Top Ten of 2012

Top Ten Albums

1. Frank Ocean - Channel Orange: People had expectations for this album after Nostalgia Ultra, but no one would have predicted this. The first half of the album is utterly flawless and yeah it falls off some after "Pyramids", but "Bad Religion" totally redeems it.
2. Japandroids - Celebration Rock: Originally one of the records that I saw as the most over rated, but the more time I spent with it the more it grew on me. There was nothing that grabbed me like "Wet Hair" or "Young Hearts Spark Fire", but it is still a great record. Its also one of those records that reminds you of all the good times without being cheesy.
3. The Ty Segall Band - Slaughterhouse: In a year wear heaviness came back into style, this was the best of the lot by a wide margin.
4. Frankie Rose - Interstellar: I think its not an overstatement to say no one saw this coming. Frankie Rose had made nice jangle pop for past couple years, but I did not anticipate a new wave-y record with a song as incredible as "Pair of Wings".
5. Alabama Shakes - Boys and Girls: The feel good story of 2012, plus "You Ain't Alone" is one of the few songs you hear and instantly want a booze-y live version stretching to "Whipping Post" lengths.
6. Killer Mike - R.A.P. Music: If ever a year needed an album that was both paranoid and party it was 2012. Killer Mike and El Producto came up with the perfect sound for a year that had some high highs, but soul shattering lows. There is talk of a follow up EP - very excited to hear it.
7. Action Bronson - Blue Chips: I am not sure if this deserves things placement or not. Its a solid mixtape, but I frequently am turned off by Action Broson. He can be overly dickish, crass, and misogynistic - but when a song works, no one does rap better.
8. Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls: What a debut album! The back story threatens to override just want an awesome rock album this is. It take the best parts of bands like Drive by Truckers and cleans them up enough to create a party record both boys and girls can enjoy.
9. Daphni - Jiaolong/Four Tet - Pink/Lone - Galaxy Garden: These three go together to capture a snap shot of the techno I was listening to in 2012. There were also EDM/Dubstep/Trao binges and some regrettable mixes posted here - generally in the attempt to get more page views. Really 2012 was a strong year for electronic music and these three will be albums I think of.
10. John Talabot - Fin: Stunning. I first heard John Talabot's "Sunshine" it was a fun peice of baleric techno and something I kept coming back to. Then with each subsequent release I was a little less in love. So, I was a little skeptical when Fin was announced, but it ended up being one of the biggest surprises of the year.

Top Ten Songs

1. Frank Ocean - Sweet Life: He said it all in the chorus "the best song wasn't the single"
2. Chromatics - Lady: It was a tough choice between "Lady" and "Kill for Love". I didn't want to songs from the same artist on the list, so I went with "Lady" probably because of synths and drums on the track.
3. Japandroids - The House the Heaven Built: The best song that Japandroids have written thus far. It just keeps building up and up and up and then it explodes. This is the soundtrack of a great night.
4. John Talabot - So Will Be Now...: This is one of those late night songs. It captures the melancholy of the club and the feeling of being drunk and alone after a night out. Probably the perfect end of album/end of night song.
5. Burial - Kindred: It has it as 5, but really its 4b. If "So Will Be Now..." is the sound of a great night, this is the sound of a depressing night. The sound of getting drunk alone at the bar, being ditched by friends, and having to walk icy streets at 3 Am while people make out at the bus stop.
6. Ty Segall & White Fence - I'm Not Game: I had to choose a Ty Segall song, but how can you choose. I went with the first taste of what we would get this year. The first time I heard this song, I wasn't sure what the fuck was going on. By the third time I listened to it I knew I was in for a good year.
7. EL-P - The Full Retard:
8. Lone - Like a Child: Footwurk/Juke/Trap was the sound of 2012. It was corrupted by people like David Guetta and Tiesto, but Lone with Machinedrum reminds you how incredible it can be when done properly.
9. Frankie Rose - Pair of Wings: Soft as silk and incredible imagery. This was one of those songs that got me through Oct/Nov.
10. Diiv - How Long Have You Known?: These guys blew up and after the third time you heard this you knew that they would be huge.
11. Passion Pit - I'll Be Alright: The first taste of an incredible follow up album. Passion Pit put it all out there this year - Alcoholism, Mental Illness, and everything else. If you could take it, the experience was transcendent.

WU LYF

RIP WU LYF. Love You Forever

Unnatural Helpers

Unnatural Helpers are a Seattle band playing classic 70's garage punk. I am trying to figure out who they remind me of, but I can't come up with it. Really it doesn't matter because these songs just rock. They blend Nuggets era garage rock with classic 70's New York punk. Both tracks are on Unnatural Helpers' latest album, Land Grab, out now on Hardly Art Records.

John Talabot

Let check in with our good friend John Talabot. Last time he had just released his debut album, ƒIN  which featured the classic "So Will Be Now...". Now he is back with two unreleased songs from the ƒIN sessions. Both tracks have a very space-y air-y quality to them. They are the perfect segway tracks between ƒIN's denser darker tracks. They are also the sort of songs that remind you why the XX would choose John Talabot as the opener for their current tour.

Vivid Youth

Vivid Youth are a twee band from Cincinnati. Their latest track is the instrumental jam "Oslo is for Lovers". Apparently  this is the unfinished version which if it is I can no wait to hear the finished product. It has the classic 80's synth-pop vibe. Vivid Youth released their debut EP back in March and you can check out on their Soundcloud now.

Heaven's Gate

When in doubt, female fronted garage rock with surf vibes can always be counted on. Brooklyn's Heaven's Gate packs everything listed above into two minute songs, that sound like they were left in a beer soaked basement for a couple extra days after the last party. Very enjoyable!

Ducktails

Nice little woozy Ducktails jam to start the work week off. You can definitely can hear the Real Estate influence in the song, but really this is its own thing. "The Flower Lane" is way, way more psychedelic, jammy and is thicker than anything on Days. A great morning fall song - it feels sunny, but still a little cold and clam. Ducktail's Flower Lane is out Jan 29, 2013 on Domino.

Italians Do It Better

The first time I ever heard about Italians Do It Better, I was a freshman at Miami University. I was kinda interested in dance music, very interested in no wave, and total uninterested in the classes I was taking. I got a couple tracks from After Dark and the first Chromatics album and instantly fell in love with it. It was the perfect soundtrack to short days and my first time in winter. This and early Lindstøm singles were what got me through.

So when I saw that Johnny Jewel remastered the original After Dark I knew I was in for a nostalgic treat. The songs are better than I remember and everything sounds great. I am beyond excited for the next volume of After Dark. In case you some how haven't heard it yet - go buy the Chromatics album. Also check out the video of Chromatics performing Chanel fashion show after the jump!

Ty Segall - Twins (Album Review)

Got home from work on Monday to find the latest Ty Segall record, Twins,  in my Inbox. I proceded to listen to it three times in a row. It is absolutely incredible. Anyway, here is a track by track break down.

Daphni

A couple of cool visuals for Dan Snaith's Daphni project. First is a trippy colorful little video for Daphni's "Pairs". Second is a little more straight forward video for the dub techno-y "Ye Ye". "Ye Ye" reminds me of some straight ahead Detroit techno goodness. While "Pairs" sounds like its come straight from the heart of Africa. Daphni's newest album, JIAOLONG, is out October 16th on Merge Records.

Times New Viking

New Times New Viking single! These guys have been relatively quiet lately, which is a bummer, but they are back. Loving the more cleaned up sound and almost twee feel of "Sleep-In". "Sleep-In" is the first taste of their new EP, Over & Over, out October 16 on Siltbreeze/Wichita records.

Girls Names

New jam from Girls Names. It's a full on kraut goth burner with a long lead in and a steady moto beat. I love the way the guitars play around the beat, definitely a good night driving tune. "The New Life" single is out November 12th on Tough Love Records.

King Tuff

Another day, another awesome King Tuff jam. This is the A side to the legends latest single for Sub-Pop. Very reminiscent of the late-Jay Retard's "Screaming Hand", only more T. Rex than MC5. The "Screaming Skull"/"Love Potion" single is out October 9th on Sub-Pop.

Gap Dream

How about a little new Gap Dream? Definitely a good tune to lead into your weekend. Love the surf psych vibes. From the "Ali Baba" 7 inch out on Suicide Squeeze Records.

Woods

Woods' video for "Cali in a Cup" off Bend Beyond. Pretty cool little video.


"Give Your Light Off" is the B-Side to the "Cali in a Cup" single.

Tour dates after the jump.

Moon Duo

When you need psych kraut rock, you don't care that their hasn't been a huge artistic evolution. Moon Duo have their sound down and it never leaves me wishing that they would just write an acoustic folk jam. These guys have the sounds of the open road at three am. "Sleepwalker" is the first track from Moon Duo's new album, Circles, out October 2 on Sacred Bones.

Denney and the Jets

Jesus - another rocking garage band out of Nashville. I thought that town was supposed to be all country or something. Anyway, Denney and the Jets are a kick ass group out of Nashville. They have a new EP out on Limited Fanfare Records called Denney and the Jets. Above is the first track from the EP.

Sic Alps

Trippy new video for Sic Alps latest album. The new album is really good, highly recommend picking it up. Sic Alps latest album, Sic Alps, is out now on Drag City records. Check back later this week for a record review.

Titus Andronicus

New Titus - yes please. Local Business is out October 22 on XL records. Very very very excited for this record.

Twerps

Here are both sides of the new single by Twerps. "Work It Out" sounds like vintage Galaxie 500 which is something we need more of. While b-side "He's in Shock" sounds much more like classic AU/NZ rock. The new single comes out Sept 18th on Underwater People and Chapter Music. A vinyl version of the single will be released on October 23. Check out US tour dates after the jump.

The UFO Club

The UFO Club are Christian Bland, of Black Angel fame, and Lee Blackwell, of Night Beats' infamy. As you can imagine they have come together to make awesomely jammy pysch rock. Above is "July" the first track off their new cassette out now on Burger Records.

Dum Dum Girls

Can't believe I haven't written about this song before now. Incredible new track from Dum Dum Girls. They have really got this whole slow spacey, reverb ballad thing down. More impressively they have learned how to do it live in the middle of the afternoon in Chicago in August, possibly the exact opposite of what this song feels like. Dum Dum Girls new EP, End of Daze, comes out September 25 on Sub Pop Records.

Ty Segall

New Ty Segall video. Man this is an odd one, but I dig it. I think all guitar solo's should be played by men in chicken suits. The next Ty Segall album, Twins, come out October 9th on Drag City. Be sure to check out Hair and Slaughterhouse to complete the 2012 trifecta.

U.S. Girls

 

Here is the first single, "Jack", from U.S. Girls out Sept. 17th. This thing is total vintage glam rock stomp. The ghost of Marc Bolan would absolutely approve of this. U.S. Girls new album coming out Oct. 23 on Fat Cat.

Woods

I am admittedly late on this track, but better late than never when it comes to new Woods. This is a little more classic rock jammy than previous tracks, but certainly has a nice groove. The guitar solo in the middle of the song is one of the best of the year. If this is indicative of the rest of the album, I am very excited. Woods' Bend Beyond comes out Sept. 18 on Woodist.

Gap Dream

Gap Dream are a chill pysch garage band out of Cleveland. I think all of those genres fit together. It's the compressed guitars and limited fuzz that stand out to me. Where most garage bands go as loud and big as possible, these guys have figure out how to do it a little more mellow and a little quieter. Gap Dream have a new tape out on Burger and check tour dates after the jump.

Teenage Burritos

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Teenage Burritos are band out of San Diego, featuring former members of the sorely under appreciated Christmas Island. I saw Teenage Burritos open for Ganglians and thought they excellent - though I missed most of their set, cause I am lame like that. They were on the bill for the Vivian Girls/Grass Widow/The Babies gig a couple weeks ago. You can probably guess what type of tunes these girls play - fun, straight forward, jangly punk running between minute and half to three minutes at a time. Anyway, check out the tunes and if you like it they have a new tape out on Burger Records.

Heavenly Beat

Heavenly Beat are a new band out of NYC on Captured Tracks label. Heavenly Beat is lead by John Pena who is also in Beach Fossils. Even without stating this explicitly, Beach Fossil's influence can be felt on Heavenly Beat's debut album. The biggest difference between these bands comes in the rhythm section. Where Beach Fossils are a rock band, Heavenly Beat has a more tropical and rhythmic style. Perfect sounds for being outside at dusk. Enough going on that you could dance, but also good to chill in the pool to as the sun goes down.

The Babies

The Babies are jangle pop super group featuring Vivian Girl's Cassie Ramone and Woods' Kevin Morby. Above is the A side of the groups next 7" out on Woodist. Check out tour dates after the jump - Enjoy!

Thee Oh Sees

Here are two new-ish, rough-ish tracks from Thee Oh Sees. Its been a relatively quite year from Thee Oh Sees - they have an album coming out this fall, Putrifiers II. That is the bizarre and grotesque album artwork above. They are also touring with Ty Segall, check out the dates after the jump!

Lightships

To answer your question - no Pavement and Elliott Smith did not record a track together. Instead what we have is Gerard Love of Teenage Fanclub. This track is just lovely. Great guitar parts and nice hushed vocals. Really can not say enough positive things for it.

Nick Waterhouse

Confession - I have meant to write this post for at least five months and shamefully I have not done it. I went to see Nick Waterhouse months ago, but none of the photos came out looking like anything and I had just started my job, so I lost track of it. This isn't an adequate reason, but it's all I got. Really it's a shame because Nick Waterhouse is one of the best new musicians I have seen in the last five years.

He has a sounds that clearly has a lot of influences, but never sounds derivative or a straight copy. His dirty funk sound never goes out of style. His music is the kind that will sound fresh and fun thirty years from now, just as it would have fit in thirty years ago. Live, Waterhouse commands the stage. He keeps the energy up and people interested. He also has a Bar-Kay's tight backing band - including, when I saw him, soul legend Ira Raibone. Enjoy the tunes!

Sea Pony

Another does of twee jangle today with a double shot of Sea Pony. It is hard to go wrong with lovely jangly female fronted rock. "Prove to Me" is a slower more low key song, while "What You Wanted" is a little louder and energetic.  Sea Pony's sophomore album, Falling, is coming out September 11 on Hardly Art Records.

Eternal Summers

Eternal Summers are a duo out of the fine state of Virgina who make jangle pop that is impossible not to pogo and dance to. In fact they have a song called "Pogo" that is very bit as frenetic as the title suggests. Above is their new song, "Millions", off their forthcoming sophomore album, Correct Behavior. Very excited to hear the new album.

Atomic Forest

A little raw analog funk for your Friday. This comes courtesy of the good people at Now Again Records, sister label to the always classic Stones Throw Records. I was looking for a soundcloud version of the new Oh No x Doom song, but instead found this and wow. What an absolutely incredible track. I don't know much about Atomic Forest, but I now know I have to get everything they have ever released. Have a good weekend people!

Matthew Dear

Matthew Dear can do no wrong in my book. Between the early Detroit techno rhythm, the Bowie vocals, and the just general coolness - I am always excited when any of his projects announce new music. "Her Fantasy" is classic Dear, cryptic and hypnotic vocals + a rhythm that compels you to move = stuck in my head for the rest of the month. "Her Fantasy" is off Matthew Dears latest album Beams out August 12th on Ghostly International.

Matthewdavid

This right here. I don't know how many times I have listened to this because I always restart it before it finishes. The beat, the vocals, the little flip mid way through - perfection. The entire Jewelry tape is hot, but this track is by far the best. This goes down with Dilla's "Time: Donut of the Heart" as an all time classic.

SBTRKT

Will I ever stop posting SBTRKT tracks? Nope. Not when the man keeps putting out music like this. Track sounds like the Amazon rainforest caught in a Dr. Who time warp. Welcome to the inter-dimensional jungle. Side note - if you like African Art, be sure to check out the National Museum of African Art in D.C. incredible collection of masks, art, and generally cool stuff.

Teengirl Fantasy

Teengirl Fantasy just signed to R&S records. Here is their latest tune "Motif". Enjoy the synth loaded excellence.

Gold Panda

Always good to hear new Gold Panda. Above is his newest single the double A side "Financial District"/"Mountain". Sit back and enjoy the click-y, gitter-y, sampled out new tunes.

Girl Unit

Let's start the weekend off with some Girl Unit. These are only samples - so its hard to judge - but nothing captures my ear the way "Wut" did. Though there is some solid Acid Juke style tunes in here. Have a good weekend.

Beat Culture

Beat Culture is young, hes only 17, producer out of what I would assume to be NYC. He makes big dreamy songs that he describes as post-dub. A tag that I would like to retroactively apply to guys like Blackbird Blackbird and AFTA-1. "Belong" is an ever expanding canvas held down by a single harmony sample and the moments when the drums and synth kick in are inspired. "Useless" is a little more dub techno or chillwave - definitely a track that you can hear the Jamie XX influence. He makes his live debut this week at the brooklyn bowl opening for DIIV and Killer Mike - really wish I could be there for that.

Campfire Headphase: WaMoo Papez

WaMoo Papez is a young beatsmith out of upstate New York via NYC. In his own words his beats are "inspired by J. Dilla (what hip hop record isn’t these days?), but takes influence from shoegaze (that Bloody Valentine shit, ya herd?) and various electronic genres" which is pretty much a dead on description. "We Float" is chopped to bits and has a solid knocksteady beat. "Detroit Piston" has got a little dilla soul and a little UK Bass to it. His latest beat tape is called We Float - definitely go pick it up for all your late night cruising needs.

DIIV

Here is the newest track from DIIV, formerly known as Dive. This track seems to be more indicative fo what they sound like live and potentially what the new album sounds like. Check out photos from Diiv's show with Frankie Rose and enjoy the new track. Diiv's next album, Oshin, is out June 26 on Captured Tracks.

SBTRKT x Frank Ocean

 

 

  

Here are a couple track from two of the stand out performances of Coachella - SBTRKT and Frank Ocean. I have seen SBTRKT a couple times and SBTRKT has stepped his already impressive live game up. Frank Ocean really blew me away, the man has unbelievable stage presence for someone who has only done a handful of shows. Anyway, here are two SBTRKT remixes of Frank Ocean. How great would it be if these two put out a collab album or at least did a full song together?

Live: Frankie Rose & Dive

Last Thursday, 4/18, Frankie Rose and Dive performed at the Soda Bar in San Diego. Check out the review after the jump!

Boddika

So I owe you all a review of Frankie Rose and Dive from the other night in San Diego. However, I am still exhausted from Coachella, so that will hopefully be tomorrows post. For now just enjoy the subtle acid sounds of Boddika and Joy Orbison. Swims out now on Swamp 81. Walk For Me.

Tiger High

Tiger High is a band out of Memphis. They make garage pop that is completely and totally made for dancing, shaking your head and spazzing out like you are alone in your bedroom. "Don't Want to See You Till You Go" has got a real nice lo-fi psych feel - the vocal distortion and guitar lines definitely give it a hazy feel, but the drums and bass keep the low end moving an grooving. "Why Oh Why" has a drum beat and spaciness that remind me of my favorite Cramps song, "Can't Hardly Stand It". You can find their latest record, Myth is This, around - including on tape from the good people at Burger Records!

King Tuff

How about a good old fashion guitar jam for this weekend? Fuck yeah! Here is the latest tune from King Tuff. I could say more, but who cares - just get ready to rock. New album comes out May 27 on Sub Pop

Terry Malts

Hit after hit after hit - the Slumberland records story. Seriously though, how many great bands have released records on Slumberland at this point? A new record that is getting a lot of attention over at Noise Verse Noise is the new Terry Malts album. A fantastic blend of 77 UK punk, 80's hardcore guitars and modern lo-fi recording - kinda like the Vibrators, TSOL and early Vivian Girls had a baby. "Nauseous" repeats the line "You're Love Makes Me Nauseous" until you have to forcible remove it. "Tumble Down" is a Buzzcocks classic they forgot to record. Also, seriously whats in the water up in San Francisco? How can there be this man fantastic bands?

Twerps

Looks like its going to be garage week here at Noise Verse Noise. Twerps are a four piece band out of the land from down under.  Twerps blend vaguely surf guitars with twee-esque vocals. Really the key here is the guitars, they are absolutely fantastic. They are the reason why the songs work - simple enough to let the songs breathe and develop, but are the focus of the song. Twerps released latest Self Titled album was released in October last year on Underwater People/Chapter Music.

The Splinters

What is it about female garage rock bands? I am a sucker for them. I can't let myself go to shows where I know there is a girl garage band, because I will end up buying every record possible. Anyway, todays absolutely awesome girl group is The Splinters out of Oakland. Who sound have that garage rock sound a la Vivian Girls or Frankie Rose, but guitars that remind me more of Black Flag or LA punk. I might be alone in hearing that. They have released a couple singles on SouthPaw Records and might be touring this summer.

Killer Mike

Killer Mike is droping his next lbum, R.A.P. Music, this May. The entire albums was produced by the one and only El-Producto. I am beyond excited for this album. The songs that have been posted have been rediculously strong, street minded intelligent rap. Killer Mike raps with a passion and ferocity that few match."Big Beast" might be my favorite track thus far; Bun B, T.I. and Killer Mike flowing on an El-P beat - perfection.

Live: Paper Diamond

Paper Diamond played the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, Ca on April 3. It was a fantastic show. The Belly Up had a sound system fully equipped to handle the bass that Paper Diamond was bringing. More about the show and more photos after the jump!

Summer Heart

For those that do not remember, Summer Heart is a one man project out of Sweden. His newest song is the fantastic "Third Wave". It comes just in time for summer and the warmer days. The rhythm on this track is absolutely fantastic, I love the disco beat - reminiscent of Toro y Moi's "Still Sound" without feeling like a rip off. This is definitely a song that will soundtrack many a summer night party/kick back. "A Million times" is the first single from his forthcoming album, About a Feeling. Its got a nice bouncy, light feel to it. Welcome back Summer, we missed you!

The Cribs

At this point I doubt that the Cribs need an introduction, but here is one anyway. The Cribs are a band from West Yorkshire, UK that are made up of three brothers and at one point employed a former smith. They make anthemic british rock that recalls all your favorite bands, without sounding like a rehash. Their album Men's Needs, Women's Need, Whatever is criminally underrated and was one of the first things my girlfriend gave to me that I fell in love with. Their latest single is "Come on, Be a No-One". The song combines the energetic guitars and big chorus we have come to expect from the lads. I have only heard a couple tracks, but the new album is definitely on the short list for the year already. Check out tour dates and another track after the jump!