12 Days of Christmas, Day 2: Most Anticipated Albums of 2011

With 2010 producing so many prime choices for Album of the Year, 2011's releases sure do have some big shoes to fill. Thankfully, there are some big names out there who are poised to put out albums, and each and every one of them has the potential to contend for the illustrious AOTY crown. So without further ado, let the anticipation begin:

Bayside- Killing Time (Feb. 22) 
While pop-punk went to the neon-clad teeny-boppers, Bayside were busy perfecting their craft, and deciding to focus on the "punk" part of the genre with each new release, starting with the blockbuster The Walking Wounded. Now, with Killing Time slated to drop in late February, Bayside are looking to clean up the streets so they can rule them once again, and if the two singles the band have released ("Already Gone" and "Sick, Sick, Sick") are any indication, this could be Bayside's hardest-hitting album yet.

Yellowcard- When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes (Mar. 22)
Earlier this year, Yellowcard shocked the scene with the announcement that they had reformed, with all members intact. If the Blink-182 reunion was any indication, we'd be waiting over a year and a half for the album that resulted from the reunion. However, eager to get back out and thank their fans for begging for their reunion, the band went to work and tirelessly churned out a new album, and are set to tour with All Time Low to support it. Let's recap: Yellowcard announced their reunion a year and a half after Blink-182 announced theirs, and have now written, recorded, and finished a new album before Blink-182 has even started theirs. Great job, Yellowcard.

All Time Low- Dirty Work (Spring)
Sell outs? Pretty boys? Overrated? There are a lot of things you can call All Time Low these days, but one of them is consistent: they've now released a full-length every other year since 2007 (So Wrong, It's Right), and each of their releases has been even catchier than and as ballsy as their last release. Now, with the Dirty Work put in on a new album, will this finally be All Time Low's opportunity to break through to the mainstream?

Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows (DRUGS)- (Yet to be Titled) (Feb.?)
The epitome of the term "scene supergroup" is poised to take over next year. The release date is up in the air at this point, but frontman Craig Owens has told fans that the band is shooting for a February release, but whenever the band should decide to drop the album, the scene is going to erupt, for better or worse.

Taking Back Sunday- (Yet to be Titled) (Release Date unknown)
Now armed with the same lineup that released the scene classic Tell All Your Friends, Taking Back Sunday has entered the studio to hopefully rebound from the disastrous New Again, and with the re-addition of John Nolan, look to add to the already winning formula the band have followed pre-New Again. The release date is still to be seen, but the band have recently said that they have begun working on the final song, and the album will most certainly see the light of day in 2011.

As you can see, some big names line the guest list of bands who are releasing new material, and I'm sure I missed a few. So who did I miss? What albums are you looking forward to next year? Leave it in the comments, my pretties.