It's that time of year, folks. Time for making lists. Best this. Worst that. Most whatever.
So how about you?
What are your favorite records of 2012?
I have 20 that I hope to post by Wednesday morning.
Feel like posting yours. One, ten, or twenty. Feel free!
(The photo has nothing at all really, to do with anything. Just records on my floor.)
Albums new in 2012 that I played more than 3-4 times:
ReplyDeleteRedd Kross -- "Born Innocent" (my #2 album of the year)
Alice Cooper -- "Welcome 2 My Nightmare". The more I listen to it, the more I like it. Even the "novelty" songs.
Nelson Bragg -- "We Get What We Want"
Joe Walsh -- "Analog Man"
Garbage -- Not Your Kind Of People" (which, admittedly, sounds like every other album by Garbage -- but I like that sound...)
David Myhr -- "Soundshine"
Plimsouls -- "Beach Town Confidential"
and two albums that were covers albums: Rumer -- "Boys Don't Cry" and Juliana Hatfield's self-titled covers album.
and my favorite album of the year: Van Halen -- "A Different Kind Of Truth". I was expecting this to suck. It did not.
(There were lots of other great records I listened to in 2012, but the above all came out in 2012).
I meant, of course, Redd Kross' "Researching the Blues"... Duh...
DeleteWhat immediately comes to mind. No particular order:
ReplyDeleteTempest- Bob Dylan
Temple Beautiful- Chuck Prophet
Sweet Heart, Sweet Light- Spiritualized
Kisses on the Bottom-Paul McCartney
The Carpenter- Avett Brothers
I Like to Keep Myself in Pain- Kelly Hogan
The Haunted Man- Bat for Lashes
Beach Town Confidential- Plimsouls
Idler's Wheel- Fiona Apple
I liked Bobby Womack's Bravest Man in the Universe, until I heard him mouthing off about Elvis to the UK press. Enough already with this stuff. Jackie Wilson said there wasn't a singer who didn't take from Elvis too. Enough. Normally what artists do or say doesn't turn me off from the music but this time it did.
And I discovered Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers and the van sessions through a BW post, thank you. I've been listening to all of the sessions on YouTube plus have been listening a lot to Nicki's Carousel, which was released in 2011 I think, but of course I first heard her this year. She knows how to use that voice. A very intuitive, thoughtful singer. And that guitar player in those sessions. Love him.
Dan Bern WILDERNESS SONG. This one has totally flown under the radar. Instead of his usual Dylan-esque folk-rock (which I love) this one is a song cycle based on the writings of Everett Ruess, and is a new sound for DB. Unusual and haunting. Tried to find a Youtube link for a song from it, but there isn't one. So try this instead
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amazon.com/Wilderness-Song/dp/B009IKWGQY
tracks 3, 4, 12, 14 are good examples
Nice! Sounds like Dan has been listening to The Tallest Man On Earth for sure - compare:
Deletehttp://www.amazon.com/The-Wild-Hunt-Tallest-Earth/dp/B0038QMREA
- A Walk In The Woods
First one that came to mind: Michael Kiwanuka's Home Again. One of the few albums I've heard this year that actually got better with repeated listenings...just like in the old days.
ReplyDeleteIn no particular order:
ReplyDeleteHenry Threadgill Zooid - Tomorrow Sunny/The Revelry, Spp
Kelly Joe Phelps - Brother Sinner and the Whale
Charles Mingus - Jazz Workshop Concerts 1964-65
Hans Theessink & Terry Evans - Delta Time
Ry Cooder - Election Special
Graham Parker & the Rumour - Three Chords Good
Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Psychedelic Pill
Wadada Leo Smith - Ten Freedom Summers
Iris DeMent - Sing The Delta
Little Axe - Wanted - Live 1996
Mary Halvorson Quintet - Bending Bridges
...and also the Beach Boys remasters, and anything else that I forgot!!
I don't think I bought more than 20 records released in 2012 so I'm in no position to make a top 10 list that does justice to what actually came out this year. But here's what I listened to most this year:
ReplyDelete1. Dr. John - Locked Down
2. Bob Dylan - Tempest
3. Redd Kross - Researching the Blues
4. Ian Hunter - When I'm President
5. Patterson Hood - Heat Lightning Rumbles in the Distance
6. Bill Fay - Life is People (thanks Jeff K)
7. Chuck Prophet - Temple Beautiful
8. Bruce Springsteen - Wrecking Ball
9. Calexico - Algiers
10. Wallflowers - Glad All Over
I'm still digesting it, but think I'm the only person in America who likes the new Animal Collective album. Also, agree with Steves about Michael Kiwanuka. And going out on a limb here but... Cee-Lo's Christmas album is addition to the genre.
ReplyDeleteMy big old-music discoveries this year were Paul Weller's early solo albums and Doris Day. Man, she could sing. Check out the soundtrack to "Young Man with a Horn." Also, "Blue Moves." Thanks again for that, Sal!
Bruce H.
My favorites for 2012 in no particular order:
ReplyDelete1. Tempest - Bob Dylan
2. Long Wave - Jeff Lynne
3. Emotional Fire - Sunstorm
4. Cover 2 Cover - Morse, Portnoy & George
5. That's Why God Made The Radio - Beach Boys
6. Flying Colors - Flying Colors
7. Asia - XXX
8. Kisses On The Bottom - Macca
9. When I'm President - Ian Hunter
10. Genesis Revisited - Steve Hackett
Reissues:
LA Woman - The Doors
Prince From Another Planet - Elvis Presley
ReplyDelete10 of 2012
the bryan ferry orchestra- the jazz age- last minute december issue. what a concept..roxy music tunes as 20's era jazz...& what a brilliant execution of the concept! right down to the production...a stunner
nada surf-the stars are indifferent to astronomy- matthew caws & co are back with a guitar heavy sampling of great tunes..clever lyrics as ever, and filled with good hooks..extra guitar gives things a harder edge...a great band for a long time already
lightships- fear and doubt- the other writer from teenage fanclub (besides norman b) steps out with a whole album of his quirky voiced tunes..sounds even better as a whole...good stuff
michael blake-in the grand scheme of things- ex lounge lizard, continues to make some of the best new jazz albums being released by anyone...visceral, elegant, moving...blake's the real deal and has been for awhile
junior watson-jumpin wit junior- with a sound like an old tiny grimes record, jr blasts through a selection of gritty blues stompers....jr lays out enough for the sax and keys, to make an impact when he finally does come in...a blast indeed
neil halstead-palindrome hunches- not my favorite halstead, but enough to remind me what a singular talent his is...unique and always interesting in that nick drake sort of way
bill laswell-means of deliverance..producer musician visionary laswell gets a warwick acoustic fretless bass and plays a fusion of classic jazz and gnawa guembri music...produced by his ethopian wife, singer gigi..east coast rif
john zorn-gnostic preludes-zorns released a lot of nice stuff this year but the nod goes to this, with guitarist bill frisell getting lots of room to shine...one of my fave frisell recordings
los straitjackets- jet set- take a trip around the globe with the ailing danny amis onboard and come up with one of their best albums so far...bueno
jah wobble & keith levene--yin & yang- in no way a great album, but so nice to hear 2 essential public image alumni back together (albeit sans jl, too bad)... they evoke their glory days enough to bring a smile...bittersweet
cheers,
neato
My 2012 Favorites:
ReplyDelete(In no order except when stated)
Bill Fay - Life is People - Mojo gave this album five stars. I don't always agree with their ratings, but I did this time. Try "Be At Peace With Yourself": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nAvcIhvoHg
Shrink - The Blood Rush Hour. Wonderful stick-in-your-head pop. Try "Into the Fire" https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/shrink/id553316881
The Doughboys - Shakin' Our Souls: The great Stones album of the early 70s that they never made. Try "Love is the Seed" on your service (I couldn't find a full recording).
John Paul Keith - The Man Who Time Forgot. 2011, but I discovered this great roots rocker this year. Here's "Anyone Can Do It": http://www.facebook.com/johnpaulkeith/app_2405167945. Then look for "Somebody Ought to Write a Song About You."
"Introducing the Paul Hemmings Uketet": I'm trying in vain to teach myself the ukulele. I came across this after taking a class with him. In my dreams I can't even play jazz this well. Live video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=DXCTkbng0Z0#!
Cliff Hillis "Dream Good": One of powerpop's great unknown songwriters. You can enjoy all of it at cliffhillis.com
The Honeymoon Stallions: "Moonlighting" - Andy Goldberg is another indie pop under-appreciated star. Two years ago was the classic album released as The Goldbergs. Now, he goes by this name. You can hear all of it here: http://honeymoonstallions.com/
Kelly Hogan - See what Sal has to say, although I value it higher than he does. Great songwriting and even some righteous politics.
Susanna Hoffs - "Picture Me": Who would have thought, but it's a near perfect pop/rock album. Very 60s: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=SCVz-Kn3xEs
John Hiatt - Sal, was of course, right on about this return to form.
Bruce Springsteen - Wrecking Ball - Even Bruce not at his best is still head and shoulders above most everyone.
The General Store - "Local Honey" - Is he Neil Young? Karl Wallinger? Whatever, Tam Johnstone is one great songwriter."Pretty Eyes" is World Party as is "Somewhere In Between". https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/local-honey/id6240424
Here's my Album of the Year: Joe Brown - The Ukulele Album. Don't laugh; just give it a listen. Brown goes back to pre-British invasion days, and he's the one who introduced George Harrison to the uke. Try "You've Got Your Troubles" or any other song on the album for that matter. He even courageously takes on Pinball Wizard. http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_86461&feature=iv&src_vid=u_ORi3AH5kc&v=xBxxPUJQ0XMyou've Got your troubles http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_86461&feature=iv&src_vid=u_ORi3AH5kc&v=xBxxPUJQ0XM
Song of the Year: It's nearly a hundred years old and is is on the Joe Brown album but it was never done better than here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGivnGv-HXs
Older but great finds this year: Sam Chatmon, the Delta Rhythm Boys, the Mississippi Sheiks, Rodriguez (Don't miss "Searching for Sugarman"), The Moons (Life on Earth): Try How Long or Chinese Whispers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngWuhl13mxo)
Wow, ther's no way I could come up with 20 albums for a best of list this year. Kudos to you, Sal. Glad that you found that many albums that you loved so much. Here's what I've come up with, in no particular order:
ReplyDeleteJon Cleary - Occapella. A fun collection of tunes by one of my favorites, Mr Allen Toussaint. I especially love the version of "Fortune Teller".
Nada Surf - Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy. This album was pure bliss for me. Seriously, irrationally happy.
Joan Osborne - Bring It All Home. My favorite album of hers, especially love the closer "Rhymes". (Can't wait for a Trigger Hippy album!)
Smashing Pumpkins - Oceania. Best Pumpkins album in years, and a worthy successor to Mellon Collie. Hopefully next they can come up with a worthy successor to Adore. I love that it strives to be absolutey epic, and sometimes actually gets there.
Joe Walsh - Analog Man. I heard some complaints about Jeff Lynne production, but I still really like this. Good to hear Joe rockin out again. My favorite of his since There Goes the Neighborhood.
Michael McDermott - Hit Me Back. My most-listened to disc this year, and likely my #1, this is a strong collection of new songs from one of my favorites. Two standout tracks include "Ever After", an intensely emotional account of Michael losing his mother earlier this year, and "Scars From Another Life", a previously unreleased classic that has been around for a few years and is finally captured.
So that's 6. Honorable mentions to Bruce (good but not great), plus John Hiatt, Bonnie Raitt, Blues Traveler, and Shoes. If I include those, my list goes, in the immortal words of Nigel Tufnel, to 11.
For the most part, a giant, ever changing playlist in shuffle mode ruled my house, this year dominated by Miles Davis. Particularly the period from "In A Silent Way" through "Get Up With It", but also "Kind Of Blue". All in their expanded "Complete" versions.
ReplyDeleteMiles led to a lot of other jazz, like Don Cherry's "Brown Rice", John McLaughlin's first album "Extrapolation", Miroslav Vitous "Magical Shepard", and "Urban Bushmen" by The Art Ensemble Of Chicago.
Moby Grape was investigated thoroughly, including later albums like "Truly Fine Citizen" and "20 Granite Creek".
No new music except whatever Sal posted got anywhere near my ears.
I also spent a lot of time with Davy Grahams 1965 album "Folk, Blues and Beyond", along with a fair amount with Sandy Denny's Fairport, Pentangle, Steeleye Span, Richard and Linda Thompson, John and Beverly Martin, and Nick Drake.
ReplyDeleteheybuzzbabyj
ReplyDeletenot too butt in to this b-luv post or nuthin, but
if u like that miles/cherry/aeoc stuff
u'd dig the world of 2012
check out my michael blake and zorn selections
also the great brad shepik..tho 2011
there's a lot of that vibe u like being played today
in a silent way lives
look
cheers
Okay I will. I'm a long time fan of Zorn. The "Dreamers" is on the big playlist. Thanks. I expect some of the stuff I write to be challenged, and I welcome the input.
ReplyDeleteI listen to less new music every year; i'm hoping that trend ends once the kid goes off to college next year. There's been a few albums that made me seek out any mp3, AOL Spinner post or utube i could find on them - the latest Mission of Burma (it's 1984 again!), Sun Kil Moon's second in an as many years (a first!), Jale's and Dead Confederate's second albums (tightened up), and Drive By Trucker's "Memphis" album, "Go Go Boots" (not their best, but I'll keep coming back to it). I'm waiting on the library to get in the new Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Keith Jarrett.
ReplyDeleteJeff K.
ReplyDeleteJoe Brown's Ukelele Album is an absolute treasure. Thank you!
2012 was a solid year for music. Nothing will stand out as a Top 500 Album of all time, but there were quite a few of enjoyable listens released. Here's my Top 10.
ReplyDelete10. Wrecking Ball - Bruce Springsteen. May not be up there with anything released prior to and including 1984, but I rate it up there with "Tunnel of Love," which ain't too shabby!
9. Making Mirrors - Gotye. Sure, "Somebody" caught my fancy like everyone else last spring. But, heck, the album's just as solid.
8. Psychedelic Pill - Neil Young & Crazy Horse. Neil & The Horse had an "On the Beach"-style flashback, and that's all right with me!
7. Rebirth - Jimmy Cliff. I would have NEVER predicted a Jimmy Cliff comeback, let alone one with grooves that burned like all of his classics.
6. Temptest - Bob Dylan. Lately, Mr. Zimmerman has been channeling his inner Louis Armstrong, but in a much lyrically darker manner. This may be the second great run of songwriting in his career.
5. Oceania - Smashing Pumpkins. I bought this expecting nothing. Instead, I got the fourth best Pumpkins cd ever. When Corgan is on, he is a great songwriter. And he was on for this one!
4. Long Wave - Jeff Lynne. I love ELO. But, when I heard that Jeff Lynne was covering some classic songs, well, all I could think of was Rod Stewart. Bleeeeecccchhhhh! What I got was ELO covering the classics, and that was WWWWAAAAAAAYYYYYYY cooler!!!
My Top 3 are all interchangable, depending on my mood.
3. Channel Orange - Frank Ocean. Finally, someone picked up the soul crooner's baton, updated it for the 21st century, and ran like hell with it. Now, do we really need D'Angelo to make a comeback? I don't think so.
2. Boys & Girls - Alabama Shakes. Once again, we finally have a soulful female voice with the attitude of a young Aretha Franklin. Not the range of Aretha, but that same attitude Aretha displayed in the Blues Brothers movie. Brittany Howard & those dudes in the band grew up on Muscle Shoals grooves. This was Southern-fried soul just like your grandma used to listen to.
1. Blunderbuss - Jack White. I was just beginning to think that Jack White might be over-rated, or turning into a 21st century Prince. You know, the artist that never records anything that's crappy (re-listen to the Dead Weather! To me that's crap!). Then, Jack releases this CD, and I'm back on Jack's bandwagon. And, I love the Zep touches on "Saltines!"
Not a top 10 or 20 list. Rather this is a collection of musical highlights from 2012.
ReplyDelete-Govt Mule on NYE at the Beacon doing Mad Dogs
-Sister Sparrow's album launch show at Rockwell Music Hall in Jan (and I'll be ending 2012 by seeing them open for the Mule on Sunday 12/30)
-Van Halen (with openers Kool and the Gang) at MSG followed by Jane's at the Palace in Albany the following night
-Wrecking Ball - best album of the year
-Incredibly, my wife had never seen Squeeze. So their April show at Roseland was a treat (and kudos to the English Beat's opening set)
-CRB's Big Moon Ritual - a complete departure from the Crowes and their Williamsburg show was tremendous (thanks for the cover of Never Been to Spain)
-The Wall at Yankee Stadium
-Over a seven day period, World Party at City Winery, Tedeschi/Trucks at Beacon (nice seeing you there Sal) and Bruce at Met Life
-Loving the albums by Joan Osborne (Sal, all credit goes to you for that one), the Shakes, Heartless Bastards, Neil's Psychedelic Pill, Rival Sons (check em out Sal), Cold Specks, Michael Kiwanuka, Howlin Rain and Celebration Day
-celebrating my 10 year wedding anniversary in New Orleans and partying with the Treme Brass Band at DBA (again, Sal, thanks for the tip)
-the re-mastered Blue Nile albums and Paul Buchanens's solo effort
-Stones at the Barclay (know that is a sore issue on this board but it was a goddamn blast)
-getting free tix to the 12-12-12 concert at the last minute..great show until Kanye. I think that is when everyone's Flomax kicked in.
What a great year! Looking forward to 2013 as long as that damn cliff stays out of the way. BTW Sal, thanks always for keeping this blog alive and for your passion for music.
Graveyard train - Hollow
ReplyDeleteOriginal horror country from a band that has 6 singers banjo, 3 guitars, double bass , washboard and a bloke playing a chain with a hammer.
Best band I saw this year.
Regards
Rhod