Top 50 of 2012

It's that time of year again, and if you're like me, you've been anxiously waiting 366 days for this post to appear.  My sister was a bit surprised by my methods, but it's not that complex.  Over the year, if I hear a new song I like, I add it to a playlist that I whittle down to fifty songs at the end of December.  It requires patience and the ability to make some tough choices, but I think I managed to pull it off.  This year I was also more careful to include songs recorded or released in 2012; it's only fair.  Enjoy all fifty of these as much as I did, and enjoy tonight's festivities with the people you love.  Why not make a playlist out of these to crank?

A Rose For Epona – Eluveitie

Bent Up – Fki feat. Natasha Mosley

Rocket Ship – Dragonette

Zero Gravity – Kerli

My Soul – Ugly Kids Club

Somebody To Love – Rusko

Only Fields – Graph Rabbit

O.J. – 50 Cent feat. Kidd Kidd

Faster Horses – MNDR

Stay Awhile – Belle Histoire

Rained The Whole Time (Nicolas Jaar Remix) – Shlohmo

Grapevine Valentine – Kingsfoil

Ocean Floor For Everything – How To Dress Well

Game of Thrones Freestyle – Gotye feat. Dice Raw

Dark Star – Poliҫa

Lucky Struggle (Notorious B.I.G vs. Lana Del Rey) – Terry Urban

Default – Django Django

Oh Thee 73 – Felix

Bound To Let You Go – Wild Adriatic

Lotion – Dead and Divine

Some Nights – Fun.

Bloody Mary – Dice Raw

My Dreams Have Withered and Died – Angel Olsen & Marissa Nadler

Lover of the Light – Mumford & Sons

When I Am Alone – Natalie Prass and Among Savages

Total Recall – Flosstradamus

Sleep Alone (BeatauCue Remix) – Two Door Cinema Club

My Crown – 50 Cent

I See Hell – Skerrit Bwoy

Spaghetti – BBU feat. Mic Terror

Down – The Birthday Massacre

Rattler’s Revival – The Toadies

Soma (Acoustic) – 10 Years

King Wizard – Kid Cudi

Harakiri – Serj Tankian

Over it – Colin Munroe

She Did Not Know – Linus Pauling Quartet

Ball of Fire – The Orb

Breezeblocks – Alt-J

The Heart Asks Pleasure First – Nightwish

Waiting For Godot – Janina Gavankar

Runaway Love (Stars Remix) – Diamond Rings

Black to Gold – Christian Mistress

Coney Island High – The Everymen

Hot Knife – Fiona Apple

Glue – White Lung

Booggéré – Plaster

Queen of the City – Joshua James

Igloo – Mr. MFN Exquire

Gossip Folks – Angel Haze

 

And who gets honors for best song of 2012? At 168+ plays since January, there's no contest here.

 

 

Chevelle - Prima Donna

This year, it was difficult to narrow down one album that I enjoyed the most.  I know Hats Off To The Bull didn't come out in 2012, but I didn't get it until late 2011.  As well, it's my blog, so I make the rules.  Chevelle did something great with their last album, and it's evident from the amount of songs I've blogged about from it (perhaps the most songs from one album, but don't quote me on that one).  Maybe it's fitting to give the last single song feature to one of the tracks, and a dull snowy day like today calls for something acoustic with understated beauty.

"Prima Donna" is exactly that.  While the Loeffler clan has mastered powerful alternative rock, they've also got a delicate side that comes out with the acoustic guitar.  It's a sleeper track of Hats Off To The Bull, and while emanating a somber atmosphere, it is also a sweet little ditty that proves the band is capable of more than one style.  And you know what I say: you don't have to be loud to be powerful.

Scissor Sisters - Let's Have a Kiki

I'll admit to having heard of "Let's Have a Kiki" through Glee.  So sue me.  I am a fan of Scissor Sisters, mind you, but don't follow them as religiously as I do with certain other groups.  At least I've got it now, so we can all sleep soundly.  Sarah Jessica Parker might have done a good job on the small screen this American Thanksgiving, but "Let's Have a Kiki belongs to Ana Matronic.

After your first listen to "Let's Have a Kiki," a few things will happen.  It'll get stuck in your head, and you'll immediately want to learn and master the accompanying dance moves.  That was Scissor Sisters' plan all along!  It's diabolical, but it works.  "Let's Have a Kiki" is the club music that should be more rampant on the scenes outside of NYC.  God forbid they would play it in my city.  Scissor Sisters have me longing to make an overdue pilgrimage to the Big Apple to host my own kiki.  Mission accomplished, Miss Matronic.

Epica - The Obsessive Devotion

2012 was a pretty good year for symphonic metal, allowing me to get to know the Dutch collective Epica a bit better.  Well, their "The Obsessive Devotion" is from 2007, but you get what I'm trying to say.  If I hadn't heard their new "Storm The Sorrow" I'm not sure I would have gone looking for some of their older work to add to my collection.  "The Obsessive Devotion" is off of The Divine Conspiracy and rife with a lot of symphonic elements.  You have Simone Simons doing her thing (new girl crush alert), orchestral sounds and harsh vocals courtesy of Mark Jansen.  Admittedly, it's always good for a band to be consistent throughout time.  For Epica to be as brilliant in 2007 as they are now is a good sign.  Very good.

Nothing lasts forever, but you, you do.

Kid Cudi - King Wizard

Kid Cudi may not be an absolute favourite artist of mine, but he's still a hella good rapper.  Indicud is the name of his upcoming album, out in early 2013, but for now we have "King Wizard."  I know there are a few other songs out, but I think this one is the best.  Dare I say it, it's darker Kid Cudi, nothing like "Erase Me" or "Make Her Say."  And you know what I say, when an artist shows progression like this, it's nothing short of good.  Brilliant, even.  "King Wizard" is also fairly catchy, a trait of a lot of Cudi's songs that's retained here.  Lesson: change is good, but do keep a few elements of the past.  Cudi has it down pat.

My 10 Favourite Christmas Songs

A Top 10 list is here, just in time for the holidays and right before I take a two-day hiatus to spend time with my family and friends.  In the meantime, there's nothing wrong with giving these ten gems a listen while you do the same wherever you are.  And to everyone, have a safe and happy holiday season; spend it with the people who love you and you love back.

Lost Lander - Afraid of Summer

Have you heard of Portland, Oregon's Lost Lander before?  Probably not, and if you have, then you are awesome.  For those of you who haven't, you're missing out on some good indie from this four piece.  Their album DRRT was released in the early throes of 2012, and it's a surprise to me that they're only being featured now for their string-laden "Afraid of Summer."  This isn't the lush guitar indie you may expect from me, but something different.  "Afraid of Summer" is powered by the acoustic guitar and an impressive violin and delicate piano.  It's more haunting than anything, and anything haunting falls into my good books.

I'm afraid of summer 'cause you know I can't swim
I get lost in the water when the tide pulls me in.

Adele - He Won't Go

I'm currently doing a few things.  One: adding most of the CDs I've borrowed from my brother's best friend to my laptop.  Two: deciding how I can organize my own collection of 200+ albums.  Three: enjoying Adele.  The running joke in my family is that my brother has a voice like the British chanteuse.  He doesn't, and I'm not sure how it started, but that's how Adele will be remembered by me.  She's also pretty awesome, and 19 and 21 both find constant play in my parents' house.  You could make the obvious choices for "Rolling In The Deep," "Set Fire To The Rain" or "Someone Like You," but why not go a little more obscure?  If you haven't listened to "He Won't Go" then you better get on it.

"He Won't Go" pulses with delicate piano work, but Adele's voice is nothing short of a powerhouse on this track.  She's got the soul needed to make this the sleeper hit of 21.  She says it herself, I'm willing to take the risk.  This ditty follows themes of independence, and steadying a pair of shaky feet.  It's empowering without the repetitive breakup references of her other, more popular songs.  Adele ain't no one-note artist, people.  She's got it, and I'm looking forward to her next installment in the future.

Like Moths To Flames - Some Nights + Memphis May Fire - Grenade

Though my brother may listen to a generic brand of rock, he does throw me a few good music selections now and again, and it's his fault I got so hard into Iron Maiden (not that I'm complaining).  His recent contribution to my library (soon to be overtaken by the two Tool albums sitting next to me on the table) would be tracks from the new Pop Goes Punk 5 album, and we all know I'm a sucker for covers.

"Some Nights" is a favourite of the year for me from the boys of Fun., but it's something else when reworked by Ohio metalcore mongers Like Moths To Flames.  Less gospel, more alternative anthem.  The vocals are raw, the growls give the cover personality, and the guitars are heavy.  Perhaps this is the perfect cover?

Or one of them.  Memphis May Fire, radar favourites of mine, tackle Bruno Mars's "Grenade," a song that I actually enjoy the original of (or, at least I did when it first came out).  They've got a good balance of clean vocals and metalcore growls, done best during the chorus.  That contrast is sweet music to my ears.  It's easier on the ears than the Like Moths To Flames track, but still has as much metalcore as you need.

My brother asked me to get him Pop Goes Punk 5 for Christmas this year.  I hope he enjoys pre-opened gifts.

Amy Winehouse - You Know I'm No Good

So I'm officially done this semester's exams, and will be back home in the throes of the country this time tomorrow.  How should I celebrate?  The Amy Winehouse way, of course!  Well...kind of.  This is just a lame attempt at me trying to justify the queue of songs I have lined up to feature.  "You Know I'm No Good" came up one day during a peruse through the library, and with Back To Black being the albums of hers I am less familiar with (Frank is the true gem), it reignited my attention enough to make the list.  She might be gone, but she's still got it.

"You Know I'm No Good" is indicative Amy Winehouse: smooth jazz, smokey vocals, and a little life that makes this accessible to those suspicious of the genre.  Jazz can be good, people.  You may know Amy Winehouse is no good, but her music was, and always will be.  This track doesn't have the popularity of "Rehab" and may carry the reminder of her death, but we can't appreciate music if we let other things outshine the beauty.

I cheated myself like I knew I would
I told you I was trouble, you know that I'm no good

Caspian - Some Are White Light

Some people have it set that they can't enjoy music without lyrics.  That's all fine and dandy for them, but missing out on good shit is something I never condone.  When it comes to instrumental music, you probably think of all things electronic, and of course, the classical genre.  What about rock without words?  And even better, what about lush rock confined to the instruments?  You end up with Caspian, a band without a lead singer, but you won't miss it.

"Some Are White Light" is five and a half minutes of lush guitar work, carefully crafted for a nice, rich sound.  This is like the score to a good slice-of-life movie, rising to a lovely climax, as it should do.  I think the introduction of lyrics would only bring this beautiful piece of art down.  There's merit in being able to tell a story with sound, and without words.  Caspian does it, and that's why they're in my good graces. 

French Montana feat. Rico Love and Mase - Grown Ups

Now, if you liked French Montana with the Coke Boys, you've got to love him tackling a mixtape solo, right?  It's the law of the universe, or at least, a law that I would enforce if I could.  Mac & Cheese 3 might be a "cheesy" name for a mixtape, but when it's good, you can name it whatever you want.  With the help of Rico Love and Mase, Mr. Montana gives us "Grown Ups," a rap ditty that sounds like a grown-up version of "Husband and Wife" from the last Coke Boys tape.  It's a mellow track, not too aggressive, but with rhymes like we'll do the things that grown ups do, it's anything but too laid-back.  You'll catch on to the story of "Grown Ups" quickly, and the song will catch on to you.  French does it again.

Sirenia - Led Astray

Let's have a symphonic metal Saturday today.  Case closed.  You're on board?  Excellent.  If you're familiar with the likes of Nightwish, Epica, Katra, Edenbridge and the like, you have to be aware of Norway's Sirenia.  They're a little gothic, enough to set them apart in the vast sea of symphonic bands, and make some damn good use of the violin.  "Led Astray" comes from 2009's The 13th Floor, and while it sounds a little like Nightwish in some parts, you still get something different here.  Trust me.

"Led Astray" belongs to female lead Ailyn, the fourth to take the position by my count.  She's Spanish, believe it or not, but fits right in here.  She's a higher register Anette Olzon with a voice made for metal, and a good contrast to some good lush orchestra movements within the track.  The instruments of "Led Astray" tell a story of their own; there's nothing outshining anything here.  I'll be surprised if you're another symphonic nut and haven't heard of this song, let alone Sirenia as a band, before, but I'll let it slide.  Just don't let it happen again.

Firehorse - Our Hearts

Who is Firehorse?  Brooklyn's Leah Siegel, who's got her place of origin on her side, which can't hurt.  "Our Hearts" is something a little Feist-y (as in Leslie Feist), but still unique.  It's chill too; something you can listen to at any time of the day with your legs up and  mug of tea in hand.  The vocals are sweet, definitely not overwhelming, and "Our Hearts" is simply...brilliant.  Short but sweet today, I know, but you know how things get around exam time: needlessly boring.  So get out of your funk with Firehorse, endorsed by yours truly.

Wuthering Heights, or "how to say goodbye to your pet frog"

Oh, it was an interesting evening last night.  About to go to bed, I swung by the small aquarium to add some more water form my African dwarf frogs, and immediately noticed one was missing.  To make a long story short, we found him behind the couch long dried out at two in the morning.  Thomas Stearns may be gone now, but he lives on through the weirdest thing I've ever made; a tribute video.  Yes, I had enough pictures to do so.

So what's this got to do with music?  I chose my latest favourite song of the moment for the backing track, "Wuthering Heights" by 80's English pop darling Kate Bush.  Weird for a video about a frog?  Yes.  But I don't care too much about how weird I am today.  There's also a decent cover of the song done by rockers China Drum, which I actually found before the original.  So let's all honor Thomas Stearns by listening to music that references the work of the Bronte sisters.  Good show.

Breaking Benjamin - Had Enough

High school was a good four years.  Well, not really.  No one can say in good confidence that those were the best times of their life.  Who knew getting blunt-cut bangs was such a bad idea?  At least it was good for one thing; exploring the alternative rock bands that would lead me to the metal I love so much today.  Breaking Benjamin is somewhere in the middle of that, a good transition band.  Still, I got their Phobia in the early spring of 2007 after frequent airplay on the Detroit alt station.  I've heard some of their other work, and this album is their best, no contest.  It might be the only album from 2007 that I still enjoy to the same extent now.

"Had Enough" is, quite simply put, a suck it song for the ages.  The lyrics say it all.  You should have learned by now, I'll burn this whole world down.  The sound is a little lush, but it's the vocals that get me.  Phobia has some of the best vocal work done by the band I've seen, and it's not only confined to "Had Enough."  But back to my original point: this is what you listen to if you're looking to pump yourself up and get you out of a funk.  We all need that sometimes, don't we?  And after five and a half years, it's passed my test of time.  Have you had enough yet?

Grimes - Genesis

There are a lot of ways to describe the obscure side of the electronic music spectrum.  Experimental, dark wave, witch house (a personal favourite of mine), noise, industrial...  Point is, the genre is a bit more complex than just dubstep and ambient.  Montreal's Grimes makes it a little easier to get into and, in turn, more accessible.  She's the current queen of the experimental subgenre; think of her as Cocorosie condensed to only one sister.  Her "Genesis" has a fitting title.  This is the beginning of something good.

"Genesis" starts out as something very dark and atmospheric, though works it way to an array of dreamy whistles and synths intermixed with Grimes' childlike (in a good way) voice.  Don't think of this track as something you can take to the club and dance to; it's meant to be listened to closely and enjoyed.  Though, that doesn't limit you to dancing to "Genesis."  I won't stop you, but I think it's more about the art and less about thumping in the club.  Grimes is the next best thing in electro, one of our more obscure Canadian treasures.

Joey Bada$$ - Little Rachel

How about some short-but-sweet rap on a rainy Sunday evening?  From Brooklyn's Joey Bada$$ and his Rejex mixtape comes "Little Rachel."  Sweet rap?  It exists here. Mr. Bada$$ raps over the tap of the piano keys.  Simple, but effective.  Nonetheless, he makes this a track rife with emotion as he follows the life of the titular character.  The rhymes are pretty slick too, which doesn't hurt.  She don't no blacks and blues on the eyes, for they have seen so many lies so many times and cried so many cries.  But Little Rachel has dreams, just as I dream of the underrated rap stars like Joey Bada$$ replacing the likes of Lil Wayne and Chris Brown in the scene.  That's Little Rachel.

Nightwish - The Islander

Music and good days come hand-in-hand in my experience.  My faith has been restored in HMV today, as they had Eluveitie's The Early Years on sale for ten dollars.  And then there's Nightwish.  Always Nightwish.  I'm long going to be nostalgic about Anette.  She's the complete package of the symphonic metal genre, and I'm following her personal blog closely for when she posts some new solo tracks.  In the meantime, I have Dark Passion Play and Imaginaerum to keep me occupied, today's feature coming from the former.

Okay, "The Islander" isn't an Anette-centered track, but she's still there in the background.  Lead vocals come courtesy of bassist Marco Hietala.  He's gotta have some of my favourite clean male vocals in the metal genre.  His pipes are matched with an acoustic feel to the song.  It's a little Celtic too, which I have no issue with.  "The Islander" is mysterious; kind of along the lines of "Turn Loose The Mermaids" (look it up if you have no clue what I'm talking about).  This is evidence of the versatility that Nightwish has a band, even if they're lead singer-less for the moment.

 

 

Parlovr - You Only Want It 'Cause You're Lonely

I've done lush rock and a bit of lush alternative (Silver Snakes, anyone?) but today is the day to listen to some lush indie.  It exists, and it consists of borderline-dreamy vocals and chilled out guitar work.  Think breezy and relaxed.  So we're on the same page now?  Good.  Parlovr is a Montral-based collective that gets the genre, and shows us that they do with tracks like "You Only Want It 'Cause You're Lonely."  Thank you, boys.

"You Only..." is about what you think it is, but gets its power from the flow of music.  What starts out on a mellow level rises to a stunning chorus.  To put it into context, think of Parlovr as Arcade Fire meets Foster The People.  That's what this track is.  It's a little beachy, a little lush, and a lot good.  Just listen to it, because I know you don't have much else to do today.

Angel Olsen & Marissa Nadler - My Dreams Have Withered and Died

What happens when you bring two folky indie darlings together?  Magical things.  You may remember Miss Nadler from an earlier post, but Angel Olsen is new to the Fromalt2zen bracket.  That's okay.  There is always room for new blood in my domain.  They come together here to cover Linda Thompson folk classic "My Dreams Have Withered And Died."  Not the typical choice of a cover song, but since when is anything I like typical?

Angel and Marissa turn "My Dreams..." from a take-it-easy folk ballad to a new dimension.  Here the song thrives on a minimal quality, focusing on their vocals intertwining.  I like that they don't exactly sing together in a sense.  Marissa's smokey vocals and Angel's slightly higher register are not perfectly synced, but with the delicate strum of a guitar behind them, they make "My Dreams..." something real.  You're there in the room listening to them perform (oh, how I wish that was true).  So take a leap of faith today, if you trust me enough.  Go minimal folk, and see how quickly you fall in love with this.

Ensiferum - Wanderer

Let's call this a folk metal Monday to end all genre-related Mondays.  Oh, you were expecting a Top 10 list?  Never fear, I'm saving it for next week, mostly because I'll have to upload quite the load of French music to Youtube before that can happen.  So in the meantime, let's stick with what we know best.  "Wanderer" is another selection from my favourite Finnish band's album Victory Songs, which boasts a title track to end all title tracks.

What do we have here?  Epicness.  "Wanderer" is a six-and-a-half minute voyage through viking territory.  Petri Lindroos rocks out on vocals, as usual, and you know that this is what the folk metal genre is all about.  This is the kind of music I listen to around the apartment and get asked if this was recorded for Lord of the Rings.  I wish!  "Wanderer" doesn't have a lot of the death growling that Ensiferum has used to their great advantage in the past, but it works here.  You don't need to scream to be heard, people.  This isn't a song you'd wreck your voice singing along to.  This is a victory song.

Creedence Clearwater Revival - Have You Ever Seen The Rain?

I'll say one thing first: I've had this post planned for about a week and a half, but didn't anticipate that it would fall on a day it rained.  Fate has an interesting sense of humor after all.  Anyways, there's something about "Have You Ever Seen The Rain?" that speaks to everyone.  We can all relate to the weather after all, right?  So gave you ever seen the rain coming down on a sunny day?  It sure is something, and musically, this is something too.  This is CCR's swamp rock at its finest, though I'll let you make an argument for "Born On The Bayou" if you must.  Just do this for me today: go sit in front of a window, plug this in, and watch the rain fall.  Nirvana will be reached.

Green Day - Letterbomb

Nobody likes you, everyone left you, they're all out without you having fun.

I'll admit to being a bit indifferent about Green Day.  Everyone I ask picks Dookie as their best work and is a bit shocked to find out I'm not their biggest fan.  Well, I got American Idiot when I was in the seventh grade, and though I don't enjoy it as much as I did back then, a few songs are still worthy of featuring.  "Holiday" is my absolute favourite Green Day song, but "Letterbomb" wins the feature.  It's got the Green Day brand of punk that makes it theirs, but doesn't leave that peppy-shouting-too-political taste in your mouth.  I find Billie Joe Armstrong likable in "Letterbomb," which says something, and the guitars are killer.  It's punk all grown up, and the fact that I'm still listening to it eight years later earns major awesome points.  Sure, a song can be good when it comes out, but that good feeling lasts?  Now we're talkin'