Again a bit early this year (but hey, it's tradition!): here they are - My Top Ten Records of 2012:
1. Mike Viola - Acousto de Perfecto
With a LP-friendly two sided concept of Acousto De Perfecto, half new songs half new interpretations of older songs and all the StageIt.com web-concerts, giveaways (Kenmore Square), the tip fight (resulting in Future Horror Hockey Game), the superb Facebook Fan Group (you people are the best!), the complete Mike Viola discography project and the re-release of the Blue Thumb Candy Butchers record it was a very very special year regarding Mike Viola.
Highlights: Secret Radio, I'm Your Dog, God Give Me Strength, Hair Of The Dog, Date Night
2. David Myhr - Soundshine
Soundshine is a record title which couldn't fit better. This album is so uplifting, positive and listenable, it shines.
Highlights: I Love The Feeling, Looking For A Life, Got You Where He Wanted, Loveblind
3. Air Traffic Controller - Nordo
I had not those high expectations for the record. Then I read who produced it and got curious. And I wasn't disappointed. It's a very strong record. No fillers. All tracks shine on their own. That's a rare compliment.
Highlights: Blame, You Know Me, Any Way, Ready Or Not, Magic
4. Ben Folds Five - The Sound Of The Life Of The Mind
After long long years of no hope for a reunion the new record suddenly was there. It's a huge grower kind of a record - many of the songs unfold at second listen.
Highlights: Sky High, Draw A Cloud, The Sound Of The Life Of The Mind, Michael Praytor, On Being Frank, Thank You For Breaking My Heart
5. Aimee Mann - Charmer
Charmer is the strongest Aimee Mann record for a long time (which doesn't mean the last records were bad!). It reminds me of Lost in Space.
Highlights: Labrador, Charmer, Soon Enough
6. Ken Stringfellow - Danzig in the Moonlight
To be honest, it first got my attention by the cover (which is really beautiful and shines on LP in all his glory). Then I had a chance to listen to the songs (I had no big expectations). Danzig in the Moonlight is not a record I like in full, most of the songs are amazing pieces of work, a very few are not my cup of tea though.
Highlights: You're a Sign, Pray, History Buffs, Superwise
7. Sunday Sun - EP I-III
Sunday Sun suddenly got my attention with EP I and blew me away with EP II & III. Buy it here: Sunday Sun Official Website
Highlights: Ordinary Love, Sunday Sun, Ready Take A Left, Better Than That, Honest And True, Beating Low
8. Bryan Scary - Daffy's Elixir
Bryan Scary & The Shredding Tears where in my memories for their superb EP Mad Valentines from 2009. Daffy's Elixir tops it all.
Highlights: Ziegfield Station, Ballroom Kid, Day Glo Waterfalls, Wicked Frontier, The Tale Of Opal Dawn, Another Ace In The Hole
9. Ben Kweller - Go Fly A Kite
Highlights: Jealous Girl, Free, Mean To Me, The Rainbow
10. The Cry - The Cry
I can't even nearly say how often The Cry was recommended to me from different sources. And they were right. The Cry are somewhere between The Beach Boys, Jet, The Ramones
and The Beatles, which means there's a highly enjoyable mix of 60s
sound, punk and pop harmonies packed in 2 minute songs.
Highlights: Be True, Alone In The Dark, Down In The City, sleeping Alone, I Think I'm In Love, Wouldn't Last
Hey there,
ReplyDeleteHow can I familiarize you with the Well Wishers?
Power pop?...Probably.
See what you think:
https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/thewellwishers
POWER POP NEWS RELEASE:
ReplyDeleteThe CRY! Announces West Coast Tour Date with Paul Collins Beat
Portland Power Poppers “The CRY!” have announced dates for their upcoming West Coast Tour. The schedule includes a series of shows with legendary Power Pop icon The Paul Collins Beat.
The CRY!/Collins connection started last summer when Paul went to see The CRY! at Bowery Electric in NYC. Impressed, Paul went to see the band the next night as well. Since then, the two bands have been looking for opportunities to do some dates together. That opportunity is here!
The CRY!, currently #1 on The Reverbnation US punk/power pop charts, is touring in support of their debut LP (The CRY!) and the recent 7” release of
“Discotheque” and “TCP” (The Boys/cover) on Mooster Records.
Originally released in Japan and Germany in 2012, “The CRY!” LP gained international attention including dozens of stunning reviews and positive mentions in Maximum Rock & Roll(print version), IAE, and Rolling Stone magazines!
In March 2013 The CRY! earned even more international attention when Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer selected them to help celebrate the 10year anniversary of The Exploding Hearts “Guitar Romantic” LP by performing/recording "Thorns And Roses" and “Modern Kicks”.
The CRY! is currently finishing production on their high anticipated sophomore effort. So far the band has only given fans a few sneak peeks at the new material. New LP tracks will include “Seventeen” and “Dangerous Game”.