If anything, the conclusion of the calendar year gives everyone on the internet all kinds of opportunities to narcissistically try to prove how obscure/refined their tastes in the arts are. Well, I’m getting old and I don’t fancy myself cool or distinguished, so I don’t have anything to prove. But I do love music and I enjoy talking about it, so as I do every year, I’ll list my favourite albums of 2012 here:
Propagandhi – Failed States
The top spot always goes to the album I listened to the most. These musical activists have progressed well beyond their traditional punk roots over their last few albums, and Failed States is no exception. Incorporating elements of thrash metal and melodic vocal hooks and leads, it’s a compelling listen from start to finish.
Die Antwoord – Ten$ion
The songs are catchy and weird, and for me that’s the basic allure of these South Africans. But the whole package goes a lot deeper artistically. As I saw Kinnie Starr aptly state on Facebook, they creatively embody tension in everything they do. They’re the white faces of rap music from an African country. He’s trashy and she’s sexy. They rap over electronic dance music. And their unique songs complement a powerful visual element.
A Tribe Called Red
This is the soundtrack to the modern urban Aboriginal experience. By successfully marrying traditional powwow music with contemporary dance music, these Ottawa-based DJs have been on a meteoric rise in 2012. Their music is exciting, innovative, comfortable, and hopeful. And most importantly, it’s bringing people together to a degree never seen before.
High on Fire – De Vermis Mysteriis
You can always count on High on Fire to deliver jaw-dropping heavy metal. The ferocious brutality is here as usual, but so is a slower, epic stoner metal groove found on some of guitarist/vocalist Matt Pike’s other work. If any band proves that any tempo can be heavy, it’s these guys.
Bison b.c. – Lovelessness
This modern metal masterpiece is made up of six massively epic songs that are raw, dark, and very emotional. This Vancouver four-piece is well known for its complex riffs and sprawling songs, but this album takes on a dominantly intense grim character that was only hinted at on previous albums. It’s a harsh, complex journey, but a fulfilling one both musically and emotionally.
Death Grips – The Money Store
Unfortunately the controversy surrounding this group (largely created by the members themselves) overshadowed the great music they released this year. The Money Store is their major-label debut, and it’s one of the coolest rap albums I’ve ever heard. It’s also very punk rock, and that explains the spirit of everything that happened after it came out.
Torche – Harmonicraft
Rock fans can rejoice that there are still bands committed to putting out heavy music with great melodies and lyrics. This is my favourite rock album of 2012. It’s fun, loud, and catchy.
The Melvins (Lite) – Freak Puke
The musical concept of this album was to strip everything down while maintaining the usual heavy Melvins sound. Sonically, it’s quite the departure from their last few studio albums, but it works. They gave the Big Business guys on rhythm this album off (hence “Melvins Lite”), and brought in bass legend Trevor Dunn to play an upright. The end result is a collection of really cool sounding rock tunes.
Jack White – Blunderbuss
It’s basically The White Stripes with more instruments and advanced percussion, and therefore better.
The Sword – Apocryphon
I love this band, but I wasn’t sure this album would make my list because it really pales in comparison to the last one. Still, they basically stick to the formula, and if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. It’s a treat for the ears of any rock guitar player.
What were your favourite albums in 2012?
