Recently a lot of big bands are announcing releases that are set to drop this year. Ranging from classic rock heroes Aerosmith, and indie outfit Of Montreal, everybody seems to be breaking the news. These are my top five albums (No Order) you should be getting pumped about this year.

1) The Shins – Port of Morrow (release date: 3/20/12)

This is The Shins first release since 2007, and many things have changed about the band. They have switched labels from Sub-Pop, to frontman James Mercer’s label Aural Apothecary which will be distributed through Columbia. Another unique twist, is that the album was recorded with pop producer Greg Kurstin (Foster the People, Kelly Clarkson) which is quite the departure from Mercer’s recent collaborator, Danger Mouse. The Shins have released three critically acclaimed albums, and this new direction in production, combined with their signature sound, as flaunted in their single “Simple Song”, promises to add another to their list.

2) Rush – Clockwork Angels (release date: Unconfirmed)

Rush has the record for most consecutive gold and platinum certified records only behind The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. The album was announced the album in early February, but production was slow to happen, pausing midway with a 2010-2011 tour. The album finally is set to release sometime this year, and fans are already getting excited, and why shouldn’t they be. Rush has consistently released good material, as shown by there impressive track record, and has maintained the virtuoso line up for 30+ years. Amazing talent, amazing output.

3) Brendan Benson – What Kind 0f World (release date: 4/21/12)

This is some of my personal bias but Brendan Benson is one of the best songwriters out there. His style is pop-rock/acoustic, and really stands out writing what good, catchy songs should sound like. However he debuted in an era dominated by grunge, then fell into an era of synthpop, so he never really made waves, and got brushed under the carpet. However despite this he continues to release new material, this time under his newly established label, Readymade Records. If this album is anything like previous albums, it will be another great piece of music people never discover. Discover it.

4) Black Sabbath – Untitled (release date: Unconfirmed)

The original line-up of Black Sabbath is recording an album and are touring it. You know it’s no big deal or anything, they aren’t the group of four guys who essentially started metal or anything , so you know, no big deal. Even despite guitarist Toni Iommi’s recent cancer diagnosis, they are pushing through recording, and still are planning to tour having confirmed several headlining dates for major festivals. This is bound to be good. There’s very few ways I can imagine this going poorly.

5) Metallica – Untitled (release date: Unconfirmed)

Thrash gods, Metallica, are set to release an album this year, and everyone is hoping that Lou Reed is not involved. After recently releasing the “Beyond Magnetic” EP, there is hope of the Metallica that wrote “Ride the Lightening” and not “Lulu”. This album could really go in one of two ways, which is why this album should be on your radar. It is either going to be another flawed record that strains away from their roots to much (“Lulu”, “St. Anger”) or it could pave the way for a more organic sounding record as “Death Magnetic” did. Either way it will be at least interesting.

This column was written to: Jane’s Addiction – “Ritual de lo Habitual.”