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10 albums to look for in 2009
A list of anticipated upcoming releases from a bevy of Asian-American artists
By Joe Nguyen, AsiaXpress.com
Feb. 28, 2009
Five artists who we're hoping comes out with an album soon |
Seriously
www.myspace.com/seriouslytheband
They teased us with their five-song self-titled EP in 2007. While their YouTube videos have been fun to watch, we still want a full-length album.
Misha
www.myspace.com/Mishatheband
Teardrop Sweetheart was an absolute masterpiece, combining subdued electronic melodies with catchy lyrics about love to be one of the most underrated, under-the-rader albums of 2007.
Cynthia Lin
www.cynthialin.com
The Chicago-based singer-songwriter made her debut in 2005 with the blue and borderlined EP and returned in '07 with her doppelganger EP. Her folksy acoustic sound is fun and catchy and we want more.
Burning Tree Project
www.myspace.com/btp
Crazy hair and all, the emo-rock group from SoCal released its Time and Color EP last year. Their catchy tunes beg for a full-length album.
CHOPS
www.myspace.com/chopsmusicdotcom
The rapper formerly part of The Mountain Brothers and now better known as a producer, creating beats for some of hip-hop's biggest names, showed that he still has the chops for laying down rhymes with "I Like Cereal" and "Chinese School" off of the "Ping Pong Playa" soundtrack. |
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AsiaXpress.com's list of the top 10 albums to look forward to in 2009:
Asobi Seksu
Hush
Feb. 17
www.asobiseksu.com
The New York-based indie rock duo, whose name is Japanese slang for "casual sex," returns for their third studio album in Hush.
The Hsu-nami
The Four Noble Truths
March 24
www.hsu-nami.com
Jack Hsu completely reinvented the way the er-hu, a one-stringed Chinese violin, is heard. With the help of his band, Hsu creates rich American rock with a slight Chinese twist.
Jake Shimabukuro
Live
April 14
www.jakeshimabukuro.com
As well done as Shimabukuro's studio albums have been, it's a completely different experience listening to him live. After years of waiting, the 32-year-old ukulele virtuoso is finally releasing a live album – much to the pleasure of his fans.
Oak and Gorski
Good Advice, Bad Advice
March 26
www.myspace.com/oakandgorski
Cello rock returns! Oak & Gorski, former the Ken Oak Band, bring back their unique deep and soulful cello and guitar melodies combined with Oak's sweet vocals in their sophomore effort.
Meg & Dia
Here, Here and Here
April
www.meganddia.com
The Korean-American sisters from Draper, Utah captured the music world's attention in 2006 with their debut studio album Something Real, blending a pop-rock sounds with intricate lyrics.
Paul Dateh
Paul Dateh
Jan. 27
www.pauldateh.com
The YouTube sensation, known for his hip-hop violin renditions of The Roots and Jurassic 5, releases his debut album. Oh, and in addition to his string play, he also sings.
The Shanghai Restoration Project
Zodiac
Jan. 20
www.shanghairestorationproject.com
Dave Liang has created amazingly chilled and laid-back songs with his first two albums, combining traditional Chinese instruments with a jazz-infused sound. Zodiac features 12 songs and acts as a sort of soundtrack for the Chinese zodiac.
Thao with the Get Down Stay Down
TBA
Fall
www.thaomusic.com
Thao Nguyen and her band blew us away last year with the ultra-catchy We Brave Bee Stings And All, which was named our top album of 2008. We're looking forward to see what this alternative folk group has to offer next.
Tila Tequila
I Have Tourette's
TBA
www.myspace.com/tilatequila
Admit it, you're curious. The MySpace queen and reality-TV star, who's released songs such as "Stripper Friends" and "Paralyze," prepares to come out with her full-length debut album. If it surpasses Paris Hilton's and Scarlett Johansson's efforts, we'll consider it a success.
Vienna Teng
Inland Territory
April 7
www.viennateng.com
Teng's come a long way from her days as a computer programmer. Her rich compositions and sweet vocals are absolutely amazing.
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