Yeah, I kinda get the feeling that I’m a little late for posting a “top albums of 2012”. It is late January, and every reviewer on the web usually submits one by mid-December, just before vacation. So I’m not just alittle late, I’m very late. But thats ok. I’ll tell you why…
The consequences of posting an album review mid-December, you are totally missing out on the last two weeks of December. You never know, Tegan & Sara or even k-os could have released an album out before the end of the year, SURPRISE! (well… not likely). And than what? You can’t possibly put them on next years list. Or, it’s New Year’s Eve, you are at a party, and your buddy (being an awesome host & DJ) plays an album you haven’t heard before. And before the night is over, while you’re passed out on the floor, and you say to yourself, “man… this album this is ****ing amazing!”. And than the next morning, you’re hungover, and it’s officially your #4 album.
Anyway, keeping that in mind, and these top lists take at least a month to finalize. To make sure every album counts. Oh, and by the way, this is my first reviews for HAFILAX. Thanks Trev & Jeff for bringing me on board.
So…. here’s my 5 Albums To Listen To In 2012…
#5. Passion Pit, Gossamer, Columbia Records
With Passion Pit’s second album you are getting a more personal, and heartfelt album than their debut. And so it would seem, suggesting by it’s pink album cover. But don’t overlook the underlining of this dark world that is being trampled on, and covered by delicious bubblegum pop. You might be “Carried Away” by some songs from the albums, and fall in love with others such as “Constant Conversations, but dig deeper and you’ll find that all this has came at a cost.
#4. Astro, Astro, Nacional Records
In the year of 200x, where humans & robots co-exist, cars travel in the sky & buildings reach to space, and a robot superhero shoots lasers out of his ass. Yes, I’m making a reference to Mega Man & Astroboy, and if you are a geek like me, maybe you’ve grown up in the 80’s, played alittle too much Nintendo and are feeling alittle nostalgic. Lead-in track “Ciervos” will give you the feeling of waking up in a futuristic metropolis, and “Colombo”, you just might be hearing the re-inventing of the Safety Dance. This is one upbeat album you should check out.
#3. Band Of Skulls, Sweet Sour, Phi Label Group
Do you know what kick-your-ass rock sounds like? Well, you easily could take the vocals of Jack White, and mix him in with the instrumental members of Stone Temple Pilots, or you could listen to Band Of Skulls’ sophomore album Sweet Sour. Songs like “The Devil Takes Care Of His Own”, “Sweet Sour” will easily knock you off your feet. And once you’re on the ground and you’ve had enough, you can listen to “Lay My Head Down”, “Bruises” to make you feel sorry that you hadn’t listened to this album earlier.
#2. Of Monsters And Men, My Head Is An Animal, Universal
I’ll admit, the lead single “Little Talk” didn’t do any justice for leading me into listening to this album. But I was alittle curious to a familiar whimsical style it presented, and decided to listen to the album anyway. After a few listens, I was lost into charm of the vocals that you’ll find with songs like “Slow & Steady” & “Love Love Love”. And the song “Mountain Sound”, can we all agree on it being the catchiest song ever? This album gives you a feeling of home & warmth. And for me it’s… and like the album cover, it’s like walking on the beach, and smelling the ocean breeze on the east coast.
#1. Purity Ring, Shrines, Last Gang Records
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing this band play at Halifax Pop Explosion a few months ago, and like the performances that seem to echo with magic, the album doesn’t fall far from the tree. Where to start with this review, I don’t know. This album might not be accessible at a first listen, there’s so much going, but when everything falls into place, it’s simply amazing. The lyrics seem to jump around with little to no effort, and with songs like “Obedear” & “Lofticries” the atmospheric sound will just blow your mind away. I’ll suggest “Fineshrines” for a first listen, and once you’re ready, find a quiet, dark place, put your headphones, and take this one for a spin.
