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.
14
Theme Park
Wax EP
London’s Theme Park are one of England’s latest buzz bands, but unlike most of them that seem to wet the knickers of the entire staff of New Melody Express, in my view these guys actually have “the goods”. Their name alone is what grabbed me, conveying bright colors, sunny days, innocent and carefree times, the pure joy and simplicity of summer. Luckily their sound and the band themselves meet the level of preconceptions. Reading and watching interviews with these very young lads, they come across as every parents ideal child. Happy, humble, kind. And their music matches the image. It’s all very upbeat, refreshing and colorful like sno-cones and cotton candy. It’s sweet indeed, and the music covers every base, from funky Talking Heads bass lines to Caribbean steelpan. It’s beach music, it’s the soundtrack to your backback trip throughout Europe, it’s your cruise ship lounging music – no matter how you see it, it’s the sound of VACATION – buoyant, clever, vibrant, and really if it doesn’t somehow put a smile on your face, you may need to have your vital signs checked. The song I’ve shared, ‘A Mountain We Love’, is a great example of this vibe they’ve successfully conveyed on this EP. So far this is the only official release here in the States, but with a full length scheduled for release in the UK in January, the promise of this band is very high indeed. With a future so bright, they very well may need to wear shades. Pfft.