas Lights" may or may not be included on the set, scheduled for release at some point this year.




When your debut is as good as Ordinary Riches, you have a lot to live up to on your second effort. Lucky for, Chicago-based jazz-leaning rockers, Company Of Thieves, they have grown by leaps and bounds on-stage over the last couple of years; sprinkling in some promising new tunes along the way. Expect greatness from the golden pipes of Genevieve Schatz and the nimble fingers of Mark Walloch this spring.




The long in production Detox appears to be a bit closer to becoming a reality, thanks to the release of, lead single featuring Snoop and Akon, "Kush" in November. Said to be Dr. Dre's final album, the anticipation has been building since the first release date was set, back in 2005. Rap's answer to Chinese Democracy may finally come out this year. We can only hope it is better than Axl's effort.




Lupe Fiasco's original plan was to release his third and final album, titled LupE.N.D. last year, but scrapped the album in favor of this. Whether the plan is still to have this be his swan song remains to be seen, but it took a fan petition to get this released. Get your hands on it when it his shelves this March.