Top Eargasms of 2012: Hot Listening XXX Action

In case you didn't hear, the year we call "2012" is going to end soon. And we'll either be combusted in some hot apocalyptic mess on December 21 or even worse, we will have to endure something called "2013."

To take your mind off of the incessant guessing of which shitty fate you will soon endure, I have compiled a list of all the best non-shitty music parts of my 2012. These albums and listening moments have really made the year a good one, and it is my hope you will find this interesting to read and hear, or at least more enjoyable than being eviscerated by a Mayan calendar god.

Top Albums of 2012:

1. echolyn – echolyn

After waiting 10 billion years for their follow-up to The End Is Beautiful, I was a bit nervous to hear this release as I wasn't sure if the time between albums (and the time it took to make this album) would either produce an over-worked disjointed mess or a carefully-worked seamless masterpiece. I am so glad the latter is true. Every song is a favorite and this is one of those really rare albums that goes beyond the emotional to the visceral: 7:45 onwards in "Some Memorial" is a silent scream while falling through the center of the Earth. Ray Weston's heart wrenching lyrics and vocals always seem to bring my tiny black heart to the surface, but on this album that beautiful sadness shines brighter than ever. UGH, I'm such a girl. Here is the first track, "Island" which features a very kick-ass bass line by Tom Hyatt which I will be turning into a ringtone very soon:

2. Anathema – Weather Systems 

Anathema was one of those bands I've been hearing about for years and putting on that never-ending "Gotta Check Them Out" list. When I finally did give them a listen this year, my ears punched me in the face for not moving this band to the top of that list sooner. Weather Systems has been in heavy rotation since its release. It is epic and sincerely emotional without being sappy, and just sounds fucking awesome. This is my favorite from the album, "Untouchable (part 1 and 2):"

3. Adam Kromelow Trio – Youngblood 

AK3's debut was another album in heavy rotation throughout the year; which surprised me greatly because I generally do not get along with jazz music, as it has a tendency to make my 3 brain cells very uncomfortable. But Adam and company have been able to go beyond their jazz roots to cultivate a rich listening experience that progressively rocks. They performed in Philly last month and I hope they'll come back again soon and you'll go with me. I'll wear a cocktail dress and we can order grown-up drinks. Here's a video I took of them performing "Black Mambo" from Youngblood: 

4. Marillion – Sounds That Can’t Be Made 

Like with echolyn's latest release, I had the same trepidation about Sounds That Can't Be Made as this was another one with a long wait time. Overall, it is a gorgeous album that has all the drama and power Marillion never fails to deliver, but it is also a very dense album and I am finding difficult to listen to it all at once. (I had the same experience with their album Brave.) The really meaty songs like "Gaza," "Sounds That Can't Be Made" and "Sky Above the Rain" dominate the plate while the lettuce pieces used as dressing like "Montreal" and "Invisible Ink" go untouched. But I know I'll be able to chuck it all down my gullet at once eventually. Really hoping they play all of this album at Marillion Weekend because breathing life into those snack songs usually turns them into the main course. Now I'm fucking starving; here listen to "Power" while I go hunting and gathering:

5. Jason Plumb & The Willing – All is More Than Both 

This album is what I imagine Canada sounds like: poignantly wry, rollocking, endearing and melodic. I just love Love LOVE Jason Plumb's voice. I typically spend my Sunday mornings with it, whether it's with his former band The Waltons or with The Willing. This is the first single from the album featuring a little known Canadian musician named Alex Lifeson:

6. Threshold – March of Progress 

Like Anathema, Threshold was another new discovery of an older band thanks to my friend Jill who is trying to make sure I have enough prog metal in my diet. March of Progress is a strong, solid album and I always think it's too short when it's over. I am really looking forward to them rocking my face off at Celebr8 next year. This is "The Hours"-- a true rock anthem that will kick your ass to the moon, then gently carry you back on the wings of a fire-breathing pegasus:

7. Big Big Train – English Electric Part 1 

This is a really lush album that springs right out of the Shire and finds its way through meadows, low rain clouds, and under your favorite blanket. English Electric Part 1 was my 2012 music comfort food. Very much looking forward to snuggling up to Part 2. Rest ye weary heads on this sick bass line for awhile: 

8. Chiddy Bang – Breakfast 

Breakfast is the 1st full album by Chiddy Bang that follows their completely infectious EP The Preview. This was my go-to "dancing-in-the-living-room-because-I'm-too-old-and-tired-to-go-to-clubs-now" album and I think it will be for a long time. And did you know they are from Philly and met in my hood at Drexel University? Of course you did or maybe not. This track is the first single from Breakfast (because I know you love 90s hip-hop video + Blues Brothers parodies):

And this track is from both The Preview and Breakfast...this is a desert-island song; it's "Philly invincible":

9. RPWL – Beyond Man and Time 

I became familiar with RPWL after seeing them perform at RoSfest a few years ago and although they gave an outstanding performance, I thought their albums were a bit a bit green and that with time, they will just click....well with Beyond Man and Time they have clicked into full bloom. It is a wonderful album that builds on their unique sound but with a greater listening depth. I am excited to see what they do next and happy to keep listening to this album in the meantime. This is the best prog-pop song of 2012; this should be a radio hit: 

10. Gazpacho – March of Ghosts 

This album was on repeat for a long time after its release, then it fell off my musical radar and then just recently I fell back into it again. Like most servings of Gazpacho, it is melancholy and dark at times but there is also a hopeful light. This album is haunting, gorgeous, and imaginative. I want to be this album. Let this one saunter into your ears... 

If you haven't passed out from boredom or have absolutely nothing better to do, I invite you to consider more sexy music from 2012....

Top 5 Albums Released In 2011 But Took Me Until 2012 To Listen To Them:
1. Gosta Berlings Saga – Glue Works
2. Sean Filkins – War and Peace & Other Short Stories
3. Druckfarben – Druckfarben
4. Hello Seahorse! – Lejos, No Tan Lejos
5. Discipline – To Shatter All Accord

Best non-2012 Album Discovery: Rufus featuring Chaka Khan -- how did I not have this album immediately upon birth?! I can't get enough of it; I now usually start my day listening to "Circles"

Best Concert: Amplifier & Anathema at Trix Hall, Antwerp

Best Festival: Celebr8, and not just because it allowed me to escape my un-air-conditioned apartment during the worst Philly heat wave of 2012. I shot this video of Tinyfish strapped to the roof in order to avoid touching the floor:




Best Mix CD: a homemade 1990’s hip-hop mix Kristin found in a rental car while on a business trip.

What My Ears Most Anticipate for 2013 (If We Are Not Eviscerated By A Mayan Calendar God): 

• Amplifier – Echo Street 
• Shineback – Rise Up Forgotten, Return Destroyed (solo project by Simon Godfrey of Tinyfish) 
• Anything being thrown up by Alpha Flood and Boy Pierce 
• Marillion Weekend in Port Zelande 

So there you go -- the soundtrack to my 2012. Let me know what your favorites are before time runs out....Here's hoping for more great music in the next year or the next life.