'12 Songs I Heard

I started sending annual collections of favorites about a decade ago. I try to adhere to a rule that the song was released or reissued in some form in the past 12 months. Naturally, I've broken that rule a few times (always with the best intentions). 

Since about '07, I've used the year to dictate the amount of songs. I figure I can continue that trend for a spell. The limit keeps the quantity manageable. Otherwise, the collection could go for days and days (For instance... this year, Thurston Moore's new band Chelsea Light Moving would've been featured as song number 13, Mind Spiders 14, Cat Power probably 15... and so on). 

I hope you find these picks to your liking. If I've omitted your favorite, please tell.

King Tuff - Anthem. Bottom of the Hill was absolutely bonkers. Swirly, sweaty, bumpy. One kid stage dove right to the ER. He probably claimed later that it was worth it. I could’ve taken any song off this record. Picked this one ‘cause it’s a solid start. Buy the rest, you’ll be happy.

Waters – Way Back to You. Yeah, millennial. I’m sure he’s annoying. Just look at that haircut. And yet… on this song he does a real good job replicating that 90s Superchunk sound, which my wife will tell you I’m a completely powerless against.

Nick Cave, Warren Ellis (Featuring Emmylou Harris) – Cosmonaut. Nick Cave & Warren Ellis make a record with Emmylou Harris, Ralph Stanely, Willie Nelson, and Mark Lenegan and virtually no one seems to care. Weird, yes?

Regina Spektor – Small Town Moon. Up on a ridiculously gigantic, outdoor stage, there’s absolutely no reason that her piano and voice should’ve sounded so right. But they did.

Grinderman – Palaces of Monezuma Nick Cave released this ode to his wife in 2011. In early in 2012, Grinderman released three remixes. This one’s faster than the original and easily the best song of the year… even if it ain’t exactly of this year.

Royal Headache - Never Again These Aussies have been accused of ripping off pretty much every British brand from 1968-1978. ‘Course, everybody plunders. At least they chose wisely. Sounds to me like a mod Rod Stewart fronting the Jam. The Mrs. says this song features “Todd tempo.” Fair enough.

Lord Shorty & Vibrations International – Vibrations Groove Less of a song than a lesson from the godfather of soca music. Strut and Numero Group keep mining the world for gems. Spend an hour on their websites and dig, dig, dig.

The Boss – Death to my Hometown Wrecking Ball is the Great Recession dust bowl record. Springsteen spells it out simple: We were fleeced with that pen Guthrie warned us about. This entire record is the best and most honest tribute Woody got for his 100^th. 

First Aid Kit – King of the World The Swedes keep taking our Americana and giving it back with a tasty meatball sittin’ on top. These sisters write and harmonize beautifully. Conner Oberst backs ‘em up nicely. The fiddle is weepy. The horns are lovely. And I don’t mind the handclaps, do you?

Dan Deacon – USA VI The Manifest I’m not sure this song can handle the implied scope. America’s a big topic best left to country music and Copeland. And yet, Deacon’s dizzying brand of industrial is pretty compelling. I get the impression he listened to the Wax Trax greats back in the day. I read he has a classical/formal musical education and I think I can actually kinda sorta hear it. Although, honestly, I’m not even sure what that means.  

The Coup – Your Parent’s Cocaine (Featuring Anti-Flag) Aside from MCA’s departure, 2012 was a good year for hip hop. Killer Mike’s record is amazing (especially “Reagan” and “R.A.P. Music”), Death Grips kept on pushing buttons, and Big Boi’s new record is solid. But I think I liked The Coup best. Despite a populist earnestness that made them the soundtrack to Oakland Occupy, they still managed to make the most fun and danceable record of the year (Joe Strummer + Sly Stone).

DK – Moon Over Marin Yeah, breaking the rules with this one. Obviously not released or reissued or remixed in 2012, this song contributed heavily to my prejudices about all territory north of the Golden Gate Bridge (which I now call home). But the Dead Kennedys were only about 50% correct about everything. And their name-calling demise was uglier than anything I’ve seen up here in Millbury. Still, I love this song and I’ve been humming it since the day I arrived.