Best Albums of 2012
This was hard as immediately upon finishing this list I thought of a half dozen or so more contenders (The Smith Street Band, Cheap Girls, P.O.S., Titus Andronicus, Future of the Left, Japandroids, Menzingers, Regina Spektor and tons I bet I'm still forgetting) BUT I can still say these 9 albums and 2 7"s are at the very least AMONGST the very best records of the year in my opinion. This was a good year for music.
THE CHARIOT - ONE WING: Look, get over the whole Jesus thing. I'm sure there are hardcore bands you listen to that say tons of shit that ain't easy to agree with regarding violence, but we still listen anyway. So fuck it. The Chariot are the best live band in hardcore today, and this is the most interesting hardcore record I've heard in awhile. If you're curious watch this: http://youtu.be/KP1kxvuuGLg
NAS - LIFE IS GOOD: "Summer on Smash" aside (which is basically a glorified Ciroc jingle), it's great to finally hear a mainstream rapper make a record that is not about money over everything.
CONVERGE - ALL WE LOVE WE LEAVE BEHIND: Sounds like what would happen if that crazy Converge band all the kids are listening to made a hardcore punk record like all the adults used to listen to.
CERCE - CERCE: Super-energized female-fronted hardcore band. Your first thought upon
hearing this will likely be "where is this band from? what do they look
like? what is happening to me?!"
JOYCE MANOR - OF ALL THE THINGS I WILL SOON GROW TIRED: Totally unique micro-punk anthems. For a 12 minute record there sure is a lot to go back and discover on this one.
ROAR - I'M NOT HERE TO MAKE FRIENDS: Owen Evans is insanely good at what he does, making beautifully sad ELO-esque pop music that sounds like it's from another time. Also I put out this one too!!
CLASSICS OF LOVE: Jesse Michaels hasn't sounded this good, maybe ever? Fuck, this record is awesome.
JOHN K. SAMSON - PROVINCIAL: Whenever this dude puts out a record, I pretty much know I'm gonna love it and I'm pretty much always right. Bonus points for consistency!!
FIONA APPLE - THE IDLER WHEEL… : Fuck, someone needs to give Fiona Apple a hug or something. Here's what you can say while hugging: "Congratulations, Fiona,on making an emotionally bare, vocally intense, musically kinda avant-garde record that a major label (likely contractually) had to put out and mainstream media had to cover. Hell yeah."
THE SIDEKICKS - AWKWARD BREEDS : Okay, I know it's kinda cheating 'cause I put this one out but The Sidekicks are just so good, and it's really hard to describe why. When ya say stuff like "great hooks, energetic performances, interesting songs" it doesn't quite do it justice. You should probably have this already.
HOP ALONG - GET DISOWNED : Beautiful singing that borders on schizophrenic, unique song structures that do the same, engaging the whole way through, great lyrics, sounds great… and then it's done and you're like "okay, let's listen to that one again."
P.S. I also completely forgot that Jimmy Cliff record which came out this year which destroyed my braaaaaain. Great songs, sounds great and this seventy year old man is singing the shit out of all of it. Should be somewhere in there.
Dave Hause (The Loved Ones)
Here are some records I like that came out this year:
Leonard Cohen - Old Ideas
Cory Branan - Mutt
Kathleen Edwards - Voyageur
Fiona Apple - The Idler Wheel
Japandroids - Celebration Rock
Jack White - Blunderbuss
Bonnie Raitt - Slipstream
The Lumineers
Jimmy Cliff - Rebirth
The Killers - Battle Born
Cheap Girls - Giant Orange
Hot Water Music - Exister
Gaslight Anthem - Handwritten
Paul Pendley (Red City Radio)
Best Albums of 2012
LUTHER- LET'S GET YOU SOMEPLACE ELSE: I cannot say enough about this. It's a punk record that rocks. It's a rock record that punks. It's insanely catchy, well written with great lyrics and clean production that makes everything shine. This is my album of the year folks and it should be yours.
THE
SIDEKICKS- AWKWARD BREEDS: Would have been AOTY if not for Luther with the late charge down the stretch. I can't say enough how gorgeous the melodies and harmonies are on Awkward Breeds. "Incandescent Days" is my Song Of The Year.
APOLOGIES I HAVE NONE- LONDON: This album is pretty much flawless. Dynamic and soaring. Every song an epic, an anthem leading you to the best album closer of the year.
ARLISS NANCY - SIMPLE MACHINES: These guys are our friends and I've known them for years but I can objectively say they released one of the best records of the year. If you haven't heard these guys yet do yourself a favor and rectify that.
OLD FLINGS - SPITE: What do you get when you combine 90's alternative ala Superdrag and Seaweed with late era Samiam and a little Morrisey? Something I'm going to love. You could not come up with a better formula for making me a fan.
CORY BRANAN- MUTT: Cory Branan's Mutt is just that, an album that flies from sound to genre in an instant without ever losing its identity. Cory has always been an under appreciated genius but this masterpiece may change that.
THE MENZINGERS- ON THE IMPOSSIBLE PAST: I'm not sure if there is anything I can say about this record that hasn't been said so let me say that these guys deserve every bit of their success.
HOSTAGE CALM - PLEASE REMAIN CALM: This sound is the sound Hostage Calm was meant to have. I'm jealous that they've managed to write a perfect pop record with the lyricism to make it as powerful as it is endearing.
PENTIMENTO -S/T: These guys should be on everyone's radar and this record is the reason why. Label problems aside these guys have a bright future.
RED COLLAR - WELCOME HOME: This album boasts one of the best songwriters of our generation. You would do well by yourself to become acquainted with Jason Kutchma.
MASKED INTRUDER - S/T: Whatever you want to call this sound Ramonescore, pop punk et cetera, no one is doing it this well right now. But to label them as just that would be doing them a disservice as there are plenty of interesting things going on here.
PERDITION - HISPANOLA: Another friend band but this record earned it's way onto this list by just being bad ass.
THE SMITH STREET BAND - SUNSHINE AND TECHNOLOGY: This band was a total surprise until I saw them at Fest. Holy shit do I feel like an idiot for that.
MA JOLIE -…COMPARED TO GIANTS: This is just a great up tempo punk record. Vocals remind me of North Lincoln which is a good thing.
DIKEMBE - BROAD SHOULDERS: I listen to this when I read. I'm not sure what that means but I find myself humming melodies from this record long after I've put the book down. Great record.
LIKE BATS- MIDWEST NOTHING: So many people are sleeping on this record and that is a shame. Gritty Midwestern pop punk at its finest.
THE HOLY MESS- CANDE RU LAS DEGAS: With every release the Mess get better and here is another example of that. Well done, Philly.
THE JEALOUS SOUND- A GENTLE REMINDER: Comeback record of the year! Cue the LL Cool J!
CERTAIN PEOPLE I KNOW - S/T: Bob Nanna, nuff said.
YOU BLEW IT! - GROW UP, DUDE: This normally isn't my cup of tea but these guys do it so well it can't be ignored.
The only list Taylor Swift belongs on is Best Spokesperson For A Crappy Right-Wing Pizza Chain. If only all the Disney-core jailbait could be as cool as Mandy Moore, but alas...
I like pop music more than most people on this site but hot shit Taylor Swift blows. Boggles my mind how many people that I have respect for as friends like that tripe.
While I generally wouldn't argue your sentiment, I think if you're writing a top 10 list for a punk rock website, it would serve you well to have at least a couple punk records on it. Good writing is knowing your audience, and when I see a list on PN with a whole bunch of top 40 pop songs I generally glaze right over it.
If you are attempting to cater toward the specific audience, yes. However, even if I hate someone's list, I'd prefer that they just give their honest top ten - and if that happens to not include any punk, then so be it.
But seriously, my tastes have broadened greatly because of silly lists like these or by my favorite artists talking up some band/artist that really inspires them but isn't part of their genre. I love seeing things like the guy from Gaslight putting Deftones on his list or the guy from Menzingers talking about Regina Spektor or the guy from Laura Stevenson and the Cans having Swans as his second favorite album of the year. There are some people here that will bitch and bitch about it but I would hope that there are many others who will actually check out some new styles of music and possibly have a whole different world open up to them.
Jeff glosses over one release that just hasn't occurred to me yet, and in retrospect I'm kinda shocked.
How is Future of the Left's new full-length not making any of these lists? Holy shit, that record is the best thing Falkous has been a part of since mclusky does dallas.
I mean, I adore both previous FOTL releases, but the plot against common sense just slaughters both of those records in almost every way but raw swagger. And while Curses! and Travels beat the hell out of Pain and Sadness and I'm Not on Fire, I still think mclusky does dallas is inches them out a little bit.
Some of their best output's been on the 45's though - I Need To Know How To Kill a Cat, I Have Four Names and Random Celebrity Insult Generator are definitely in my all-time favourites.
I agree with what you said. FoTL are amazing, but Plot Against Common Sense is easily one of the best records this year. Clever lyrics, with thunderous songs. What more do you want?
Right? It took me a little while to get it through my head that Falco was actually singing about real things in the songs - in some ways, that's the biggest departure for the band, never mind the extra guitar and fleshed out song structures - but once it clicked, this was without a doubt one of the most important releases this year.
I'm sure Jimmy Cliff would point out that there's a slight difference between being called a seventy year-old man and actually being a sixty-four year-old man.
Glad to see that Cerce EP(?) get some love. It's really fucking cool, plus her vocals are unreal. On an unrelated note, does anyone wanna explain the appeal of the sidekicks to me? I just don't get it...
I didn't get it until we played with them in October. After you see their show, everything just falls into place.
Don't get me wrong, "Awkward Breeds" probably won't make my top ten, but I really fucking love it after having seen them. Kinda like Matt Skiba and the Sekrets "Babylon." Really great records that I really do love, but they're like JV players joining a Varsity team this year.
(I don't know anything about sports and I'm basing my simile on things I assume are true. Correct me if it isn't good so I know not to use it again.)
out of all the albums listed, i've only listened to the john k. samson. i haven't heard of about 67% of those bands either. am i human, or am i punker?
Especially moronic when these lists are featured on a site that has a wallpaper made of flyers highlighting bands like the Dead Kennedys, The Germs, etc.
Well, seeing as those bands haven't put anything out in 25 years, I'm not surprised they don't grace any of these lists. If you haven't heard any of the bands on these lists, you should probably get listening -- a lot of them are really good.
I wasn't saying that those bands should be on lists. I'm merely pointing out the fact that these flyers are plastered in the background of the site, and yet much of the coverage on this site is anything but punk. I realize that the term can mean so much more than something pigeon-holed, but much of what is highlighted cannot. Like the OP, I expect so much more when I click into these Best Of stories and am continually disappointed. There's an aura that isn't replicated in much of the content.
I'm not really sure what you're talking about, considering the vast majority of these picks are considered "punk rock music" by the people making/releasing/listening to them. To expect a genre of music to not change over 30 years is insane.
This is what bugged me most out of all the bullshit in those Razorcake articles on Punknews. Yeah, Punknews has mentioned Taco Bell more than Tiltwheel.
I was 9 in 1990, so there you go. Thing is, there are tons of bands around still making music that are worthy of a mention or two on this site, but rarely do receive them. Here's one example: http://thearmed.bandcamp.com/
I wonder if I found a pop news site I'd find posts and discussions about the kind of stuff I (foolishly, apparently) expect to find on a punk news site.
Do you really not understand the concept of top ten lists? This isn't punknews pushing an agenda of pop music on you, these are just the albums these particular people liked.
I was going to point out the "punk" albums included in these lists, but if you are too stubborn to allow Bomb the Music Industry, the Loved Ones, or Red City Radio into the gigantic umbrella genre of "punk", this whole back-and-forth is pointless.
True, BUT personally I reserve comments like that for Tegan & Sara (and etc.) stories. I just think there's a point where it's fair to question content like that on a site like this. (And every time I do so, I receive the snark.)
And deservedly so. You're basically complaining that nothing fits the classic punk rock archetype, discrediting the last 35+ years the genre has evolved into what it currently is. PunkNews reports on contemporary punk rock, period. The site can't be held accountable for how the musical climate has changed or what bands are now more influential than others. A group like Tegan & Sara may be stylistically jarring compared to the Dead Kennedys, but not so much when compared to Against Me!. Of course the majority of users here are fans of classic punk, but that style is in the definite minority - both in production and popularity - when talking about contemporary music (which is what year-end lists are all about). Prove me wrong if you'd like, but I just find it hard to believe that in 2012 there's enough traditional 'punx' albums being made to adequately fill a top 10 list.
There aren't TEN albums (the bare minimum, theoretically) to fill a best of list? What are we arguing over here? Yes, punk has evolved. I never said it hasn't. Words are suddenly coming into my mouth here. My point, again, is that much of the content here is nothing even resembling punk rock. Your idea about Tegan & Sara right there is too much of a stretch. Laura Stevenson and the Cans-- too much of a stretch. Escape the Fate-- too much of a stretch. Etc. Etc. Etc.
Laura Stevenson was in Bomb! The Music Industry, started writing solo, and punks (being the ever welcoming audience they are) liked her solo material as well, thus she is covered.
Alkaline Trio has covered Tegan & Sara, and Tegan appeared on Against Me!'s "Borne on the FM Waves of The Heart." Punks ended up liking them, too.
When you run a website catering to a community, I think you're obliged to write about not only the defining aspect of that community, but also bands or issues that the community has proven they are interested in (thus indie, good metal, maybe some pop, etc.).
When you're running a SUCCESSFUL website, you must cater to what gets page views (Escape the Fate).
Also, above it appears as though you were attempting to argue that Red City Radio, a band which is pretty universally classified by everyone except annoying purists as being punk, is NOT punk. You can't make an argument like that and expect to not be met with snark.
Seriously, if what you want is a site that writes about ONLY punk music, start reading Dying Scene. We only cover those shitty bands if it's a slow news day and there's nothing else, and Dave OFTEN tells me to skip stories about indie artists I like that are covered here.
I get what you re saying, the site uses the symbols of remarkable punk bands as its aesthetic but most people here prefer pop music to punk. Babrube considers Paramore the best band for example.
I am still with the guy who wants to see more punk rock on this site. I understand that a lot of these bands who aren't really in the classic punk genre are still very related to punk and other bands in the punk community so they cover them. That's cool with me but it gets to the point where actual punk bands aren't getting respect from this site or the community on this site strictly because they sound more like a classic punk band. Every time I see a punk band covered here everyone says that they're boring and predictable or that they're ripping someone else off. It has gotten to the point where punk and being punk are actually greatly chastised all over this website. It's not longer "cool" to be into punk, it's not cool to say you're into punk and then actually listen to singer songwriter stuff and top 40 stuff. It's like you all belong in an episode of Portlandia, which by the way is the worst show on tv. I've lived in Portland my whole life and the only people that act like that are you rich idiots from the east coast who come here cuz it's cool or whatever. Rip City motha fuckers!
Give me an example of one of these "classic punk bands." My guess as to why these bands don't get covered is because they suck ass and nobody wants to hear a band rip off the DK's when they could just listen to the DK's instead.
You know, I was going to honestly respond to you but I decided to dig this up instead:
"I don't know man I think she's pretty cute. I mean she isn't fat, she's got a decent face, and I thought the tits were nice but maybe you know something I don't. Maybe she's a total gross sloppy mess in real life, but from that picture I gotta say she is totally more than bangable and her butt looks like a good place to rest my weiner. Just sayin......"
25. Cory Branan - Mutt
24. Hold Tight - Blizzard of '96
23. Pentimento - Pentimento
22. Mixtapes - Maybe on the Worst Nights
21. Waxahatchee - American Weekend
20. Masked Intruder - Masked Intruder
19. Gaza - No Absolutes in Human Suffering
18. The Wait - Systemic
17. METZ - METZ
16. Hop Along - Get Disowned
15. Slingshot Dakota - Dark Hearts
14. Crystal Castles - III
13. Joyce Manor Of All Things I Will Soon Grow Tired
12. Kreayshawn - Somethin' 'Bout Kreay
11. The Gaslight Anthem - Handwritten
10. Such Gold - Misadventures
9. Sleigh Bells - Reign of Terror
8. Code Orange Kids - Love Is Love // Return To Dust
7. Every Time I Die - Ex Lives
6. Torche - Harmonicraft
5. Japandroids - Celebration Rock
4. The Sidekicks - Awkward Breeds
3. The Menzingers - On The Impossible Past
2. Hostage Calm - Please Remain Calm
1. Title Fight - Floral Green
I'll hate on your list for being boring. Aren't you that guy who legitimately rocks all those absolutely atrociously bad pop punk bands? Where the hell are those?
PS whoever designed the recent run of Title Fight snapbacks is a fucking dumbass. The white hat binds under the brim so you have a white line across your head. It looks stupid and homeboy obviously failed snapback design 102.
Killer list. If I'd made a top 25 we'd have shared 8 picks. Here's my top 20 just in case anyone's interested
20. Burning Love- Rotten Thing to Say
19. Trash Talk- 119
18. No Trigger- Tycoon
17. Joyce Manor- Of All Things
16. Make Do and Mend- Everything You Ever Loved
15. Converge- All We Love
14. Waxahatchee- American Weekend
13. Loma Prieta- IV
12. The Men- Open Your Heart
11. Worn in Red- Banshees
10. Such Gold- Misadventures
9. ETID- Ex Lives
8. White Lung- Sorry
7. Hot Water Music- Exister
6. Title Fight - Floral Green
5. The Menzingers- On the Impossible Past
4. Whirr- Pipe Dreams
3. Teenage Bottlerocket- Freak Out!
2. Violent Bullshit- Adult Problems
1. Xerxes- Our Home is a Deathbed
To every single one of you who are on my friends list - - I enjoy catching up, looking at pics, hearing about you and your family, sharing jokes and news, along with getting and sometimes giving support during good times and bad times too. I am not only glad to count you as my friends, but also as my family. As busy as we all are, let's see who takes the time to read this post all the way through. If you appreciate your family and friends around the world, go ahead and copy this as your status too - - even if it's for just a minute. I'll be watching to see who cherishes family and friendship just as I do. Thank you all so very much for being part of my life. Merry Christmas!! Happy Hannukkah! Joyful Kwanzaa! Blessed Solstice! Whatever you celebrate/believe, be happy and safe!
Though i d never cared for Fiona Apple, seeing her appear multiple times on top yen lists peaked my curiousity. My friend Ed came over while i was listening to it and couldnt stop laughing. I explained why and we sat in for a few songs together, drinking oe and laughing. Its honestly the of the most lame records ever if you really pay it any attention.
awful cell phone word swaps...anyhow, the new fiona apple is something i have trouble imagining anyone feeling passionate about or listening to while alone.
Ermahgerd! It's the end of the world today! Tell everyone you love that you love them and peep the Best of 2012 lists from Jeff Rosenstock (Bomb the Music Industry!), Dave Hause (The Loved Ones), and Paul Pendley (Red City Radio).
Bomb the Music Industry!
Dave Hause
The Loved Ones
Red City Radio
Rumspringer
Galactic Cannibal
Brain Attack
A Secret Policeman's Ball
Light Years
Places To Hide
MxPx
Careers in Science
Lemuria
![Make Do and Mend / The Flatliners split [7-inch]](/images/covers/thumb/make-do-and-mend--the-flatliners-split-7-inch.jpg)
Make Do and Mend / The Flatliners
Light Years
![Pet Symmetry Two Songs About Cars. Two Songs With Long Titles. [7-inch]](/images/covers/thumb/pet-symmetry-two-songs-about-cars-two-songs-with-long-titles-7-inch.jpg)
Pet Symmetry
Various Artists
Donovan Wolfington
![Sickoids No Home [12-inch]](/images/covers/thumb/sickoids-no-home-12-inch.jpg)
Sickoids
The Front Bottoms / Weatherbox
![Slaughterhouse Chorus/Bridge Under Fire split [7-inch]](/images/covers/thumb/slaughterhouse-chorusbridge-under-fire-split-7-inch.jpg)
Slaughterhouse Chorus/Bridge Under Fire
Glad to see Hause's list kinda aim towards his genre. Also, surprised he didn't list Taylor Swift this year.