For our 6th annual Highlighting feature, we're doing things a little differently. Normally, we select our top 25 most anticipated releases for the whole year, but we realize that it's tough to really gauge EVERYTHING that may release throughout a given year when we're making the list in January. So, for 2012, we're splitting the year into TWO pieces -- January to June and July to December (Click here for Part 2). Also, we're making each list 15 artists/releases for a total of 30 in 2012. So, without further ado, we give you Highlighting First-Half 2012!

	8 of 15   #8. MxPx Plans Within Plans Release Date: April 3, 2012 This is one of the best birthday presents I could have gotten this year: A new MxPx album on my birthday after the band's close call with the end. I expect these 20-year veterans to be on top of their game and to release an album that tops their last, 2007's Secret Weapon.         - Michael Weaver The rocky status of whether or not MxPx may continue on or not has made the news of an all-new studio album pretty exciting. Following a retrospective DVD release this past December, MxPx is back together and have recorded a new batch of punk tunes that should be a nice treat for anyone who've followed the trio over the years.         - John DiBiase Back in 2009, I said in my review of the Left Coast Punk EP that I would not be surprised if MxPx had reached the end of the line. Happily, I was wrong. The original punk trio of Mike, Tom, and Yuri has reunited to record the upcoming Plans Within Plans, releasing on Tooth and Nail. Pop punk may be dead, but these guys clearly aren't letting go without a fight. Considering the unexpected success of Secret Weapon, this band may have yet another surprise left in them.         - Timothy Estabrooks Does MxPx have any juice left in them? I'm skeptical. But they have been so good for so long that it seems disrespectful not check out Plans Within Plans. Who knows? Maybe the trio can offer another memorable entry into a genre that is severely lacking in Christian music.         - Nathaniel Schexnayder MxPx has been around almost as long as I've been alive; two whole decades. And yet, as they continue to release great music year-after-year, it's hard to imagine them ever breaking up. Let's hope that Plans Within Plans keep them going for at least two more.         - John "Flip" Choquette Visit our MxPx page for more information about them... 2012 Countdown: 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 ©January, 2012 Jesusfreakhideout.com