Over 240 Irish album releases in 2010, we were spoilt for choice, will there be as many this year, we can only hope so but even if there’s not as many there still should be a vast amount of quality to look forward to in 2011.

There are a couple of Irish only releases that we are keeping out ear to the ground for in 2011 and whilst one or two are yet to be confirmed 100% as 2011 to be released in, we think they are strong possibilities so in 2011 we will be mostly looking forward to hearing (but obviously not limited to)

Heathers
Ellie and Louise certainly made an impact in 2010 and despite not really getting the recognition I thought they would at the Digital Socket Awards (maybe because their 2010 album was actually recorded in 2008 and people didn’t think it was eligible), however I do know they had some new material for gigs ending 2010 and they are looking to record a new album and release it in 2011.

Bell X1
Bloodless Coup is the next album from the ever green Bellies. One of my favourite Irish bands of all time, I’ve seen them in intimate venues like Bewleys Cafe to massive festivals to giant crowds. Their last album Blue Lights On The Runway probably wasn’t as globally loved as Music In Mouth but it was still a pretty strong album with song great tunes. This album they are mixing it up a bit and trying to some things. One thing we’re guaranteed is there will be a couple of gems on there.

Cast of Cheers
Can anyone argue with their success in 2010, I don’t think so, storming to no less than THREE award at the Digital Sockets and nominated for a Choice Music Prize next month as the only unsigned free release to make the shortlist for Choice shows how strong their first material is, now we get to salivate at the thought of a second album from these lads who are now recording bits and bobs for the new album as the chance arrives. Will it be free again, it’s anyones guess but I certainly won’t have a problem parting with a few shillings knowing the quality these boys are capable of.

Mick Flannery
The young shy Cork man had an absolute corker with White Lies which in 2009 was nominated for Choice Music Prize and in the same year won Best Male at the Meteor Music Awards showing he had not only the expects appreciating his work but the commercial industry marvelling too. From what we know nothing is set in stone but that most of a third album is now recorded and could well find its way out at some point in 2011. We very much hope it does.

I am not Left Handed
Talk about a unique way of getting the money together to record an album. IANL decided they would do a 5 week US tour and offer people slices of the “pie” so to speak by allowing people to buy into the success of the band. €5 donation got you a download of the album once recorded, €37.50 got you IANL tshirt and socks! €375 got you IANL to come to your house, make you dinner and bake you three kinds of cake, just over 1k got you IANL playing a gig just for you and your mates, 1.5k let you sing on one of the tracks or star in a video and for a measly 3.75k you could be involved in every decision from artwork to mixes to merchandise.

We know in October they reached their financial goal and 2011 should see the end product of this unique and fun way of getting their album out.  We’re excited about it.

The Ambience Affair
They had a massively strong contender for Best EP at the Digital Socket Awards only to be usurped by ASIWYFA – Letters and in March one of the tracks off their EP ‘Patterns‘ was used in an episode of CSI – New York! They just got their masters back and are working hard on finalising the debut album and we should see it hopefully before the summer if were lucky.

U2
The provisionally entitled ‘songs of ascent’  is set to be released in early 2011 according to many sources and whilst many will scoff at this being anticipated for me I always enjoy seeing where Bono and the boys take their sound and musical direction next. It may genuinely be the biggest release of 2011 if the record is good enough so we would be remiss to leave it out. Don’t forget they are one of the odds on acts to play Glastonbury 2011 too so could be a big year for them.