2012 in Music So Far.

 

To me it's been a disappointing year of indie rock releases.  Not that the releases themselves have been disappointing -- to the contrary, there are a number of really strong, really great albums below, some of the best output of these bands.  But there haven't been enough new releases from my favorite bands to appease me so far in 2012.  In fact, Sigur Ros is the only band in my top 30 favorite artists to release a new album so far this year (unless you count Spencer's latest incarnation, which you probably should, but that still only makes 2 out 30...).  So that's been disappointing.  And it's probably because I've been out of the loop due to the continuing saga of painful nerve damage in my toe but I haven't really heard many new bands or albums this year that have caught my attention.  So yeah, 2012 hasn't been a great year for indie rock.  The following albums, though, are all really good.

1.  Moonface with Siinai - Heartbreaking Bravery

OK, you didn't think Spencer wasn't going to be #1 did you?  I guess if he keeps putting out a new album every year, in whatever incarnation, and I keep loving each one so much, he pretty much earns #1 until further notice.  But this is the album that I've listened to the most this year -- and it's not even close -- as well as the only album that I truly deeply loved.  It's not at all like last year's Moonface record that ended at #1.  And it's not at all like the 3 Sunset Rubdown and 3 Wolf Parade albums that dominated these charts from 2005 to 2010.  It's maybe a little like Sunset Rubdown, or that would be the closest comparison in a way, but it does amaze me that Spencer can put out a different, wholly original work every single year and they all still have his signature sound and still connect with me in a different way.  Siinai in person looks like a hair metal band from Eastern Europe in the '80s and yet the music they made to surround Spencer's vocals is truly, utterly glorious.  Album of the year so far.

 

 

2.  Japandroids - Celebration Rock

I missed several chances to see Japandroids in concert recently and it's killing me but so is my foot and the Moonface show was the first one I felt good enough to see but I have to believe this amazing sound is truly magical live.  I think Japandroids took a step forward between their first album and this album, a punk explosion in the best connotation of the name.  "Younger Us" is one of the best tracks of any band that I've heard in years but it was already out in 2010 so it's not even one of my most listened to tracks on this album.  That honor would go to "Continuous Thunder" or "The House that Heaven Built" or the scorching opener "The Nights of Wine and Roses".  Their songs do not have any deep meanings or lyrical flourishes like Spencer spins into his records, but deep thoughts or even actual thinking isn't needed to listen to this music.  Just crank the speakers as high as you can get them and enjoy.

 

 

3.  Shearwater - Animal Joy

The first half of this album, with "Animal Life" and "You as You Were" and "Insolence" and "Immaculate" signalled an impressive advance forward for a strong band that wasn't necessarily one of my all-time favorites but had one of the best collection of tracks of any album in some time... but then the second half kind of fell apart for me, not bad but more in line with some of their more mediocre recordings in the past.  I do love Shearwater and they have put out some amazing songs in the past and this year.  But "You as You Were" was so inspiring, I'd hoped the album would have ended up that good.

 

4.  Sigur Ros - Valtari

Beautiful, particularly the first 6 songs of the 8 song album.  Truly magical really.  But the langorous last 2 songs that last for over 15 minutes and don't really go anywhere keep the album from being higher on this list.  The rest of the album, though, is a surprising turn back to the band's earlier work -- of 10 years ago -- from the beautiful openers "Eg anda" and "Ekki mukk" through the stunning "Varuo" and the slow building "Varoeldur" that all work so well together.  Jonsi was involved in a number of side projects since the band's last album way back in 2008 but it's nice to see that when Sigur Ros is back as one, they can still bring it.

 

 

5. Guided by Voices - Let's Go Eat the Factory / Class Clown Spots a UFO

Two separate albums by the venerable band have come out this year and it's back to the original band around Robert Pollard that put out the indie rock classics Bee Thousand and Alien Lanes back in the early '90s.  The sound of these albums is as close to that old sound as I would think possible at this point, some 20 years later, and it's an impressive task.  Pollard put out some really great albums with different band members in the intervening years but nothing ever reached the glory of Bee Thousand (as few albums by any band have ever reached).  I'm not saying these albums are there either but a great gaggle of songs in these collections really do sound as if they were ripped from the same sessions that produced that early brilliance and made everyone who loves indie rock a fan.  "Chocolate Boy", "Who Invented the Sun", "Waves", "How I Met Your Mother", "Hang Mr. Kite" and "Spiderfighter" from the former are all excellent songs.  "All of this Will Go", "Keep it in Motion", "He Rises! Our Union Bellboy", "Forever Until it Breaks" and the title track from the latter are equally as good.  Now, as with any GBV album -- even the great classics -- there are a number of experimental misses (his albums always have so many songs and no one ever accused Pollard of not needing an editor) so I like to think of a combination of the best songs from each album combining into one great album and forget about the rest.

 

6.  Bowerbirds - The Clearing

 

7.  Mount Eerie - Clear Moon

 

8.  Plants and Animals - The End of That

 

9.  Beach House - Bloom

10.  Dirty Three - Toward the Low Sun

11.  PS I Love You - Death Dreams

 

12.  Blackout Beach - 11 Pink Helicopters in the Coral Sky

13.  Woodpigeon - For Paolo EP

14.  Sun Kil Moon - Among the Leaves

15.  Dntel - Aimlessness

Comments

[juicy t shirt]

thanks very much for this great post! i had a lot of interesting thoughts while reading this which i might just put into action right away. thanks

[Goyard Online Shop]

Hello joybfgvjr, A adult life style invested making blunders isn't only even a little more honorable, returning in reality , additional actual than not a good adult life style commited executing nothing. -Goyard Online Shop Somewhat added we all overlook, the a real little a second just slightly zero almost everyone really know Goyard Online Shop.
Good mahjngyq!!

[tauctuape]

muzcx insanity workout gomkl insanity workout for sale ircsu insanity workout review znyxh http://buyfitnessonline.info/ ewlyc christian louboutin shoes zeqwy cheap christian louboutin shoes xjexo christian louboutin shoe sale pkgqa http://redclshoes.info/ wyohu lisseur ghd yupgh ghd pas cher ezflr http://frhairlisseurpascher.info/ xnfad fitflops wcprf fit flops gvaff fitflop australia zaaso http://slimflipflopau.info/

[tauctuape]

tfwcs http://sacburberryfrsoldes.webnode.fr/ dijnz http://burberrypascher11.webnode.fr/ kpehn http://michaelkorshandbags-sale.webs.com/ yluls http://monclerpiuminioutlet.sitonline.it/ xbxkr http://it-monclerpiuminioutlet.oneminutesite.it/ xxmnv http://topisabelmarant.moonfruit.com/ bpzqg fitflops xdnxm fitflop sale efpkb http://fitflopsflipshoes.snappages.com/

[#nbhiortn[oipanzgs]]

hTlmnoPfgy fitflops mLhhzuFanu fitflop sale lHupxlBmfr fitflop shoes nSozlpHiaa http://fitflopsusa.webstarts.com/
uYbbjrJfps burberry outlet online mTngpkVshx burberry outlet sale nChajoKaga burberry online outlet jZybnsDadu http://burberryburoutlet.webs.com/
ySdcftTizf burberry bags hDdjcvAhel burberry bags outlet zRvuovNecc http://cheapbgasonlines.webstarts.com/
oUyjdfIhyy isabel marant sneakers vByprhExso isabel marant shoes wNgcvmSqcd http://isabelleshoesus.blinkweb.com/

[#nbhiortn[hysqwuiolv]]

dKwqxaSqxa sneakers isabel marant nLgzgiVisd basket isabel marant jVuydiXxgb isabel marant baskets
oBowlbGvyv mulberry bags iQmdqwSrri mulberry outlet uk aOucwcBzrk mulberry bags uk
yPpfxuCbqr sneakers isabel marant tGazvuOftw isabel marant basket vQrdsbZshc isabel marant pas cher
yXpbarByaq isabel marant sneakers iDftweHssj isabel marant wedge sneakers oFmmtrVimf isabel marant sneakers sale

[tauctuape]

nynqq fitflop sale bgrsu http://fitflopsmallsaustralia.weebly.com/ lvegk http://fitflophotsalemy.blinkweb.com/ bxsbv http://fitflopmalaysiacheapsale.webspawner.com/ jxldk http://buyfitflopsingapore.webs.com/ ssovr botas ugg cqvgc uggs ejulp uggs baratas tmnkm http://botas-ugg-baratas.1minutesite.es rhtcw botas ugg baratas lbmuc ugg espa?a online exknf http://bbotasuggbaratas.1minutesite.es/ kzuld ugg atgqe ugg france pas cher xxvhh http://uggfrancepascher.monwebeden.fr/

[tauctuape]

qhuom fitflops yslqh fitflop nmseu fit flop uihwk http://slimflipflopau.info/ kszua fitflop sgsxr fitflop sale ehqyf fit flops omfey http://fitflopsgsaleap.snappages.com/ unckh fitflop ohcjq fitflops vdigx fit flop plahx http://fitflopmysales.snappages.com/ eulis christian louboutin shoes lunlr christian louboutin mens shoes rnqbh christian louboutin shoes sale ekcgj http://cheapclshoes.info/

[tauctuape]

xwjze fitflop bnwws http://fitflopmalaysiasaless.weebly.com/ cfwyv insanity workout afute insanity workout australia tgpgy http://insanityworkoutdvds.webstarts.com/ xtrsg fitflop australia lyooq http://fitflops-australia.webspawner.com/ malix insanity workout jejav insanity workout sale kdkaj http://insanityworkoutsaleau.moonfruit.com/ ofasj sneakers isabel marant emotr isabel marant basket tiecg sneaker isabel marant nauyw http://frisabelmarantsneakers.bricoblog.fr/ fdkcz fitflop australia mwivu http://fitflopssaleau.moonfruit.com/ gphpa http://fr-uggaustralia.monwebeden.fr/ sgdzo http://burberrypascher-france.monwebeden.fr/ clqkw http://ghdstylersoldepascher.monwebeden.fr/ ikdyv http://ghdoutletauio.moonfruit.com/

[#nbhiortn[insapngza]]

hNvmryDwkp insanity workout vRvwhkCslw insanity workout sale sKxhmxHbyo insanity workout dvd oFswqoQzex http://insanityworkoutdvds.blinkweb.com/
xEycvqCpoq fitflops tLsrskSwoc fitflop sale dKfruyDatz fitflops on sale kFinstTdla http://fitflopsale.snack.ws/
dHywrqAwfw http://celinebagssale2013.blogspot.com/ zFcbmlLjxr celine handbags hEmyfxRjjk celine luggage bag gMrpquXkdl celine tote bag
aOwmymIhzf fitflops fDyqxcKzyi fitflop vHsrgoPxlr fitflop shoes vLhpgwGlll http://fitflopsaustralia.blogspot.com/
uHzfevEjyq fitflops pEmhljPjef fitflop bDcjhfUsap fitflops sale nSjnhoGzbk http://cattleplain9.wix.com/fitflopsaustralia
mAzzzbRqnk isabel marant shoes rVqpusRynx isabel marant wedge sneakers iVphhhMdyj isabel marant sale kMxpypKvma http://isabelmarantsneakerss.manifo.com/

[tauctuape]

jlyht ghd hair straightener dcqjt ghd straighteners ptlfq ghd online wxfla http://hairsalon.huacsfba.org/ isynb fitflop pgwcs fitflop malaysia vyjmy fitflop malaysia shop keccf http://fitflopmalaysia.astrologychick.org/ npity isabel marant mcaxs isabel marant sneakers wkdlt chaussures isabel marant kakqh http://isabelmarantsoldespascher.com/sneakers-isabel-marant.html wagjm fitflops ztcdp fitflops australia evfni fitflops sale rmbhr http://fitflopsaustralia.huacsfba.org/ wahdi planchas ghd pcnsn plancha ghd xryxk comprar planchas ghd vxjsa http://planchasghdbaratas.astrologychick.org/

[tauctuape]

jwnxs hunter rain boots nwami hunter boots sale soinv hunter boots clearance xuobq http://hunterrainboots.welbecktiles.org/ lwhyf insanity workout suwlz insanity workout online lnvla insanity program kpmnl http://insanityworkoutsale.psychster.org/ jkbth hunter wellies sale cexeh mens hunter wellies tsaxc pink hunter wellies enwle http://hunterboots.welbecktiles.org/ mpmoa oakley sunglasses qnpmh oakley australia iwlne oakleys mmeql http://oakleysunglassesau.welbecktiles.org/ jvpyg insanity workout tedzx insanity workout for sale icgps cheap insanity workout tjnbr http://insanityworkout.psychster.org/

[#nbhiortn[changeszg]]

wMcvwgBios insanity workout gHtypdFxxm insanity workout dvd xMdgzpEoqb insanity workout dvd
gMtblcAclf insanity workout oRyljdNxcm insanity workout sale vWivivZeem insanity workout on sale

[#nbhiortn[insapngza]]

pMeuqtPlxj ferragamo outlet aVgratJxpm ferragamo sale sVhryvLdxz salvatore ferragamo sale qRakseVrbm http://salvatoreferragamobelts.manifo.com/
eJoiwgSnfd fitflops qZafkhJfrz fitflops sale yAvrzcAipw fitflops on sale jDjvxoQwop http://fitflopsale.snack.ws/
bFedzkUmma fitflops mPpcsrRunm fitflops australia rWlierGmim fitflop shoes vLsihmHwfl http://fitflopsaustralia.blogspot.com/
lErtqjNold fitflops zOgvtrSbzj fit flops vIkrscBgkh fitflop shoes zGxyowVepz http://cattleplain9.wix.com/fitflopsaustralia
gOgfmrPqek http://celinebagssale2013.blogspot.com/ vRamosAhkj celine handbag uLghukSwez celine boston bag fHavdxYwqt celine box bag
iPvkioQrkx fitflops oDvhjzJfue fitflops australia aRwgwdJqer fitflop shoes yWisgeBgoj http://fitflopsaustralia.manifo.com/

[tauctuape]

urtaf lisseur ghd coqwk styler ghd jrofq ghd lisseur pas cher nyfbi http://creaweb.iclic.com/ghd.html wxmgg burberry pas cher fxdmp sac burberry pas cher uckni burberry solde wrmdq http://creaweb.iclic.com/burberry.html jvclz isabel marant nifgw basket isabel marant kaofo isabelle marant chaussures gfkcb http://creaweb.iclic.com/isabel.html skykl nike heels mivgp nike air jordans whvqm nike airs qexay http://aaarad.org/members/nike.htm lmnvz nike pumps bqicn nike for kids afkak nike air flights xdxgb nike sportsband odjdu nike shox womens jhqwe chaussures nike zozwq chaussure nike femme gzwqo chaussures nike femme gvpmd http://www.coutinhomusic.com/store/nike.html

[tauctuape]

wagbn sneakers isabel marant bosmn basket isabel marant izhti isabelle marant chaussures rzyjn http://fetsick.org/ zxnrh nike requin oelbg nike tn requin idmbg chaussure nike tn iqnky http://intba.org/ rlivc fitflop mowil fitflop malaysia avllz fitflops eypsu http://fitflopsireland.org/fitflop-malaysia.html dmpcy fitflops fbyza fitflops australia pdgsi fitflops clearance dhdcg http://fitflopsaustralia.huacsfba.org/ tsfeh isabel marant sneakers neaxl isabel marant dicker boots zjwsv isabel marant wedge sneakers sphuy http://isabelmarantsneakers.asia/isabel-marant-sneakers.html

[tauctuape]

ouezu insanity workout fsyne insanity workout for sale teqsm insanity fitness qtnmd http://insanedvdprogram-au.info/ ppubj ghd australia rauln ghd hair straighteners knrig ghd hair australia wymkb http://www.coutinhomusic.com/store/ghd.html kagbz fitflop mrfwd fitflop singapore xuden fitflop sale zstlc http://aaarad.org/members/fitflop.htm lnczw chaussure montante nike zqhni solde nike djgez nike bw ygore chaussure nike 6.0 wrdbh chaussure pas cher nike hyltz fitflops dyrnu fitflops australia zluuc fitflops sale cokmx http://aaarad.org/members/fitflops.htm amyyo burberry pas cher wczsw sac burberry cbopx sacoche burberry dlxbr http://creaweb.iclic.com/burberry.html

[#nbhiortn[changeszg]]

wJphywGayg insanity workout jZaadaIjwo insanity workout sale rOshwhOiaw insanity workout dvds
uCssgmRnez insanity workout eUrjaxTfyx insanity workout for sale gPtyewSirc insanity workout dvds

[tauctuape]

eviwb insanity workout pmudn insanity workout sale khguq insanity workout bmbsb http://insanityworkout.huacsfba.org/ nbdnp karen millen nqicr karen millen outlet bssle karen millen us safxw http://karenmillensale.intba.org/ qonme fitflop obaef fitflop singapore qshan fit flops nwacf http://fitflop.huacsfba.org/ ahegc sac longchamp pliage atsjo longchamp soldes ntxxq sacs longchamp pliage nrmyd http://saclongchamp.fetsick.org/ gwfpr sac longchamp pas cher mudll longchamps pas cher cynyu longchamp pliage pas cher ajcyp http://saclongchamp.intba.org/ ndrlh fitflops dfwlu fitflop australia syocm fitflops australia ybxgb http://fitflops.huacsfba.org/

[#nbhiortn[changeszg]]

bZnwbcYetv insanity workout qMiaadIfza insanity workout australia dIsuqeXgbn insanity workout on sale
rFknfcWmip insanity workout dPsiqyJoqj insanity workout for sale cQzbcyKtov insanity workout dvds

[Tiara]

Thank for the insightful weblog write-up. I really favored it.
I hope You continue to keep up the great perform, to
article far more special content like this is.
Okay all the ideal for Your loved ones. Bye