high life looks into his crystal ball...

It's too early in the year for new releases as labels clean house, sober up, and try to get back to work (which also seems to be happening at law firms these days), but here are a few releases I am looking forward to in the Two Double-O-Five.
Iron & Wine - The Woman King EP
The Decemberists - Picaresque (which is already readily available on most file-sharing services, but read here http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2005/01/colin_meloy_on.html)Mogwai Rarities - which should include their cover of the Gn'R tune "Don't Cry"
Wolf Parade - don't know when, but watch for these guys in '05
Fiery Furnaces - EP - a collection of singles, yet it may be their best "album" yet.
In the meantime:
Wilco - I Shall Be Released (12/31/04 MSG, NY, NY)
Stephen Malkmus - Civilized Satanist (Solo show circa 1998 via.fluxblog.org)
The Arcade Fire - Neighborhood #3 (live video)