PREVIEW FOR WHAT’S TO COME FOR GRUNGE IN 2012
2012 is shaping up to be the biggest year for Grunge acts since the 1996, at least when it comes to new album releases. Soundgarden are set to release their new album in the spring, and we could hear new songs live as soon as a few weeks from now on the band’s Australian tour.
Pearl Jam are also working on a new album that is expected to come out by the end the year, and have already announced European tour dates.
Foo Fighters are already working on their next record, which might again be produced by Butch Vig. Alice In Chains are also hard at work on a new album that is expected to come out in the summer/fall, while Mark Lanegan’s new album Blues Funeral is coming out next month.
Stone Temple Pilots are planning to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Core with many special events and releases, the band also may release their 7th studio album by the end of 2012. Smashing Pumpkins are set to release their new album Oceania in the next few months, and many are saying it is their best material in years. After Corgan’s recent output, I’ll believe it when I see it, but I am hopeful.
Predictions wise, I think Soundgarden’s new album will be great. I think them keeping their initial writing sessions secret is a big indication of this, if they didn’t come up with anything good they wouldn’t have recorded or released it. My optimism is not just blind fanboy optimism, after some mediocre (compared to stuff like Superunknown and Euphoria Morning) releases (the last Audioslave album or two, Carry On, and Scream) Chris Cornell released “The Keeper” last year which recaptured a vibe that has been missing in his music since Euphoria Morning. His live shows (both Soundgarden and Songbook) also improved leaps and bounds over the Audioslave and Carry On/Scream days. To me these shows have really established Chris as a living legend, along with the rest of Soundgarden.
While I hope STP’s new album comes out by the end of the year, I think it’ll probably come out in early 2013 due to the Core Anniversary Tour. There’s no predicting what STP’s next album will sound like, as all of them sound completely different from the last one. My big curiosity about Alice In Chains’ next album will be how the vocal duties will be handled. Will Jerry and Will split lead singer duties, or will Will be more front and center this time around? I think Pearl Jam’s next album will definitely be darker and longer than Backspacer. I love Backspacer but I don’t see them making a similar record again.
Also here’s a wild idea/prediction, how about a new Temple of the Dog song? Just putting it out there.
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