Top Music Releases of 2012
Here are my top releases for the year 2012, listed in no particular order or ranking but separated between new albums and compilations/reissues. Enjoy
A Place To Bury Strangers – Worship
They do no wrong and you should listen to every release.
Matthew E White – Big Inner
Take bits of James Taylor and Cat Stevens, throw in some great r&b and you have brother White.
Ondatropica - S/T
A tropical exploration brought to us by Will Holland, aka Quantic, that has bits of hip-hop mixed in and a Black Sabbath cover. Sign.me.up.
Nenah Cherry – The Thing
She should win a Grammy for this wonderful album, a mixture of jazz, lounge and pop that is superb.
Oreo Jones – Betty
The best hip-hop to come out of Indianapolis, period! Seriously, do yourself a favor and jump on the train now.
Exit Music – Passage
Lush vocals, haunting music and a connection with Boardwalk Empire? Yes, it’s all there in the record.
DIIV – Oshin
Great guitar rock album that drops vocals in at just the right time.
Melody’s Echo Chamber – S/T
Produced by a member of Tame Impala, adding in glorious reverb drenched vocals into a sonic landscape of sunny bliss.
Tame Impala – Lonerism
I worship the ground these guys walk on.
Terranova – Hotel Amore
After years of pumping out great releases, this was the biggest surprise I had this year. A symbolic electronica album with just enough dance undertones.
The Orb & Lee Scratch Perry – The Observer in the star house
Ok, two landmarks in the electronic/dub/ambient world got together, smoked A LOT of ganga and pumped out a CLASSIC!
The Hundred In The Hands – Red Night
This is how I like my “EDM” if you want to label it that way. Blissful beats, layers of synths, warm textures, simmering drums, punch bass, yup.
The Right Now – Gets Over You
Modern Chicago Soul, R&B that hits it right every.single.time.
T-Bird & The Breaks - Dancehall Freakin EP
The masters of a Texas thing that I still can’t put my finger on. A superb mix of soul, hip-hop and honky-tonk boozed swagger.
The Gossip - A Joyful Noise
They do it again. Just buy it already
GOAT - W
An afro-psych voodoo magic laced album with fuzzy guitars and just enough hook to keep you around for hours. An absolute MONSTER of an album that has me thinking of a new religion.
Compilations/Reissues
Legowelt – Paranormal Soul
For anyone who loves electronic music this should be an album to pick up indeed. Utilizing a great concept with a depth of layers, this album enters through your ears to massage your frontal lobes into repeatedly listening experiences. Sound like too much? Have another listen then.
V/A - Personal Space Electronic Soul 1974 – 1984 (Chocolate Industries)
This is why you have to look deeper than the radio/blogs/internet these days. These tracks were pushing boundaries and bending genres in their day and still sound as fresh in 2012.
V/A – Twin Cities Funk & Soul (Secret Stash)
Who knew that it could go this deep and funky in MN? Secret Stash, that’s who. For all you who like REAL Saturday night style Funk & Soul, gritty, punchy and just enough sass to make yo mama want to slap you for not making it to church on Sunday.
DJ Food, Moneyshot & Cheba – Remaking Paul’s Boutique mixtape
The Dust Brothers changed the game, LITERALLY, when they produced this album. As genius as it still is today, DJ Food & Crew give a wonderful new twist to this classic.
V/A – Eccentric Soul Omnibus 45″ boxset (Numero Group)
This is a WHOLE LOTTA SOUL.
Mickey Murray – People Are Together (Secret Stash)
James Brown’s protege (seriously) that was never released because King Records was sold and the album was shelved. Thanks Secret Stash, yet again!
Interpol – Turn on the Bright Lights 10th Anniversary (Matador)
They never made a better album, solo or otherwise.
V/A – Man Chest Hair (BMusic/Finders Keepers)
This is the ultimate rock compilation of the last decade. I’m a Manchester junkie, so I’m biased but this, this album is so f*@king good! Garage, punk, rock, greasy r&b, early heavy metal, it’s got all the substance you need. Just add beer for THE party rocker!
