Monday, December 24, 2012

The U & U Show 301! Best Albums of 2012!




Twerps : Don't Be Surprised : Twerps (2011)
-          2nd Album
-          The 2011 album that would've been on my best of show then had I found it in time.
-          A spacey brand of indie pop.
-          CMJ 2012



14 : The Mountain Goats : Harlem Roulette : Transcendental Youth (2012)
-          Latest full length. Previous was 2011's All Eternals Deck and was a Best of the U & U.
-          Their last, The Life of the World to Come, was out in October 2009.
-          Led by John Darnielle and his unmistakable passionate  and powerful vocals.



13 : Menomena : Heavy Is As Heavy Does : Moms (2012)
-          5th full length
-          One of the most innovative bands going. Even after Brent Knopf left to form Ramona Falls.



12 : You Won't : Three Car Garage : Skeptic Goodbye (2012)
-          Debut album
-          M. Ward and T. Rex feel to this track.
-          SXSW 2012



11 : Cold Specks : Steady : I Predict A Graceful Expulsion (2012)
-          Forthcoming full length debut
-          Powerful rough female vocalist.
-          RIYL The Head and the Heart
-          An awesome video for the track 'Holland' can be found HERE.



10 : Suckers : Figure It Out : Candy Salad (2012)
-          2nd full length
-          Eclectic rock that might could be RIYL Wolf Parade or Menomena. (I do)
-          Debut EP and LP each received Best of the U & U honors.
-          SXSW 2012.



9 : Ty Segall & White Fence : I Am Not A Game : Hair (2012)
-          First collaborative album
-          San Fran 60’s psych/garage rock leader.
-          One three 2012 Ty Segall albums



8 : JEFF the Brotherhood : Country Life : Hypnotic Nights (2012)
-          7th album
-          Classic rock duo from Tennessee comprised of Jake & Jamin Orrall
-          I'm somewhat reluctant to say a cover is one of my favorite songs of the year, but this song was such an unexpected treat when I listened to this album.
-          The rock scene owes a lot of thanks to these guys and Japandroids.



7 : Titus Andronicus : Still Life With Hot Deuce On Silver Platter : Local Business (2012)
-          3rd album.
-          2nd album The Monitor was my pick for best album of 2010 and one of my all time favorites.
-          A Rolling Stone ‘Best new band of 2010’ even though their debut came out in 2008.
-          SXSW 2012



6 : Matthew E. White : Steady Pace : Big Inner (2012)
-          Debut album.
-          Take the sound of Iron & Wine's last 2 albums and the Welcome Wagon and make it catchier, funkier and fuller and you get this incredible album.
-          I saw him perform it once already and I can't recommend the show enough!.
-          One of the best releases of the year.



5 : Perfume Genius : Hood : Put Your Back N 2 It (2012)
-          2nd album
-          Debut album, Learning, was a massive critical hit.
-          Another easy and catchy piano track.
-          This week's band that is blowing up out of the blue. They are everywhere!



T2 : Japandroids : Continuous Thunder : Celebration Rock (2012)
-          2nd album.
-          raucous anthem-filled post punk rock
-          huge energy and distortion. You’ll want to see this song live and as loud as possible.
-          SXSW 2012



T2 : Tame Impala : Feels Like We Only Go Backwards : Lonerism (2012)
-          2nd album
-          Australian classic psych outfit.
-          Members also responsible for the excellent band POND.



T2 : Spiritualized : Mary : Sweet Heart Sweet Light (2012)
-          7th album since 1992!
-          first since 2008.
-          Big time success in the UK.



1 : Moonface : Yesterday's Fire : With Siinai: Heartbreaking Bravery (2012)
-          Forthcoming 2nd album. First with Siinai as backing band
-          First full length was out last year, Organ Music.
-          Debut EP was out last year and was one 20+ minute track.
-          Wolf Parade's and Sunset Rubdown's Spencer Krug's solo project.


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