This seems like a good thread to have in each of the genres. I'll start it here.

I'm looking forward to new Smog (who ten years ago I would have put in indie, but now think he belongs in Americana somehow) and Silver Jews. A friend of mine also has me excited for the new Frank Black album, which apparently was recorded in Nashville with some hip session players.

And the big americana album still to be released has to be the new son volt, which I have heard some good things about. Anyone else excited about this one? I still listen to Trace quite often.

There's a double dip of Son Volt on the horizon...the new studio record (with a whole new band) and a best-of with rarities. The latter is due out next week.

I'm also excited about the second and third Ryan Adams records. Cold Roses had a great sound, but lackluster songs. I hope the songs on the other two discs are better...

Well, my 2005 list of favorite albums just gut considerably longer. I broke down and found early copies of the new Son Volt, Smog, and Frank Black albums. All seem really strong after just a few listens. I find that I can't hate a Smog album, the guy is just an amazingly consistent songwriter with one of my favorite singing voices. The Son volt seems to be a real return to form after a couple weak solo albums from Jay Farrar. The first track on the album is quickly approaching Fistful of love for my track of the year. I have not had enough time to really get into the Frank Black album, but the first couple tracks sounded good in my car the other day. Plus, the idea of Frank recording a mellow americana record in Nashville with Steve Cropper and Spooner Oldham just doesn't seem like it can miss. Now I just need some new Neko Case.

Anyone who knows Frank Black's work well will recognize my screen name from "Teenager of the Year" (a criminally underrated album, and probably my desert island disc). I think this guy deserves so much more credit that he gets, (for his post-Pixies work) and have considered starting a topic on him in the indie section. Anyway, the new record is definitely more folk/Americana than indie rock, and it's very good. It won't be out officially for a couple months, but I'm giving it a strong recommendation.

Most alt-country fans know that Son Volt's new one Okemah and the Melody of Riot comes out July 12. There's a special ep, out now, being sold at the Coalition record stores. It's called Afterglow 61 and features a radio mix of the title track and 5 live or acoustic songs. All in all, 6 songs NOT on the album.

The new Devendra Banhaart is out in September - the label site's been streaming the tracks this week - it sounds really good - a lot more 60's-psych-folk than his previous releases, and a tad more political.

Thanks for the info guys