Jan. 14th, 2013 12:54 am
2012 in Music
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dustinprewittNot having any money and lotsa time, I downloaded quite a bit.... but I still did my fair share of CD shoppin'... probably too much for my own good. Good picks, good discoveries, going back to mine so to speak. discovering and having new appreciation for older works, etc.
Seems now digipaks are the big thing now... only 4 CDs I bought that were released this year came in jewel cases... and many re-releases were also in digipak instead of the original jewel case. Space saving, or cost saving perhaps... but with the prices of CDs, you'd never know it.
CDs arent quite dead yet. BUT, they are coming with fewer and fewer little extras, limited editions, etc. And many didnt even have a booklet of linear notes. Its like theyre encouraging downloads...
Anyway, the list
Best album of the year-
Dead Can Dance- Anatasis
The 90s nostalgia reunion acts keep pouring in. And this is a nostalgia act that delivers. True to form, with wonderful sounds and vocals from Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard- a true return, and solid album throughout. Ranking right up there with their other established classics... Theri best since Within the Realm of a Dieing Sun, I dare say.
Marilyn Manson- Born Villain
This was a close contender for album of the year, but there was a bit too much filler, I thought. At least 3 songs I either keep skipping over, or not really getting attached to. But when it works, it WORKS. Great rage, defining a genre coined as not death rock, but "suicide rock"- all the rage, self loathing, and anger you need. BUT... still doesnt quite have that epicness of earlier works, and still lacks the full atmostphere that makes Marilyn Manson Marilyn Manson. Twiggy is still a great music writer, but its still suffering from the lack of Madonna Wayne Gacy, I think. A good dark rock album, but not so much a good Marilyn Manson album.
Clan of Xymox- Kindred Spirits
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A good collection of covers... some surprising. Could have benefited from a bit more variety though, i would say.
Motor- Man Made Machine
I find myself really liking their style of dark electronica. I definitly plan on listening to more.
Garbage- Not Your Kind of People
Another 90s nostaglia band that did not disappoint- a bit loaded perhaps, but still their best one since version 2.0
Deftones- Koi No Yan
Good tracks. Best Ive heard since their self-titled act... or even dare I say White Pony
Soundgarden- King Animal
It was a much hyped reunion. And aside from an iffy single from the Avengers, they delivered. Definitly better than Audioslave... not quite as they were in Superunknown, but it was still a welcome comeback.
Toadies- Play.Rock.Music
I find that theyre finding their footing/niche/sound better with this album rather than the last album. Better work and songs than Deliverance. Still miss the original bassist though.
Tamaryn- Tender New Signs
A Place to Bury Strangers- Worship
Good album, but lacking hooks
Dredd Soundtrack
The movie was surprisingly enjoyable. As well as the brutal soundtrack that really added appropriate atmosphere to the film.
Cranberries- Roses
Another good 90s reunion album. Perhaps a bit dated with the newer shoegaze acts that have come since, but they can still hold their own.
Raveonettes- Observator
The Birthday Massacre- Hide and Seek
It has a slightly different sound than their past albums... a bit more aggressive/angry... Dunno if I like it or not, needs more listening.
Swans- The Seer
Dark, rambling, and brutal. Just as Swans are. A good album to put on, turn off the lights, and let the mind drift and disintigrate.
Sleigh Bells- Reign of Terror
When I heard this band's first album, I thought it had potential, if they could ditch the over-distorted noise style. This new album they did, and for a while, i enjoyed it. Then I saw them live, and thought they were horrible. Off tempo performance that didnt match their pre-recorded set. And the most pretentious band-bio on last.fm Ive ever seen (aside from London After Midnight). Definitly more image than substance, but at least there IS some substance in there... somewhere....
Ladyhawke- Anxiety
Late Night Callers- Easy Virtues
Probably the best new local band out there these days. Reminds me of Superstition/Peepshow era Siouxsie and the Banshees. Cant wait for their first full length album.
Metric- Synthetica
Frontline Assembly- Airmech
Velvet Acid Christ- Maldire
Wumpscut- Women and Satan First
Hanzel Und Gretyl- Born to be Heiled
Marsheaux- The E-Bay Queen is Dead
Leftovers, perhaps. But good leftovers
Collide- Bent and Broken
Bloated, but still some good remixes in there.
Dethklok- Dethalbum III
Eh. It seems to be lacking alot of the humour from the first album.... And Im upset that they're passin' on Takin' it Easy Again.
Delerium- Monarch
Espermachine- Dying Life
Silversun Pickups- Neck of the Woods
Good music, just lacking a memorable hook, I thought. Needs more listening
Smashing Pumpkins- Oceania
Oh Billy... Billy, Billy, Billy... Smashing Pumpkins in name only since one would not be able to sell as many ZWAN albums. Not too terrible, but still seems to be missing the smashing pumpkins sound. It needs Chamberlin, Iha, and Darcy.
Rome- Hell Money
Hmm.... more acoustic guitar work, less atmostphere... not bad, but not sure I like it yet.
How to Destroy Angels- An Omen
VCMG- SSSS
Meh. Sounds too generic for my tastes. Like background, filler music for elevators.
Laibach- Iron Sky
I think I just expected more out of this soundtrack. But really not much more than dialog samples and background music. I expect better from Laibach.
And worst album of the year goes to...
Ministry- Relapse
MAN. Talk about sad and pathetic. Allegedly released (after the offical "break up" of ministry) to help Al Jourgensen pay medical bills related to drug abuse (which is why its important to invest in a 401k when youre in your prime)... it definitly sounds like an act of tired desperation. The music is just generic dirt-metal, and the lyrics are uninspiried and outdated political rambling with disingenuous positivity to "make a difference" Waste of data.
======================
Other Albums
Arcade Fire- The Suburbs
Yes, it can be called pretentious hipster crap. But I really, really like this album. A work of energy and beauty. Something with a solid flow from start to finish. Dont know if I like their other works yet, though.
Metalica- Ride the Lightening
Being mostly familair with metalica post 90s, Ive been quick to dismiss them.... but getting into their 80s work, Im finding it to be very impressive and enjoyable- and this is the best one of the lot.
Chris Connelly- Whiplash Boychild
The Vanishing- Songs for Psychotic Children- Probably the best discovery of the year- brilliant good old fashioned atmospheric energetic death rock. I love it. Too bad I found them long after they disbanded.
I Break Horses- Opened for m83. I liked them
Class Actress- Opened for Sleigh Bells. Better than the headlining act- great 80s new wave style music.
Alice Cooper- Still hard to get past his modern image of being a self-parody. Im sure he was all scary back in the 1970s, but by todays standards, he seems so awefuly quaint. And him being a right-wing christian, but still trying to be "scary" doesnt help. But, trying to seperate the image from the music, I think I may be able to appreciate it more. The Jury is still out.
nick cave and the bad seeds- The First Born is Dead, Your Funeral My Trial
Pink Floyd- A Saucerful of Secrets, Wish You Were Here- I find myself appreciating them more. Depressing music to space out to. Im liking it.
leonard cohen- The Future, I'm Your Man
Best New Band- Hard to say, given that I didnt see any new national bands hit the scene (that I cared for)- But I did enjoy Kansas City newcomers In Back of A Black Car- great new wave style music. I cant wait to hear more.
Best New Discovery- The Vanishing, Arcade Fire, Film School
Concerts- Zola Jesus
in back of a black car
haunted creepys
the final american catastrophe show- too bad to see them disband without releasing more music. but all good things...
late night callers
m83- AMAZING crowded show. Great lights. Great versions of their earlier works, and a surprise performance of their Tron Legacy Remix soundtrack contribution
The kills/Jeff the Brotherhood- Got invited out with a free ticked. I liked it. Not a bad show at all.
Marilyn Manson- The old grey mule aint what she used to be- disappointingly minimalistic, the singing was off, the set list really had no surprises at all, and they didnt even have a friggin' keyboardist. Too Bad.
My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult- Buzz McCoy looked high as a kite and looked like he was about to pass out and fall into the crowd. But I still thought it was good show with a strong setlist.
Sleigh Bells- see above. Music was off tempo with their pre-recorded backing track. Like they werent even trying.
Rasputina- Better than the last time I saw them- a low-key performance, but I think that's how Rasputina performs best. Melora even made a dig at all the acts out there ripping off their style. Win.
Swans- Loud, brutal, intense. Even with earplugs, I could not get any closer than the soundboard without being overwhelemed by the constant sonic assault, the wall of sound liquifying by brain and destroying my hearing. Like one long, constant jam. One does not so much go to a swans concert as they survive a swans concert. But its all a part of the experience.
Gwar
Toadies- Great setlist, good surprises, lotsa fun.
Deftones- shitty venue (voodoo lounge at hurrahs), kinda out of it most of the night after a long day at work, but still an enjoyable show
The biggest disappointment though? missing out on Radiohead- by the time I had enough money to afford the ticket, Sprint center bought up all their own tickets just to re-scalp them at double the cost. Douches.
Seems now digipaks are the big thing now... only 4 CDs I bought that were released this year came in jewel cases... and many re-releases were also in digipak instead of the original jewel case. Space saving, or cost saving perhaps... but with the prices of CDs, you'd never know it.
CDs arent quite dead yet. BUT, they are coming with fewer and fewer little extras, limited editions, etc. And many didnt even have a booklet of linear notes. Its like theyre encouraging downloads...
Anyway, the list
Best album of the year-
Dead Can Dance- Anatasis
The 90s nostalgia reunion acts keep pouring in. And this is a nostalgia act that delivers. True to form, with wonderful sounds and vocals from Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard- a true return, and solid album throughout. Ranking right up there with their other established classics... Theri best since Within the Realm of a Dieing Sun, I dare say.
Marilyn Manson- Born Villain
This was a close contender for album of the year, but there was a bit too much filler, I thought. At least 3 songs I either keep skipping over, or not really getting attached to. But when it works, it WORKS. Great rage, defining a genre coined as not death rock, but "suicide rock"- all the rage, self loathing, and anger you need. BUT... still doesnt quite have that epicness of earlier works, and still lacks the full atmostphere that makes Marilyn Manson Marilyn Manson. Twiggy is still a great music writer, but its still suffering from the lack of Madonna Wayne Gacy, I think. A good dark rock album, but not so much a good Marilyn Manson album.
Clan of Xymox- Kindred Spirits
A good collection of covers... some surprising. Could have benefited from a bit more variety though, i would say.
Motor- Man Made Machine
I find myself really liking their style of dark electronica. I definitly plan on listening to more.
Garbage- Not Your Kind of People
Another 90s nostaglia band that did not disappoint- a bit loaded perhaps, but still their best one since version 2.0
Deftones- Koi No Yan
Good tracks. Best Ive heard since their self-titled act... or even dare I say White Pony
Soundgarden- King Animal
It was a much hyped reunion. And aside from an iffy single from the Avengers, they delivered. Definitly better than Audioslave... not quite as they were in Superunknown, but it was still a welcome comeback.
Toadies- Play.Rock.Music
I find that theyre finding their footing/niche/sound better with this album rather than the last album. Better work and songs than Deliverance. Still miss the original bassist though.
Tamaryn- Tender New Signs
A Place to Bury Strangers- Worship
Good album, but lacking hooks
Dredd Soundtrack
The movie was surprisingly enjoyable. As well as the brutal soundtrack that really added appropriate atmosphere to the film.
Cranberries- Roses
Another good 90s reunion album. Perhaps a bit dated with the newer shoegaze acts that have come since, but they can still hold their own.
Raveonettes- Observator
The Birthday Massacre- Hide and Seek
It has a slightly different sound than their past albums... a bit more aggressive/angry... Dunno if I like it or not, needs more listening.
Swans- The Seer
Dark, rambling, and brutal. Just as Swans are. A good album to put on, turn off the lights, and let the mind drift and disintigrate.
Sleigh Bells- Reign of Terror
When I heard this band's first album, I thought it had potential, if they could ditch the over-distorted noise style. This new album they did, and for a while, i enjoyed it. Then I saw them live, and thought they were horrible. Off tempo performance that didnt match their pre-recorded set. And the most pretentious band-bio on last.fm Ive ever seen (aside from London After Midnight). Definitly more image than substance, but at least there IS some substance in there... somewhere....
Ladyhawke- Anxiety
Late Night Callers- Easy Virtues
Probably the best new local band out there these days. Reminds me of Superstition/Peepshow era Siouxsie and the Banshees. Cant wait for their first full length album.
Metric- Synthetica
Frontline Assembly- Airmech
Velvet Acid Christ- Maldire
Wumpscut- Women and Satan First
Hanzel Und Gretyl- Born to be Heiled
Marsheaux- The E-Bay Queen is Dead
Leftovers, perhaps. But good leftovers
Collide- Bent and Broken
Bloated, but still some good remixes in there.
Dethklok- Dethalbum III
Eh. It seems to be lacking alot of the humour from the first album.... And Im upset that they're passin' on Takin' it Easy Again.
Delerium- Monarch
Espermachine- Dying Life
Silversun Pickups- Neck of the Woods
Good music, just lacking a memorable hook, I thought. Needs more listening
Smashing Pumpkins- Oceania
Oh Billy... Billy, Billy, Billy... Smashing Pumpkins in name only since one would not be able to sell as many ZWAN albums. Not too terrible, but still seems to be missing the smashing pumpkins sound. It needs Chamberlin, Iha, and Darcy.
Rome- Hell Money
Hmm.... more acoustic guitar work, less atmostphere... not bad, but not sure I like it yet.
How to Destroy Angels- An Omen
VCMG- SSSS
Meh. Sounds too generic for my tastes. Like background, filler music for elevators.
Laibach- Iron Sky
I think I just expected more out of this soundtrack. But really not much more than dialog samples and background music. I expect better from Laibach.
And worst album of the year goes to...
Ministry- Relapse
MAN. Talk about sad and pathetic. Allegedly released (after the offical "break up" of ministry) to help Al Jourgensen pay medical bills related to drug abuse (which is why its important to invest in a 401k when youre in your prime)... it definitly sounds like an act of tired desperation. The music is just generic dirt-metal, and the lyrics are uninspiried and outdated political rambling with disingenuous positivity to "make a difference" Waste of data.
======================
Other Albums
Arcade Fire- The Suburbs
Yes, it can be called pretentious hipster crap. But I really, really like this album. A work of energy and beauty. Something with a solid flow from start to finish. Dont know if I like their other works yet, though.
Metalica- Ride the Lightening
Being mostly familair with metalica post 90s, Ive been quick to dismiss them.... but getting into their 80s work, Im finding it to be very impressive and enjoyable- and this is the best one of the lot.
Chris Connelly- Whiplash Boychild
The Vanishing- Songs for Psychotic Children- Probably the best discovery of the year- brilliant good old fashioned atmospheric energetic death rock. I love it. Too bad I found them long after they disbanded.
I Break Horses- Opened for m83. I liked them
Class Actress- Opened for Sleigh Bells. Better than the headlining act- great 80s new wave style music.
Alice Cooper- Still hard to get past his modern image of being a self-parody. Im sure he was all scary back in the 1970s, but by todays standards, he seems so awefuly quaint. And him being a right-wing christian, but still trying to be "scary" doesnt help. But, trying to seperate the image from the music, I think I may be able to appreciate it more. The Jury is still out.
nick cave and the bad seeds- The First Born is Dead, Your Funeral My Trial
Pink Floyd- A Saucerful of Secrets, Wish You Were Here- I find myself appreciating them more. Depressing music to space out to. Im liking it.
leonard cohen- The Future, I'm Your Man
Best New Band- Hard to say, given that I didnt see any new national bands hit the scene (that I cared for)- But I did enjoy Kansas City newcomers In Back of A Black Car- great new wave style music. I cant wait to hear more.
Best New Discovery- The Vanishing, Arcade Fire, Film School
Concerts- Zola Jesus
in back of a black car
haunted creepys
the final american catastrophe show- too bad to see them disband without releasing more music. but all good things...
late night callers
m83- AMAZING crowded show. Great lights. Great versions of their earlier works, and a surprise performance of their Tron Legacy Remix soundtrack contribution
The kills/Jeff the Brotherhood- Got invited out with a free ticked. I liked it. Not a bad show at all.
Marilyn Manson- The old grey mule aint what she used to be- disappointingly minimalistic, the singing was off, the set list really had no surprises at all, and they didnt even have a friggin' keyboardist. Too Bad.
My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult- Buzz McCoy looked high as a kite and looked like he was about to pass out and fall into the crowd. But I still thought it was good show with a strong setlist.
Sleigh Bells- see above. Music was off tempo with their pre-recorded backing track. Like they werent even trying.
Rasputina- Better than the last time I saw them- a low-key performance, but I think that's how Rasputina performs best. Melora even made a dig at all the acts out there ripping off their style. Win.
Swans- Loud, brutal, intense. Even with earplugs, I could not get any closer than the soundboard without being overwhelemed by the constant sonic assault, the wall of sound liquifying by brain and destroying my hearing. Like one long, constant jam. One does not so much go to a swans concert as they survive a swans concert. But its all a part of the experience.
Gwar
Toadies- Great setlist, good surprises, lotsa fun.
Deftones- shitty venue (voodoo lounge at hurrahs), kinda out of it most of the night after a long day at work, but still an enjoyable show
The biggest disappointment though? missing out on Radiohead- by the time I had enough money to afford the ticket, Sprint center bought up all their own tickets just to re-scalp them at double the cost. Douches.
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