The record of the year in my opinion. This is what living in 2012 feels like. The trio of “Shackled and Drawn”, Death to My Hometown,” and “Jack of All Trades” perfectly capture the anger and despair many of feel living in these times. The gospel filled back half reminds us why we keep carrying on. While It can be great to write songs about break-ups and parties, it’s something else to write for the masses and take on a critical moment in history. Recently, Green Day’s American Idiot and Springsteen’s The Rising successfully captured a heightened moment of the present and put it to music. Springsteen’s added another gem to this short list.
Best rock band of the 2010’s in my book. A fantastic follow up to 2010’s rock epic The Monitor. Patrick Shales is well on his way to becoming a punk legend. The scaled back garage sound on this record really makes these songs kick live.
Japandroids – Celebration Rock
Rock 'n' roll is alive and well.
The Alabama Shakes – Boys and Girls
Best new band in the business.
Justin Townes Earle – Nothing’s Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now
I’ve been a JTE fan for a while now and I think this is his best. The album is a delight from start to finish. The whole thing was recorded live in the Appalachian mountains over the course of a weekend. This is the kind of record that makes a long drive a little shorter and a cold winter night a bit warmer.
Shovels and Rope – O’ Be Joyful
A friend of mine from Charleston turned me on to this great duo last winter. When I hard O’ Be Joyful this summer I was hooked. For all you Loretta Lynn, Wanda Jackson, and Nancy Sinatra voice lovers out there.
Neneh Cherry and the Thing – The Cherry Thing
I picked this one up at B-Side records in September after spending some time browsing the shelves and not knowing what to buy. Neneh Cherry and the Thing’s cover of Suicide’s “Dream Baby Dream” was playing in the system in the store. I found myself listening to this continuously after I got it. More free jazz than pop, this record will creep into your playlist and remain for a long time. It turns out there is still a reason to go to your local record store.
Frank Ocean – Channel Orange
I think this belongs on the list thinking back on the year but I’m not as crazy about it as some folks.
Best Coast – The Only Place
The perfect summer record. These irresistible pop songs make me want to live in California. I probably played this record every day as the days were winding down last June at the end of the school year.
Ian Hunter and the Rant Band – When I’m President
A great record that did not get nearly enough attention. 73 years old and writing some the best rock songs around. Did I mention that rock 'n' roll is alive and well?
Honorable Mention:
Kendrick Lamar – Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City
Old Crow Medicine Show – Carry Me Back
Bobby Womack – The Bravest Man in the Universe
Night Moves – Colored Emotions
The Very Best – mtmtmk
Sharon Van Etten – Tramp
Dirty Projectors – Swing Lo Magellan
Best Collections:
Twin Cities Funk and Soul: Lost R&B Grooves from Minneapolis/St. Paul 1964-1979
What a treat this is. I still struggle to accept that it’s Wee Willie Walker singing and not Sam Cooke on a handful of these tracks.
Billy Bragg and Wilco – The Complete Sessions
Best Concerts:
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (Wrigley Field, Xcel Energy Center)
The reinvention of the band in Clarence’s absence is extraordinary. Jake Clemons crushes it. The tributes are perfect. I’m lucky to have been a part of it this fall.
Shackled & Drawn - Live
Darkness on the Edge of Town - Live (w/Eddie Vedder)
Shackled & Drawn - Live
Darkness on the Edge of Town - Live (w/Eddie Vedder)
Titus Andronicus (7th Street Entry)
The Alabama Shakes (First Avenue)
Rock the Garden w/ Howler, Tune-Yards, Doomtree, Trampled by Turtles, The Hold Steady (Walker Art Museum)
My first official day of summer. The festivities began early and ended late. A nice welcome for me living in the Twin Cities just down from my place. See you at next year’s event.
Nick Lowe (First Avenue)
Eef Barzelay and Heligoats (Indie Coffee)
Concerts I Wish That I Had Not Missed:
Billy Bragg at the Barrymore Theater (also Billy Bragg with the Solidarity Singers the day of the show on the Capital lawn).
-w.u.
No comments:
Post a Comment