Top 12 albums of 2012
1. Young Rival – Stay Young
2. The Hives – Lex Hives
Lex Hives is the full length follow up to The Hives 2007 release The Black And White Album, an album which the band recorded with a variety of producers in a variety of places, which resulted in an album featuring a branching out of styles from the band. For Lex Hives, the band became independent and released their first full length album this way, musically the album serves as the missing link between Veni Vidi Vicious, Tyrannosaurus Hives and The Black And White Album. The term Lex Hives comes from an set of ancient Roman laws that roughly translates into creating a new body of laws within the system then accepting them as the standard. The Hives on this album did just that they took their body of music and translated them into their new standard. By taking the traditional Hives sound and flirting with elements of Glam Rock, 50’s R&B, Soul, Garage and Punk Rock, Lex Hives finds the band regaining their creative control sounding rejuvenated. Several critics claimed that The Black And White Album was an unfocused effort, but Lex Hives trims all the fat and proves that these Swedish Garage Rockers can still make a good album while not sounding stale, even if it is five albums into their career. 3. Ty Segall – Twins
4. Indian Wars – Songs From The North
Following a tour in which the band supported their 2011 release Walk Around The Park, Indian Wars convened in the late night hours in a studio in Vancouver, BC to record a ten track follow up. The album was recorded in a live setting with very few overdubs to capture the band in their element, the result is the album entitled Song From The North. On this release the band once again flexes their Country, Folk, Garage/Punk sounds, you can hear the bands deep American Roots influence in the grooves of each track on Songs From The North. You can hear the influence of Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Lynyrd Skynyrd, CCR among the other sounds they bring to the table, as a whole Songs From The North has several interesting moments for even the casual listener. The album starts off with “There And Back Again” a quick countrified Garage track complete with harmonica and Brad Felotick’s rich vocal style. The song also features reflective Folk-like lyrics such as “watch the leaves fall from the trees/dance around to the wind/rolling round and around/there and back again” which brings up images reminiscent of ones that made us love Indian Wars so much on Walk Around The Park, “Mississippi” is a haunting song, “Denny” attacks listeners with its Garage/Punk rhythms as we learn the cautionary tale of a burnout. Other stand out tracks include “Windshield Wiper Blues”, “Wastin’ Time” and “Who Needs A Girl Like You” which reflects a Bob Dylan circa 1965 sound. Just like the wooden duck that is weighed down on the albums cover, Songs From The North doesn’t fly off into a million different directions, it is a strong and solid follow up to their debut album. 5. Diamond Rugs – Diamond Rugs
The Diamond Rugs are made up of John McCauley (guitar/vocals), Ian Saint Pe (guitar/vocals), Hardy Morris (guitar/vocals), Bryan Dufresne (drums), Rob Crowell (bass/sax/keys) and Steve Berlin on horns/keys, they released their first self titled album on April 24th, 2012. Some of you may recognize the names listed above, John McCauley and Rob Crowell both play in the band Deer Tick, Ian Saint Pe is from Black Lips, Hardy Morris is from Dead Confederate, Bryan Dufresne plays in Six Finger Satellite and Steve Berlin plays in Los Lobos, this group of musicians were assembled in what originally started out as a solo project for John McCauley, but it quickly turned into something else that we can now call Diamond Rugs. The band combines elements of the Country Rock flavour we know from Deer Tick, but also a mixes in a drunken swagger of Garage, Punk, Blues and Folk. Recorded in just about ten days, the album does not need the label that most critics tag onto this group, that of an Indie Rock super group or as some are calling them a Punk Drunk super group, the music stands out on its own. Critics have tried to look closely into the lyrics which are often label as dealing with sexual frustrations, but none of that really matters, the album isn’t meant to be taken too seriously. The lyrics to “Gimme A Beer” best illustrate this, while there are many topics and elements of this album that could be dissected and analyzed it is not necessary, who cares gimme a beer, Diamond Rugs is just a good album that can be played over and over. 6. The Soft Pack – Strapped
7. TEENANGER – Frights
Coming from Toronto, Ontario Teenanger released their first full length album Give Me Pink in 2010 and an EP prior to that. Their fourteen song debut album reflected more of a Garage Rock and Blues production style and sound, but with their new album, Frights the band did a few things different. The band worked with Howie Beck who is known for his mix engineering work on albums by Indie Rock artists Feist and Jason Collet. The paring was different, but Frights shows Teenanger finding a new voice by stripping their catchy well crafted songs down to the bare bones while at the same time reflecting a 70s Punk sound and approach. Just by looking at the excellently designed album artwork of red and neon green, you can tell this album is different. The songs are attacked with more aggression, the lyrics snarled out by singer Chris Swimmings as he sings about bank accounts, lawyers, security guards and cheap thrills. The songs are short, the album is shorter. At nine songs and clocking in at about twenty one minutes, Frights is one of those short albums that ends too soon, but one that warrants repeat listens. Frights was released on the bands own label Telephone Explosion. 8. Jack White – Blunderbuss
Jack White's first solo release Blunderbuss was officially released at the end of April 2012. The album taps into Jack’s roots absorbing many Country, Folk and Blues influences, but the album began organically during one of the many recording sessions at Whites own studio in Nashville. The album unlike previous albums was written from scratch when Jack was planning to recording RZA from Wu Tang Clan, RZA couldn’t make the sessions and there was a band in the studio, so Jack took the opportunity to record several tracks in last few months of 2011. Jack White had this to say of Blunderbuss when speaking to Rolling Stone magazine "I've put off making records under my own name for a long time but these songs feel like they could only be presented under my name. These songs were written from scratch, had nothing to do with anyone or anything else but my own expression, my own colors on my own canvas.”
9. Jaill – Traps
Traps is the third full length release from this Milwaukee band, their second full length on Sub Pop. Known for their eccentric lyrics and catchy Power Pop/ jangly Garage song dynamics, Traps builds on this dynamic while the lyrics display a more mature point of view. In their last full length That’s How We Burn released in 2010 we had songs such as “Everyone is Hip”, on Traps we have songs such as “Everyone’s A Bitch”, a witty slacker anthem that could be seen as this albums answer to that song, but to simply compare this album by like that would not be fair to this album as a whole. Songs such as “Perfect Ten” is a catchy laid back song with strong Jangly Power Pop dynamics, “Home With Haunting” is a song that dabbles in Psychedelics a little bit, we also have Folk elements on songs such as “Horrible Things (Make Pretty Songs)” and “Madness” which also blends in Caribbean summer sounds. As a whole Traps has been said to be a break up album, a party break up album with its catchy pop melodies. Traps shows Jaill in their third release, changing their sound slightly but not too drastically. The album opens with the track “Waste A Lot Of Things”, yet this album fails to waste the listeners time as it traps us in its pop hooks and melodies. 10. Dan Sartain – Too Tough To Live
Dan Sartain released the thirteen track album Too Tough To Live in January of 2012, despite being a full length album it clocks in at just over 18 and a half minutes, each song lasting about a minute and a half. Normally known for his Rockabilly, Blues and Garage based offerings, Too Tough To Live offers us something different from Sartain, an album of short, fast and catchy 70s Punk influenced gems. Some critics have been quick to jump on this album as another so called “Punk” album that sounds like a Ramones album, it is incorrect to write it off so easily. While on the album Sartain is definitely wearing his Ramones influences on his sleeve the albums title is even a play on Ramones Too Tough To Die album, there is also an underlying Hot Rod Rock style that filters in and out as the album progresses whether it is musically or in the lyrics. Too Tough To Live is a short energetic adrenaline rush from start to finish, Sartain has always a Punk element in his music and on Too Tough To Live he brings it to the forefront of the music, while his Rockabilly and Blues elements sit in the background, popping up briefly to let us know that they are still there. From looking at the artwork (done by Kelly Keith), which displays a retro 50s Sci-fi look with its Cadillac and flying saucers we know that this album is a little bit different. It may not be what we would have expected from Sartain next, but like his other albums Too Tough To Live is a great Rock and Roll album.11. Ty Segall & White Fence - Hair
12. The Scenics – Deadman Walks Down Bayview
Deadman Walks Down Bayview was released to positive reviews and displayed the band in a mature, yet unique point of view. The songs that make up this album are somewhat reminiscent of music heard from the band’s past, but The Scenics were never a band to follow trends or to repeat themselves. Even when they were playing in the late 70s Punk scene in Toronto, The Scenics were different and had their own sound. They are often described as a Proto-Punk sounding group and on Deadman Walks Down Bayview the band expands their song writing capabilities while still keeping their youthful edge lyrically. The opening track “Dark Cave” musically is reminiscent of Velvet Underground as the lyrics emphasize the secluded atmosphere around working a full time monotonous job. “Fox”, “When You Come Around”, and “Oh Boy” all display different sounds referencing music from bands such as Velvet Underground to The Byrds, and Television. “No Sleep” arrives with a Rockabilly-like rhythm, “Miami” comes in at song six with its Guided By Voices sounding influence as the lyrics “I want my own camera” are repeated over and over again. Songs like “I Can’t Be Careful” displays the bands more slower melodic style and a song like “Farmer” goes into experimental Psychedelic directions. It may have been thirty years since The Scenics have released new material, but Deadman Walks Down Bayview shows that The Scenics still have the chemistry and essence that made them so interesting in the first place. Top EPs
1. The Bell Peppers – Saved By The Bell Peppers
In August of 2012, The Bell Peppers released their third EP Saved By The Bell Peppers via their bandcamp page online. This four song EP builds on their previous Cooking With Bell Peppers EP adding more range and diversity to their already established sound. The EP starts off with the ramshackle reverb drenched Garage sounds of “Drapes N’ Squares”, the song even features distorted vocals, “Hoofstomp” follows with it’s Duane Eddy and Country influenced dynamics, while “Moonlight Heartache” slows things down a bit with its 50’s Rock and Roll sounds, sounding like a song that you might hear in film Back To The Future when Marty McFly goes back in time to 1955 at his parents high school dance. The final song on the EP “Golf Shack” twists and bends with its Link Wray meets The Ventures riffs, leaving us wanting to hear more. Saved By The Bell Peppers displays a familiar yet fresh take on the Surf music and the instrumental Rock and Roll genres, although it doesn't always follow that format.
2. Papermaps – Inferior Ghost EP
Inferior Ghost starts of with the track “There Are Wolves”, which was also the lead off single for the EP. The song is a gripping attack on the modern world, with lyrics such as “Sometimes I feel like this town didn’t have the patience for me” and “We were just waiting/we were already there” the song builds and sucks in the listener with its catchy hooks and clever arrangements, the song is crafted and produced so well it is not only a great way to start off the EP, but one of the best sounding recordings that the band has produced. Inferior Ghost is an EP that everyone can relate to, it lets us know with its meaningful songs, that we can react and move forward in a new and different direction. The title of Papermaps EP may be "Inferior" Ghost, but after one listen you can tell it is everything but.
3. New Kind of Mambo – New Kind of Mambo EP
Coming out of Portugal, New Kind of Mambo is branded as exotic Garage Rock. Their New Kind of Mambo EP was released January of 2012 and displayed a catchy, yet primitive Rock and Roll sound featuring elements of Surf, Garage, Blues, Punk and lots of Maracas. The title tracks seduces you with its jangly Garage and Blues rhythms as the drums and maracas keep you hooked while “Monkey Swing” flexes their Surf influences. Other standout tracks on this EP include “Luv Me True” a Bluesy Garage offering with a Bo Diddley Rhumba/Clave beat and “Land of 1000 Dances”. On the bands facebook page it says that New Kind of Mambo is a part of the new 3D-Garage dimension and if you take a look at the music video for “New Kind of Mambo” you see the band play their vintage instruments in a bowling alley juxtaposed with retro images some of which have a 3D nature, perhaps this is what they mean by the 3D Garage dimension? But regardless of this, the EP is an excellent example of primitive Rock and Roll with a modern exotic twist. You won’t see this EP on many 2012 lists, however If you don’t believe me you can download it for FREE at their bandcamp page and see for yourself. Tops Singles/7 Inches/45’s
1. Pow Wows – Killing Me/No Thirteen
Pow Wows released a seven inch single in 2012 on Get Hip Recordings, a single entitled “Killing Me” that was backed with the song “No Thirteen”. Side A attacks listeners with its slow driving intense Psych-Punk rhythms and distorted vocals with a hint of R&B groove. “No, Thirteen” speeds up the pace a bit with their thier own brand of Garage R&B flavour which builds on the sounds we once heard on 2011’s Nightmare Soda, their full length debut. The bands sound does also seem to have a certain swing to it, drawing on sounds once explored by The Cramps, but at the same time playing into the Garage Rock format. Their sound takes Rock back to basics, but not sounding stale or repetitive as they absorb elements of Punk, Garage, Rockabilly, Surf and more. This single is an excellent and short example of what makes this Toronto band called The Pow Wows so good. 2. Mystics – Play Your Game/Can’t Be Happy
You won’t find too much info about Hamilton’s Mystics a Garage Rock band fronted by Matt Ellis on the internet. They’ve been around for over a year and put out a demo on cassette in 2011 which generated interest in the band leading them to their first release on Boppa Do Down Records, a 45 entitled Play Your Game. The title track and A side “Play Your Game” displays early Garage influences sounding like The Standells meets Van Morrison’s Them. As the drums and tambourines kick in the song is accented by the background female vocals, on top of all that the song and music is executed with a Punk attitude and enthusiasm. The B side is the song “Can’t Be Happy” sounding like a revved up version of “The Last Time” By The Rolling Stones, but what separates this track from the previous is the excellent slide guitar that gives the song a countrified groove. Matt Ellis had this to say in a recent interview in Hamilton’s View website of their sound: “The paisley shirts come out and they seem to dig it but a lot of the young people into punk come out and they seem to be really into us,” The songs are loud, noisy blend of elements of Garage from the 60s with a Punk mentality. After one listen its not difficult to see what makes this real gritty Rock and Roll music so appealing. 3. Cold Warps – Slimer/Dream Creepin’
Best of 2012 Play List:
1. Cold Warps – Slimer (Slimer - Fun Dog Records 2012)
2. Guided By Voices – King Arthur The Red (The Bears For Lunch - Guided By Voices Inc 2012)
3. Elk – Riverview #3 (Daydreams - IndoorShoes 2012)
4. Papermaps – There Are Wolves (Inferior Ghost EP - Sparks Music 2012)
5. Thee Oh Sees – Floods New Light (Putrifiers II - In The Red Records 2012)
6. New Kind of Mambo – Luv Me True (New Kind of Mambo - Self Released 2012)
7. Pow Wows – Killing Me (Killing Me - Get Hip Recordings 2012)
8. Mystics - Play Your Game (Play Your Game - Boppa Do Down 2012)
9. The Spooky But Nice – Sun Goes (The Spooky But Nice - Self Released 2012)
10. Black Angels – I’d Rather Be Lonely (I'd Rather Be Lonely - Blue Horizon 2012)
11. Rotten Tropics – Spectre Tectonics (First Blind Quarter - Self Released 2012)
12. The Bell Peppers – Golf Shack (Saved By The Bell Peppers - Self Released 2012)
13. The Scenics – Dark Cave (Dead Man Walks Down Bayview - Dream Tower Productions 2012)
14. Dan Sartain – Indian Massacre (Too Tough To Live - One Little Indian Records 2012)
15. Jaill – Perfect Ten (Traps - Sub Pop 2012)
16. Jack White – Blunderbuss (Blunderbuss - Third Man Records 2012)
17. TEENANGER – Tired of You (Frights - Telephone Explosion 2012)
18. The Soft Pack – Ray’s Mistake (Strapped - Mexican Summer 2012)
19. Diamond Rugs – Gimme A Beer (Diamond Rugs - Partisan 2012)
20. Indian Wars – Already Home (Songs From The North - Bachelor Records 2012)
21. Ty Segall – You’re The Doctor (Twins - Drag City 2012)
22. The Hives – Patrolling Days (Lex Hives - No Fun AB 2012)
23. Young Rival – Let It Go (Stay Young - Sonic Unyon 2012)
24. Young Rival - I Don't Care (Stay Young - Sonic Unyon 2012)
To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for January 8. Or subscribe to Revolution Rock as a Podcast.
My second choice for Beatles artwok is one of my favourite albums ever, The White Album. The artwork is also quite simple and inventive. Designed by Richard Hamilton the cover was white, with the bands named lightly showing on the cover. While the album was originally going to be called A Doll's House, the band decided on just calling it "The Beatles", but because of the artwork it is usually referred to as The White Album. Since it's release numerous bands have had self titled albums with a plain colour for its cover.
