As I commented in a post previously, I felt a little disconnected to the newer music of 2012. After looking at Court's list, I went back over my notes, downloads and purchases to find a few songs I liked from the past year. Since I only have a few, I called it my "EP." Tragically, I do not think many of these tracks will stand the test of time like previous "Best of's." So, here it goes.
Craig Finn - "Honolulu Blues."
Craig Finn of The Hold Steady always reminded me of a schizophrenic Bob Dylan or younger, diarrhea-mouthed Bruce Springsteen. Very wordy - to the point of being rambly. When I saw his record was released, I wasn't crazy about the single, but I liked the second track.
The Lumineers - "Ho Hey"
Here is my radio-friendly choice. I've been hearing it a lot lately. Much like stated in one of the previous "Best of" segment, lo-fi, alt-folk seems to be the trend; unless your gravitate to indie-hipster synth rock - see Court's best of. This is probably the best of the bunch. Especially since Mumford & Sons second release sounds like their 1st record, part 2. Besides, these guys are American.
Low Cut Connie - "Say Yes"
I can't even find a video for this one, so I chose a performance from Philadelphia's North Star Bar. I like rockabilly, especially when it spurns out of control with the likes of the Revered Horton Heat or the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. These guys are a little different, they have a piano player who sounds like Jerry Lee Lewis emerged inside a punk band. Something different.
Jack White "Sixteen Saltines"
People rag on Jack White, but I like him. I think he is a talent. His solo debut didn't disappoint. I think Blunderbus is one of the better albums of the year. I liked the chaos and the randomness of eating saltines becoming a song.
Japandroids - "The House That Heaven Built"
Probably not a mainstream best of, but I'm sure it made many "alt" best of's. It got a bunch of radio play on Sirius XMU & Alt Nation. It rocks, and is one of the bands (much like, say Gaslight Anthem) that are still holding on to balls out rock and roll.
The Vaccines - "Teenage Icon"
A cool little punk band that has some roots in the Ramones and the Strokes. The album, Coming of Age was one of my better finds. I liked this, their second release off the record.
Also in consideration were: Howler's "Beach Sluts," Pond's "Fantastic Explosion of Time, " and Toy's "Colours Running Out."
I think the Vaccines track is one of the better ones of the year... and I know a lot of critics agree with you there. I saw that album on a lot of Best Of lists this year.
The Japandroids song's a winner, too. It doesn't grab me in quite the same way as it grabs you both, but when two of the three of us have them on our list, we must be onto something.
I always want to like Craig Finn and then when I actually listen to him or watch him I just he'd probably be a jerk in real life. Not sure why -- but something about him rubs me the wrong way. Unfair? Yep.
I'm really surprised that that Lumineers song has become such a big hit. I probably shouldn't be -- it's radio-friendly in sound and theme. I just find a lot of those neo-folkies to be so sterile sounding -- Mumford & Sons included. It's just doesn't sound raw enough to my ear -- and consequently I question its authenticity. I don't know...
There is - however - a lot to like about Low Cut Connie, as I alluded to in my earlier comment. Those guys are a blast, and if I lived in Philly (Darius!) I'd go check 'em out live!!
Funny that you even knew about Low Cut Connie. I would like to see them & Man Man. Two of Philly's finest.
The whole Vaccines record is decent. Good old, British Rock.
I loved your comments on Craig Finn. He does come across as an arrogant guy. To me he is the musical Quentin Tarrantino; manic speaker with so much to say that you lose sight of what he is trying to convey.
Finally, I think because you had an appreciation for bluegrass, bands like M&S, the Lumineers, or Aventt Bros. sound a bit contrived to you. I look at it this way: it might actually make someone interested in this sound go beyond the surface and discover something great. I just thought the song was catchy, but will not stand the test of time.
BTW -you went synth CRAZY this year. Hipster DELUXE!
Well said about Craig Finn and Tarantino. That's exactly it.
I hope you're right about those bands as a 'gateway drug' to more authentic bluegrass. There are some good bands out there in the genre -- including the more radio-friendly Civil Wars (who my father can't stop raving about) to Shovels & Rope (who I put on my 2012 list).
What can I say? I'm a sucker for synths. Especially when they're done right.
You know, I figured one or both of you would go for Low Cut Connie... That's some good old fashioned bar rock... and from Philly.
ReplyDeleteSome more thoughts -- in no particular order:
ReplyDeleteI think the Vaccines track is one of the better ones of the year... and I know a lot of critics agree with you there. I saw that album on a lot of Best Of lists this year.
The Japandroids song's a winner, too. It doesn't grab me in quite the same way as it grabs you both, but when two of the three of us have them on our list, we must be onto something.
I always want to like Craig Finn and then when I actually listen to him or watch him I just he'd probably be a jerk in real life. Not sure why -- but something about him rubs me the wrong way. Unfair? Yep.
I'm really surprised that that Lumineers song has become such a big hit. I probably shouldn't be -- it's radio-friendly in sound and theme. I just find a lot of those neo-folkies to be so sterile sounding -- Mumford & Sons included. It's just doesn't sound raw enough to my ear -- and consequently I question its authenticity. I don't know...
There is - however - a lot to like about Low Cut Connie, as I alluded to in my earlier comment. Those guys are a blast, and if I lived in Philly (Darius!) I'd go check 'em out live!!
Funny that you even knew about Low Cut Connie. I would like to see them & Man Man. Two of Philly's finest.
ReplyDeleteThe whole Vaccines record is decent. Good old, British Rock.
I loved your comments on Craig Finn. He does come across as an arrogant guy. To me he is the musical Quentin Tarrantino; manic speaker with so much to say that you lose sight of what he is trying to convey.
Finally, I think because you had an appreciation for bluegrass, bands like M&S, the Lumineers, or Aventt Bros. sound a bit contrived to you. I look at it this way: it might actually make someone interested in this sound go beyond the surface and discover something great. I just thought the song was catchy, but will not stand the test of time.
BTW -you went synth CRAZY this year. Hipster DELUXE!
Well said about Craig Finn and Tarantino. That's exactly it.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're right about those bands as a 'gateway drug' to more authentic bluegrass. There are some good bands out there in the genre -- including the more radio-friendly Civil Wars (who my father can't stop raving about) to Shovels & Rope (who I put on my 2012 list).
What can I say? I'm a sucker for synths. Especially when they're done right.