Bill's Rockpile 2012
Hi everyone,
Back for 2012, my favorite songs from the year that have not been overplayed or overhyped out there (I'm looking at you The Shins). For me, this year really tipped the scales toward digitally-offered music. You had Spotify start up here, and Soundcloud, Bandcamp, even Google offering access to artists in new ways. So I figured it was time to offer the Rockpile digitally.
These songs stood out for me this year and I hope some of them might stick with you like they did with me.
Cheers,
Bill
1. "Started in 1966" Pale Man Made
Sounding a little like The Wedding Present. One of the first songs saved for the list this year. From the UK and on a new label --- Oddbox Records --- that put out a lot of good stuff in 2012.
2. "Work It Out" Twerps
Had one of their songs on last year's list, but they have yet to put out a full album! The 3 song EP they put out was solid…can't wait for a full album someday.
3. "Form A Line " Tunabunny
This Georgia band reminds me of another one from that state on this song. Pylon. From their late November release.
4. "Broken Record" Eux Autres
Their earlier stuff was a bit too twee but with their EP this year they took a big step to a more mature sound. It makes a great listen and this one seemed to standout the most for me.
5. "The Letter" Allo Darlin'
Coming out right in May this album became a summertime staple. And it seemed to get them a little bit more notoriety as well.
6. "Not Talking" A.C. Newman
There was a lot of publicity in the indie press when this release was coming out, and it really started to teeter toward the hype machine. But I never took it off the list… it's just too nice a song.
7. "Flinching at Forever" Shrag
Shrag was a revelation in 2012. I started to hear some of their older (few years) stuff at beginning of year, then and they came out with a new record. The male/female vocals and somewhat retro / alternative sound made for a lot of good songs, including this one.
8. "Two Weeks" Scott & Charlene's Wedding
From an Australian guy who moved to New York City and started recording under this name with some of his friends (like The Twerps!). Reminds me of The Clean.
9. "Vis-a-Vis" Allah-Las
One of my favorite albums of the year. These guys met while they were working at record store in LA and decided to start a band. Garage rock at its best.
10. "This Love That We Outwore" Sugarfoot
A little twang by way of Norway. Oyvind Holm and his band Deleted Waveform Gatherings have been on the Rockpile a few times. This year he recorded an excellent country tinged album with friends as Sugarfoot.
11. "In My Head" Kontiki Suite
I thought a lot of music this year had echoes of The 70's in their songs. This band, from the UK, were clearly influenced by Neil Young and early 70's psychedelic albums. A band I follow on Facebook liked them…I heard their songs on Soundcloud..and bought their album on Bandcamp. Such a great digital marketing story!
12. "Frozen Disease" I Was A King"
When you see something was produced by Robyn Hitchcock and Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub) you take notice. These Norwegians put out a great pop record in late fall. This was one of several really good tracks along the same lines.
13. "Wrong Idea" Shoes
A good year for 80's power pop bands to reunite and come out with new material. Both the dB's and this band released new albums after years apart. I liked the dB's record a lot but thought this one was even better.
14. "Open Up Your Door" The See See
Like Kontiki Suite, another band that showed reverence for psychedelia and the 70's. The album was not as strong overall as their 2011 release, but I thought this song was particularly good.
15. "Secret Weapon" Sweater Girls
Classic find from Jon Bernhardt's WMBR radio show. Have not heard them elsewhere but instantly liked the girl-group/indie pop band. And the whole album is good.
16. "Robert Pollard" Big Dipper
Another 80's power pop band out with new stuff. Glad it finally came out as this track was actually kicking around on Soundcloud in 2011. Have to love the name dropping, but the song itself is instantly catchy.
17. "Grey Skies USA" The English Singles
Slumberland Records continued its comeback with several releases this year including this new band from…yes...England.
18. "Open Your Heart" The Men
Definitely a popular indie rock track, as it has appeared on several year-end/best of lists as I write this. But it was a favorite from the time I heard it and thought it deserved a place here still.
19. "Northern Soul" Cardinal
The first Cardinal album came out in 1994 to a lot of acclaim. Now 18 years later Richard Davies and Eric Matthews got together again to put out another one under that name. Did not get the whole album but at least half the songs are keepers on it. This was my fave.
20. "I Can See The City" Golden Gurls
All of the sudden Baltimore has churning out some really good new bands. Golden Gurls are certainly one. Harkens back to the best of bands like Built To Spill, Dinosaur Jr, and Superchunk. Good ol' indie rock.
21. "Better Things" Secular Joy
I was a big fan of Mark Edward's previous band, My Dad Is Dead. His new band, Secular Joy, evokes that band but also Bob Mould's solo work and his band Sugar.
In keeping with tradition, the above songs will burn on one CD if you would like to use that format. These other songs are also worthy of repeated listens, if not a favorite playlist: "The Men's Room At The Airport" Karl Hendricks Trio, "Steam" Deep Sea Arcade, "European Weather" Malka Spigel, "She Brings The Sunlight" Richard Hawley, "Fuji-san" Patti Smith, "Your Dark Sunglasses Won't Make You Look Like Lou Reed" Bill Baird.
