Top 6 records plus a few more of 2012 in no particular order:
Early Graves – "Red Horse"
The new Early Graves record “Red Horse” was the record most anticipated by me in 2012. Since the 2010 release of their incredible sophomore record “Goner”, EG has gone through terrain few bands would have survived. No doubt, that survival story is part of what intrigued me about this album but despite that, the music stands on its own as some of the most urgent, raw and pissed that has come out this year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Tff38z80mA
Gossip – "A Joyful Noise"
Over the last decade and a half (the) Gossip has turned from a scrappy little noise 3-piece to a brilliantly fabulous ABBA-worshipping dance band without forsaking one iota of their punk politics, queer power and lady empowering roots. There are some truly heart breaking songs on this record but my favorites are the ones that are more fitting on the dance floor. One of my favorite concerts of the year as well!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12zPU-8bsTE
Theesatisfaction - “Awe Naturale”
Seattle hip-hop/R&B duo Theesatisfaction have been on my radar for a while but, before their Sub Pop debut, I hadn’t had the opportunity to give any of their recordings a spin. This album didn’t hook me right away but after a few subsequent listens it became one of my summer favorites.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGWFBt_IPOg
White Lung - “Sorry”
I’m not sure what first turned me on to this record in early 2012 but from start to finish it is a fierce barnburner of post-punk/rock/whatever angst. The songs are short and fast but also intensely catchy. After listening to the record on repeat for weeks on end I was excited to see them deliver it live. Unfortunately the band’s live show will go down as one of the limpest and least inspired events I witnessed in 2012. Great record though!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PoQhaNiXvg
Antony and the Johnsons - “Cut the World”
If you’re already a fan and a collector of Antony’s past recordings, you might pass up a live record like this. However, if you do, you’re going to miss some of Antony’s best work backed by a beautiful orchestra that makes this already incredible material soar. Gorgeous!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAzKXxz1lqg
Divorce - S/T
Not to be confused with the defunct Seattle band, this Divorce is some kind of cracked out noise project from the UK. I first heard the band when I discovered their odd 10” from 2009. This year’s self-titled full length is even stranger and takes a bit of endurance to make it through. Genre-wise it sits somewhere between the Melvins and….Brighter Death Now? Merzbow? I don’t know but I keep going back to it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJ5eLhGdvM4
Brain Tumors - “Fuck You Forever” 7”
Brain Tumors aren’t particularly unique in that many ways but if pissed off punk/hardcore is your thing, this short little record will be to your liking. Even if the band wasn’t that great they’d still make my year end list just for recording the song that will be the namesake of my autobiography: “Being Alive Sucks/I am Weird”
http://youtu.be/Cdf5n2xBxUw
Honorable Mentions:
Cattle Decapitation “Monolith of Inhumanity”
Converge “All We Love We Leave Behind”
Pig Destroyer “Book Burner”
Metz self-titled
Top 5 live shows of 2012 in no particular order:
Over the Rhine, Nov 17th at Triple Door – Gorgeous!
Gossip, Oct 9th at Showbox Market – Ass-shaking!
Deadkill, Gaytheist, and Monogamy Party, Sep 15th at The Comet – Riotous!
Nasum, May 26th at Highline – Legendary!
Behemoth, April 20th at El Corazon – Inspiring!
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