TopHats By Jennifer's Best of 2012

TopHats By Jennifer's

*Best 12.5 of 2012*

2012 has been a great year for me musically; a year full of discovery -- discovery of new bands, the re-discovery of old bands. This year I've bought more records, and probably spent more money on music than I ever have. The list I started out with was basically me saying, "hey guys, these are all the records I got and like this year!" But after whittling down the list, I ended up with the twelve and a half (why twelve and a half? It's my favorite number, that's why) records that stood out the most, the ones that had the biggest impact on me, the ones that will linger indefinitely in my brain. Obviously, many of the records I mention here I've already written about, so bear with me. Now, these records are in no particular order of awesomeness, coz I couldn't do that, they are all amazing, they're just in the order in which they popped into my head.

So, away we go:


Anywhere But Where I Am - Foreign Fields
Foreign Fields was one of the first new bands I discovered this year, after a recommendation in February, I downloaded their record. I was completely blown away by it. It was like nothing I'd heard before. The ethereal sounds of this electro-folk group is almost mind boggling. Anywhere But Where I Am isn't a record you put on to rock out to, to sing along to, it's one that you put on to unwind, to just listen to the amazingness. Check out my full review HERE.
My top tracks:
-The River Kings, Taller, Where the Willow Tree Died


Let the Bloody Moon Rise - Kasey Anderson & The Honkies
Kasey Anderson has quickly become one of my favorite singer/songwriters over the last year, and it's probably safe to say Kasey is one of the best songwriters of my generation. Let the Bloody Moon Rise is another record in Kasey's discography of goodness. Country-rock. blues-rock, rock-rock, this record covers it all. Although Kasey is in (hopefully) temporary retirement, he's continuing to write some amazing songs, both solo and in collaboration with Chris Fullerton (@electricpencils), if you want, you can listen to them here or here, respectively. I am eagerly looking forward to Kasey's triumphant return.
My top tracks:
- Don't Look Back, All The Good You Lose, Like Teenage Gravity

Underwater Sunshine (Or What We Did on Our Summer Vacation) - Counting Crows
It's no secret that Counting Crows is my favorite band, so this record was bound to show up on this list. It's not here just because it's the Counting Crows, it's here because it really is a damn good record. Although Underwater Sunshine is a record full of (some of the most obscure) covers, it still has that classic Counting Crows feel to it. They took all these songs and made them their own, but at the same time giving the artists they covered, especially one's like Kasey Anderson, Dawes and Coby Brown, the recognition and exposure they deserve. Read my full, track by track review here.
My top tracks:
-Start Again, Four White Stallions, Like Teenage Gravity

Field Report - Field Report
I fell head-over-heels for Field Report after hearing only one song, and when their record came out in September, I fell in love all over again. Chris Porterfield's writing has a sort of troubadourian style to it, he tells the most amazing stories in such a way that you get these amazing visuals in your head as you're listening to these songs. Porterfield's band of cohorts, Nick Berg, Ben Lester, Jeff Mitchell, Damian Strigens and Travis Whitty, complete the lyrical masterpieces with enchanting harmonies and musical backing. To get a taste of how amazing and heart-wrenchingly brilliant this band can be live, head over to Daytrotter and check out their set from the Barn on the 4th show at the Codfish Hollow Barn in Maquoketa, Iowa.
My top tracks:
-Fergus Falls, Taking Alcatraz, I am Not Waiting Anymore

                                                          Boys & Girls - Alabama Shakes
Led by vocal powerhouse Brittany Howard, Alabama Shakes is a super fun band to listen to. Their debut record Boys & Girls transports it's listeners to a time of classic Muscle Shoals and/or Motown rhythm and blues, with Howard's vocals spurring comparisons to Janis Joplin and Aretha Franklin. Alabama Shakes have erupted into the music scene; Hold On was recently named Rolling Stone magazine's song of the year, and the band has been nominated for two Grammy Awards, for Best New Artist and Best Rock Performance (Hold On), and even though I generally do not endorse or support award shows, I hope they win.
My top tracks:
-Hang Loose, Heartbreaker, Rise to the Sun



Babel - Mumford & Sons

Mumford & Sons' sophomore album Babel was well worth the two and a half year wait. Maybe it's because they're British (I have a think for the Brits) or maybe it's because I love this re-emergence of folk music, or maybe it's just the banjos, but I really love this record. Mumford & Sons have also earned Grammy nominations for this record, six in fact. Like with Alabama Shakes, I hope they win. Also, if you haven't done so yet, check out the Daytrotter session Mumford & Sons and friends did this summer, it's pure magic.
My top tracks:
-Lover's Eyes, The Boxer, Where are You Now?


Death Head - Daniel & The Lion
I love this band. I love this record. It's probably one of my most listened to records this year, and Daniel & The Lion one of my new favorite bands. Death Head came out in two parts, Side A, in May 2012, and Side B, September 2012. Daniel & The Lion are Daniel Pingrey and Jimmie Linnvile, who along with being brilliant songwriters and musicians, are also really nice guys (I got to meet them in NYC at the Outlaw Roadshow.) Death Head is one of those record where every song just runs straight through your soul. Seriously, if you haven't checked out this band, DO IT NOW.
My top tracks:
 -Flash Flood, Need You, On Berlin

Nordo - Air Traffic Controller
I don't normally listen to super poppy music, but for Air Traffic Controller, I'll make an exception. The Boston-based band released their second record, Nordo, in June 2012. It is a perfect follow-up the their debut The One. Nordo is full of melodic, poppy, catchy, infectious songs. The vocal dynamic between lead singer Dave Munro and back-up/duet vocalist Casey Sullivan is magnetic; they compliment each other perfectly.
My top tracks:
-You Know Me, Hurry Hurry, Pick Me Up

Stars and Satellites - Trampled By Turtles
Yay! More Americana/folk/bluegrass! Trampled By Turtles were recommended through Brown Bird, who had toured with them earlier this year, and being that I love Brown Bird, I figured I should check out Trampled By Turtles, and lo and behold, I love them too. Stars and Satellites is the band's sixth album, and hit #1 on the Billboard Bluegrass Chart (rightfully so.)
My top tracks:
-Midnight On the Interstate, Sorry, Walt Whitman



Arrow - Heartless Bastards
Not only do they have the best name is rock & roll, but Heartless Bastards are an amazing band. Every track on this record is fantastic, ranging from country rock to blues rock to straight up rock, this record is rock goodness in all it's glory.
-Skin and Bone, Parted Ways, Got to Have Rock & Roll


Youth Companion - Mean Creek
The newest addition to my best of 2012, I just got this record last week, and wrote about it here. Mean Creek is a fierce, dynamic band who is a thrill to see live. Youth Companion is pure rock and roll, with nostalgic hints of British pre-emo emo bands such as The Cure and The Smiths. Mean Creek was recently honored by the Boston Music Awards for Album of the Year, and yeah, I agree, it's pretty damn good.
My top tracks:
-Young & Wild, The Reason Why, Shakey

Glad All Over  -  The Wallflowers

I was pleasantly surprised by this record. I had been a big fan of Jakob Dylan's solo work more than the Wallflowers, but when I heard they were making a new record I was intrigued. I downloaded the single Reboot the Mission a couple months before the record was released, and at first I was a little unsure about it. The song has a funky, yet dance-y beat to it, something I wasn't expecting from the Wallflowers, but the more I listened to the song, and the record as a whole, I really like it and highly recommend it.
My top tracks:
-Misfits & Lovers, Constellation Blues, Have Mercy On Him Now

                                                         Wild (EP) - Little Brave
You were wondering how I was gonna get a half album on here, weren't you? Well, here it is: Little Brave's September 2012 release Wild, I guess, gets my vote for EP of the year. Wild is Little Brave's fourth release, and has a much more mature, evolved feel to it than her previous records (though they are all really good too!) Every song on the EP is amazing, the opening guitar of Cigarette VS Guitar grabs you, sucks you into the feeling of the song, and keeps you there through all four tracks.
My top tracks:
(All of them!) Cigarette VS Guitar, Say So, I Know the World, Under Wings

Knock, Knock. Who's there? Rock & Roll - Mean Creek

Sometimes I really think I live on the wrong coast. Sure, Washington is great, we've got lots of coffee, rain and salmon. Seattle has a great local music scene, but the local music scene in the city I live, well, lets just say it sucks. On the other side of the country, in Boston, something magical is happening. The hemorrhagic outpouring of amazing bands from that town is getting a little out of control; good out of control, amazing out of control. Four piece rock powerhouse Mean Creek is one of these bands.

I was first introduced to Mean Creek back in April when they opened for Counting Crows in Seattle. A couple weeks before the show I got their EP Hemophiliac. I was impressed by both the EP and the band's live performance. After that show I kept Mean Creek in the back of my mind, when their songs would come on my ipod, I'd be like "oh yeah, these guys. I like them" but that's about it. My second encounter with Mean Creek was at the Outlaw Roadshow in NYC during CMJ in October. It was at this show where I realized that Mean Creek was indeed a force to be reckoned with, that they are an incredible live band, that they are really, really good. 

Chris Keene (Vocals, Guitar,) Aurore Ounjian (Vocals, Guitar,) Erik Wormwood (Bass) and Mikey Holland (Drums) are Mean Creek. Keene's vocals spur comparisons to Robert Smith or Morrissey, but with more edge, like if The Cure or The Smiths were more rock and less emo. His flannel shirt with cut off sleeves and mop of curly hair spike memories of my childhood, growing up in the Grunge-laden Seattle. His onstage intensity radiates through the crowd and gets everyone going. Aurore Qunjian is the epitome of the "rocker girl" classification. Unwavering guitar skills and vocal ferocity radiate from her unassuming stature. When I saw Mean Creek in Seattle back in April, I remember thinking that bassist Erik Wormwood was really, really good. This thought was confirmed at the NYC show.

Mean Creek's October 2012 release, Youth Companion, is a record that must be played with the stereo cranked up to eleven. Right from the opening drum count off of the opening track Do You Know? you are thrust into a ten track journey through nostalgia evoking rock and roll. For me, the record brings back memories of my teenage years, growing up in the hub of the Grunge music scene (yes, I grew up in the suburbs of Seattle, but the music was still all around.) The flannel, the hair, the guitars, the angst, it's all here in Youth Companion. 

I really love the guitars on Shakey, Young & Wild has an epic youth summer-time anthem feel to it. Mikey Holland's drum line echo's Max Weinberg's infamous Born in the USA drum line, evoking yet more memories of summers of yesteryear. The Reason Why most resembles the 80s British emo-before-emo-was-emo rock/pop, like the Smiths, The Cure or Tears for Fears. As I am a big fan of this brand of music, I was immediately drawn to The Reason Why. Rounding out the record is the heavy, intense track The Comedian. Both Keene and Qunjian's vocals in the song are electrifying and emotional. Seeing this song live is incredible. The feeling and emotion the band pours into the performance is mind-blowing. At the NYC Outlaw Roadshow, Aurore was so deep into the emotion of the song, just absolutely killing it on her guitar, at one point her mic stand fell over, she just kept on going; amazing.

Mean Creek has had a big year, with the release of Youth Companion, being awarded Album of the Year (2012) at the Boston Music Awards, and touring not once, but twice this year with Counting Crows. Check out Hemophiliac, check out Youth Companion (available form Amazon and iTunes.)  Let's help them make 2013 just as epic.