2009 will be known as a year of record-breaking single track downloads while full album sales fell to an all time low. This trend could be seen as a consumer driven need for a single pop song, or maybe just a lack of enough material to make a fan want an entire album from a single artist. Either way, music lovers will rejoice in 2010 and hopefully get back to embracing albums with the release of some very highly anticipated, and in many cases, long overdue records. Here’s a list of bands that lead the pack and will ultimately be responsible for saving the format.

MGMT: CONGRATULATIONS (April)
In a recent interview, the band said their new release is intended to be heard as a complete album, and will not include any radio-friendly tracks like “Time to Pretend” or “Kids.” If anyone has a legitimate shot at becoming successful with this strategy, it’s MGMT.

BAND OF HORSES: NIGHT RAINBOWS (TBA)
Although I think it’s time for these guys to step up to a major label, Sub Pop will keep them for another record and surely capitalize on one of the best live bands around today-my pick for the surprise breakout of the year.

GORILLAZ: PLASTIC BEACH (March)
Lou Reed, Mos Def, Barry Gibb and Bobby Womack are on board. Band leader Damon says it’s the “most pop record” he has ever made. The first single, “Stylo,” is all the proof you need to become a believer (now streaming on the band’s official site).

PETER GABRIEL: SCRATCH MY BACK (February 15)
Gabriel’s first album in seven years is a Bob Ezrin-produced orchestral covers collection featuring reinterpretations of Radiohead, Arcade Fire, Bon Iver, Elbow, the Kinks, Talking Heads, Lou Reed, David Bowie and Neil Young. A cornucopia of hip-ness topped with a dollop of classic rock.

BROKEN BELLS: BROKEN BELLS (March 9)
The newest project from superstar producer Danger Mouse (aka Brian Burton) finds him teaming up with Shins front man James Mercer. What does it sound like? Imagine a tripped out time machine traveling through the finest decades of rock with a final destination being the year 2010. Couple that with stunning production and you have an indie rock sensation waiting to be discovered.

DEVO: FRESH (April)
After a 20 year hiatus, the band that writes songs about pro-information, anti-stupidity, and the human condition returns. I thought they should have capitalized on reintroducing their classic hit through a Swiffer commercial and then announce a new album. I mean, isn’t that their target audience?

U2: SONGS OF ASCENT (Summer)
The latest album for the veteran band is rumored to include songs originally written for 2008’s No Line on the Horizon. There are reports that 72 songs didn’t fit into that album’s tone. If the band has 72 songs leftover, I don’t think tone is their biggest issue. Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois are expected to return as producers.

ANTHRAX: WORSHIP MUSIC (Summer)
After being pushed back from 2008 to 2009, the band had Worship Music ready to go, but then vocalist Dan Nelson quit. It looks like former vocalist John Bush will be rejoining Anthrax and doing the next tour. My advice: just put the thing out already; it’s not like you’re winning any new fans.