So I haven't been to terribly regular at keeping this blog up to date. A lot of that has to do with how busy my wonderful clients have kept me over the last few months, and for this I'm incredibly thankful for. So right now I want to give a big THANK YOU to all of you for keeping me busy!
Every year I put this list together of albums that have been in regular rotation in my life. It's really just a way of recording what I liked so that way later on in life I can either praise or make fun of my musical choices for that year.
This year seems to be a bit on the heavier side with a little hip hop and classic thrown in the mix, and as always, these are in no particular order. So with out further adieu, here's to 2012:
Baroness - Green & Yellow
This double album from the Georgia quartet moves from pulsating heavy guitars to soft delicate textures that would easily fit in an episode of Game of Thrones or a Baroque period film. But unlike their previous albums, this one finds Baroness a bit more upbeat, almost happy, if that could be conceived. I love both parts of this double album equally, and it's in my permeant rotation for use during my marathon photo editing sessions.
Must listen track: March to the Sea
Led Zeppelin - Celebration Day
The live album that captures their one and only reunion show from 2007 at London's O2 Arena, and it sounds like they've never missed a beat. With Jason Bonham filling his father's shoes on drums, the entire show is a catalog of Zeppelin's greatest hits blasted just like they were when the band was at it's prime. The audio is amazing, but the accompanying Bluray/DVD pushes it over the top.
Must listen track: The whole damn thing.
Converge - All We Love We Leave Behind
First, Converge is reaching it's 25 year mark being a band, this I found amazing. Second, this is an album that would be the staple of my skate sessions, if I still skated. It's dry, it's brutal, just like hardcore punk music should be, but not a marathon in speed and thrash. But when it's through, 38 minutes to be exact, your worn out, still begging for more.
Must listen track: Sadness Comes Home
Between The Buried And Me -The Parallax II: Future Sequence
So say in some bizarre universe Pink Floyd, Rush, and King Crimson had intergalactic sex, this album would be the result. The 2nd of two conceptual albums, and the 6th studio album by BTBAM, it finds the band more mature and dynamic then previous releases. But in true BTBAM fashion the brutal heaviness and complex timings can quickly take a left turn in the middle of any song and be replaced with flutes or jazz fusion-polka beats. I think this is their best release to date, and probably the easiest for a new comer to the band to digest and consume .
Must listen track: Astral Body
Jay - Z - Live in Brooklyn
The President and CEO of Rap preforms in front of his hometown and properly breaks in the new Barclays Center with his wife Beyonće and a few other friends. This was released on iTunes with accompanying videos, but wasn't the complete show. I recommend finding the torrent of the audio from the full show to get the true live Jay-Z experience. This is another fantastic collection of live back to back hits from an icon of his genre and our generation.
Must listen track: Where I'm From into Empire State of Mind into Brooklyn Go Hard
Muse - The 2nd Law
To be honest, the first time through this album I only liked a track or two. I found it sounding like U2's The Joshua Tree mixed with electonica and dubstep. But being a good little Muse fan I gave it a few more runs through and it grew on me. Panic Station is the ultimate booty shaking song of 2012, hands down, with Supremacy, Madness and Liquid State holding their own.
Must listen track: Panic Station
The Chariot - One Wing
Bizarre, brutal, raw, odd, and completely entertaining from start to finish.
Must listen track: First
Gojira - L'enfant Sauvage
The French masters of complexity and ferociousness have put together their 5th studio album that is both beautiful and tragic. There isn't a moment of rest anywhere as the album progresses from track to track at break neck speed. One of the most beautifully orchestrated tracks is The Gift of Guilt , a perfect balance of what makes Gojira enjoyable.
Must listen track: The Gift of Guilt
Deftones - Koi No Yokan
This album seems to have slid in under the radar, but might be one of the best Deftones album yet. Personally I've done a complete 180 on the band over the past few years, from watching them with mediocrity to anticipating new releases, and this album delivers. Bold, delicate, face melting, and soothing. A great delivery and I accept it with open arms.
Must listen track: Leathers
††† (Crosses) - EP2
So from the Deftones we go to Chino's other band, Crosses. Chilled electronic greatness with a little bit of shoe gaze guitars thrown in. This is (and has been used) as the perfect background music for a nice relaxed party at the house. Chino's ghostly vocals fit perfectly in this environment, and this EP is one of the best electronic albums I've heard in a long time. If there was one album on this list I'd beg anyone to listen to, this would be it.
Must listen track: Telepathy