Past Noise...Future Sound

Submitted by Zac on January 16, 2013 - 1:07pm

As we mentally prepare for what will be, it’s always helpful to look back at what was. Looking forward, 2013 will undoubtedly be an exciting year for new music. With anticipated releases from Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, A$AP Rocky, Bad Religion, Kid Cudi, Black Sabbath (maybe...), M.I.A., and bands that will pull a ‘Lumineers‘ on us by coming out of nowhere to take over the radio waves, we have a lot to look forward to...

But as we wait for an exciting 2013, why not listen to the best of 2012? Looking back, it was a wonderful and endlessly fascinating year for music. Veterans Neil Young and Crazy Horse stampeded back onto the scene by releasing two (!) critically acclaimed albums, in addition to Young’s biography Waging Heavy Peace (read Bobby’s book review). Die Antwoord returned and reminded us why they hold such a special place in our hearts. Newcomer Alt-J announced his presence with unconventional yet popular tracks, and Frank Ocean’s debut studio effort Channel Orange pushed him to the front of the pack as Spin Magazine named it Album of the Year.

Below is a mix of the albums, artists, and tracks that meant the most to me in 2012. What were your favorites?

Album: Young Man in America
Artist: Anaïs Mitchell
Track: Young Man in America

Album: CVI
Artist: Royal Thunder
Track: Whispering World

Album: My Head is an Animal
Artist: Of Monsters and Men
Track: Dirty Paws

Album: The Haunted Man
Artist: Bat for Lashes
Track: Laura

Album: An Awesome Wave
Artist: Alt-J
Track: Breezeblocks

Album: R.A.P. Music / Artist: Killer Mike
Track: Reagan

Album: The Money Store / Artist: Death Grips
Track: Get Got

Album: L'Enfant Sauvage / Artist: Gojira
Track: L'Enfant Sauvage

Album: Channel Orange / Artist: Frank Ocean
Track: Forrest Gump

Album: Who's Feeling Young Now? / Artist: Punch Brothers
Track: Who's Feeling Young Now?

Zac's blog

Comments

Submitted by Anonymous on January 16, 2013 - 2:00pm.

I just put myself on hold for Channel Orange.

Submitted by Zac on January 16, 2013 - 2:31pm.

Great! I hope you enjoy it. While you're waiting for your hold to fulfill, you might want to check out The Of Tape. Vol. 2 by Odd Future. There isn't nearly as long of a holds queue as Channel Orange, and Frank Ocean is a member of the group.

Submitted by angela on January 16, 2013 - 10:54am.

Channel Orange totally blew me away. I also got a chance to see Die Antwoord live last year--amazing.

Submitted by Zac on January 16, 2013 - 12:46pm.

Thanks for commenting Angela. I'm super jealous you saw Die Antwoord live - I can only imagine how awesome they'd be on stage!