urbpan: (dandelion)
urbpan ([personal profile] urbpan) wrote2012-12-28 09:46 pm

Music of 2012

So I was sure that They Might be Giants put out a record this year but it turns out that Join Us actually came out in 2011. You can't fault me however, because TMBG have been producing and installing quality melodies since 1983, and in 2012 they DID release a live album. Also I saw them live in 2012. This isn't a great song so much as it's a great experience:


(Spoiler alert: The people always win. Poor apes.)

Speaking of live shows I went to this year, I was here, and this is the first time I ever heard this song.



I also saw my favorite live act, Firewater, this year, touring on the release of International Orange.



I didn't like the album as much as The Golden Hour (which I gave a mild review when it came out, but it's turned into one of my favorite records). Firewater combines dark contemplative bar rock with insanely upbeat traditional music from the east and near east. That was the worst description ever, so please just listen to some of it and love it or not.

The opening act for Firewater in Boston was a group I'd never heard of called The Skeleton Key, touring on a new album called Gravity is the Enemy. This turns out to be my favorite new album of the year. Bass-heavy art rock with a junkyard percussionist, full of weird deliberately off-key bits and stop and start Helmet-like rhythms, Alexis can't really stand it, so I'll have to listen while she's out of the room.



Also definitely see them live, dance near the front of the stage, but watch for flying metal bits.


Speaking of flying metal bits--what? No that was a horrible idea for a seque. Anyway, there's a new Soundgarden record out this year and while I've heard some criticism that they're not as edgy as they were in the early 90's, who is? Also I love "Jesus Christ Pose" but it's hard to kick back with, know what I mean? On the other hand I keep listening and relistening to their new song "Halfway There."



Also this year there was new music from the greatest hip hop act of all time, Public Enemy. In case you missed it, here's the song that became the theme for the London Paralympics:



And finally, for fans of 60's throwback garage zombie music, here's my friend's new band's theme song, The Unlivin' Dead:

[identity profile] shellasaurusrex.livejournal.com 2012-12-29 04:16 am (UTC)(link)
I love your friends song! Do they tour or are they local onoy?

[identity profile] urbpan.livejournal.com 2012-12-29 12:06 pm (UTC)(link)
I honestly don't know if they've ever toured or even played out. Glad you like it, here's their FB page: http://www.facebook.com/theunlivindead

[identity profile] urbpan.livejournal.com 2013-01-01 04:33 pm (UTC)(link)
He says, "No touring plans yet, but we do plan to start playing shows in Boston and nearby East coast locales early in the new year."

Also, a cover of a Leonard Nimoy song: https://soundcloud.com/wentworthvoiceover/cotton-candy-on-a-summer-day

[identity profile] shellasaurusrex.livejournal.com 2013-01-31 04:52 am (UTC)(link)
thank you good sir! i'm going to be buying myself the cd!

[identity profile] kryptyd.livejournal.com 2012-12-29 09:03 am (UTC)(link)
I remember hearing that TMBG had a million albums, and that was about 12 years ago.

Ahh, Public Enemy. I came to them late so they sound a little dated to me, but I still appreciated what they were doing. I like Flavour Flav's obnoxious voice. For another thing, they have a gang of sort of dancing revolutionaries in their videos, and you can't fault that!