Top Releases of 2012

A year ago today I was doing the same thing I am doing now, looking ahead onto a new year that is full of wonder and possibilities.  There is no way I can fully know what to expect, and it's impossible to look into the future and get a solid grasp of what the music world will throw my way; right now, it's all up for grabs.  What's going to be my favorite album of 2013?  What is going to disappoint me?  Which band will release a debut album that blows me away?  These are the same questions I (and all of us for that matter) was faced with at the beginning of 2012.  I didn't have answers, I didn't have a clue.  It's for this reason that I love lists, if nothing else it's a reflection of the year that passed, a representation of the artists you listened to and the albums that grew to symbolize a small segment of your life.  It's all there, neatly organized in a countdown. For me, that's why I do lists.  I don't do them because I want to brag about what I listened to, nor do I think my list is better than everyone else's.  No, I do it because it gives a certain portrayal of who I am for that year, it shows what I was into and what I cared about.  Going through the years of previous lists, it's fascinating to look back and see how I've changed and how my music tastes shifted.  Each list fills in the answers that you asked yourself at the beginning of each year, and it exhibits that child-like excitement and curiosity that you felt 12 months prior.  To go back and observe that introspection is a wonderful thing, and the best part?  You get a chance to do it at the beginning of each and every single year.  The music side of me now has a clean slate going into 2013, and whenever a part of you has an uncertain future, how can you not help but feel a flurry of anticipation?  That's how I feel now, and that's how I felt then, way back in January of 2012.  Now, though, my questions have been answered, and 2012 will slowly disappear behind us (but that doesn't mean we won't forget it) as new and inspiring music makes its way into our ears.  So, without further adieu, here are my favorite releases of the year that passed....

25.  Blondes by Blondes

"Lover"

24.  Strange Weekend by Porcelain Raft

23.  Duality by Captain Murphy

22.  Shrines by Purity Ring

"Crawlersout"

21.  Allah-Las by Allah-Las

"Tell Me (What's On Your Mind)"

20.  Confess by Twin Shadow

"Beg For The Night"

19.  2 by Mac DeMarco

18.  Our House on the Hill by The Babies

17.  Heaven by The Walkmen

"We Can't Be Beat"

16.  Spiderwebbed by Stumbleine

15.  Melody's Echo Chamber by Melody's Echo Chamber

14.  Gossamer by Passion Pit

"It's Not My Fault, I'm Happy"

13.  Coexist by The xx

"Tides"

12.  Shields by Grizzly Bear

"Gun-Shy"

11.  Sweet Heart Sweet Light by Spiritualized

"Little Girl"

10.  There's No Leaving Now by The Tallest Man on Earth

"To Just Grow Away"

9.  Nocturne by Wild Nothing

8.  Oshin by DIIV

7.  Attack on Memory by Cloud Nothings

"Fall In"

6.  Bend Beyond by Woods

"Impossible Sky"

5.  Kindred EP by Burial

"Loner"

4.  Spooky Action at a Distance by Lotus Plaza

3.  Bloom by Beach House

"Lazuli"

2.  Lonerism by Tame Impala

"Music To Walk Home By"

1.  Celebration Rock by Japandroids

"Evil's Sway"

So there ya have it, 2012 in a nutshell!  As with every list I'm sure you agree on some while you completely disagree with others, but that's the beauty of music...no one has to agree on anything, we all just listen to what we like.  Anyway, I look forward to what will hopefully be a stellar 2013 music year, there are sure to be some great releases heading our way (Beach Fossils and Toro Y Moi, I'm looking at you) as well some debut hopefuls (ON AN ON, my fingers are crossed!).  Here's wishing everyone a happy new year, and hoping that your holidays were merry!  Thank you all for reading, it has been a pleasure writing for you, and I hope to see you guys soon!!!

Dumbo Gets Mad

It was around a year ago that I found myself heavily invested in Elephants At the Door, the wonderful debut LP from the Italian group Dumbo Gets Mad, which for a while served as the provider for my psychedelic cravings.  The opening sax line of "Plumy Tale" still manages to bring a huge smile on my face, partly because its simplicity usually leaves me wondering why no one had come up with it before.  It all seemed so simple!  But then, just like that, they seemed to disappear off the face of the earth.  I heard no news, they didn't hint at any albums, and I never saw new songs.  Yet, today is another day, and just as easily as they vanished they're back on the radar.  Today, the band announced on their Facebook page the release of a new song "Radical Leap", which serves as the first single off of their forthcoming album in 2013 (date and title still known).  For lovers of bubbly, fun, and slightly quirky '60s psychedelic rock, "Radical Leap" is right up your alley.  If it's any indication of what the album will be like, I think we can expect to see them tap even more into their oldies roots, incorporating a baroque pop sensibility that wasn't quite there prior.  I might as well dress you up in a tie-dye tee, throw a headband on and sprinkle on some sunshine dust.  "Radical Leap" streaming below, so go give it a looksy!

 Dumbo Gets Mad - Radical Leap by Bad Panda Records

Tame Impala

A funny thing happened to me a few days ago. Strangely enough, I found myself listening to Lonerism over and over again on repeat. Then, on a whim I purchased Tame Impala concert tickets in a city hours from where I live.  After that I had a curious urge to go online and buy a Tame Impala shirt, followed by some vinyl. Speaking as an addict be forewarned, if you decide to pick up this album (which you totally should), you will find yourself digging deeper and deeper into a black hole of obsession.  Now, I know that I am a mere blogger, but holy smokes these guys have not failed to amaze me around every corner.  Lonerism, their sophomore record, is just as good if not better than the stunningly awesome InnerSpeaker.  They've achieved the same level of psychedelic adrenaline, dug deeper into their '60s roots, and in doing so have claimed throne to the hallucinatory rock reign. The best part about Tame Impala though is that their music goes way deeper than being a Jimi Hendrix imitator; on Lonerism Kevin Parker has proven that he can create original melodies and wandering bass lines that sound ultra fresh.  It's a marvel to behold.  I've posted a favorite, "Mind Mischief", below for you to indulge in.  After that, well...I don't need to say anything else, I'm sure you'll be hooked after listening.

 Tame Impala - Mind Mischief by snawn

Melt Mountain

From the very start with the release of The Midget Party EP in March of 2011, the Greek band Melt Mountain has hovered atop a three-way intersection of psychedelic, dream, and ambient pop.  Rarely flexing the vocal cords, Melt Mountain depends on an intriguing mix of instrumental samples and loops to manufacture dreamy, sometimes trippy, and experimental tracks. And so far, that's all we've gotten a taste of; tracks. The group has yet to release an LP, instead putting out a steady stream of singles and EPs. Their newest release, the "Blossom Dream/Painted Root" single which came out today, is no different.  Both songs fit in perfectly with Melt Mountain's previous work, yet attack at different angles, setting the new single as a prime example of their diversified and exciting portfolio.  The base of "Blossom Dream" is comprised of a beach-like guitar loop, a sedated riff that could appear in a '70s surf video.  Backed by spacious "ooos" and "ahhhs", "Blossom Dream" presents Melt Mountain's breezy, laid-back nature.  "Painted Root" is clearly the psychedelic and experimental counterpart, sounding a little darker and utilizing cloudy synths that come across as more drug-induced. There is no indication of whether these songs will go towards a new album, but they're well worth the listen regardless.  I've posted everything below for your listening pleasure, and if you like what you hear head over to Bandcamp for more offerings of their older material (there is a SoundCloud, although with a limited collection).  Facebook and Twitter are provided as social media.  Enjoy!

 Melt Mountain - Blossom Dream by Melt Mountain

 Melt Mountain - Painted Root by Melt Mountain

Kal Marks

Whoa.  Talk about the beauty of strong, raw, build-and-release rock; the kind that drills into your head and doesn't offer any points of escape.  When it comes to tension instilled in a fuzzy psychedelic landscape, the Boston trio of Kal Marks know exactly what they're doing. Their newest EP, Piss of the Century, was released on July 19th to the beat of heavily distorted guitars, clamorous drumming, and confident songwriting. When listening to it, I can't help but feel like it's a statement, and it's hard not to when edgy guitar rhythms are piercing through the middle of the song.  This is just a focal point though, it's impossible not be engulfed in the syrupy sludge that surrounds a majority of the tracks.  In this sense, it's important to note that Piss of the Century is wonderfully complex, taking the listener through a series of different motions all in the same song.  This goes back to the idea of build-and-release, where certain sections speed up and slow down, become loud and then soft again, all at the stop of a dime.  And then there is "Born Again", the most sedated ballad on the whole thing, which is a simmering strum tune that offers a nice chance to breathe before "Piss of the Century" starts up the raucous again.  If you're in for the journey, you can access it on Bandcamp, and if you want to keep up to date you can do so on their homepage.  In the meantime, "My Guitar" and "Born Again" are available for stream below.

Tame Impala

This is the news I've been waiting to hear for two years now: Australian psychedelic rockers Tame Impala have officially announced the release of their new album, Lonerism, due out in October later this year.  So what's that?  A 3-month wait?  Longer than I would hope, but I don't want to get too selfish here.  Truth is, two years ago in 2010 their debut InnerSpeaker meant wonders to me.  At that point in time it was one of the first albums in a long time that really floored me, and it definitely revamped my interest in earlier 1970s psychedelic artists.  Needless to say, I've been ready for this for a while.  Anyway, enough about me...they announced a new record, so what?  As you can imagine, along with the announcement is a new cut from Lonerism, "Apocalypse Dreams".  Spoiler alert; it's really good.  It's streaming on their website, where you can go for ongoing updates, but if you want to take the quick route you can play it below. Get amped!

Little Jungles

The British Columbian outfit Little Jungles started off the New Year right with the release of their first single off their forthcoming album I Would Kill For Some Sunlight.  On January 1st they dropped "Nothing Will Grow" on us, which is enough of a tease to get me anxious for the LP coming out in spring (shit...I have to wait that long?).  The track is a slow-burning lo-fi jam which resonates with a good dose of psychedelia, a sound which appears to mark a period of growth for the band.  Last year's album Wuts Goin Thru Yer Head was a fuzzier, more distorted assortment of noise rock impulses, even the cover art is messier and more chaotic.  This isn't bad to say the least, but the cleaner "Nothing Will Grow" simply seems to mark a new direction.  We can refer to the album cover once more, the art for the new song is wayyy simpler.  Whether this is merely a coincidence I'm not sure, but I'm pumped to see where the rest of the album leads and whether it remains consistent with the mellower, shimmering guitar lines of "Nothing Will Grow".  Either way, get excited for I Would Kill For Some Moonlight out this spring!  I know I am!

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