I know, you’re probably thinking to yourself, not another 2012 countdown list! I’m sorry. I’ve never done one before, so I want to add to the cliche nature of the end of the year. Anyways, 2012 brought me some great music. I think I’ve listened to more music than ever before, plus I went to the most concerts I have ever attended this year as well. This post is going to focus on the albums I enjoyed the most that were released in 2012. However, If you’re curious, the best concert I went to this year was the Vans Warped Tour. I’ve always wanted to go, and finally got a chance to go this summer. One of the best days of my life hands down. I think I would say it was the best day I had in 2012.
Anyways, let’s get to the countdown. Let’s look at number 10 on my list
10) Too Bright To Hide It- Night Fevers
This was a pretty cool album. I got turned on to Night Fevers in 2010 when I watched them play live in NYC for the CMJ Music Marathon. They are awesome live. Each member of the band has an amazing energy on stage, and it makes for a fun time. Too Bright To Hide It is their latest release, and a good on at that. I feel like it’s a more mature sound from them as opposed to their self titled album. I enjoyed listening to it. Check it out for yourself!
9) The Matter- Faded Paper Figures
Another very cool album that I just got turned on to a few months ago. Extremely catchy music. Great electronic riffs mixed with a bit of indie rock. Cool synths as well. (I’m a sucker for good synths, I can’t help it). Check it out!
8) Aht Uh Yo Hed- Dave Hammer’s Power Supply
I listened to Dave Hammer’s Power Supply for the first time in 2011. Needless to say, I’ve been a fan ever since. I really admire the great blend of Jazz and Indie Rock they bring to their music. It’s ear candy, that’s what it is. It’s also even better if you have coffee and a beard while listening to this album. Check out their website!
http://www.davehammerspowersupply.com/
7) Go- Motion City Soundtrack
For the people that know me, they know how big of a Motion City Soundtrack fan I am. I go absolutely nuts for their music. It’s all so good, and the lyrics always resonate within me. That being said, this album was alright. Had some good tracks I was really digging and enjoying. However there were other tracks on this album that were ok, but nothing special about them. Despite this, it’s still a solid release from Motion City Soundtrack. If you’re looking for a “Commit This To Memory” sound, this album has a tad of that sound, but not a lot. To be honest, I don’t think there will ever be another release that sounds super close to Commit This To Memory. Go is a much more mature sound. Sure, it sounds different from previous releases, but I still enjoyed it. This band absolutely deserves more recognition. Check them out!
6) Tiger Talk- Yukon Blonde
I was super into this album when I got my hands on it. It’s a very good album, and the tracks flowed together very nicely. This was my first time listening to Yukon Blonde, and I’m definitely a fan now. Great, catchy riffs. Pretty good lyrics. I really enjoyed this album. Check them out!
https://soundcloud.com/dine-alone-records/yukon-blonde-my-girl
5) Symbolyst- Lymbyc Systym
This album was very refreshing. It’s a brother duo based out of NYC. It’s instrumental music, but good instrumental music. You know sometimes when you listen to music, and it’s instrumental, you’re like, “This would be fantastic, if it had lyrics!”. Not the case with Lymbyc Systym. I think if they had lyrics, it might ruin their music. Their music definitely creates a vivid picture in your mind, and keeps your interest throughout the songs. Great album. Listen to it!
4) Making Moves EP- The Skies Revolt
This was the fifth installment of the making moves ep series. It was a very cool idea. It was a ep set that was curated by Motion City Soundtrack, and produced by Drexel University. This particular one focuses on a band called The Skies Revolt. Great music. Instantly fell in love with their music. Definitely music you can jam out to, and it’s beautifully bad. By this I mean they have moments in the music where it may seem a bit strange, but it’s that strangeness that makes it beautiful. Check this band out, I can’t wait for more releases from them
http://www.facebook.com/theskiesrevolt/timeline
3) Walk The Moon- Walk The Moon
This album was a perfect soundtrack to my summer. Very danceable, and enjoyable music. I had listened to their “Anna Sun EP” when it had come out, and I really enjoyed it. Once the album came out in the summer, I was in love with it! Great pop-rock mixed with electronic elements. I’ve yet to see them perform live, but they look like they put on a great and fun show. Check them out!
2) Lock And Key- Wild Adriatic
Absolutely awesome music. So much passion in their music, especially live. I actually watched them perform two times this year, and it was a fantastic show. They are from Saratoga Springs, NY, and are really making a name for themselves. Great blend of rock and soul. It’s refreshing to know music like this exists when the electronic scene is the current trend. Keep your eye on these guys, they will be big in the next few years.
1) Lightning- Matt and Kim
Fantastic album from Matt and Kim! Perfect blend between their last two albums “Grand”, and “Sidewalks”. They get back to more of a “Grand” sound with just drums and keyboard, and they place the special effects in at the right times. So quirky, wonderful, and just great indie pop. Keyboard parts are awesome, drum parts are awesome, just the album as a whole is awesome! Had a chance to see them perform live this year. They are excellent live. So much energy, and the music sounds just as good as it does on the album. Listen to this over and over again.
Musicbeards 