If I replace a top “ten” albums or concerts of the year list with a number corresponding to the year, by 2030 I won’t even have to decide anymore.
It’s dangerous and a bit cheesy, just like most popular music. But I will give in to the urge to not have to chop two more albums off this list and roll with my top 12 albums of 2012, in alphabetical order.
Ben Folds Five – The Sound of the Life of the Mind
Choir of Young Believers – Rhine Gold
Diiv – Oshin
Father John Misty – Fear Fun
Hiss Golden Messenger – Poor Moon
Maps and Atlases – Beware and Be Grateful
Matthew E. White – Big Inner
The Mountain Goats – Transcendental Youth
Patterson Hood – Heat Lightning Rumbles in the Distance
Punch Brothers – Who’s Feeling Young Now?
Sharon Van Etten – Tramp
Tame Impala – Lonerism
What’s that you say? Serve myself? OK, here are 5 honorable mentions, AKA albums 13 through 17….
First Aid Kit – The Lion’s Roar
Jason Lytle – Dept. of Dissappearance
Jimmy Herring Band – Subject to Change Without Notice
Titus Andronicus – Local Business
Woods – Bend Beyond
If you follow the Twitter, you know I saw a ton of shows in 2012. Here are my 12 favorites, in alphabetical order.
The Grandmothers of Invention – Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro, NC
The Hold Steady – Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro, NC
Journey/Pat Benetar/Loverboy – Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC
Matthew E. White – Fletcher Opera Theater, Raleigh, NC
Puscifer – Bonnaroo, Manchester, TN
Roger Waters – PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC
Rodrigo y Gabriela – Bonnaroo, Manchester, TN
Superjam – Bonnaroo, Manchester, TN
Toon & The Real Laww – Pour House Music Hall, Raleigh, NC
Warren Haynes Presents The Christmas Jam – Asheville, NC
White Denim/Maps and Atlases/Tiny Victories – The Lincoln Theater, Raleigh, NC
Victor Wooten Band/Jimmy Herring Band – Carolina Theater, Durham, NC
Look for live tweets from the 24th Warren Haynes Christmas Jam this weekend, and a review too. Happy Holidays!
The Wounded Messenger 