40oz best of 2012 so far diana
So far. I mean, everything is a so far, right. So far, humankind hasn't figured out how to built rocket jet packs. So far, no one's figured out a Star Trek-style teleportation device. So far, no one's figured out how to cure cancer.
But if you buy that whole temporal spatial thing, (conspiracy) 2012 has been pretty good to our ears. So, like, here's my favorite albums. Some of the links have sample, but the ones with videos under them don't. Can you dig it?
Betcha can. So far.
The Legends Club
Mark Lanegan – Blues Funeral
Mark Lanegan is slowly gaining the type of notoriety usually reserved for artists like Tom Waits or Neil Young. The former lead singer of 90s grunge act, Screaming Trees, shows us a little more of his fascinating, macabre internal architecture on Blues Funeral.
Neil Young and Crazy Horse – Americana
Speaking of, Neil Young reunited with his Crazy Horse brethren gave us one of the most provocative collection of traditional covers I've ever heard. It's hard not to get political when talking about America's favorite Canadian, but I don't think I need say more about his latest Americana.
Melvins Lite – Freak Puke
Some of these 'legends' are starting to make me feel a bit gray. Nevertheless, my generation's heroes still knows how to rock, even when they're re-interpreting themselves on like, say, a metal/jazz album?
Van Halen – A Different Kind of Truth
Who knows why record companies choose to put certain tracks on certain records, and trash others. This record is mostly made up of old VH demos from the 70 that were left on the cutting room floor. And it's all hot like that.
OFF – S/T
When Keith Morris,the former first lead singer of Black Flag speaks, you best listen. OFF is punk's first supergroup of the genre, and well . . . 'fuck you' is what they're gonna tell you. And that's the way it should be.
Up Jumps the Boogie
THEESatisfaction – Awe Naturale
This record will probably take 'album of the year' in my corner. I dunno what I was thinking when I gave Santigold a higher rating that this amalgamation of jazz/ r and b/ hip hop. The musical brevity of Awe Naturale is executed to perfection, every second of the way.
Santigold – Master of My Make Believe
I've been pumped for this record since Santigold appeared on last year Spank Rock release. I wasn't disappointed. Santigold is another true student of pop music, and her schizoid flops between reggae, new wave, pop and r and b are munificent.
Metal Up Your Ass
Buck Satan and the 666 Shooters - Bikers Welcome Ladies Drink Free
It'll make you puke blood if you're not careful. Al Jourgensen, the brain behind the legendary industrial outfit Ministry, always dreamed of releasing a country album. It's finally here, and it's probably the truest country album released in the past 10 years.
High On Fire - De Vermis Mysteriis
It's a record that stems from an H.P. Lovecraft book. Awesome. Sick riffs, creative solos, and plenty of cult metaphors rule. De Vermis Mysteriis, conjures up images of Killing Joke's Hosanas from the Basement of Hell. Doesn't get much better.
Unsane – Wreck
Evisceration kind of follows Unsane, and their latest Wreck is just a case of newest verse, same as the first. If (and it may be a big if) you love Unsane, this is a must have.
Royal Thunder – CVI
Sabbath with a sex change. Royal Thunder's debut full-length is breath of fresh air to classic rock fans. RT's CVI is sludgy, driving and delicious. How's that for a first impression? Long live metal.
Pop
Air – Le Voyage Dans La Lune
Air decided to lay down some gorgeous shit to go along with the turn of the twentieth century silent fim A Trip to the Moon. And you know how they are with soundtracks.
Grimes – Visions
Two words: Ear Candy.
Tennis – Young and Old
Because Hope Sandoval hasn't released anything in a while, it's a fine time for Alaina Moore and hubby Patrick Riley to get their jabs in. They take full advantage on the glistening Young and Old.
Princeton – Remembrance of Things to Come.
The Kivel brothers. Jesse and Matt, team up with the New L.A. Music Ensemble to fuse electro,classical and pop with delicious flair. Sure, that maybe sooo 1970s, but there's a reason it was so effing popular.
