He didn't but ya know what I mean. To make a big impact with this forthcoming album and (fingers crossed) tour that includes an Irish date. Waits is like Dylan and Springsteen, they are always touring/recording somewhere. While on the topic of the great Tom Waits, does anybody know any info about his new album? Every website dedicated or belonging to him hasn't been updated for two years. Maybe I could sub Waits for Ed Harcourt in the field of Solo Artist Coming Back

I'll have to think about this one, because I kinda gave up predicting whats gonna happen in music theses days, though I was right about doo-wop making a bit of a comeback Anyway, off the top of my head, the most promising album (or at least the ones I'm most looking forward too) are the forthcoming Soulwax Album (find an MP3 copy of NY Excuse/This is the excuse on the net/soulseek, its out there!), LCD Soundsytems debut album and Solex' fourth one entitled "The Laughing Stock of Indie Rock" which sounds like it could be great from the title alone. I'm tempted to say that Miss Kittin is the most promising solo artist, but I haven't got her debut solo album I-Com yet (she has already appeared on various other albums and released compilations). Hopefully this year, she will finally break through into the mainstream without compromising what makes her great. Oasis to make a comeback? hmmm..we'll see, Echo and the Bunnymen are more deserving in my opion but that doesn't mean its going to happen. Can't think of a band that will definitely make a comeback, but there are a lot of semi-dormant bands like Soulwax and Bran Van 3000 that are making are either releasing albums or talking about it. Bran Van 3000 don't have a record deal at the moment so don't hold your breath on that one. Band to reform: no idea, but you probably wouldn't be far wrong if you picked a well loved indie band from the 80s. We've already had The Cure, Pixies, Mission of Burma, etc. Who's next? The Smiths? unlikely, but not impossible.

Ed Harcourt? Your guess is as good as mine!

new bjork album sounds promising from the grapevine, anyone any clues here?

Band To Reform; Simon and Garfunkel (new album, titled 'old friends... who still hate each other') Deceased Artist To Become More Popular: Nick Drake Most Promising Band: Autamata Most Promising Album: Gemma Hayes new one...if there is a new one.

Am I the only one looking forward to the new U2 album ? Which hopefully will be better than the underwhelming "All That You Can't Leave Behind."

I am looking forward to running to the hills or Bruxelles to avoid the onslaught of Mondeo man (Bono) right on rock in the naughties from the next U2 album. But that's enough of my slaggin u2. Otherwise Bono will never give me a guitar. I would have thought Incubus would have had a few big ones here in Eire by now but they seem to be happy enough with 6 or 7 thousand in the point on a monday night. suppose i would be too! Apparently theres yet another previously lost beatles recording found in a suitcase in Oz, so presumably that will be out for the Christmas rush. Cheers Bruces. Shane MacGowan and the Pogues are planning to get back together for a few gigs, although the creative juices are mixed with enough raw vodka to kill a Junior B full forward, so we'll hardly get anymore new ones. My personal favorite for the year is the Republic of Loose. That CD is the first CD by an Irish band that has excited me since rollerskate skinny, I think. Is Gemma Hayes recording does anyone know? Artists that should but wont be big/bigger: Frankie Lane: Impersonates someone impersonating a 50's western singer. A scary man. An entertaining man. A cool guitar player too. Mike Patton: ex-Faith No More man, current workrate is silly its so high (fantomas, bjork, tomahawk, a movie score here and there...) A good time party band from NYC called Hot Action Cop. bit shallow, but so what. John Hiatt: No idea what this genuine country star (the real Garth Brooks if you like) is up to these days. A great songwriter though. The crazy looking guy who plays the mouth organ on grafton street everyday on my way home from work.

Yeah Gemma Hayes is recording but don't think the album is due until 2005.

John Doe - I don't know if I'm actually looking forward to the next U2 album, it's more like that I'm really interested in hearing it, but I have this horrible gut feeling that its going to be an absolute turkey. I really hope I'm wrong, but the singles "Electrical Storm" and "The Hands that built America" really aren't good harbingers of things to come. Oh and then theres that awful "take me to the clouds above" dance track that they allowed samples of their music to be used in. Now I'm all for free use of samples, even in crap tracks, but what makes this bad is that U2 rarely give people sample clearance, and on one of the few occasions that they do its a rubbish trance track. This could be taken as a sign that they have pretty poor musical judgement these days. Eric - I agree that there will be a resurgence of interest in Nick Drake, in fact its pretty safe to say this has already happened with the recent release of the rarities album "Made to Love Magic". On the other I'm not too sure I agree about Autamata being the most promising band. Having listened to the original Irish version of the "My Sanctuary" album (I haven't heard the remixed international version), I found it to be quite an acomplished piece of work, but on the other hand theres a lot of people doing electronica these days and this album really doesn't stand out for me, in fact it even feels like he is lagging behind the current wave of innovators. However its early days yet, who knows what the second album will be like? For example; Schneider TMs first album didn't really differentiate himself from the likes on Mouse on Mars, but his second album was a unique gem that sounds like the future of pop. Band to make a bit of a comback, at least in terms of interest in their back catalogue: Fairport Convention. I've never been a fan of their music, but their does seem to be a bit of a resurgence of interest in early Fairport Convention/Richard Thompson these days at least in terms of media interest (anyone see that recent BBC documentary?). Actually all those 60s/early 70s british folk/jazz bands will probably have a bit of revival soon. I've never particularly liked this genre, but I'm suprised at how many of my friends in their early twenties are interested in the likes of Bert Jansch or Pentangle.

Alot of folk artists are creeping back onto the shelves. Fairport Covention are a good band, I have a very good live dvd of them. I think that other acts to make a big comeback this year might be Rolling Stones (if they ever record anything new), Paul Weller (new album coming soon), White Stripes (their next one should be interesting) and U2 (kind of looking forward to new album, more so to their next live show in Ireland though). Another dead artist to become more popular could be Elliot Smith. Oh and just to throw another topic into this thread, Most Under-Rated Album Of The Year So Far: Chris Rea 'The Blue Jukebox'

Solo Artist To Make A Come Back: Richie Havens Band To Make A Come Back: Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band (unlikely!) or Siouxsie and the Banshees Band To Reform: Roxy Music Deceased Artist To Become More Popular: Ray Charles Most Promising Solo Artist: Beck (on anticipation of his new album) Most Promising Band: Pink Grease Most Promising Album: New Kings Of Leon/ new Interpol Most Promising (Irish) Act To Rise Up: Humanzie Ideal Three Band Tour: 80s Matchbox/Zutons/Republic of Loose

Did ya know that the Republic Of Loose played support to The Zutons in The Village earlier this year? Can't believe I missed that gig. That's what you get when your mates don't know about lesser known but great bands.

Anyone hear the new album from The Bees? And has anyone got 'The Blue Jukebox' by Chris Rea. I urge anyone who has any musical taste to get this album.

Count me out then, I completely lack good taste, in music or otherwise

Solo Artist To Make A Come Back: Paul Weller me thinks - not sure if it's a come back, but certainly return to his funky form from what I have been hearing about the covers album called Studio 105 (or something like that) Band To Make A Come Back: Flaming Lips Hopefully will get their arses in gear and get something new out. Band To Reform: Not sure about this one, can't think of anyone off the top of my head that I'd like to see reform. Deceased Artist To Become More Popular: Will agree that there will be a resurgence of Elliott Smith Albums bought Most Promising Solo Artist: David Kitt. He is also releasing a lo-fi covers album, plus being dropped by the label he may have a return to form and release a wicked album Most Promising Band: Doves - They are due out an album and they have consistently high standards. Always a really energy filled live show aswell. Most Promising Album: I personally am looking forward to hearing The Frames new album to see if it's any use or not Ideal Three Band Tour: Badly Drawn Boy/Calexico/My Morning Jacket

Most promising new band in my opinion is The Earlies. Their debut album 'These Were The Earlies' is brilliant, kinda like The Beta Band's 3EP with more scope. Great live show as well. If you like your blues rock Sons & Daughters should make an impact soon. Can anyone confirm the rumours that Tom Waits is going to do live shows in this part of the world?