Raekwon
“Only Built For Cuban Linx Part II”

As the sequel album to the 1995′s critically acclaimed “Only Built For Cuban Linx,” the veteran Wu-Tang m.c. stands poised to topple the current glam rap epidemic and bring back the grit in rap. If the album’s first single “New Wu” is any indication, then look for 2009 to be the year that Kanye and Soulja Boy look for new jobs.

Circulatory System
“Signal Morning”

Few bands, if any, manage to jam pack an album with as many musical ideas as Circulatory System can in one song alone. Its 2001 self titled debut managed to do this effortlessly, achieving a palpability most psych pop bands only dream of. “Signal Morning” marks the Athens band’s second album in eight years, and it is certainly worth the wait.

Robert Pollard
“Elephant Jokes”

The former Guided By Voices frontman releases his second solo album of 2009 and in doing so one wonders how many tricks the 51-year-old Pollard has up his sleeve. Plenty. Pollard’s melodic sensibility and quirky approach to songwriting lends his body of work a striking individuality. Elephant Jokes should be no different.

Mt. Eerie
“Wind’s Poem”

Last year’s “Black Wooden Ceiling Opening EP” from Mt. Eerie saw principal songwriter Phil Elvrum combine his patented pastoral folk with twinges of Black Metal. It was certainly an anomaly compared to the rest of his body of work, and Wind’s Poem looks to expand the Black Metal/Folk fusion.

The Almighty Defenders
Self Titled

Black Lips plus King Khan plus Mark Sultan equals the Almighty Defenders. Three garage rock stalwarts together on one album, recorded in Berlin just after the Lips were kicked out of India. This can’t help but be an amazing record. It’s coming. Score!