Albums of the year 2012, part II

Without further ado, here comes the final part of my list.

#10 Django Django
Django Django

Having received rave reviews from just about everyone, this album became increasingly harder to avoid. Needless to say, when I finally gave in, I didn't regret it one bit. There's always something fascinating and refreshing about debuting indie bands, and Django Django certainly made quite an entrance.

#9 Born and Raised
John Mayer

When you rate Born and Raised, it all comes down to whether you like folk music or not. Thus, it's gonna be either your most favourite Mayer's album or the least. Considering it's in my top ten, it must be clear where I stand on this. (My review)

#8 Blunderbuss
Jack White

After an admirable 22-year-long career in music, dozens of projects and collaborations, everyone's favourite guitarist finally set off to release his solo debut. And its outstanding moments by far outweigh the few flaws. One of the bussiest and most prolific men in the bussiness hardly ever lets his fans down, even though it may have taken some time for people like me to appreciate the record. I'm only wondering if Jack White will ever run out of the tricks up his sleeve.

#7 Come of Age
The Vaccines

The Vaccines delivered again. Come of Age is arguably and quite surprisingly an even better album than their massively hyped debut. (My review)

#6 Handwritten
The Gaslight Anthem

Despite the lack of progress, this is still a rather fantastic output. It's been always very exciting for me to witness the band's continual rise to fame, and frankly, I hope it won't stop anytime soon. (My review)

#5 Lonerism
Tame Impala

A fantastic psychedelic album, that grabs you and doesn't let go. Expect no stoner music, though, this is a very focused and elaborate set of songs. It was yet another big surprise for me and will be an important entry in every respectable magazine's guide to 2012's essential albums. (My Review)

#4 Celebration Rock
Japandroids

It's hard to resist the raw energy of this album. I may be overly enthusiastic, but it is thanks to bands like Japandroids, that rock'n'roll will never die. (My review)

#3 Given to the Wild
The Maccabees

Compelling third studio album from the UK indie rockers, that clearly shows their musical maturity and a great deal of ambition, which don't go unfulfilled. (My review)

#2 Some Nights
fun.

It's increasingly difficult to avoid cheap puns, but the band's name really says it all. For me, this has been the feel-good album of 2012. I would always come back to it and be amazed by the sheer talent on display. Despite a few missteps along the way, it's simply a great record and I'm glad fun.'s singles dominated the airwaves this year. (My review)

#1 Battle Born
The Killers

Ever since the release, there was little doubt this mammoth of an album would eventually end up seizing the top spot of my list. Considering the long break, we might have doubted whether The Killers still got what it takes to dominate the world. Thankfully, the answer to that is a resounding "yes". Great hooks, grand statements, perfect execution... An instant classic. (My review)

Handwritten

The brightest and shiniest moment in the band's career is also their biggest setback. The Gaslight Anthem have already released their best album and I don't see how anything they'll ever produce in the future could top The 59' Sound. With that being said, Handwritten is, of course, a great piece of work in its own right.

Their sophomore effort took the world by surprise with its perfect combination of punk rock tools, retro imagery and Brian Fallon's irresistible growl. All its components were refined to the point of near perfection, supplying listeners with a monthly (at least) dose of nostalgia. American Slang only continued the trend, more or less, and so does Handwritten.

The lyrics have never spoken more urgently and the instruments have never sounded better or bigger, as they reliably send shivers down my spine on several occassions (the ending of Mullholand Drive for example).  Handwritten is no short of grand moments as well as honest statements, with themes being more personal than ever before.

However, there are a few obstacles along the way. Using the same old formula, The Gaslight Anthem couldn't avoid repeating themselves. Not that they even tried to, because this is everything the band is about now. Heart on sleeve, catchy riffs and a great deal of sentiment. You either play along, or you don't. But let's be honest, if they'll stick to what they do so easily come their fifth album, there's a chance the audience may become increasingly indifferent.

Pretended or not, the band's sincerity largely makes up for any of the album's flaws or the lack of progression. And while being a bit ponderous at times, Handwritten is still a fine example of good old rock'n'roll craftsmanship. Within the span of the last three albums, The Gaslight Anthem have gone a long way from being punk rock's best kept secret to having #3 album on Billboard and selling out shows across the ocean. Nevertheless, The 59' Sound will remain the band's defining work for a little longer.

Best tracks: "45", Handwritten, National Anthem, (Blue Dahlia - bonus track)

By the way, I just realized, they might as well call themselves ABBA... :)

45

Well, it was about time. The Gaslight Anthem's new single has been out for quite some time, but it wasn't until now that they've released a music video for the song too. Here it is. I have no doubts the new record's gonna be fantastic, and that's something I can't say about any other band right now...



The new album, Handwritten, comes out on July 24.

Albums of the Year, part II

To see the first part, click here.

#8 Postcards from a Young Man

Manic Street Preachers

The last year saw the Manics dealing with past on an album that also may be considered a comeback. Behind Postcards is a completely different story. Prior to the release, the band had announced this would be their last shot at mass communication, which is why it's a pop album to the core, aimed at the widest audience. But that doesn't matter since it's nothing short of powerful rock anthems and guitar solos. I didn't use to be a huge Manics' fan but Postcards changed that in an instant.

Best tracks: (It's Not War) Just The End Of Love, A Billion Balconies Facing the Sun, Don't Be Evil

#7 Interpol

Interpol

Another album I had been impatiently waiting for and still, I was surprised after I gave it the very first spin. It wouldn't be hard to doom Interpol's latest effort. The songs are seemingly heading nowhere as if the band were lost in their own world. Paul Banks' voice may sound distant and bored. But things are not so simple this time around. The album is a grower. All the band's trademarks are still present here and it's their most consistent work to date. It certainly stands as an important milestone in their career, and not just because the bassist Carlos D left after completion.

Best tracks: Success, Barricade, Always Malaise (The Man I Am)

#6 Congratulations

MGMT

Oracular Spectacular had some great singles. On the contrary, MGMT's sophomore album lacks them altogether. But that doesn't necessarily mean it's worse. In this case, it means the exact opposite. I'm an album listener, I like to play them from beginning to the end and hardly ever skip any tracks. Congratulations is just the sort of record, that aims at listeners like myself. It's forty-four minutes long, coherent body of work that flows smoothly towards the end, which comes just when you realise you want to hear more.

Best tracks: Flash Delirium, Siberian Breaks, Congratulations

#5 The Betrayed

Lostprophets

My first highly anticipated album of the year. A long story, spanning over three years, preceded the release, which was delayed numerous times due to problems with labels and producers. That being said, Lostprophets without wavering lived up to my expectations. The Betrayed is a rare case of a record, where a band succeeds at combining elements of all its previous efforts while accomplishing to sound renewed and different. This time, it's angrier, heavier, darker and with their best song since Last Train Home (Where We Belong).

Best tracks: Where We Belong, For He's a Jolly Good Felon, Sunshine

#4 American Slang

The Gaslight Anthem

It certainly wasn't easy living up to everyone's expectations after The '59 Sound. Fortunately, The Gaslight Anthem proved their previous effort didn't happen by chance and were able to create arguably even a better album. Every time I listen to American Slang, I have to admire the flawless production and Brian Fallon's heartfelt lyrics and singing. When it comes to incorporating past influences and inspiration and blending punk with 1960's rock n' roll while sounding utterly present and relevant, The Gaslight Anthem have no equals.

Best tracks: Stay Lucky, Boxer, The Spirit of Jazz

#3 High Violet

The National

There really isn't much to say about High Violet, except that it's damn good. In the competition for the best indie album of the year, it came close second. It's a typical grower. Initially, the songs hardly ever caught my attention as they're rather slow and seem to never take off. But once I gradually began to immerse into the captivating tunes and Matt Berninger's voice, I realised there's a lot going on underneath. High Violet is a very personal record, as well as it's mature. Plus, it features my favourite cover art of the year.

Best tracks: Anyone's Ghost, Bloodbuzz Ohio, Conversation 16

#2 Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys

My Chemical Romance

It had been four long years of waiting for the band to release a follow-up to the highly ambitious Black Parade. After a long touring, contribution to the Watchmen soundtrack, scrapping of a completed album and yet another radical change of image (and haircuts), Danger Days finally arrived.

Because of the long wait, I wasn't sure if I cared about the band anymore. But then the trailer campaign struck and My Chem released the first single, Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na), and I was again on board with them. Danger Days sounds like a band having more fun than ever. From the tight production to Gerard Way's affective singing, the album sounds both typical MCR and completely different from what we used to hear from these guys. It's one hell of a ride and easily the best rock n' roll album of the year.

Best tracks: Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na), Bulletproof Heart, Summertime

#1 The Suburbs

Arcade Fire

To be honest, I was mildly disappointed when I first heard The Suburbs back in the summer. At that time, it didn't seem to be a worthy follow-up to Funeral or Neon Bible. Fortunately, it grew on me like any other album, surpassing everything that's been released this year. Although, it's a concept album, where everything is heading towards the monumental peak on the closing track Sprawl II, each song works just as good on its own, mixing musical ambition with mainstream accessibility. The Suburbs may be the most epic effort of Arcade Fire's career, compelling, enthralling and gripping.

Best tracks: City With No Children, We Used to Wait, Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)

The Gaslight Anthem

American Slang, new record from this New Jersey quartet, is due out in June and you can hear acoustic versions of few songs from the upcoming album here, as they were recorded by the lead singer and guitarist Brian Fallon.
The Gaslight Anthem gained their well deserved success after releasing The '59 Sound in 2008. On American Slang they've once again proved, why they're everyone's favourite punk rock band.



Band's MySpace

note: if you want to download the acoustic songs, just right-click on them and save as on to your computer ;)

#edit: Some behind the scenes footage...