f schlitz, high life is what made milwaukee famous...

So it's early 2005 and over the next two or three months every album that comes out will be the hailed as the "first classic of 2005" or "sure to be on the a number of 2005's 'best of' lists". Whatever. It's too early and those of us at Fredeeky don't have the patience or attention span [out of dderall] to figure out who we should listen to this year. That said, here are a few cuts from bands you are sure to hear a lot from in the near future.

Bright Eyes - Landlocked Blues
I have never been a big fan, but his new album[s] is [are] both highly anticipated. Here is a duet with Emmylou Harris. Sounds like Robert Smith singing country songs. Thanks to sterogum.com for pointing this one out.

Elkland - Apart
I think 2005 is the year New Order comes back. So for those of you who took the SAT - Interpol is to Joy Division as Elkland is to _____ . MP3 courtesy of dailyrefill.blogs.com.

Voxtrot - Whiskey and Water
Out of Austin, TX. These guys show promise, but I think I liked it better when it was called Belle & Sebastian.

Castanets - Three Days, Four Nights
This came out last year, but I think they are going to "blow up" one of these days (in an Iron & Wine fashion, not Franz Ferdinand way).