The Best of 2012

2012 is almost officially over and, as is almost mandatory, writers and fans alike go into hyperdrive compiling lists of the best music of the year that was. I don’t tend to speak much about the music I love on here, but I love chatting with readers about artists via email and Twitter. For those with whom I’ve not had the pleasure of exchanging such dialog, here is the official Thirty Roses list of the best records of 2012.  If there’s an artist you aren’t familiar with, do give them a listen!

1. Ultraísta~ Ultraísta  I was more excited about this album’s release than any other this year. While it’s true that Nigel Godrich can do no wrong (in my opinion, of course), making music appear effortless by way of brilliant production is very different from composing and performing music yourself.  That said, this record could not be more amazing.  In a world where pop music is thought of in terms of Katy Perry and One Direction, tracks ‘Bad Insect,’ ‘Smalltalk,’ and ‘Our Song’ serve as a much needed reminder that songs can have musical complexity and still be catchy as hell.    

2) Emily Danger~ Paintings  While technically an EP, this is simply too bloody amazing not to include. While I speak about Emily Danger as often as I have a reasonable excuse to do so, hearing this record for the first time reaffirmed what I love about my job.  With everyone in the band being a musical prodigy, it’s difficult to tell if the music and melodies create the right atmosphere for vocals that are nothing if not phenomenal; or if Emily Wells’ vocal daredevilling allows bandmates Coyote Anderson, Colin Lime, Ryan Nearhoff, and Cameron Orr, to take musical risks lesser musicians wouldn’t dare try. 

3) Here We Go Magic~ A Different Ship With the release of their fourth album, Here We Go Magic must have gotten used to hearing how wonderful they are. Having already left a positive impression on the music industry and some rather high profile fans, the attention showered upon A Different Ship by publications across the globe has undoubtedly exposed the band to a new legion of followers. The layers of sound coupled with Luke Temple’s vocals make for a unique union of folk simplicity and pop accessibility, all wrapped up in and indie package cool enough for the Pitchfork scene.  

4) Local H~ Hallelujah! I’m a Bum   When Local H release a new record, I feel proud to be a Chicagoan. This year gave us further proof that Local H is the only band who can make concept records that don’t sound like pretentious self aggrandizing. 2012 saw the most vitriolic and impassioned Presidential election in the history of the United States. Never ones to shy away from difficult subject matter, singer/guitarist Scott Lucas and drummer Brian St. Clair drew on the derisiveness and polarity of the political climate, translated it into catchy lyrics and raucous drums, and made it accessible for the masses. It is certainly worth mentioning that most of the songs are open to interpretation (some more than others) but the underlying theme definitely seems to be the anxiety of the populace.  

5)  Fiona Apple~The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do  While I sometimes wish Fiona Apple released albums more frequently than every several years, I also feel it’s part of her charm, at this point. ‘The Idler Wheel’ is the follow up to 2005s Grammy nominated ‘Extraordinary Machine’ and flows almost flawlessly from beginning to end. The record is a natural maturation, having accomplished the difficult feat of sounding different enough to win over a new audience and remaining ‘Fiona Appley’ enough to excite and please the most loyal of fans.  

6) Django Django~ Django Django  Most of the summer was spent with the moonroof open in my car and ‘Skies Over Cairo’ playing as loud as my car speakers (and the law) would allow. An album on which you needn’t skip a single track, the eponymous release by Django Django is fabulous. I dare you to put this record on and not bop, tap, dance, and drive a bit faster than the recommended speed limit. With this being their debut effort, the band have set a high bar for themselves. Django Django received critical acclaim upon its release, is finding a home on many a ‘Best of 2012’ list, and was nominated for the Mercury Prize; and it’s all well deserved. 

7) The Maccabees~ Given to the Wild  Having loved The Maccabees previous records, I was very eager to here Given the Wild, and it didn’t disappoint in the least. The goal of every band is to make the latest record better than the last, whilst maintaining whatever it is that is unique about you. As simple as this seems, we all know it doesn’t always happen that way. Fortunately, The Maccabees manage to improve and evolve with each album, never letting listeners forget what it is that first drew them to the band. I was trying to pinpoint what sounds familiar and I reached this conclusion: The Maccabees are the band Coldplay would be…if Coldplay didn’t suck. While I typically try to avoid words like ‘suck’ when writing, it’s true. The music and vocal stylings could probably easily be compared, the difference being The Maccabees don’t come across as trying too hard in all the wrong ways.  

8) Frank Ocean~ channel Orange  Much of the initial buzz for channel Orange was due to Frank Ocean’s blog post about having fallen in love with a man when he was 19 years old. While that may not seem particularly groundbreaking in 2012, keep in mind that in the R & B and rap communities, scantily clad women and misogynistic lyrics are far more commonplace than is an openly gay artist.  With the public applauding Ocean’s bravery, one question remained; how is the music? Touching on spirituality, unrequited love, addiction, and yearning, the album encompasses emotions and experiences everyone can relate to on some level.   

9) Sigur Rós~ Valtari  Sigur Rós have managed, yet again, to take a language few people speak or understand (Icelandic), mix it with a made up language (Vonlenska/Hopelandic), and make music so lovely it brings people to tears. Jónsi Borgisson’s voice is particularly gorgeous on Valtari, but, unlike their other albums, this one is best played sequentially. 

10) The 2 Bears~ Be Strong This isn’t the type of music I typically gravitate toward, but this was recommended by a couple of people whose opinions I value a great deal. The 2 Bears music is described as hip-hop, 2 step, house, and, seemingly, everything in between. The truth is this; it’s good music. Infectious beats and songs that are easy to sing along to make for a record that’s entertaining all the way through.