1. Rush - "Clockwork Angels": Bands who have been together for nearly 40 years, by rule, are supposed to finance their retirement accounts by touring and playing the hits of yesteryear over and over and over. Fortunately, Geddy, Alex, and Neil never got the memo and opted to make one of the finest records of their career by making of all things, a concept album. Chronicling the pursuits of young man looking for his destiny, "Clockwork Angels" is the culmination of Rush's storied and now Hall of Fame career.
2. Swans - "The Seer": Hands-down, the second release from the reunited version of noise-rock pioneers Swans is the most terrifying record of the year. A sprawling, two plus hour epic, Michael Gira and crew use country (A Piece of The Sky), Americana (Song for a Warrior featuring Karen O), and pure Branca-esque, full throttle no wave (Apostate) to make it a trip not soon forgotten. The highlight of "The Seer" is the 32 minute (not a typo) title track. While having very few lyrics, the song takes the listener on a journey through some scary places with Gira's crazed guitar parts heightening the insanity.
3. Chairlift - "Something": Chairlift's debut "Does This Inspire You" showed some true potential, particularly with great pop tracks such as "Bruises" and "Make Your Mind Up" but there was definitely some room for improvement. The Brooklyn-based duo have come back with a sophomore effort that is on a completely different level their initial work. Much lighter and dreamier than "Inspire" this album takes many cues from 1980's electro-pop. "Met Before" with it's homage to 60's California Pop has more jumbo hooks in 3 minutes than most other bands can put on an entire album. Bonus points for reaching into the Bad Religion book of polysyllabic words with "Amanaemonsia".
4. Grizzly Bear - "Shields": If a band opts for the Lo-Fi route, it had better have both the chops and the songs to make up for the lack of production. On their fifth release, primary songwriter Ed Droste and crew continue to expand their low key, DIY style pop to new levels. Picking up from the open-ended fade out of their last album, "Veckatimest", "Shields" features a couple of drop-dead mellow-pop hits in "Sleeping Ute" with it's thundering drums deep in the mix and epic Spanish guitar climax and "Yet Again" with it's multi-part harmonies and psychedelic mash up at the end. As with "Foreground" the closing track from "Veckatimest", "Shields" finishes with a bang with the lush, elegant "Sun in Your Eyes".
5. Japandroids - "Celebration Rock": While there are many bands who are deemed the next big thing - this Canadian duo has all of the qualities to become really big, really fast. On their second full album, Japandroids refine their unique blend of garage band looseness, power anthems with singalong choruses, and big old sloppy pop hooks. The theme of the album migrates from the joys of youth ("The Nights of Wine and Roses") to the acknowledgment that it's only there for a short time so might as well enjoy it while you can (the fantastic "House That Heaven Built"). "Celebration Rock" is an wild 40 minute ride that leaves you drained but wanting more at the end.
6. Neurosis - "Honor Found in Decay": Like a fine wine, the founding fathers of doom or experimental or whatever you want to call it metal have managed to age rather gracefully over their nearly 30 year existence. While the primal scream approach that was so prevalent on their groundbreaking early 90's albums such as "Souls At Zero" may not show up, the intensity and power are still very much there. Relatively streamlined (only 3 ten minute songs this time) than their recent work, "Honor Found In Decay" reflects the expanding influence of Americana and other types of folk music in the songwriting style of co-leaders Scott Kelly and Steve Van Till. "At The Well", with it's almost Western movie opening reflects those new influences but eventually migrates into a steamroller of a song. Keyboardist/sampler Noah Landis, while always a key member of the group has his most prominent role on this record.
7. Grimes - "Visions": Can someone say quirky? Grimes is the handiwork of Canadian artist Claire Boucher who has definitely spent lots of time studying electro-pop classics of the past 40 years. Her first full release "Visions" is a mix of old school 1980's style pop music crossed with her extreme falsetto voice and some pretty impressive songwriting chops. "Visions" starts off with a couple of really powerful tracks. "Genesis" borrows it's rhythm line from Kraftwerk's classic track Autobahn but Boucher makes it her own with her multi tracked vocals and carefully placed keyboard fills. "Oblivion" is the standout track on her debut with her multi part harmonies mixed effortlessly with a pretty complex track. Don't know how what her follow-up albums will sound like but considering this was recorded at home using a laptop, there is some potential there.
8. Killer Mike - "R. A. P. Music": For those of you who don't know Killer Mike, he's an Atlanta based rapper with a very strong forceful style who, like Cee-Lo, got his start appearing on Outkast's masterwork Stankonia. In addition to appearing on multiple Outkast albums, Mike released a couple of solo albums and underground tapes that, while very powerful never took off. In 2012, he teamed with underground rapper/producer El-P to make his strongest record. "R.A.P Music" is the perfect of Mike's dominating rap style and El-P's quirkly, left-of-center beats and rhythms and without being overloaded with guest stars. "Don't Die" is a modern day version of NWA's F**k the Police while "Reagan" is a scorching political commentary that's probably going offend a few people on both sides of the aisle. After years of establishing his cred as one of best MC's around, Killer Mike has found his perfect foil in the least likeliest of places.
9. Sleigh Bells - "Reign of Terror": Of all the albums in my top 10, I was really torn on whether to add this to the list or not. In many ways, this album is a major disappointment compared to the New York duo's crazy, over the top debut "Treats". However, it made my top 10 because it has two of the best songs of the year. "Born To Lose" is driven by electronic, speed metal style blast beat and Derek Miller's uber heavy guitar drones and lead singer Alexis Krauss' dreamy lead vocals. "Comeback Kid" is one of my favorite songs of the year with the perfect pop mix of Miller's 80's style metal guitar mixed perfectly with Krauss' super sweet vocals. While the rest of the album has some decent moments, they still fall a bit flat when compared to Treats' high points such as "Crowns on the Ground" and "Rill Rill".
10. Balmorhea - "Stranger": Based on a Facebook recommendation, I decided check this Austin, Texas based instrumental band out and was very pleasantly surprised. Balmorhea has a very smooth, feel that evokes memories of bands such as King Crimson, Isis, and minimalist composer Steve Reich. "Stranger" is a laid back record that crosses a wide variety of influences. The opening track "Days" features a rolling rhythm across it's 9 minutes and mixes it with steel drums, piano, before finishing with gorgeous multi-part harmony vocal parts before a gentle, two minute plus fade out. "Fake Fealty" is driven by a very aggressive acoustic guitar piece while incorporating Steve Reich string pieces. A very powerful release by a band that's quickly expanding it's horizons.
The honorable mentions - records that I really liked but just missed the top 10
Bob Mould - Silver Age
Animal Collective - Centipede Hz
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!
Big Boi -Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors
Blur - Parklive
Enslaved - RIITIIR
Cloud Nothings - Attack on Memory
Diiv - Oshin
Donald Fagen - Sunken Condos
Santigold - Master of my Make Believe
Bear In Heaven - I Love You, It's Cool
Frank Ocean - Channel Orange
And finally, a shout-out to some legendary musicians who passed away - RIP, wherever you are
MC MCA A.K.A Adam Yauch
Levon Helm (The Band)
Donald "Duck" Dunn (Booker T and the MG's, The Blues Brothers)
Dave Brubeck
Ravi Shankar
Jon Lord ( Deep Purple)
Donna Summer
Robin Gibb (The Bee Gees)
Dick Clark
Ronnie Montrose
Whitney Houston
Etta James
That's all folks - see ya in 2013. Cheers.
8. Killer Mike - "R. A. P. Music": For those of you who don't know Killer Mike, he's an Atlanta based rapper with a very strong forceful style who, like Cee-Lo, got his start appearing on Outkast's masterwork Stankonia. In addition to appearing on multiple Outkast albums, Mike released a couple of solo albums and underground tapes that, while very powerful never took off. In 2012, he teamed with underground rapper/producer El-P to make his strongest record. "R.A.P Music" is the perfect of Mike's dominating rap style and El-P's quirkly, left-of-center beats and rhythms and without being overloaded with guest stars. "Don't Die" is a modern day version of NWA's F**k the Police while "Reagan" is a scorching political commentary that's probably going offend a few people on both sides of the aisle. After years of establishing his cred as one of best MC's around, Killer Mike has found his perfect foil in the least likeliest of places.
9. Sleigh Bells - "Reign of Terror": Of all the albums in my top 10, I was really torn on whether to add this to the list or not. In many ways, this album is a major disappointment compared to the New York duo's crazy, over the top debut "Treats". However, it made my top 10 because it has two of the best songs of the year. "Born To Lose" is driven by electronic, speed metal style blast beat and Derek Miller's uber heavy guitar drones and lead singer Alexis Krauss' dreamy lead vocals. "Comeback Kid" is one of my favorite songs of the year with the perfect pop mix of Miller's 80's style metal guitar mixed perfectly with Krauss' super sweet vocals. While the rest of the album has some decent moments, they still fall a bit flat when compared to Treats' high points such as "Crowns on the Ground" and "Rill Rill".
10. Balmorhea - "Stranger": Based on a Facebook recommendation, I decided check this Austin, Texas based instrumental band out and was very pleasantly surprised. Balmorhea has a very smooth, feel that evokes memories of bands such as King Crimson, Isis, and minimalist composer Steve Reich. "Stranger" is a laid back record that crosses a wide variety of influences. The opening track "Days" features a rolling rhythm across it's 9 minutes and mixes it with steel drums, piano, before finishing with gorgeous multi-part harmony vocal parts before a gentle, two minute plus fade out. "Fake Fealty" is driven by a very aggressive acoustic guitar piece while incorporating Steve Reich string pieces. A very powerful release by a band that's quickly expanding it's horizons.
The honorable mentions - records that I really liked but just missed the top 10
Bob Mould - Silver Age
Animal Collective - Centipede Hz
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!
Big Boi -Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors
Blur - Parklive
Enslaved - RIITIIR
Cloud Nothings - Attack on Memory
Diiv - Oshin
Donald Fagen - Sunken Condos
Santigold - Master of my Make Believe
Bear In Heaven - I Love You, It's Cool
Frank Ocean - Channel Orange
And finally, a shout-out to some legendary musicians who passed away - RIP, wherever you are
MC MCA A.K.A Adam Yauch
Levon Helm (The Band)
Donald "Duck" Dunn (Booker T and the MG's, The Blues Brothers)
Dave Brubeck
Ravi Shankar
Jon Lord ( Deep Purple)
Donna Summer
Robin Gibb (The Bee Gees)
Dick Clark
Ronnie Montrose
Whitney Houston
Etta James
That's all folks - see ya in 2013. Cheers.
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