Music of 2012

So here it is, my first blog. I read plenty of other blogs, but was never that interested in writing my own. But then my folks at home started suggesting I should, mainly so they didn’t have to listen to my opinions when listening to the radio or the music channels. I do tend to have a lot of opinions about music, it’s something I follow, and invest quite a bit of time in.

As 2012 is drawing to a close I thought it would be a good idea to have a look back the music of the last twelve months. To narrow it down, I’ve kept it to stuff I’ve bought or downloaded. As it turns out, I’ve bought quite a lot, so there’s no shortage of songs and albums to talk about. I don’t really follow the charts, but I like to think I’ve got an ear for good music so don’t be surprised if there are bands and artists you haven’t heard of. These are all just my opinions, but all the things below come highly recommended, and will be a worthy acquisition to any music collection. You might want to have YouTube or Spotify open just in case :p  

Hope you enjoy :)

Adele- Skyfall:  As the theme song to arguably the biggest film of the year, this song had to be spot on. Well it definitely achieved that, a fantastic song that can sit proudly alongside previous Bond theme classics.

Alabama Shakes- Hold On: We keep being told that guitar music is on the decline and that there are no good guitar bands anymore. Well the Alabama Shakes disprove this theory with the lead single off their debut album.

Alicia Keys- Girl on Fire: I have to confess, I am not an Alicia Keys fan, but this song is brilliant. Melodic and catchy this song is one that I’m happy to admit being pleasantly surprised by.

Amy MacDonald- Pride: Amy MacDonald is one of the most underrated and talented singer/songwriters around at the moment. This year saw her release her third album, and for the third time in a row, she has made another fantastic album. This song is perhaps my favourite. It’s a toss-up between this and ‘Slow It Down’. Those who are aware of her music, will know what to expect, and it is much of the same on this new album. She manages to write songs without sounding stale, and I for one am a massive fan. Fans of KT Tunstall will definitely like this. She deserves much more recognition in this country than she currently gets.

Biffy Clyro- Black Chandelier: The second single lifted from their forthcoming album, this is typical Biffy with their distinctive sound. Very much a band that will be headlining stadiums in the future.

Blur- Under The Westway: As a passive fan, rather than a diehard fan of Blur, I was pleasantly surprised by this new material. It’s a slow burner, but keeps you engaged throughout, in a similar way to Coffee and TV.

Cherri Bomb- Let It Go:  There are a fair few rock chicks around at the moment, but the age that these girls are make this band a very rare thing indeed. With the oldest member 18 and the youngest just 15, the Runaways of the 21^st Century play Foo Fighters style rock incredibly well (their cover of ‘The Pretender’ is well worth checking out). Very well polished for such a young band, if allowed to grow and managed well, this band will hopefully make it big in years to come. A talented band for one so young.

Emeli Sande- Next to Me: 2012 has been a highly successful year for Scottish singer/songwriter Emeli Sande. Having played in the opening and closing ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympics, she has certainly been a star of this year. Her debut album ‘Our Version of Events’ is a fantastic album, but it was the first single Next to Me that stands out the most. 

Album Review-

Feeder- Generation Freakshow: Being as Feeder are one of my favourite bands, I looked forward to their new album with much anticipation. I wasn’t disappointed. This is the most accessible Feeder album since their ‘Singles’ album released in 2006. It starts off strongly with ‘Oh My’, ‘Borders’ and ‘Idaho’. This draws you in and keeps you there.  The next track, ‘Hey Johnny’, is a brilliant tribute to ex-drummer Jon Lee, who committed suicide in 2002 while the title track is a commentary of modern life in Britain today. ‘In All Honesty’ is a catchy song that offers a strong sing along chorus. The final song ‘Children of the Sun’ is a slower song but rounds the album off brilliantly. Overall this album is typical Feeder, but at the same time it is Feeder at their very best. They are, in my opinion, one of the most underrated bands around, with Grant Nicholas being one of the most consistent songwriters around today. Having seen them perform this album live, the songs on this album are up there with any of their best work.

Essential: Borders, Idaho, In All Honesty

Fun.- We Are Young: Arguably one of the biggest singles of the year, this song has been a personal favourite this year, one I haven’t got tired of listening to. Not much more to say, as you can’t have gone through 2012 without hearing it.

Good Old War- Calling Me Names: I got this song as a free download this year, and it turned out to be a right gem. A brilliant little acoustic song, with a self-explanatory title, that is really easy to listen to. Definitely one to check out.

Gotye- Somebody We Used To Know: If ‘Fun-We Are Young’ isn’t the biggest single of the year, then surely this has to be. You must have lived in a cave this year, not have heard this. Although not reinventing the wheel, this song was a refreshing change. A fantastic song, if a little overplayed.

Green Day- Kill the DJ: So Green Day returned this year, with an album in three parts. This song is perhaps the pick of the singles released so far in my opinion. A song that sticks in your head, with a little bit of aggression, something that Green Day do really well. Not vintage material, but a good song nonetheless.

Album Review-

Halestorm- The Strange Case of…: I think this could well be my favourite album of the year. I first became aware of Halestorm after they covered ‘Bad Romance’ by Lady Gaga and I fell in love with Lzzy Hale’s voice. She has a fantastically strong and versatile voice, and this is shown throughout this album. It starts off with four hard, fast and aggressive songs. ‘Love Bites’ has a brilliant riff, and is loud and in your face. ‘Mz Hyde’, with one of the best intros you’ll hear, is a song that I have not got tired of hearing. There is then a break in the loudness, as the band and Lzzy show their versatility with three gentler songs, which includes ‘Break In’ with Lzzy being accompanied by just a piano. The album then picks up again with ‘Rock Show’ and ‘Daughters of Darkness’ in particular offering crunching guitars and sing along choruses. Even though it is heavy rock, it is not heavy metal, and Lzzy Hale’s vocals make it much more accessible to a broader audience. This includes the final song of the album, ‘Here With Us’, being used on Glee, although it was neutered somewhat to make it suitable for family viewing. It finishes the album off brilliantly, and is my favourite song off the album. All in all this is a fantastic album which I cannot recommend enough. Lzzy Hale has a fantastic voice that is one of the strongest around today. The drummer, Arejay Hale, is very talented and provides a very strong backbone to the album. If you are a fan of rock music, you have to listen to this album.

Essential: Love Bites (So Do I), Mz Hyde, In Your Room, Here’s To Us.

Haim- Don’t Save Me: This band first came to my attention via an advert of YouTube, and then again when they were on the long list for the BBC Sound of 2013. This song is very easy to listen to, and well worth checking out. Having opened for the likes of Mumford and Sons and Florence and the Machines, this band is going to be one to watch in 2013 for sure.

Jake Bugg- Two Fingers: Jake Bugg may not be a household name, but this teenager from Leicester can already boast a number one album and sold out UK tour. He responded to getting number one by saying “I’m keeping that X-Factor shit off the top spot”, something that made me a bigger fan.  Influenced by Bob Dylan amongst others, ‘Two Fingers’ is my personal favourite song off his self-titled debut album. A great song, which even my Mum likes now she’s heard a million times, Jake Bugg certainly has a big future ahead of him.

Keane- Sovereign Light Café: The best song off their new album sees Keane return back to their best. I wasn’t that impressed with Keane’s last album, or the EP they released, but this new album sees them return to the sound reminiscent of their first two albums and they are all the better for it. More piano based rather than keyboard, Keane have produced an album that is as good as ‘Hopes and Fears’. This song is my personal favourite. It’s just a brilliant song, with Keane doing what they do best. A classy song by a band that have returned to top form.

King Charles feat. Mumford and Sons- The Brightest Light: Have to confess, I am a bit of sucker for a folk music and I loved this song the first time I heard it. Had never heard of King Charles before, but turns out he’s been around for a while, so never too late to become a fan.  A very catchy song,  one you can’t listen to and not jig your foot along with. Fans of Mumford and Sons will like this.

Kodaline- All I Want: This song grabbed my attention, after I saw it on the music channels with an incredible video. Similar in ways to Coldplay, this song builds nicely before exploding into life halfway through. Another band on the BBC Sound of 2013 long list, this band will be releasing their debut album next year.

Labrinth (feat. Emeli Sande)- Underneath Your Beautiful: Far from a fan of Labrinth’s music, this song was a nice surprise when I heard it on the radio.

Album Review-

Lana Del Rey- Born To Die: I was really impressed with Lana Del Rey’s debut album. I wasn’t too sure what to expect, but I ended up loving it. I decided to take the plunge and purchase it on the back of hearing ‘Video Games’, and luckily the rest of the album is just as good. ‘Born to Die’ is a really good way to start off the album, and it continues in much the same vein. ‘Video Games’ is a beautiful song. It is wonderfully melodic and laid back. Other standout tracks include ‘National Anthem’ and ‘Radio’, songs which really made me sit up and go “This is a really good album.” Whatever criticism she has had for either the way she looks, or live performances, you can’t deny that this is one of the best albums of the year.

Essential Tracks- Born to Die, Video Games, National Anthem, Radio

Linkin Park- Burn It Down: A song that grew on me massively the more I listened to it. I wasn’t too fussed when I first heard it, but it has turned into a song that I really like. Not what I would call a song with a the usual Linkin Park sound, this experimental new sound certainly works very well on this song.

Lissie- Go Your Own Way: As a cover of one of the best songs from one of the world's most legendary bands, this was could have gone either way. As it turned out, this stripped down, slower version is fantastic. As a fan a Lissie, I may be a little biased, but it helps when comparisons with Stevie Nicks are unerringly accurate.

Marina and the Diamonds- Homewrecker: Marina and the Diamonds returned this year with her follow up album, with this song my personal favourite. There is something about her voice that sets her apart from other pop artists in the charts at the moment. I can’t put my finger on it, but there’s something about her voice that just clicks. This song is pure catchy pop, not something I usually go for, but can’t deny that I really like this song.

Mumford and Sons- I Will Wait: After the huge success of their first album, the pressure was on Mumford and Sons with their second album. With this first single, they seemed to have continued where they left off. That distinctive sound and a sing along chorus. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Muse- Madness: Another song that I wasn’t keen on when I first heard it, this has grown on me every time I have heard it. Personally I am not too sure about the direction that Muse have taken with their new sound, I much prefer their ‘rock’ rather than ‘electronic’ sound, but this song has something about it that clicks, the sign of a great band at work.

My Darkest Days- Casual Sex: A brash, sleazy rock song, with a title that is pretty self-explanatory. As a fan of a bit of sleazy rock, this song is a bit of a guilty pleasure. Far from the greatest song ever written, this song will entertain fans of bands such as Buckcherry, Motley Crue etc…                       

Of Monsters and Men- Little Talks: Icelandic band Of Monsters and Men have been one of the surprise packages of 2012. ‘Little Talks’ is my favourite song off their debut album ‘My Head is an Animal’. It’s a very catchy song with a very distinctive and Scandinavian sound. A sold out UK tour in 2013 lies in wait for a band that will no doubt continue to grow.

Pure Love- Handsome Devil’s Club: Fronted by the ex-Gallows vocalist, Frank Carter’s new project has a very different and much more accessible sound to his previous band. Comparisons with the Gaslight Anthem are accurate, with this song perhaps the strongest off their material released on two EPs thus far. With their debut album due for release early in 2013, Pure Love are a band that may not achieve immediate mainstream success, but are a band to watch out for nonetheless.

Reverend and the Makers- Shine the Light: A song that I heard on the soundtrack on FIFA 13, Reverend and the Makers return with a fantastic song, that is equally as good as any of their other top songs. EA always chooses top quality songs for their games, and with its catchy chorus this song is certain favourite off the new game.

Robbie Williams- Candy: The song that brought Robbie his first number one for good while, and what an annoyingly catchy song it is. I say annoying because it isn’t a song that I am particularly fond of, but you can’t deny it is Robbie doing what he does best. It sticks in your head and shows he can still pull of a number one single.

Rumer- P.F. Sloan: Even though she achieved success with her debut album, I never really got into Rumer’s music, and I suppose I’m still not really a massive fan. However, after hearing her perform on TV, I instantly loved this song. It’s fantastically laid back and is a perfect song to relax and chill out to.  Certainly made me take notice enough to check out other songs of hers. This song is still my favourite though.

Simple Plan (Feat. Sean Paul) Paradise Summer: A brilliantly catchy song, perfect for the summer. Jack Johnson eat your heart out.

Slash- You’re A Lie: Not going to lie, I am a big Slash fan, be it as part of GnR, Velvet Revolver or Snake Pit. His first solo effort in 2010, with collaborations from people ranging from Lemmy and Ozzy Osbourne to Adam Levigne and Fergie is one of my favourite albums; it’s just fantastic from start to finish. His new album has just the one singer, Alter Bridge’s Miles Kennedy, who featured twice on the last effort. This song is my personal favourite and is classic Slash. Crunching riffs and excellent vocals come together to create a brilliant song, even if the album is perhaps not as strong as the last one.  Still, beats Axl Rose’s last record.

Sonic Boom Six- Virus: Manchester five piece Sonic Boom Six offer a mix of ska, punk, pop, dubstep, grime and metal all mixed together. They are very much a punk band, commentating on modern life as they see it. Their latest single, Virus, does just that, with the lyrics concentrating on the financial crisis and the banks and governments responsibility. The mixture of rap, heavy guitar and auto tuned chorus does work really well and creates a brilliant song with a strong message.

Spector- Chevy Thunder/Never Fade Away: Spector were a band that I had heard of but knew nothing about. However at the back end of this year, I heard ‘Never Fade Away’ for the first time on TV, and I was instantly hooked. It’s just a hands down brilliant song, a song that is very hard to dislike. It starts off slowly but continues to build up until it peaks. It’s simple but immensely effective. ‘Chevy Thunder’ is another song of theirs that I really took notice of. A real festival anthem, there are similarities between them and The Vaccines in sound on this song, but that should not detract from the fact that this a real shout out, sing along anthem, meant to be played with the volume turned right up.

The Gaslight Anthem- Handwritten: The Gaslight Anthem returned this year with their fourth album, with this song my personal favourite. Comparisons with Bruce Springsteen have been made in the past, and there are definite influences to be heard. However this is very much a Gaslight Anthem song.  Brian Fallon just carries on writing brilliant songs. An underrated band that deserves bigger success and recognition.

Album Review-

The Killers- Battleborn:

 2012 saw the return The Killers after four years away, and as they are my favourite band, I couldn’t wait for this new album. However it wasn’t quite what I expected. This doesn’t mean though that it is a bad album, far from it. There are a lot of strong songs throughout. What it lacks is a standout song, a ‘Mr Brightside’, or ‘When You Were Young’ or ‘Human’. The closest it gets is ‘Runaways’ which just falls short I feel. However, after listening to the album a few times, I haven’t at any point, not enjoyed listening to it. Brandon Flowers is a fantastic song writer, almost poetic at times, and this is evident throughout the album, with only ‘Deadlines and Commitments’ being below par. There is a real eighties influence, with a little bit of a country sound thrown in as well on ‘From Here On Out’. ‘Runaways’ was a good choice for first single, and will be the song people would be most familiar with. ‘Miss Atomic Bomb’ is also a strong song, with its story links to ‘Mr Brightside’. The title track ‘Battle Born’ gives the album a strong finale, with the song even chosen to close their live set. Given a chance, this album is brilliant. The Killers music has a habit of growing on you, and this continues in much the same way.

Essential Tracks- Runaways, Miss Atomic Bomb, From Here On Out, Battle Born.

The Lumineers- Ho Hey: This is a song that has grown on me the more I’ve heard it, helped by the fact it is now also used on a TV advert. Have only heard good things about this band, and this song is well worth a download.

The Rolling Stones- Doom and Gloom: You can’t beat a bit of good old Rock ‘N’ Roll, and the Stones proved with this song that they still have it. A cracking song with a great riff and strong vocals, it proves that even though they are veterans of the game, they can still show the young ones a thing or two.

The Vaccines- Teenage Icon/I Always Knew: The two singles from The Vaccines follow up album and they are both very impressive. It offers a much more mature sound than their debut, although the album title ‘The Vaccines Come of Age’ does give an indication. They are both very much Vaccines songs, they just sound more grown up. Teenage Icon is a brilliant song, with a sing along chorus, very much in the mould of their last album. I Always Knew is more mature, but one that shows there is more to The Vaccines than songs that last two minutes.

Train- Drive By: A song that I instantly liked after hearing it for the first time, this is classic Train. Although not on the same level as Drops of Jupiter (their best song), it is as good as Hey, Soul Sister. It’s just been spoiled by being played to death on the radio a bit.

Tribes- We Are Children/Sappho: The debut album from Tribes was a pleasant surprise, I wasn’t expecting it to be as good as it was. This was view was further strengthened after seeing them on the NME tour. The two stand out tracks are without doubt We Are Children and Sappho. We Are Children is a sing along anthem that needs to be turned up loud, while Sappho offers a strange family dynamic, but is my favourite song on the album. This is a band that is going to go far. 

We Are Augustines- Augustine: After releasing their self-titled debut album this year, I became aware of them after they were highly recommended in Classic Rock Magazine. I took a chance and got their album, and was really impressed with what I heard, with this song being one in particular that caught my eye. Comparisons will inevitably be made with the Gaslight Anthem, but they aren’t just a band mimicking sound. The lyrical content of their songs is based on tragedies in their past, and is wrapped up in a sound that is easy to listen to. A band that is very much worth checking out. 

Youngblood Hawke- We Come Running: Another song off the FIFA 13 soundtrack, and is included here as I feel it deserves recognition. It is a proper sing along Indie anthem, and has all the hallmarks for being a festival favourite. I downloaded their EP and they are a band to watch in the future, so it might be worth remembering the name.

So there you go, sorry its a tad long, but didn't want to cut any songs out. Hopefully there will be songs in there that you like. Afterall, theres just some music that people need to be told about. Hope you had a good christmas and have a great new year. Till next time...





Alex