Albums
of the year
2012
So it’s come to this has it? A year of music so good that for the first time I came close to wishing albums would stop being made, as anything new coming out will surely distract and take away time from enjoying the fantastic albums that came out already. I feel bombarded with so much good music, yet time to listen slowly dissolving away (as evidenced by my balding head). Granted, it’s very true that I may not branch out as much as one could, and the most frustrating part is half of what I am into based on this post (and my runners-up post next week) may look like I do nothing but wait for Pitchfork’s daily reviews to guide me on my way musically. Rest assured, that is not the case, and just merely a coincidence. Most of the times I’ve done these posts I’ve just said “HERE! This is where’s it’s at – and listen to this other person tell you why!”. Last year, I took the time to write up my own reviews (who’d a thunk it?), but after looking at my blog stats I saw that it really didn’t reach many people. Your loss! So instead of making this feel like a chore left unnoticed this year by writing relatively long reviews that would fall on deaf ears, I would simplify. In the end, let the music speak for itself, eh? Well, for the most part. So, here you go, my favorite albums of the year. I guess technically they are what I consider to be “the best”, but by saying that it means these then have to be put in some sort of order, and quantified some way. But I really can’t do that. Depending on the mood of the day, each one of these albums is “the best” at one time or another, so really out of all the albums I’ve listened to over the past year, these are my go to albums – my favorites – my “desert island discs” of sorts. I’ve shared one track from each album as well, songs that I think not only represent what is great about the entire album, but what may spark an interest in you to checking out the whole thing, because to me they are all worth your time and quite rewarding indeed. Enjoy with aloha, and as always, turn it WAY the hell up, and for crying out loud use headphones. Laptop speakers = death.
13
The Birthday Massacre
Hide and Seek
Toronto’s The Birthday Massacre were introduced to me by a friend and old co-worker of mine a few years ago, and I think the reason I was intrigued was simply because of their name. It implied the starkest of contrasts, between dark and light, happiness and sadness, celebration and mourning, color vs black & white. It implied to me right away – without hearing a single note – they were some sort of pop version of goth music. And that’s become my summation of exactly what this band is, and they do this and other contrasts brilliantly. Just look at promo shots of the band – they are over the top ridiculous, outlandish, the absolute worst example of Hot Topic “fashion”. But then watch interviews with them, and they are humble, completely normal and clearly very intelligent and believing in their music very strongly. Their album titles, Walking With Strangers, Nothing and Nowhere, Pins and Needles, and now Hide and Seek; all contrasts – two sides to very coin. Then there is the music, again striking a balance so perfectly. When I first heard them it reminded me of early Madonna – meaning first album Madonna – pop music of the highest order in both vocals and melodies (nevermind the heavy use of synths), but fronting a sort-of heavy metal band. Some groups have attempted this in the past (the vomitous Evanescence comes to mind), but no one has perfected it like The Birthday Massacre. The songwriting is undeniably strong, the production always hits you right in the chest from the guitars and drums, and the synths make every song soar and glide beautifully. “Metal” guitars and keyboards have never melded so perfectly, especially when considering this is – in it’s essence – pure bubblegum pop rock. What brings it all together, undeniably, is leader singer Chibi. She is a good vocalist – not spectacular, but more than adequate and it fits the music very well. But her strong point is melody. Every single song on each of their albums has an incredibly memorable hook, a pop melody that just sticks in your head so strongly, it frankly amazes me trying to figure out where shes come up with them so consistently. She can easily rank herself up there with the likes of Madonna, and put clones like Lady Gaga to shame. The track I’ve shared here, ‘Down’, is the first track released from this album, and it’s a great example of what they do best and the talent she has as a very unconventional pop singer, from her ethereal vocals during the verse, to the guttural screech in the pre-chorus, to the gorgeous hook in the chorus. Riding out this style of music is not an easy task – and that makes her and the entire band a unique entity in music today, once you open your mind to their world of constantly shifting contrasts. This new album is a bit less heavy than previous releases (other than the track I’ve shared), and at times bordering on proper dance tunes, but as always it’s very beautiful, very fun, and I can’t recommend their entire catalog enough.