30. Scott Walker — Bish Bosch

Flatulence as music? Pointless crap.

29. How to Dress Well — Total Loss

How to Do White R&B.

28. Purity Ring — Shrines

Crystal Castles for lyric lovers.

27. METZ — METZ

KICKZ YOU IN THE BALLZ.

26. Liars — WIXIW

Keyboard lasers from every side.

25.  El-P — Cancer for Cure

Buzzy, pugnacious, grinding, hard-hitting.

24. Godspeed You! Black Emperor — Allelujah! Don’t Bend! Ascend!

Theme music to your rebellion.

23. Ty Segall Band — Slaughterhouse

Flurry of swift guitar triumphs.

22. Spiritualized — Sweet Heart Sweet Light

Druggy chamber pop in space.

21. Chromatics — Kill for Love

Subdued synth rock for pleasure.

20. Divine Fits — A Thing Called Divine Fits

Ice Cream, For Your Heart.

19. Bat for Lashes — The Haunted Man

She took all my gold.

18. Miguel — Kaleidoscope Dream

Brooding, guilty, sensuous club R&B.

17. Grimes — Visions

Digital Age electro pop pixie.

16. Death Grips —The Money Store

Spitfire anger — try keeping up.

15. Matthew E. White — Big Inner

Jack Johnson for city dwelling.

14. John Talabot — fIN

Pulsating layers of refined dub.

13. Angel Haze — Reservation EP

Mighty rhymes — equally mighty beats.

12. Sharon Van Etten — Tramp

Simple, spacious, soulful, powerful. Rock.

11. Lambchop — Mr. M

Unnerving-yet-calm folk musings.

10. Action Bronson — Blue Chips

Rap + food = Bronson’s your guy.

9. Converge — All We Love We Leave Behind

…didn’t really suit my liking.

8. Japandroids — Celebration Rock

Burn-anything-mosh-anywhere punk.

7. Beach House — Bloom

Surf pop for lucid dreams.

6. Killer Mike — R.A.P. Music

How to rap about Reagan.

5. Swans — The Seer

Feature-length action-adventure…album.

4. Cloud Nothings — Attack on Memory

Angsty, mighty, rocking – but melodic.

3. Kendrick Lamar — good kid, m.A.A.d. city

Rap album of the year.

2.  Fiona Apple — The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do

Piano and emotions roller coaster.

1. Frank Ocean — channel ORANGE

That falsetto will save you.

—AB

true to my word, here’s the second consecutive week of mixtape wednesdays.  i think the title speaks for itself.

The much anticipated Coachella 2013 lineup was officially announced the other day, putting an end to speculation and rumours and delivering a monster lineup as per usual. This year the Stone Roses, Blur, Phoenix and the Red Hot Chili Peppers are the headlining acts but there are plenty of EDM artists and DJ’s to keep you going as well, including Bassnectar, Dog Blood, Nicky Romero, Tommy Trash, Knife Party, Benny Benassi, Major Lazer, Freddie Le Grand, Pretty Lights, Eric Prydz, Hardwell, Paul Okenfold, Adrian Lux and more!!

The festival is held on two weekends this year – April 12-14 and April 19-21 and passes go on sale Tuesday January 29th at 10.00am PT from this website.

The most memorable moment from last years Coachella would definitely have to be Tupac’s holographic appearance! Who know’s what surprise await for this years Coachella!!

Everyone’s favorite nu-grass group have really outdone themselves with this release. Who’s Feeling Young Now? finds the perfect balance of all aspects of Punch Brothers sound. The group displays their remarkable technicality with their rendition of “Flippen,” originally by the Swedish group Väsen. In “Hundred Dollars” we hear the group’s knack for a catchy hook (hell yes Justin Timberlake-like falsetto chorus) and a groove that won’t quit. The real gem of the album lies in their cover of Radiohead’s “Kid A.” I’d be hard pressed to find a better version of a song as heavily based in synthesized sounds re-imagined for acoustic instruments. Such care is taken to represent all of the song’s elements- the percussive effects, the swells, the portamenti, thom yorke’s vocal line, it’s all there. A must-listen for 2012.

2. Aesop Rock- Skelethon

In the years past since Ian Bavitz’s 2007 release None Shall Pass, he lost his best friend and divorced his wife. Bavitz said about the writing process, “While making this album, it felt like everything around me was dying: people, relationships, all plant life in my apartment.” Such turmoil is reflected in the darker, grittier tones of Skelethon. The catchy beats and lyrics steeped in metaphor are still present, however there are moments of real transparency here.

“I have been completely unable to maintain any semblance of relationship on any level/I have been a bastard to the people who have actively attempted to deliver me from peril/I have been acutely undeserving of the ear that listen up and the lip that kissed me on the temple/I have become accustomed to a stubborn disposition that admits it wish it’s history disassembled.”

This passage from the last track, “Gopher Guts,” is particularly poignant in that we hear Bavitz drop his usual thick wordplay and opacity in favor of blunt repentance.

3. The Bad Plus- Made Possible

What is almost as remarkable as this Minnesota trio’s technical ability and compositional prowess is the consistency of their output. Made Possible features everything a Bad Plus fan would want, further refined. “Seven Minute Mind” feels like a more complex extension of Never Stop’s title track, with ever-changing time signatures and time-feel manipulations supported by backbeats and consonant harmonic language. “Re-elect That” displays the trio’s unparalleled chemistry in group improvisation, with great lines from pianist Ethan Iverson. The penultimate track, “In Stitches,” is an achingly slow building work showcasing the extreme dynamic capabilities of the trio.

4. Andrew Bird- Hands of Glory

2012 saw Andrew Bird releasing not one, but two excellent albums. These offerings varied greatly from one another, with Break it Yourself focusing on his more typical brand of violin-based indie pop tunes, whereas Hands of Glory displays a stripped-down, folky sound. The recording process was simple- Andrew Bird with three of his buddies and one microphone. The result is simplistic and undeniably poignant, ranging from the rootsy “Railroad Bill” to the albums opening and closing numbers that artfully comment on the afterlife. Listen to the entire album here.

5. Dirty Projectors- Swing Lo Magellan

The Dirty Projectors quirky concoction of indie pop is in full force here on Swing Lo Magellan. This album is bursting at the seams with interesting arrangements, unique timbres, catchy hooks, and insightful lyrics. Check out this passage from the album’s closer “Irresponsible Tune,” in which vocalist and guitarist David Longstreth lays it all out in a cynical yet heartfelt manner:

”In my heart, there is music/In my mind is a song/But in my eyes is a world/Crooked, fucked up, and wrong”

6. Vijay Iyer Trio- Accelerando

I was unsure what to expect from Accelerando, as previously I had never dug into a Vijay Iyer recording. I was admittedly a bit worried the music would be too cerebral or inaccessible, and I couldn’t have been more wrong. With this recording, the trio brings a very dynamic sound that has enough basis in rhythmic ostinati, backbeats, and concrete melodic content to immediately satiate a new listener’s ear. However, the interplay between the trio is such that even in extended sections of improvisation there is never a feeling of nebulousness. Check out their take on Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature.”

7. Minus the Bear- Infinity Overhead

As a disclaimer, Minus the Bear is my absolute favorite band of all time and thus, I am at once incredibly harsh on and incredibly attached to their musical output. 2010’s Omni was a bit of a disappointment, as the band eschewed their trademark mathy indie rock in favor of more synth-driven pop. The good news here is that the Bear is back with an interesting synergy of their previous albums. “Diamond Lightning” is the type of slow jam that would sit comfortably next to Menos El Oso’s “Pachuca Sunrise.” The tune features a lush soundscape courtesy of guitarist Dave Knudson (think layered clean guitars with plenty of delay and reverb) and vocalist Jake Snyder’s trademark lyrics about relationships. Fans of the newer, poppier sound won’t be left out either, as “Lonely Gun” sees the band going balls-to-the-wall with that sound- layers of synthesizers, electronic drum kits, crazy wah-pedal guitars (and a saxophone for some reason).

8. Cloud Nothings- Attack on Memory

Alright, listen up people who grew up in the 90’s (which I suspect is 100% of the people reading this): this is the album for you. Attack on Memory opens with “No Future/No Past,” which is the kind of slow, dirge-like, tom-beat laden song that we all listened to as a teenager when we hated our parents or were vaguely sad about a girl/boy. Conversely, “Fall In” is the upbeat song with the harmonized chorus you’d sing along to when you finally got the girl/boy and the world was your oyster. To the album’s credit, it still attempts to be relevant, as shown on the second track “Wasted Days,” which is a nearly nine minute jam that veers into post-rock territory for the extended middle section.

9. Kendrick Lamar- Good Kid, m.A.A.d city

With Good Kid, m.A.A.d city, Dr. Dre protégé Kendrick Lamar dropped the type of album that the hip-hop community as a whole was in desperate need of. Instead of the tired clichés of bitches, money, and guns, Lamar tells the story of a kid that grew up in Compton- the “good” side of Compton. The album depicts Lamar as the well-meaning kid who gets caught up with the wrong crowd. The story is fresh and compelling, the beats are catchy, Lamar’s flow is ace, and for once on a rap album, the skits in between tracks actually mean something. Bonus points for Dre spitting harder than I’ve heard in years on the album’s closer “Compton.”

10. Jack White- Blunderbuss

Although I’m still a bit heartbroken over the White Stripes break-up, Blunderbuss damn near fills the hole in my heart. Listen to two seconds of “Sixteen Saltines” and there will be no doubt in your mind this is Jack White doing what he does best. There’s no mistaking a guitar tone as ballsy as that. The album is very well paced and comfortable to those familiar with his work- the guitars are huge, the ballads are heartfelt, and everything has that bluesy tinge to it. That’s not to say Jack still doesn’t have a few tricks up his sleeve. “Freedom at 21” has a great percussive, almost hip-hop like feel to it that is very fresh.

I thought I would be more than this. My parents were always well-intentioned, and like any other parents, they just wanted to see their offspring grow and prosper; but in my immature, rebellious youth I didn’t want any of that. I haven’t seen them in over seven years now. I think I showed them a side of me that they always suspected was there, but didn’t want to believe existed.

I hitchhiked around the country for a few years, working odd jobs here and there. Honestly, it wasn’t anything special. I tried to write but, ironically enough, the drugs had killed my creativity. There were some cool sights but I couldn’t really get any stimulation or meaning from them. What I needed was a companion. But a good companion is hard to come by these days. They say that dog is man’s best friend, and while that may be true, you can’t have an intellectual conversation with it. I’ve been in a few relationships since that trip, and I guess the sex was pretty decent. Thing is, I just couldn’t connect with these girls. It was really no fault of their own, to be honest; I’ve just always had this tendency to pick out all the flaws in a person, and lay all ‘em out in pretty little rows and patterns –

but they blinded me, and drove me mad. If there were anything about these girls that I could relate to (and I’m sure there were), I simply averted my eyes. Sabotage was done unto me, and I had done it myself.

A couple weeks ago prior, I’d just stopped showing up to my job. I bet they fired me after that, but I just didn’t give a shit to even care. I don’t know what I was thinking; there’s no way I could afford my rent and everything without some money coming in, and I could’ve at least put a two weeks notice in or something – but actually that statement is sorta illogical, ‘cause I’d do it again and again. I just couldn’t fucking stand that mind-numbing work. What’s the point of slaving away your existence at a job you couldn’t give two shits about just so you can afford to wake up the next morning in a comfy bed and do it again? I had some money saved up; I could go to Paris. Europe is expensive but I could have some fun for a few months, before eventually having to get back in the dreadful fucking swing of things.

I thought I would be more than this. Past couple of weeks were a blur, in the sense that every fucking day was the same, bunch of wasted days, not that it was really any different than what I was doing before, but yeah – I was getting high and watching Arrested Development, and then when I got bored of that I’d reach for the bottle and drink enough just to pass out. And so it went.

Funny thing is, I’d never really considered killing myself or anything. That just seemed so drastic and shit. Like, this is just a temporary problem, I told myself, and that’s a permanent solution – even if I couldn’t see this “problem” going away any time soon. “The basic fact about human existence is not that it is a tragedy, but a bore. It is not so much a war as an endless standing in line.” I wanted to be sick of standing in line, and maybe take some corrective measures on that account; but I just couldn’t do it.

I thought I would be more than this! I wanted to shout it; oh, I can’t express how badly I wanted to shout it. But, I didn’t.

Phone rang. It was Hugo. He had just gotten a new supply in. Whatever. I let my cigarette burn out.

PHOTO CREDIT: HIGH SCORES AND RECORDS

Hello! It’s the end of the year (not really, but it was not so long ago), so it’s time for the cliched, but infinitely popular end of year list. This list was painstakingly compiled, yet with surprisingly little disagreement. We hope you like it, and hope you find something you may have missed. Here goes, in reverse order…

40. Barrow – Being Without

39. Perfume Genius – Put Your Back N 2 It

38. Pariso – Nothing Beyond Everything After

37. Baroness – Yellow/Green

36. We Were Skeletons – Blame and Aging

35. J/Q – J/Q

34. Keaton Henson – Dear

33. Crocus – Our Memories Dress Me In A Dead Lust

32. Metz – Metz

31. Suis La Lune – Riala

30. Mount Eerie – Clear Moon/Ocean Roar

29. Title Fight – Floral Green

28. Sirs – Sirs

27. You Slut! – Medium Bastard

26. Future of the Left – The Plot Against Common Sense

25. You’ll Live – Above The Weather

24. Invalids – Eunoia

23. Birds in Row – You, Me And The Violence

22. Liars – WIXIW

21. Capacities – The Unexamined Life

20. The Men – Open Your Heart

19. Carrion Spring – A Short History Of Decay

18. Fang Island – Major

17. The Saddest Landscape – After the Lights

16. Deer Leap – Here. Home.

15. Basement – Colourmeinkindness

14. The Twilight Sad – No One Can Ever Know

13. Beach House – Bloom

12. Run, Walk - ☤

11. Errors – Have Some Faith In Magic

And now, can you hold in the excitement? IT’S TOP TEN TIME!

10. Everyone, Everywhere – Everyone, Everywhere

JB: Emo revivalists are rather common right now, but Everyone Everywhere manage to make it sound so very modern. At times epic and intense, and with some huge hooks, EE are more than just American Football sound-a-likes. Whilst Title Fight swan around gaining all the acclaim and accolades, albums like this tend to be ignored. Don’t ignore it.

9. We Came Out Like Tigers – Agelessness and Lack

PN: If this list was solely mine, this would be top 3 easily. Liverpool Screamo with passion (and a violin) as a main stay. Political, ethical and downright amazing. This their first full length surpasses anything they released previously, by miles, get into it.

8. Joie De Vivre – We’re All Better Than This

PN: If you like American Football and crying, this is for you. A fantastic “emo” album, it noodles along at a lovely pace and has everything you could possibly want for an album of this ilk, they have lots of plans for 2013 as well so keep your eyes peeled.

JB: Apparently I was really into my emo this year! Though with albums of this quality, how could I not be? Joie de Vivre are slightly edgier and a lot more sentimental than Everyone Everywhere, but I hold both albums in a very similar regard. It must be said though, Joie de Vivre does have a little extra indescribable something which keeps drawing me back, maybe it’s the rather literal lyrical content? Probably.

7. Loma Prieta – I.V.

PN: Hardcore/Screamo from San Francisco. Loma Prieta really push the boundaries on I.V. it’s a hardcore screamo amalgamation that works superbly, a massive high point of 2012 for me. This really is angry, but yet still manages to throw a few curve balls your way, really memorable riffs and fantastic song writing, very good.

6. Death Grips – The Money Store

PN: Absolute bat shit crazy Hip Hop. Zach Hill on drums going completely insane, Stefan Burnett (MC Ride going even more mental on vocals, then throw in a equally bonkers Andy Morin on Keyboard, what’s not to like?

JB: Without a doubt the most intense record of the year, this took a while to truly sink in, but once it did I was hooked (though, I must admit, I still don’t entirely understand what’s going on). This is, quite simply, insane. Rhythmic and forceful, built on a backdrop of punk and noise, Death Grips are true trail-blazers, gaining the respect of almost everyone in music. Did I mention they were insane?

5. Converge – All We Love We Leave Behind

PN: Genre pioneers Converge hit hard again with the stunning “All we love….”.  Constantly mixing things up yet somehow always finding a fantastic end result . Tracks like Aimless Arrow hark back to the “You Fail me” era, yet it still sounds fresh, long live Converge.

JB: This is Converge. Many others have tried to be Converge, but why bother? Nobody can do Converge better than, well Converge. Despite their 22 year history, Converge make no genuine sign of letting up and toning down their sound. This is unrelenting, brutal, and truly wonderful.

4. Godspeed You Black Emperor! – ‘Allelujah! Don’t Bend! Ascend!

PN: Don’t really need to explain this. Godspeed return with their first recorded material in 10 years, it doesn’t disappoint.

JB: Intense, evocative, epic, simultaneously uplifting and depressing. To say this album has been a long time coming is probably an understatement. The internet almost went and broke when ‘Allelujah’ was announced. Not many other artists could manage that, but not many other artists can do what GYBE! do.

3. Tall Ships – Everything Touching

PN: Wow, Tall Ships hit this for 6. Some of the songs on this album had appeared on previous releases, this didn’t detract from the album however as they had been re-worked to almost sound like new songs. Part mathy, part loopy, part amazing. If these guys play near your City, go and see them!

JB:  Tall Ships are going to be huge, it’s blatantly obvious. Massive hooks, jerky to the point of seizures, wonderfully excessive and strangely familiar. Familiar in the sense that Tall Ships are, at heart, a rock ‘n’ roll band, yet with the intelligence and creativity to hide that amongst the layers of math-rock and infinite loops. Tall Ships are on the verge of exploding.

2. Cloud Nothings – Attack on Memory

PN: This album and band is in a very similar vein to our number one, a sort of scuzzy lo-fi punk, but this album came out of nowhere for me this year having not heard the band before. On first listen I knew this was for me, an absolutely wonderful and listenable fumble around the edges of punk and indie, highly rated here.

JB: I echo the above sentiments, Pete recommended me this album and I wasn’t sure what to expect. You cannot listen to a track out of context because Cloud Nothings are constantly changing. Punk, indie, slightly post-rock, every so slightly post-hardcore, massively scuzzy, hugely brilliant.

1. Japandroids – Celebration Rock

PN: Following up Post Nothing was always going to be hard, Japandroids managed it faultlessly. Celebration Rock is a fantastic, triumphant record, living up to the title, it’s a celebration, a celebration of this Canadian duo’s ability to create catchy, grungey and dirty songs, deservedly this gets our number one spot.

JB: Bit of a confession here, I didn’t get Japandroids for a long time. Actually, I didn’t get a band who I thought were Japandroids. They weren’t, I’m an idiot. Celebration Rock is brilliant, honestly brilliant, I can’t find a bad minute, nay second, of this album.

PN: He really didn’t, I pretty much told him to listen to them every day for two years, eventually he does and loves them, is my thankyou in the post?

JB: No.

Follow us on Twitter! @sparksandnerves

Here’s the full list of confirmed acts:

Friday:

The Stone Roses, Blur, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Modest Mouse, Lou Reed, Jurassic 5, Grinderman, Bassnectar, Dog Blood, How to Destroy Angels, Passion Pit, Tegan and Sara, Band of Horses, Beach House, Metric, Local Natives, Of Monsters and Men, Infected Mushroom, Japandroids, Divine Fits, Stars, Johnny Marr, Luciano, Wolfgang Gartner, Nicky Romero, Modestep, Tommy Trash, Thomas Gold, Shouting Matches, Dillon Francis, Four Tet, Aesop Rock, Alt-J, Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine, TNGHT, Jake Bugg, Earl Sweatshirt, Polica, Sparks, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Purity Ring, Lee Scratch Perry, Dam-Funk, DJ Harvey, Jamie xx, Seth Troxler, Youth Lagoon, Deathfix, C2C, Beardyman, Lord Huron, Palma Violets, 10 Echo, Skinny Lister, the Neighborhood, Sam XL Pure Filth Sound

Saturday:

Phoenix, the xx, the Postal Service, Sigur Ros, New Order, Hot Chip, Grizzly Bear, Knife Party, Benny Benassi, Two Door Cinema Club, Moby, Descendents, Yeasayer, Franz Ferdinand, Violent Femmes, Simian Mobile Disco, Spiritualized, Puscifer, Cafe Tacvba, Portugal the Man, the Make-Up, Bat for Lashes, Richie Hawtin, Major Lazer, Fedde le Grand, Dropkick Murphys, Foals, Ben Howard, 2 Chainz, Janelle Monae, Danny Brown, Wild Nothing, Booka Shade, Bingo Players, Allen Stone, El-P, the Selecter, Pusha T, Kill the Noise, the Evens, Biffy Clyro, Theophilus London, Baauer, Zane Lowe, Trash Talk, Birdy Nam Nam, Action Bronson, Jason Bentley, The Wombats, Guards, Mona, Savages, Shovels and Rope, Hueratron, Kurt Vile, Reignwolf, Cassy, 3Ball MTV, Kids These Days, The 2 Bears, The Colourist, Vintage Trouble

Sunday:

Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Vampire Weekend, Social Distortion, Wu-Tang Clan, Pretty Lights, Eric Prydz, Tame Impala, The Lumineers, Dead Can Dance, La Roux, James Blake, Excision, Grimes, The Gaslight Anthem, The Faint, Hardwell, Paul Oakenfold, Dinosaur Jr., Raider Klan, OMD, Roni Size, the Airborne Toxic Event, Father John Misty, Tanlines, Rodriguez, Alex Clare, Paul Kalkbrenner, Jessie Ware, Loco Dice, Jamie Jones, The Three o’Clock, Disclosure, Mimosa, Cloud Nothings, Parov Stelar Band, Julio Bashmore, Thee Oh Sees, Dub Fix, Maya Jane Coles, JEFF the Brotherhood, Smith Westerns, Dirtyphonics, Joris Voorn, Hanni El Khatib, Danny Arila, Ghost, DIIV, Little Green Cars, Mord Fustang, James McCartney, Unicorn Kid, Robert DeLong, White Arrows, Deap Vally, Wild Belle, Adrian Lux, Ladies Night

It’s unclear how many of these acts will be appearing as holograms.

Coachella 2013 Lineup

F’n FIN.ALLY. Haha!

Finally, it’s time for the annual playlist that caps off my countdown. Rather than do a ranking of favorite songs, I choose to compile what I think is a good representation for the year in music, all on an 80 minute CD-R. This year, many of my favorite songs were just too long to fit on this mix, (“Pyramids”, “Wasted Days”, “Hey Jane”, “Nothin’ But Time”, etc…) and of course I always have to leave off some of my favorites because of dead time in the track due to production techniques of its respective album.

Other notes: I managed to squeeze 20 tracks onto this years mix, up one from 2011. The lowest ranked album that has a song appear on the mix comes from an album I didn’t really care for, Port of Morrow by The Shins which was my #63 album of the year. In addition to that track, there are 3 other songs coming from albums outside my top 25. There are nine tracks representing my #11-#25 albums, and 7 tracks from my top 10 albums. As usual, the order of the Mixtape is not a ranking, but rather an order based on how the song appears on its respective album.

Below, you’ll see the tracklist, and after the jump you can listen to every track if you so choose. If you happen to be a  Spotify user, I’ve also created a Spotify playlist of my Mixtape (not including “Wildest Moments” and “Tallulah” due to them not being available on Spotify), which you can link to below. Also included is a link to my Amazon.com list which has my entire top 25 albums of the year, nice and neat in a one page form (as well as access to my all my lists since 2001). And finally, for the 5th straight year I give thanks to Amy Boyd for providing me with the album art for my Mixtape. She’s now a Pentagram employee, making this album art the most legit thing on my blog right now.

So, there you have it for 2012. I’m already 3 albums into my 2013 releases, so if you’ll excuse me I’ve got some listening to do.

Top Albums of 2012 (Amazon.com link)

2012 Mixtape (Spotify playlist)

1) “45″ – The Gaslight Anthem :: Handwritten
2) “Sleeping Ute” – Grizzly Bear :: Shields
3) “Myth” – Beach House :: Bloom
4) “We Can’t Be Beat” – The Walkmen :: Heaven
5) “Thinkin Bout You” – Frank Ocean :: Channel Orange
6) “Simple Song” – The Shins :: Port of Morrow
7) “Wildest Moments” – Jessie Ware :: Devotion
8) “Five Seconds” – Twin Shadow :: Confess
9) “Oblivion” – Grimes :: Visions
10) “Danse Caribe” – Andrew Bird :: Break It Yourself
11) “I Belong In Your Arms” – Chairlift :: Something
12) “Backseat Freestyle” – Kendrick Lamar :: good kid, m.A.A.d. city
13) “Serpents” – Sharon Van Etten :: Tramp
14) “Constant Conversations” – Passion Pit :: Gossamer
15) “Stay Useless” – Cloud Nothings :: Attack On Memory
16) “Laura” – Bat For Lashes :: The Haunted Man
17) “Werewolf” – Fiona Apple :: The Idler Wheel…
18) “In A Big City” – Titus Andronicus :: Local Business
19) “Tallulah” – Allo Darlin’ :: Europe
20) “The House That Heaven Built”  – Japandroids :: Celebration Rock

———-

["45" - The Gaslight Anthem :: Handwritten]

———-

["Sleeping Ute" - Grizzly Bear :: Shields]

———-

["Myth" - Beach House :: Bloom]

———-

["We Can't Be Beat" - The Walkmen :: Heaven]

———-

["Thinkin Bout You" - Frank Ocean :: Channel Orange]

———-

["Simple Song" - The Shins :: Port of Morrow]

———-

["Wildest Moments" - Jessie Ware :: Devotion]

———-

["Five Seconds" - Twin Shadow :: Confess]

———-

["Oblivion" - Grimes :: Visions]

———-

["Danse Caribe" - Andrew Bird :: Break It Yourself]

———-

["I Belong In Your Arms" - Chairlift :: Something]

———-

["Backseat Freestyle" - Kendrick Lamar :: good kid, m.A.A.d. city]

———-

["Serpents" - Sharon Van Etten :: Tramp]

———-

["Constant Conversations" - Passion Pit :: Gossamer]

———-

["Stay Useless" - Cloud Nothings :: Attack On Memory]

———-

["Laura" - Bat For Lashes :: The Haunted Man]

———-

["Werewolf" - Fiona Apple :: The Idler Wheel...]

———-

["In A Big City" - Titus Andronicus :: Local Business]

———-

["Tallulah" - Allo Darlin' :: Europe]

———-

["The House That Heaven Built"  - Japandroids :: Celebration Rock]

In the mean time, here is the list of ten honorable mention albums I promised in my last post. I am not going to give any big descriptions of these, but I will include the cover art and a favorite song. Also note that these are NOT in any particular order at all

The 2nd Law – Muse
Favorite Song: definitely “Supremacy”

Some Nights – Fun.
Favorite Song: “Some Nights” (by FAR – even despite the annoying but of auto-tuning near the end

The Slideshow Effect – Memoryhouse
Favorite Song: maybe “The Kids Were Wrong”

Babel – Mumford and Sons
Favorite song: “Hopeless Wanderer”

Attack on Memory – Cloud Nothings
Favorite Song: “Separation”

Dark Adrenaline – Lacuna Coil
Favorite Song: “Kill the Light”

Nothing Here Seems Strange – Buxton

Favorite Song: “Wolves and Owls”

Blonde Album – Lightning Love
Favorite Song: maybe “Orange Glow” (in favor of full disclosure: the guitarist of this band is the nephew of one of my professors. That’s how I even heard of these guys. They are so light and pop-y it’s almost comical, but they’re just FUN).

Bag of Hammers – Linus Pauling Quartet
Favorite Song: definitely “She Did Not Know” (just listen to the GUITAR on this one!)

Living Things – Linkin Park

Favorite Song: uh… perhaps… “Burn It Down” (I love Linkin Park, but I’ll admit that this album was a bit underwhelming for me the first few times I listend to it. But it’s really grown on me since then.)

Okay, there’s my honorable mentions for the Top Albums of 2012. Let me know what you think, Folks! (If the honorable mentions don’t clue you in on how schizophrenic and all-over-the-place my music tastes are, nothing will). In the meantime, I will try my best not to take quite so long to post again. But no promises. *shrugs*

Cloud Nothings returned this year with a new album on which they shifted gear significantly. From the oddball pop of their EPs and debut full-length they’ve turned to out-and-out pop-punk. And they do it well.

Like all pop-punk the songs are basically about slacking off, but it’s a bit more sophisticated than what Blink 182 were producing in my high school years. Instead of paying homage to laziness, ‘Stay Useless’ is about making time to waste time—something we’re sorely in need of in an over-worked and over-consuming culture. Time wasted isn’t wasted time. Time wasted brings clarity. And it has the best guitar solo of the year (from 1:53). Probably my favourite new album of the year (just edging out Beach House’s Bloom).

The beauty of the internet is that there is a library of music goodness at your disposal and something 20 yrs old can be new to you, but for all intent n purposes we kept this list fairly recent and somewhat on the more obscure side of modern music. Enjoy and pass them on!!!

Keep Rocking!

“I thought I would be more than this.”

“Wasted Days”

Remember emo? And I mean early 90’s emo, when it was an abrasive almost post-punk genre and before the likes of Dashboard Confessional co-opted it into their own brand of ooey gooey breakup songs. No? Well, considering Dylan Baldi, lead singer of the Cleveland Ohio four-piece Cloud Nothings, is only 20 years old, chances are he doesn’t either. But with Attack on Memory, his sophomore album, he could’ve fooled me. In a year when indie-rock got a nice kick in the ass from noisy, guitar drenched rock, Cloud Nothings started it all off in January when Attack On Memory was released to jaw dropping acclaim with its raw, youthful exuberance and intense darkness. But Attack On Memory isn’t just noisy, it’s damn catchy too, filled to the brim with hooks and melodies that channel some of those early 90’s emo/indie-rock acts like Fugazi, Braid, and Sunny Day Real Estate just to name a few. 90’s revivalism is something we’ve seen a good bit of in the last couple years, and whether intentional or not, Cloud Nothings have created an album that might be the flag bearer for that movement.

["Wasted Days" - Attack on Memory]

#4) Fiona Apple – The Idler Wheel… [Epic; released 6/19/2012]

“How can I ask anyone to love me when all I do is beg to be alone?”

“Left Alone”

Seven years in the making, Apple’s fourth album, The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than The Driver Of The Screw And Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do (so yeah, let’s just go with The Idler Wheel…) might be her most striking album yet. The completely acoustic album is full of stripped down tension filled songs which serve her well by conveying a feeling of intimacy almost like she’s playing them just for you. These 10 tracks are a cathartic release for Apple, delving into her psyche in ways that has always characterized her music to this point, but on The Idler Wheel… she’s managed to expose herself in an even greater light by crafting such personal and poetic songs enhanced by idiosyncratic production techniques but certainly not devoid of melody. Apple’s albums are such an emotional release for her that you can understand the amount of time that lapses between releases and while it would be nice to get more Fiona Apple songs on a regular basis, we are all better off by waiting for what her catharsis dictates.

["Werewolf" - The Idler Wheel]

#3) Japandroids – Celebration Rock [Polyvinyl; released 6/5/2012]

“When they love you (and they will), tell them all they’ll love in my shadow. And if they try to slow you down, tell them all to go to hell.”

“The House That Heaven Built”

The power of rock ‘n roll, man, that’s what this album is about. In a year searching for music that reaffirms the saving grace of rock music, Celebration Rock is it. And to think, this album almost didn’t even happen. In 2008, after a couple EP releases, Japandroids had just about given up and decided to release their debut LP Post Nothing and call it quits. What they didn’t expect was the amount of critical acclaim that album would garner (including a spot in my top 25 in 2009) which in turn lead to a renewed enthusiasm which is evident all throughout Celebration Rock. The Canadian duo produces in your face rock anthems with a celebratory spirit so palpable, you’d be hard pressed not to fistpump and sing-along to every “whoa ohhh ohhhh!” even at your most mundane moments. This is such a powerful and affecting listen with lyrics that in other hands might come across cheesy (“We don’t cry for those nights to arrive / We yell like hell to the heavens!”), but with these guys come across as inspirational. Celebration Rock, indeed.

["The House That Heaven Built" - Celebration Rock]

#2) Grizzly Bear – Shields [Warp; released 9/18/2012]

“But I can’t help myself.”

“Sleeping Ute”

A few months ago a friend of mine asked me for some music recommendations and I told her about the new Grizzly Bear album. She made the point that she gets nervous when a great band releases a new album because she’s worried of a let down. I reassured her that in this case, she had nothing to worry about. With Shields, not only has Grizzly Bear wonderfully followed up their magnificent album Veckatimest (my 2009 album of the year), but they have one-upped it by crafting the best album of their career. There’s just something to be said for a band on top of their game, and right now I don’t know if there is another band on the level of this Brooklyn four-piece. Every single member contributes in ways we haven’t really seen before, and it’s in that synergy that Shields excels in its cohesiveness and sheer compositional beauty. Songwriters Ed Droste and Daniel Rossen seem to have peaked in a way that compliments each other perfectly, and at times Christopher Bear absolutely steals the show with his percussion (See “Sleeping Ute” and “Yet Again”), but at no time does any of this sound like it’s all thrown together, a testament to producer (and bassist) Chris Taylor. This is exquisite chamber pop produced in meticulous detail but completely natural, a remarkable album that shows Grizzly Bear has become the kind of band where you shouldn’t be nervous about a let down, but rather anxious for what they can accomplish next.

["Yet Again" - Shields]

#1) Frank Ocean – Channel Orange [Def Jam; released 7/17/2012]

“Do you not think so far ahead? Cause I been thinkin bout forever.”

“Thinkin Bout You”

A few weeks prior to the release of his first proper album, Frank Ocean posted the liner notes of Channel Orange on his tumlbr, including a letter detailing his first love, which just happened to be an unrequited relationship with a man. This was a way to get out in front of all the questions that would undoubtedly surface once Channel Orange dropped and the lyrical analysis would begin. (Most specifically on emotional juggernaut “Bad Religion”, which details the aforementioned unrequited love in stunning fashion.) Keeping in mind Frank Ocean is part of a hip-hop community unfortunately known for its homophobia, his declaration of sexual preference was as significant as any moment that happened in the music industry in 2012. It’s in this intimacy and bravery that takes Channel Orange from a very good R&B album to a timeless classic.

The personal nature of Ocean’s songwriting is seen throughout all of Channel Orange in songs that capture his honesty, but are also some of the finest examples of alternative R&B, with their smooth yet unconventional structures. One of my favorite moments on any album this year comes not during a song, but during the transition between tracks. After a surprisingly bearable John Mayer solo that closes out my song of the year “Pyramids”, we’ve just been put through the ringer by the album’s 10-minute centerpiece, but not to be left off the hook, we’re directly led into the catchy beats of “Lost” and immediately re-immersed in this world Ocean has created. The wittiness and pure talent is in no short supply on Channel Orange (his voice on “Thinkin Bout You” is an absolute revelation), and while for the most part these are complex tunes not really built for radio play, their heart and power is something that can’t be ignored. Channel Orange feels like more than just an album, it feels like a groundbreaking moment in music history, not only a career defining masterpiece for Frank Ocean, but a genre defining work of art.

["Pyramids" - Channel Orange]

Here’s the first half:

10. Sleigh Bells – Reign of Terror

Not quite the adrenaline jolt that Treats was, but it’s still bold, full-volume pop with all the knobs turned to eleven.

Highlight: Comeback Kid

9. Cloud Nothings – Attack On Memory

An honest-to-goodness rock record – a great collection of punchy little tracks, full of raw energy and emotion.

Highlight: Stay Useless

8. Frank Ocean – channelORANGE

R&B may not be my favourite genre, but I can’t deny the quality of songwriting and the number of future classic songs on this oh-so-smooth record.

Highlight: Pyramids

7. Hot Chip – In Our Heads

Mature, heartfelt music suited to either dancing around to or sitting back and enjoying on a warm afternoon.

Highlight: Motion Sickness

6. Japandroids – Celebration Rock

A rousing call-to-arms; a full-throttle distillation of youthful, escapist energy.

Highlight: The House That Heaven Built

(Part Two can be found here)

THE WRITEUP

20. Flying Lotus – Until the Quiet Comes
As someone who can only listen to the music of FlyLo when in a certain moodset, this record was never going to be an absolute highlight of the year for me. It is nonetheless, a record full of swirling sounds that are strong without ever being in your face and relaxing without forcing you to sleep. This balance then, is commendable and one that warrants Stephen Ellison’s moniker a place opening the list.
Watch a gorgeous short film for the record here.

19. Calvin Harris – 18Months
To put it simply, Calvin Harris continues to appeal to me in a club setting that tends not to. From We Found Love featuring Rihanna through to Sweet Nothing with Florence Welch, 18 Months is impressive and away from the collaborations, it’s the devotion he’s put into the likes of School and summer 2011 hit Feel So Close that really draw me in. Harris just knows how to get you going whilst not being David Guetta or Deadmau5 and for that, he earns a place in the list.

18. Bloc Party – Four
Think anything about the past, say what you like about Kele Okereke and company’s break and expect what ever from Bloc Party; they don’t mind. Post-hiatus, Four is unapologetically what Bloc Party wanted to do and regardless of discussion, was always going to be. From Octopus’ release through to what could be a defining moment for Bloc next month at Earl’s Court, Four is a record that whilst, at times lacks definition has its own honesty and makes sure that the act still stand out of their own accord.
SI REVIEW HERE  //  STREAM HERE

17. Passion Pit – Gossamer
If you’ve written one of the standout records of the last decade and said album was your debut, the follow up is always going to be difficult, but what Passion Pit achieved in following up Manners with Gossamer was at times difficult to appreciate. The “hits” lack, but what you have in their place is, in my opinion a record built on a more solid structure. Take a Walk and I’ll Be Alright (below) lead onto a record that has a narrative and creates a full live show that takes you on a journey. In that respect, job done.

16. Bobby Womack – The Bravest Man in the Universe
The Womack has had a recent resurgence in popularity thanks in some part to Damon Albarn’s Gorillaz. In The Bravest Man however, he proves that he never needed it. At 68, Womack’s career has spanned 6 decades and continues to grow with his time. Take his booming voice in this record and add a production value that’s second to almost none and you’ve got an album that may well prove timeless.
STREAM IN FULL HERE

15. Mr Fogg – Eleven
I’ll be honest; I know very little about Mr.Fogg. His music, up until this album has eluded me and my negligence to gain more knowledge since its release is a bit foolish. That said, this record has been the soundtrack to every night bus I’ve needed to take in London all year. It’s got the quiet buzz that calms whilst pulsing with a sound that keeps you awake. It’s the perfect accompaniment to so much of the night from start to finish and for that, it makes this list.
STREAM HERE AT NIGHT

14. Jessie Ware – Devotion
I first encountered Jessie Ware at my time at Toast Press earlier in the year and instantly fell for her sound. It’s capacity to be remixed, toyed with and adapted is seemingly endless whilst as a standalone record it’s soulful and transcendant. Ware has achieved Mercury nominations and plaudits across the board and has been part of what was, in my opinion, the best mix of the year from Julio Bashmore and Annie Mac (below). Kudos Jessie.

13.  Crystal Castles – III
Alice Glass and Ethan Kath are insane. This is a generally accepted fact and yet, within that insanity they’ve managed to create three records that hit the boundaries of their genres and have made them one of the most successful “dance” acts of the last years. In III, they did some serious growing up, toned down on the agrression and cemented their place in the hearts of 21st century youth.
SI REVIEW HERE

12. Cloud Nothings – Attack on Memory
Cloud Nothings started this year in relative obscurity and ended it at the forefront of modern rock. This was in no small part due to the expansive sound of  their third record, Attack on Memory. From the catchy power of Stay Useless (below) through to the elongated 9minutes of Wasted Days, it’s huge and from a group of relative nerds, that’s fantastic.

11. Purity Ring – Shrines
Electronic music is taking step after step these days and in Purity Ring’s debut album, those steps appear to be in the right direction to encapsulate music. The comments on standout track, Fineshrine mostly scream “hipster” and “mainstream”, but what does that matter and since when has YouTube not brought out the worst in human nature? Screw it, the 1.2million views seem to think that both could live in harmony some day and Shrines will be one of those records that can say “they were there”.

MORE TO FOLLOW!!!

Take care of each other
Braden

There are generally two schools of thought when wrinkled old rockers try to make music after an extended hiatus: sell-out or rock star.  2013 will see quite a few fogies come back to the stage with new music from old classics Black Sabbath, Motorhead, AC/DC. Deep Purple, and Thin LIzzy (performing under the name Black Star Riders out of respect for the late Phil Lynott.

Prepare yourselves. Some of the biggest names from the 90′s will be making a comeback in 2013. Mudhoney, Alice in Chains, Tool, The Vines, Pearl Jam, Stone Sour, Jimmy Eat World, Dropkick Murphys, Rage Against the Machine, and Smashing Pumpkins will all record new material this year. However you may feel about that, it will be interesting to hear how/if they adapt to the new trends.

As far as indie goes, there is plenty of good stuff coming your way too. Listen for Widowspeak, Toro Y Moi, Foxygen, Vampire Weekend, Local Natives, Thao & The Get Down Stay Down, Foals, Lady Lamb the Beekeeper, The Strokes, The Airborne Toxic Event, Cloud Nothings, Death From Above 1979, Deerhunter, Goldfrapp, Haim, Wavves, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Some other good album suggestions for 2013 are The Sundowners, Restorations, Fear of Men, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Sleigh Bells, Throne, Bird, Clutch. Mine, FIDLAR, Death At Sea, Gnarwolves, and  Queens of the Stoneage. That’s right, QOTSA fans rejoice! We are finally getting a new album!

As always, you can check out the New Releases section for more information like release dates, song clips, links to leaked audio, and album art. What are you excited to hear? Any and all suggestions are welcome!

Check out this year’s most anticipated bands and albums!

dylan baldi seems very selective in chronicling his band’s work.  cloud nothings’ official youtube channel only contains three videos, all live performances from their set at the grog shop in cleveland on april 5th.  the songs captured only expand upon the sheer raw power of cloud nothings previously documented in their session for kexp radio.

cloud nothings later released part of their live set from the grog shop as a free download via their website, in exchange for an email address.  live @ the grog shop contains five of the eight tracks off of attack on memory, as well as a blistering rendition of the classic “can’t stay awake.” get it below.

Suggested tracks: Speed the Collapse, Breathing Underwater, Clone.

4. Celebration Rock – Japandroids. I am late to this band. This album is so good; I may not listen to their first one. I loved the feeling of nostalgia mixed with modern awareness, what does that mean? Imagine if Who’s Next was written and came out today. It is heavily influenced by that classic The Who album, but it has a sensibility about current adolescence. Japandroids understand what young people are thinking, but also know that all teenagers are self involved and will get over it. I love the raw love of classic rock that oozes from this album; I will listen to it over and over again.

Suggested tracks: Adrenaline Nightshift, Continuous Thunder, Younger Us.

3. Transcendental Youth – The Mountain Goats.  I just discovered TMG this year, it’s an awesome feeling to find a massive backlog of a band that you really enjoy. The vocals and emotion timed with radical swings in music make for some of the best listening in modern music. Transcendental Youth is no exception. It starts out with a song about Amy Winehouse and “all the Amy Winehouse’s in the world”, simple, sweet, and sad all at the same time. They are a little older guys, but they a so connected to the world of music and the culture that every day people come in contact with. They understand your feelings, and they can put words to it. Plus this album has a killer close in title track.

Suggested tracks: Amy AKA Spent Gladiator 1, Cry for Judas, Harlem Roulette, Transcendental Youth.

2. Put Your Back N 2 It – Perfume Genius. This is the album I have listened to the most this year. I love it from beginning to end. Mike Hadreas is a breath of fresh air to me. His music is hypnotic and his vocals are haunting. He is so open and honest with his feeling and his being and he is sharing it with everyone who will listen. I listened to this album all the way through twice before looking him up and watching his videos, dude is a pure talent who shows his vulnerability while grabbing you by the hand leading you through the pain. I haven’t really absorbed his other work yet, but this album really connected to me on a deep emotional level. I hope I get to see him live someday.

Suggested tracks: Hood, Dark Parts, No Tear.

1. Attack on Memory – Cloud Nothings. As much as I enjoyed PG, this album was the most fun, rocking, potential classic of anything else I listened to this year. It transported me to younger days and made me want to pull out my guitar and jam. I believe the best albums make you want to take action. This one did that. Shadows of Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy, and Zounds are obvious. It just bangs and rises, then floats down. From beginning to end it is steering-wheel-bashing goodness. I look forward to listening to this again, and to what Cloud Nothings will do next.

Suggested tracks: Stay Useless, Wasted Days, No Sentiment, Cut You.

Honorable Mention:

Hands of Glory – Andrew Bird

Reign of Terror – Sleigh Bells

Port of Morrow – The Shins

Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light II – Earth

‘Allelujah! Don’t Bend! Ascend! – Godspeed You! Black Emperor

1. TAME IMPALA – Apocalypse Dreams

2. CLOUD NOTHINGS – Stay Useless

3. TAME IMPALA – Feels Like We Only Go Backwards

4. BAT FOR LASHES – Laura

5. JAPANDROIDS – The House That Heaven Built

6. GRIZZLY BEAR – Yet Again

7. FRANK OCEAN – Pyramids

8. ANIMAL COLLECTIVE – Today’s Supernatural

9. THE MEN – Open Your Heart

10. KENDRICK LAMAR – Swimming Pools (Drank)