CJLO - The Best of 2012
There is a new and exciting year ahead of us, but we here at CJLO want to take this chance to reminisce about the wonderful music 2012 had to offer. CJLO DJs and staff give you their top picks of the year, and the lists reflect the different styles of music that broadcasts on CJLO every day, as well as the eclectic tastes of our DJs! Check them out and you might find something new and interesting.
And while you're here, have a look at our on-air schedule for more information on our programming, or click on a DJ's show page or personal page, all hyperlinked for your convenience below (because we care, man).
All the best to you and yours in 2013!
–CJLO 1690 AM in Montreal
Beansie Saretsky, CJLO Station Manager and DJ of Maiden Voyage, Friday 12-1 pm
Top Albums of 2012
01. Purity Ring – Shrines
02. Japandroids – Celebration Rock
03. DIIV – Oshin
04. Young Magic – Melt
05. Beach House - Bloom
06. Frank Ocean – Channel Orange
07. Yamantaka // Sonic Titan – YT // ST
08. METZ – METZ
09. Parlovr – Kook Soul
10. Death Grips – The Money Store
And finally, this is not a new album, but I listened to it almost every day in 2012: Tim Hecker – Dropped Pianos.
Best Shows of 2012
- Yamantaka // Sonic Titan @ Le Rialto (Pop Montreal)
- METZ @ Cameo Gallery (CMJ)
- St. Vincent and David Byrne @ L’eglise St. Jean Baptiste (Pop Montreal)
- Friends & John Maus @ Lee’s Palace (NXNE)
- Cold Warps @ Parts & Labour (NXNE)
- Purity Ring @ SAT
Coolest Things at CJLO This Year
- First ever funding drive for the station, a big milestone.
- CJLO 1690 AM presents: “You’re Related” Vol. 1: Montreal Artists Covering Montreal Artists, our compilation released in April.
- Winning ‘Biggest Champion of the Local Scene’ at the 2012 CMJ College Radio Awards
- The Safe in Sound M pour Montreal showcase @ L’Escogriffe in November.
- FOREIGN TRADE: An exchange between Montreal and Minneapolis compilation.
- Receiving the Radiometres grant from the CRFC to start the CJLO Artist Outreach Project
DJ Solespin from The Suite Delight, Saturday 8-10 pm
Songs I Felt For Some Reason or Another 2012
01. Nas – "The Don"
02. Santigold – "Disparate Youth"
03. ANGO – "No Ordinary Love"
04. The Sureshot Symphony Solution – "Mr. Fortune & Fame featuring The Mighty Pope"
05. Mickey Boston featuring Rico Blox – "Freedom"
06. Maylee Todd – "Hieroglyphics" (Tall Black Guy Remix)
07. Prince Akeem – "Forever"
08. Ancient Astronauts – "Still A Soldier" (DJ Brace Remix)
09. Ray Lugo – "Super Saoco"
10. Sonnymoon – "Magicians" (MndsgnSalmonFromIpanemaMX)
11. Lianne La Havas – "Is Your Love Big Enough?"
12. Nation Ruckus – "Against The Wall" featuring Sir Jay & Jonathan Emile
13. The Sol Power All-Stars – "Catch Monkey" (Vocal)
14. Emile Sande – "Next To Me"
15. Hokis Pokis – "Nowhere" (Danny Krivit Edit)
16. Conn-Shawnery – "Shoulder Roll" (Instrumental)
17. Charles Bradley & The Menahan Street Band – "Heart Of Gold"
18. Bobbie Gentry – "Mississippi Delta & Ode To Billy Joe"
19. Krystale – "Sweet Tooth"
20. Pyongyang – "Autistic Behavior"
21. Fun – "We Are Young"
22. Train – "Drive By"
23. Savoir Adore – "Dreamers"
The Suite Delight Albums of 2012
01. Lee Fields & The Expressions – Faithful Man
02. The Souljazz Orchestra – Solidarity
03. Menahan Street Band – The Crossing
04. Planet Asia – Black Belt Theatre
05. Nas – Life Is Good
06. Santigold – Master Of My Make-Believe
07. Ray Lugo – We Walk Around Like This
08. Nickodemus – Moon People
09. Saukrates – Season One
10. Pacewon & Mr. Green – The Only Number That Matters Is Won
11. Punchline & DJ Soulclap – Underground Superstars
12. Bobbie Gentry – Ode To Billy Joe
13. ANGO – Serpentine
14. Savoir Adore – Our Nature
15. Various – Soul Jazz Records Presents Country Soul Sisters
16. Various – Country Funk
17. Various – The Best of Perception & Today Records
18. The Mighty Sparrow – Sparrowmania!
19. Various – Never To Be Forgotten
20. Various – The Rough Guide To Psychedelic Africa
The Suite Delight Best of 2012
01. Lee Fields & The Expressions – Cabaret Du Mile-End
02. Charles Bradley & The Extraordinaires – Corona Theatre
03. DJ Amir – The Goods, La Sala Rossa
04. DJ Spinna – Oasis Wednesdays, Salon Daome
05. Jazzanova - Music Is My Sanctuary Anniversary, Metropolis
06. Christian Pronovost – 24 Hours of Vinyl, Death Of Vinyl
07. The Souljazz Orchestra – Montreal Jazz Festival & Le Belmont
08. Inspectah Deck – Le Belmont
09. Lianne La Havas - Le Belmont
10. Lyrics Born – SAT, Jazz Festival
11. Jeru The Damaja – Cabaret Underworld
12. Puces Pop Record Fair
13. Under Pressure 2012
14. The Suite Delight 6th Anniversary
15. A Tribe Called Red – Pop Montreal
16. Dam Funk – Pop Montreal
17. Phantasmagoria Exhibit
18. The Avengers
19. The Dark Knight Rises
20. The Hobbit
Andrew Wixq from Grade A Explosives, Sunday 4-6 pm
Well, the year's almost at a close and it's once again time for tops of the year. Since it is 2012, I thought I'd make a top 12 of 2012 list, so here it is. But first, let me include some bands that didn't quite make the cut:
Muffler Crunch - Little Things
Hull, Quebec duo puts out a great female fronted albumin a simialr vein to Black Mountain or the Mongrels with more grit and heaviness. Tasty stuff for your ears.
Skip the Foreplay - Nightlife
A lot of people hate on this record, but I really think this band is trying to do something a bit original in the stagnant field of melodic hardcore and the quickly stagnating dubstep genre. Is it perfect? No. But it is catchy, and there's some definite musical talent being used unlike some other bands in the genre *coucgh* Abandon All Ships *cough*.
White Pulp - Vulgarity is not a Felony
Industrial rock that sounds like it might belong in the early to mid 90s.
X Marks the Pedwalk - The Sun, The Cold, and my underwater Fear
German electro pioneers are back with a dark and fantastically polished album.
Meshuggah - Koloss
Heavy stuff with great groove to it that you expect from Meshuggah.
Phutureprimitive - Kinetik
This pains me to not have on the to. This downbeat, minimalist record reminds me a lot of Burial, and it's so good to have in the background while I do other stuff.
16 - Deep Cuts from Dark Clouds
Sludge stuff at it's finest.
Avatar - Black Waltz
A really great album from this Swedish melodic death group. It is really good, and I really struggled with not putting it on the top 12. Give it a listen and maybe it will get on yours.
And now without further delay, here's the top 12
12. Enslaved - Riitiir
Though I foresee an Opeth style turn in their future, Enslaved is at least going gradually into the '70s with Riitiir. Though they aren't as heavy as they used to be, this album shows that they can craft some fine melodies and still garner a certain heaviness that they're known for. All in all, a solid release.
11. Periphery - Periphery II
A fantastic follow- up to their first record, one of the forerunners of the Djent groups release an album that shows off their technical prowess and their ability to still make an average person not be bored to death (I'm looking at you, Dream Theater). It's a great listen for when you want to be heavy but have a fun time doing it, and as the first album says, "Periphery: Love that shit!"
10. Passion Pit - Gossamer
This sophomore release from Passion Pit really shows that the band has grown musically in a pretty short amount of time. "Take A Walk" was able to get some good airplay on mainstream radio, and if you liked that, then the rest of the album is a smarter, weirder version of it. I honestly have a hard time finding tracks that I don't want to play when I cue them up for my show, so if you've heard the single, the full album will probably be great for you to try.
09. Pig Destroyer - Book Burner
Truth be told, this band's album could be seeming a bit more favorable to me after feeling like I had been beaten at their show in NYC (read the review here). Either way, the album is a fantastic piece of grindcore-mending elements from newer albums with the sheer brutality of older stuff Definitely an album not to be missed, and if you can pick up the "deluxe" version with the Blind, Broken, Bleeding EP, which Pig Destroyer cover some of their favorite punk bands, I'd recommend you do that.
08. Chainsaw Hookers - Chainsaw Hookers
Perth's favorite speed rockers finally put out a proper full-length album. If you like the mix of thrash, punk, and rock that bands such as Zeke pushed out, you'll love this album. Go to their website and check it out. You won't be sorry.
07. Kontravoid - Kontravoid
Ex-Crystal Castles, ex-Parallels and possibly current TRUST drummer Cameron Findlay puts out a pretty stellar kind of weird dark album. It has hints of new wave, but with more garageness to it, which I highly appreciate.
06. Hurt - The Crux
Formerly from Virginia and now in St. Louis, this modern rock outfit hasn't really strayed too much from the path that got them attention. A nice hard rock edge on some songs that are simple, but have some pretty good extra instrumentation on them. ""How We End Up Alone" is a pretty damn amazing song, and almost holds the album on its own, but the whole thing is solid, and kind of like a "comfort food of music" for me.
05. Vitalic - Rave Age
French electro man Pascal Arbez releases a fantastic electronic dance album which manages to be both dancey and have some good indie feel to it too. Definitely worth your time to check out if you haven't done so already.
04. Local H - Hallelujah! I'm a Bum
One of the most underrated bands from the '90s and possibly beyond, Local H puts out another fantastic concept record filled with all kinds of subway sound tracks inbetween to give it proper atmosphere. This is by far the most cohesive true "album" on the list and you should listen to the whole thing to get the true experience from it.
03. Cygnets - Bleak Anthems
This Edmonton trio puts out a fantastic dark, almost new wave sounding album which is sure to get you tapping along. If you want to hear their full album, I highly recommend you go to the website and download their album for zero dollars. Coincidentally, this album is also the best deal of the year.
02. Texas Hippie Coalition - Peacemaker
Easily having the most spins for me this year, Texas Hippie Coalition makes a an album that is fun and catchy. Oh, make no mistake, this album is dumber than a person who's repeated been beaten over the head with sacks of doorknobs, but it is pretty damn fun once you get past the stupidness of it.
01. High On Fire - De Vermis Mysteriis
Like a soundtrack to the barren hell-scape that was supposed to happen on the 21st (damn you Mayans), this album produces an unrelenting amount of sludge and doom which is just superb. If you missed them when they came through as I did, scold yourself thoroughly.
For the top songs of the year, tune in on Sunday, December 30th from 4-6 pm for a rockin' good time. Trust me, it will be great.
Angelica from BVST, Wednesday 7-9 pm
In no particular order, here are ten songs that soundtracked 2012 for me. There were many amazing metal albums released this year, and I'm sure as you go down the list you'll wonder about all the heavy hitters I left off, but these are the tracks that made my year, for better or worse.
Muffler Crunch - "Have Faith In Me" from Little Things
Video
While I wish I could share a video for "Stress", my favorite song off Muffler Crunch's latest album, this song, while a little quieter and more introspective, will give you an idea of the heaviness that this Hull, QC dishes out. Little Things is a shining black gem from start to finish, I highly recommend it.
16 - "Theme From Pillpopper" from Deep Cuts From Dark Clouds
Video
Honoring their 20th year in the business with another heavy as hell release, their second since signing to Relapse in 2009. I could have easily picked any song from this album, all come down with the same measure of brutality. Not for the faint of heart.
Admiral Sir Cloudsley Shovell - "Devil's Island" from Don't Hear it, Fear It!
Video
You'd be forgiven, after watching this video, for thinking that I'm trying to pass off a late '70s band as a new act, but happily for all the kief smokin', black light lit longhairs, here's a record that'll keep your copy of Sabbath's Paranoid off the turntable for a couple of months.
Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats - "Ritual Knife" from Blood Lust
Video
Also taking deep tokes from the deep bowl that is English proto-metal, this track (and its companions) from Blood Lust made 2012 feel like 1972. The soundtrack to a non-existent grainy VHS horror flick, this record both creeps and grooves in just the right way.
Chainsaw Hookers - "Never Sleep Again" from Chainsaw Hookers
Video
Speaking of horror flicks, Perth, Australia's premier punk'n'rollers released their debut full length in 2012, and it is nothing less than expected. Horror-themed, no-bullshit punk-inspired rock'n'roll, I stand behind this band so much that I'm giving away a copy of this record to the first person who asks for it and mentions this review on Twitter @angelidotca!
White Cowbell Oklahoma - "Diabla, Diabla" from Buenas Nachas
Video
While the sound quality on this video is sub par, it captures the atmosphere of every Cowbell show. On record this song is perfectly sun bleached, and one of the standout tracks on their new release, which digs a little deeper into the '70s sound.
Texas Hippie Coalition - "Turn It Up" from Peacemaker
Video
This is a dumber than dirt bass-heavy song about strippers, and I am not ashamed to admit that I listened to it (the whole record, in fact) at least a dozen times on a 10-hour roadtrip, and then again on the way home. I don't know what gives this particular band (and not the dozens of similarly braindead biker rock outfits) the edge, but I like it, and I ain't sorry.
Hellyeah - "Drink Drank Drunk" from Band of Brothers
Video
...but I may be sorry for this one. I am not a fan of the Vinnie Paul/guy from Mudvayne monstrosity that is this band, however, I will admit to enjoying this track, and not in moderation. This song is redeemed only by its stupidity, and my endorsement of this record and this band ends here.
Psy - "Gangnam Style" from Psy 6 (Six Rules), Part 1.
Video
At the end of July, I was introduced to this soon-to-be-viral hit by a K-pop obsessed friend, and, as much as I resisted at first, by the beginning of August, I declared it the unofficial theme song of the 2012 edition of the Fantasia Film Festival, and fellow Fantasia CJLO DJ Julie Matson even spun it between films. By the end of August, Psy was charting in North America. Love it or hate it, when even hardened rock'n'rollers are busting out the pony dance, that's the power of music.
Maximum RNR - "Ire of The Ram Intro / Trainwreck" from the CJLO Sessions
Session
This one's a little bit different - no video link, but a link to their bandcamp where you can grab these songs that were originally recorded for a CJLO session on my show. The band is back with a new lineup and new songs, but I particularly love how this track blends one of my favorite heavy melodies with a brand new track true to the band's scrappy punk rock sound.
Lady Oracle from The Limelight, Saturday 6-8 pm
Hip Hop / R&B albums that got play in my MP3 player (in no particular order):
- Amerigo Gazaway of Gummy Soul – Bizarre Tribe: A Quest To The Pharcyde
- Frank Ocean – Channel Orange
- Homeboy Sandman – First Of A Living Breed
- Robert Glasper – Robert Glasper Experiment
- Jai Nitai Lotus – Something You Feel
- Conn Shawnery – CS02
- Plug 1 & Plug 2 – First Serve
- More or Les - Mastication
- Murs & Fashawn – This Generation
- The Weeknd – Trilogy
Rebecca Munroe from The Commonwealth Conundrum, Wednesday 4-6 pm
2012 was quite the year in music. There was a phenomenal amount of music that came out of the Commonwealth this past year and it was so hard to pick only ten. Alas, here are my personal fave’s from this year!
Rebecca Munroe's top 10 "Commonwealth" bands for 2012!
10. Metric – Synthetica
09. Charles Hurts/Hello Translinks? - Blue Romance (Belfast, Ireland)
08. Ladyhawke – Anxiety (New Zealand)
07. Half Moon Run – Dark Eyes
06. Grimskunk – Set Fire
05. C T Z N S H P – Swan Dive EP
04. Bishop Morocco – Bishop Morocco
03. Cousins – The Palm At The End Of The Mind
02. Odonis Odonis - Hollandaze
01. METZ - METZ
Honorable Mentions
Rah Rah – The Poet's Dead
Stars – The North
Funeral Suits – Lily Of The Valley
Sara Johnston – Trespassing
Wintersleep – Hello Hum
Danny Payne from The Commonwealth Conundrum, Wednesday 4-6 pm
First things first, this top ten is in no particular order. The band at the top isn't my #1 pick, and the band at the bottom isn't my #10 pick. Just 10 incredible bands who have rocked my world in 2012 and who, I hope, will go on to achieve the success they thoroughly deserve in 2013. So without further ado, here's the big 10:
Two Wounded Birds (Soundcloud)
Leaders of the UK's blossoming surf rock scene, Two Wounded Birds (is that the best band name of all time?), with their obsession with Raybans and reverb, are the UK's coolest rockers since The Horrors. There must be something in the water down in Southend-by-Sea...
Two Wounded Birds split up in November 2012 but I had to add them anyway as they were absolutely brilliant and just couldn't be ignored.
Public Service Broadcasting (Soundcloud)
Public Service Broadcasting are a truly unique band where the concept is almost as impressive as the music they create. They sample old public information films and archive material and set them to new music created by laptops, drums, guitars, banjos...and even a Theremin! As they say, "teaching the lessons of the past through the music of the future."
Grass House (Soundcloud)
Grass House is a group of Northern Englanders drawing influence for their sound through their love of Joe Meek, Jonathan Richman, Captain Beefheart, and Lou Reed. I personally think there's some Tom Waits and Nick Cave in there too, either way, it's fantastic. And keep a close eye on their label, Dancing Coins. They're a new kid on the block in the London label world and definitely going places.
Little Green Cars (Soundcloud)
This song originally came out on Young and Lost Club Records in 2011 but has since blown up in the UK and Ireland due to a late-2012 re-release on Glassnote Records and is getting the attention it deserves.
Dead Social Club (Soundcloud)
Dead Social Club is one of a very, very few bands who I can honestly say I play EVERY time I DJ. No matter what the atmosphere, crowd, or venue, Dead Social Club
MUST (Soundcloud)
A very recent addition to the Under the Radar / Commonwealth Conundrum set list. Check out the soundcloud link above - there are two tracks, both free to download and both absolute crackers. Expect big things from these guys in 2013.
The Minx (Soundcloud)
This little ripper is The Minx's debut single release. It was released in the UK in June 2012 on Queen Street Records. Based in one of the UK's greatest musical cities, Manchester, The Minx have already played alongside Badly Drawn Boy, Neville Staples (The Specials), Tim Burgess (The Charlatans), and The Fall.
JAWS (Soundcloud)
Where would we be without Birmingham surf rock?! Absolutely bloomin' nowhere, that's where. This lot are a nightmare to search for online, for a while I just kept finding fan sites for the film, but I've done your work for you – click on the soundcloud link above and enjoy.
Charlie Boyer and the Voyeurs (Soundcloud)
CBATV released storming single "I Watch You" on legendary London label Heavenly Records back in October. Produced by Edwyn Collins, it's a retro stomper that reminds me a little of Supergrass. And I love the sentiment of B side "Be Nice". It's Christmas, be nice. You bastard.
Eagulls (Soundcloud)
I'm possibly swerving a wee bit into late 2011 territory here as opposed to 2012 but I'm gonna bend the rules for Eagulls. They rock hard and their songs are full of hooks and choruses that you'll be singing for days.
Pretty Riddles (Soundcloud)
Every time I play them on the show, Rebecca says, "ooh, who's this?" 'Nuff said.
The Last Party (Soundcloud)
These cheeky Mancunians bring out my more cheesy side, appealing to the part of me that cranks up the volume and sings my heart out to "Don't Look Back in Anger" by Oasis. Listen to this joyous, uplifting tune, with the lyrics; don't you know that, for every frown there's a thousand smiles, a thousand smiles, to be found, and I guarantee you'll all be singing along to this all over the holiday season!
OK, I know I said 10, but I got carried away. Enjoy all 12. All the best albums have 12 tracks, don't they?
Prince Palu from The Go-Go Radio Magic Show, Friday 6-8 pm
Albums
- Ty Segall - Twins
- Dr. John - Locked Down
- Divine Fits - A Thing Called Divine Fits
- Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Meat and Bone
- King Tuff - King Tuff
- Woods - Bend Beyond
- Ty Segall & White Fence - Hair
- Moon Duo - Circles
- Tame Impala - Lonerism
- Goat - World Music
Shows
- Ty Segall w/ White Fence and The Strange Boys @ Il Motore
- Reigning Sound w/ Bloodshot Bill and The Pouteens @ Il Motore
- Duchess Says w/ Red Mass Disco 3000 @ Club Lambi
- Neil Young w/ Patti Smith @ Bell Centre
- Glass Passenger @ Casa del Popolo
- Mark Sultan @ Casa del Popolo
- Quatro @ Club Lambi
- The Men w/ Nude Beach and Solids @ Il Motore
- Deer Tick w/ Turbo Fruits @ Sala Rosa
- Natural Child @ Il Motore
Oncle Ian from The Go-Go Radio Magic Show, Friday 6-8 pm
Oncle Ian's Favorite Albums of 2012
- White Frence - Family Perfume Vol.1 & Vol.2
- Ty Segall & White Fence - Hair
- Allah-Las - Allah-Las
- Peter Buck - Peter Buck
- TY Segall - Twins
- Woods - Bend Beyond
- Fresh & Onlys - Long Slow Dance
- Goat - World Music
- Giant Giant Sand - Tuscon
- Thee Oh Sees - Putrifiers II
- Beachwood Sparks - The Tarnished Gold
- The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Aufheben
- Holograms - S/T
- Merchandise - Children Of Desire
- The Men - Open Your Heart
- The Liminanas - Crystal Anis
- Divine Fits - A Thing Called Divine Fits
- Moon Duo - Circles
- Sic Alps - Sic Alps
Best Of 2012 Shows
- Strange Boys / White Fence / Ty Segall @ Il Motore
- Fresh & Onlys & Cassa Del Popolo
- Red Mass Disco 3000 / Duchess Says @ Club Lambi
- Leonard Cohen @ Bell Center
- The Sadies / Patti Smith / Neil Young & Crazy Horse @ Bell Center
- The Reigning Sound @ Il Motore
Mason W from Midnight Love Affair, Sunday 10-11 pm
Top Fun O' 2012
01. Kendrick Lamar – good kid m.A.A.d city
02. Frank Ocean – Channel Orange
03. TOPS – Tender Opposites
04. Mac DeMarco – 2
05. Karneef – In Error
06. Peaking Lights – Lucifer
07. Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Mature Themes
08. Travis Bretzer – Making Love
09. Renny Wilson – Sugarglider
10. Jonti – Sine & Moon
The K-Man from Beyond That Graveyard! III, Friday 9 pm - Midnight
K-Man's Best of 2012
Best Band: Venomous Maximus
Best Album: Beg Upon the Light - Venomous Maximus
This band and album is doing for heavy metal what The Cramps did for psychobilly. It's redefining its genre with a heavy infusion of old school riffage, arrangements and tempos with theme-based subject matter, to encompass real style and the heaviest of vibes: that they play with utmost conviction. Wait for it, it's just been released, and it's happening.
Already being described as one of the best metal albums this year by magazines and metal blogs right across the globe like: The Village Voice, Decible mag, Ghost Cult mag, The Obelisk, This Is Not a Scene, Doomantia, Terrorizer and countless other European blogs that I'm not even going to attempt to spell.
Backing up bands like St. Vitus (on their reunion tour), High on Fire, Mastodon, Down, EYEHATEGOD, Dixie Witch, Dax Riggs, Goat Whore, Valient Thorr; these guys are going to be huge.
Marshall. V from Fear of Music, Tuesday 4-5 pm
01. The Men - Open Your Heart
The album of 2k12! It has it all from stadium sized rockers, Rolling Stones-esque country heartwarmers, My Bloody Valentine playing metal, and kraut indebted 7+ minute jams. The Men come out of the gate strong on this album and barely let up, with an amazing assuredness moving between styles and making it all feel cohesive. This album will go down as a total rock 'n' roll classic. Also features the best song of the year about being broke, in a band and yearning for something more ("Candy"), which i have been all year, and i found especially touching. Song of the Year contenders: "Candy", "Please Don't Go Away", and "Oscillation".
02. The Soupcans - Good Feelings
The kind of album that you put on and immediately makes you want to freak out (in a good way). The tension throughout this album is palpable and the nasty tones of the guitar and bass along with the hammering drums pushing the album ahead at a breakneck pace that only lets up to get sludgy (see: "The Horla") or get weird (see: "Blood Sacrifice"). SOTY: "Shocked!" SOTY Contenders: "The Horla", and "Negative Genes".
03. Swans - The Seer
Probably the loudest record i've heard in some time. Not in terms of sheer volume, but of their impressive and original use of sound and space. Cacophonous blasts of pure noise with moments of pure freakout bliss coalesce around spare themes that feel like part of some strange vigil that you should not be hearing. An absolute behemoth of a record and one for the patient, but worth getting into to hear Michael Gira's dark world unfold before your very ears. SOTY Contenders: "The Seer", and "Lunacy".
04. Sex Church - Somnambulist 12"
Noisy rock with a great melodic underpinning. Tribal drums blend with screeching guitars, avant garde saxophone and disembodied wailing. Freaky ass punk thats feels economical but can still jam on. Bring to mind another great west coast punk band The Wipers. SOTY Contenders: Theres only 3 on here and they're all great.
05. Babysitter - Eye
Catchy songs that hearken back to the 60's garage rock, that sounds like it comes from a swamp, the desert and a bustling city centre all at once. Babysitter bounce around a few different styles on this record, from folky strumming tunes that amble along to the wailing voices and guitars dueling with a no-nonsense rhythm section. A great leap in these guys sound and a strong record from front to back. SOTY Contenders: "1969 Ties", "Angel of Death", and "Witches Finger".
06. Tame Impala - Lonerism
Revolver-era Lennon comparisons are warranted but don't tell the whole story. This record goes from some of the hookiest pop to heavy psychedelia on a dime and back again. All the while theres enough trippy noise happening all around your ears to make this album worth multiple listens. SOTY Contenders: "Why Won't They Talk To Me", and "Keep On Lying".
07. Animal Collective - Centipede Hz
While it didn't blow the minds that their previous album did it, a very solid album from a band thats been on a unbelievable streak of stone cold classics. In some ways, it feels like a blend of the more atmospheric tribal sound of old Animal Collective with the futuristic sheen of MPP and Strawberry Jam. SOTY Contenders: "Today's Supernatural", "Wide Eyed", and "Monkey Riches".
08. Ariel Pinks Haunted Graffiti - Mature Themes
Sleazy rock weirdo Pink has done it again, this time going with a more hi-fi approach but definitely not abandoning the strange structures, trippy atmosphere and woozy aesthetic of his previous albums. Stunning closer "Baby" shows Pink's softer side with a smooth, soulful slow jam. SOTY Contenders: "Baby", "Mature Themes", and "Only In My Dreams".
09. Death Grips - The Money Store
The first of two great albums from these guys in 2k12, but this is the one that found them broadening their sound and expanding their palette to include music that was kind of catchy, with out abandoning the noise, murk and darkness that define their sound. SOTY Contenders: "I've Seen Footage", and "Double Helix".
10. Ty Segall Band - Slaughterhouse
The finest from the trio of Ty Segall's records this year. A kick of classic rock adrenaline, with some punk touchstones and great pop melodies. This album is packed with sweet, sweet fuzz, killer guitar solos and some of the catchier punk tunes of the year. Holds up strongly all the way through. SOTY Contenders: "I Bought My Eyes", "Slaughterhouse", and "Tell Me What's Inside Your Heart".
Honorable Mentions
- White Lung - Sorry
- Frank Ocean - Channel Orange
- TNGHT - TNGHT
- Grimes - Visions
- METZ - METZ
- Cloud Nothings - Attack on Memory
- Chromatics - Kill For Love
- Baked Goods - Basement Glam
- Liars - WIXIW
Kayleigh Jordan-MacGregor, CJLO's Volunteer & Campus Outreach Coordinator
I'm afraid of commitment and can't put these in order. Enjoy, regardless!
- METZ - METZ
- Japandroids - Celebration Rock
- Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls
- Martha Wainwright - Come Home To Mama
- Brandy - Two Eleven
- King Tuff - King Tuff
- Mac DeMarco - 2
- LE1F - Dark York
- Bahamas - Barchords
- The Men - Open Your Heart
MNJIVR from AutoBeat, Tuesday Midnight - 2 am
It's that time of year, time to compile the best in electronic music. 2012 saw dance music gain prominence with the mainstream audience. The emergence of the hip-hop/dubstep sub-genre, Trap. Largely helped by the awesome duo TNGHT, composed of Montreal's own Lunice, and Scottish beat-maker, Hudson Mohawke. Techno sounds become more prevalent in many productions, a stark contrast to the more bass-driven beats of 2010 and 2011. Regardless, the shear amount of amazing music that came out this year is surely going to please all fans of electronic music, whether you like bass music, house, techno or trap, there is something to please the most demanding fan. This is my list of the best and favorites of 2012, in my humble opinion. I tried to listen to as much new music as possible but even then I missed a few that deserved to be here!
Standouts: Mala - Mala in Cuba, TNGHT - TNGHT, and Nautiluss - Habitat.
Best Albums
01. Mala - Mala In Cuba
02. Chromatics - Kill for Love / Flying Lotus - Until the Quiet Comes
03. Jam City - Classical Curves
04. Karriem Riggins - Alone Together
05. Kendricl Lamar - good kid, m.A.A.d. City
06. Andy Stott - Luxury Problems
07. Shackleton - Music For The Quiet Hour / The Drawbar Organ EPs
08. Ango - Serpentine
09. Jimmy Edgar - Magenta / Daphni - Jialong
10. Jessie Ware - Devotion
11. Clams Casino - Intrumental Mixtape 2
12. Redshape - Square
13. Actress - R.I.P.
14. John Tejada - The Predicting Machine
15. JJ Doom - Key To The Kuffs
Best EPs
01. TNGHT - T'NGHT
02. Nautiluss - Alpha / Habitat
03. Lapalux - When You're Gone
04. Flako - Eclosure / Thomas White - Rainbow Dolphins
05. Bok Bok - Southside Remixes
06. S-Type - Billboards
07. Hesk and Paveun - React
08. Jacques Greene - Concealer
09. Ariane Moffatt - MA remix
10. Botnek - Sriracha and Beer
11. George Fitzgerald - Child
12. Burial - Kindred
Best Compilations
01. Only 4 U: The Sound Of Cajmere & Cajual Records 1992-2012
02. Hemlock Recordings Chapter One
03. Pointé records - Montreal Bass Culture Vol. 1
04. Rinse FM - I love Grimes
05. Maya Jane Cole - Dj Kicks
Favourite Tracks
01. Baaeur - "Harlem Shake"
02. TNGHT - "Bugg'n"
03. Jassie Ware - "Running" (disclosure remix)
04. Jam City - "How we relate to the Body"
05. Ango - "True Blue"
06. Untold - "Motion the Dance"
07. Mala - "Stand Against War"
08. Kendrick Lamar - "Bitch, don't kill my vibe"
09. Daphni - "Ye Ye"
10. J:Kenso - "Ruffhouse" featuring Rod Azlan
Favourite 12" Vinyl Releases
01. Burial / Four'tet - Nova
02. Mala - Stand Against War / Maintain Thru Madness
03. Maddslinky - Compuphonic
04. Duke Dumont - For Club Play Only Pt.1
05. Roska - Blurry / Spearhead
DJ Remission from Let the Rhythm Hit Em, Tuesday 8-9 pm
Remission's Breakdown: Top Hip Hop Albums Of 2012
Popular
- Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid M.A.D.D. City
- Action Bronson & The Alchemist - Rare
- Chandeliers - Blue Chips
- Lushlife - Plateau Vision
- Blu & Exile - Give Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them
- Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - The Heist
Honorable mention: Nas - Life Is Good
Canadian
- Cadence Weapon - Hope In Dirt City
- D-Sisive - Jonestown 3. The Dream Is Over
- Abdominal And The Obliques - Sitting Music
- Sweatshop Union - The Leisure Gang
- Moka Only - Airport 6
Honorable mentions: Ira Lee - Growl / Loe Pesci - Expensive Heat Vol. 1
Instrumental
- 2econd Class Citizen - The Small Minority
- Brock Berrigan - Daily Routine/Pura Vida
- DJ Scientist - For Better, For Worse
- Equalibrum - Parallel
- Big Pauper - Beyond My Means
Honorable mentions: Kid Koala - 12 bit Blues / The Bakery Instrumental Mixtape
Underground
- Aesop Rock - Skelethon
- Pete Philley - Open Loops
- Dark Time Sunshine - Anx
- El-P - Cancer For Cure
- Otem Relik - Blood Bone Piano
Honorable mention: Bleu Bird - CANNONBALL!!!
French
- l'Algorythme & Kick Et Snare - Retour En Arrière
- Robert Nelson & Kaytradamus - Les Filles Du Roé
- Eff Gee - Keskon Eff
- Millimetrik - Read Between The Rhymes
- Oxmo Puccino - Roe Sans Carrosse
Honorable mentions: Dead Obies - Collation Vol.1 / Jazzy Bazz - Sur la Route du 3.14 / Maybe Watson - Maybe Watson Remix / Loud X Lary X Ajust - Gullywood
DJ Michael Terzian aka Sinister from Salvation from Sin, Friday Midnight - 3 am
01. Nathaniel X Project - "The First Supplement EP" (Undertones)
02. Washerman - "Deeper Side of Me" (Saft)
03. Mental Remedy featuring Carlos Roberto - "Children of Bahia" (Sacred Rhythm Music)
04. Arnold Jarvis - "Special One" (Trippin' Records)
05. Geoffrey Oryema - "Kei Kweyo" (Sacred Rhythm Music)
06. Paolo Rocco - "Present EP" (Sharivari Records)
07. Ron Trent - "Raw Footage, part 1" (Electric Blue)
08. Tevo Howard & Nick Anthony Simoncino presents Mark Rogers - "And The Bass Played A Sad Refrain" (Thug Records)
09. Robert Owens - "Sacrifice" (Kai Alce remixes) (NDATL Muzik)
10. Sit - "Morfoza EP" (Amphia)
11. Ananda Project featuring Terrance Downs - "Human Like EP" (Ananda Project Recordings)
12. Andy Vaz featuring Niko Marks - "Don't Lose Your Mind" (Delsin)
13. Deep Xcape - "After Da Rain" (Sophisticado)
14. Osunlade - "Envision" (Argy vocal mix) (Defected)
15. Bjak & Dubbyman - "D.I.P. EP" (Deep Explorer)
16. Nicholas - "A Brighter Day" (Quintessentials)
17. Gregory Porter - "1960 What?" (Opolopo Kick & Bass Rerub) (Expansion)
18. Ilario Alicante - "The Window On The World EP" (Deepmoves)
19. DJ Steaw - "Sky Hunt" b/w "I Want" (Local Talk)
20. Black Jazz Consortium - "Codes & Metaphors 1" (Soul People Music)
DJ Catatonia from Radio Hades, Sunday 8-10 pm
01. Swans - Seer
02. Weapon - Embers & Revelations
03. Witchcraft - Legend
04. Unsane - Wreck
05. Agalloch - Faustian Echoes EP
06. Urfaust - Ritual Music For The True Clochard
07. Sabbath Assembly - Ye Are Gods
08. Saint Vitus - Lillie F-65
09. Pallbearer - Sorrow & Extinction
10. - A Map Of All Our Failures
11. Sir Richard Bishop - Intermezzo
12. Dead Can Dance - Anastasis
13. Scott Walker - Bish Bosch
14. Serpentine Path - Serpentine Path
15. Om - Advaitic Songs
16. Towards Darkness - Barren
17. Pig Destroyer - Book Burner
18. Dopethrone - III
19. Locrian - The Clearing & Final Epoch
20. Aura Noir - Out To Die
21. Neurosis - Honor Found in Decay
Idle Matt from Radio Fun, Wednesday 10-11 pm
My top albums of 2012 in no particular order, although if I had to choose a favourite, it would have to be Torche's Harmonicraft. Of all the new albums of 2012, that's the one I listened to the most. A close runner-ups would be Terry Malts Killing Time and Japandroids Celebration Rock.
- Torche - Harmonicraft
- Japandroids - Celebration Rock
- White Lung - Sorry
- Ty Segall - Twins
- Terry Malts - Killing Time
- Rush - Clockwork Angels
- OFF - OFF!
- Mission of Burma - Unsound
- The Men - Open Your Heart
- Melvins - Freak Puke
- JEFF the Brotherhood - Hypnotic Knights
- Jack White - Blunderbuss
- Hot Water - Music Exister
Most disappointing album of the year would be Baroness Yellow & Green album, although it does have some good songs, I have a real hard time sitting through the whole thing. That, and I'm still pissed I shelled out 60$ for the deluxe vinyl hard-cover book.
Best re-issue of the year, by far, is the Beatles vinyl box set. It's a thing of beauty.
Favourite show of the year was Torche + Corrosion of Conformity at Foufs. Both bands killed it that night. I also quite like the Melvins shows at Corona, which I reviewed here.
DJ Mister Vee from Beats from the East, Tuesday 9-11 pm
DJ Mister Vee's List
01. Michael Jackson - Bad: 25 Deluxe Anniversary Edition featuring unreleased tracks
02. Masia One - Bootleg Culture
03. Kero One - Color Theory
04. Bambu - One Rifle Per Family
05. Dumbfoundead - Take the Stares
06. Traphik - Cruise Control
07. Clara C - .esc
08. Jay Park - New Breed
09. 6Fingers + Topkat - Mercury Retrograde
10. Soundtrack - The Man With The Iron Fists
Julie M from With Gay Abandon, Friday 1-2 pm
01. Sigur Rós - Valtari
02. Godspeed You! Black Emperor - 'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!
03. Rae Spoon - I Can't Keep All Of Our Secrets
04. Heidi Mortenson - Mork
05. North America - Blown Out
06. Spell - Lull
07. Trust - TRST
08. Chromatics - Kill for Love
09. Mirroring - Foreign Body
10. Lévitation compilation by Jeunesse Cosmique (MTL-based record label)
Stephanie Dee from Twee Time, Friday 8-9 pm
Band of the Year
PARLOVR
A new album (Kook Soul, their first in four years), two singles ("You Only Want It 'Cause You're Lonely" and "Holding On to Something"), a Polaris Music Prize nomination (long list), the cover of the Montreal Mirror (their first and only for the now-defunct weekly)... Tours! Local Shows! Video Shoots! Plus, their very own obsessed female fan (no, I don't mean me!), who I've seen at many of their shows and the Polaris salon at Casa del Popolo over the summer. Oh, and did I mention their guest spot on my radio show, Twee Time on CJLO? Indeed, 2012 was a really big year for Parlovr, and it became so clear during their Pop Montreal performance of "Just Marriage" (there will be a video for that too) that these three guys, Alex, Jeremy, and Louis, are stars. I'm looking at you, Jonathan Cohen, book this band on Fallon already!
Canadian Album of the Year
Rah Rah - The Poet's Dead
This album swooped in at the end of October and pushed every other Canadian CD I was listening to this year right out of rotation. The Poet’s Dead, Rah Rah’s third full length, has many surprises. The band draws from numerous musical styles for this album—“Art & A Wife” alt-country, “Run” indie-rock, “I’m a Killer” electronic, “First Kiss” folk-rock—and no two songs sound alike. However, it became apparent by the title track that these kids planned and plotted each song, always thinking about what would come next, and the result is a cohesive, well-paced, beautiful composition. My prediction: Polaris Music Prize Winner 2013.
Non-Canadian Album of the Year
The Men - Open Your Heart
The Men were at the top of my "Best of Spring" picks back in June, and although there have been many a great album released in 2012, I just can't seem to get over the genius that is Open Your Heart. Read my full review of the album here.
Favourite 2012 Albums
01. Ringo Deathstarr – Mauve (listen to: "Slack", "Waste")
02. Raveonettes – Observator (listen to: "Curse the Night", "The Enemy")
03. METZ – METZ (listen to: "Rats", "Negative Space")
04. Kestrels – A Ghost History (listen to: "Drowning Girl", "Islands")
05. Cadence Weapon – Hope in a Dirt City ("Conditioning", “Hype Man")
06. Shonen Knife – Pop Tune (listen to: "Pop Tune", "Osaka Rock City")
07. Ty Segall Band – Slaughterhouse (listen to: "Tell Me What's Inside Your Heart", "Wave Goodbye")
08. Nubians – Nubians (bandcamp) (listen to: "Vile Bodies", "D-Troit")
09. JEFF the Brotherhood – Hypnotic Nights (listen to: "Mystic Portal II", "Country Life")
10. Duchess Says – Anthologie des 3 perchoirs (2012 vinyl re-release) (listen to: "Ccut Up", "Black Flag")
Twee Time Guest DJs
- Alex, Jeremy, and Louis from Parlovr (podcast)
- Johanna and Jared from the Nymphets (podcast)
- Sinbad and Dave from Pigeon Phat (podcast)
- Brooke, Lara, and Rebecca from Montreal boutique Citizen Vintage (podcast)
- Florent and Jesse from C T Z N S H P (podcast)
Interviews
- Jake Orrall from JEFF the Brotherhood (transcript)
- Jessica Latshaw from the YouTube viral video "Never a dull moment on the NYC subway" (podcast)
- Laura, Quentin, Scott, and Mike from Les Monstres Terribles (podcast)
Live Shows to Remember
- Red Mass Disco 3000 + Duchess Says @ Club Lambi
- Parlovr + Pigeon Phat @ Le Divan Orange (POP Montreal)
- White Lung + Nubians @ Casa del Popolo
- Public Enemy @ Stade Olympique (Experience Montreal)
- Atari Teenage Riot @ Stade Olympique (Experience Montreal)
- Esmerine @ Sala Rossa (M pour/for Montreal)
- The Men @ Il Motore (and again at Underworld)
- A Place to Bury Strangers + Bleeding Rainbow + No Joy @ Sala Rossa (M pour/for Montreal)
- PS I Love You @ Sala Rossa (M pour/for Montreal)
- Elephant Stone @ Le Divan Orange (POP Montreal)
- DIIV @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (CMJ Music Marathon)
- Pig Destroyer @ Public Assembly (CMJ Music Marathon)
- Twerps @ Pianos (CMJ Music Marathon)
- METZ @ Il Motore
- Ty Segall @ Il Motore
Memorable Moments
- More tattoos from Dave C. at PSC Tattoo!
- Meeting Rick Trembles, and seeing the awesome CJLO Magazine cover he created for our print mag!
- Meeting Perry Shall, artist and musician from numerous Philly bands, most notably Dry Feet and Hound
- Seeing Damian Abraham from Fucked Up perform David Comes to Life wearing only a pair of thin underwear and a plastic beer cup
- Finally seeing Public Enemy live
- Witnessing Flavor Flav get a crowd of Quebecers to chant "fuck separatism"
- Chatting with DJ Lord when he DJ'd at the after party on Saint-Denis
- Seeing Duchess Says for the first time (read my review here)
- Asking JD Samson from Le Tigre for directions to Artists & Fleas in Brooklyn
Biggest Disappointment
The end of the Montreal Mirror and way in which its demise was handled by Sun Media
Josh Mocle - Former CJLO News Director and host of The Kids Are So-So
Best Albums of 2012
- Hot Water Music - Exister (Rise)
- Converge - All We Love We Leave Behind (Epitaph/Deathwish)
- Cheap Girls - Giant Orange (Rise)
- Baroness - Yellow & Green (Relapse)
- Torche - Harmonicraft (Hydrahead)
- Murder by Death - Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon (Bloodshot)
- Such Gold - Misadventures (Razor and Tie)
- Title Fight - Floral Green (SideOneDummy)
- The Gaslight Anthem - Handwritten (Universal)
- Chris Wollard and the Ship Thieves - Canyons (No Idea)
- Pig Destroyer - Book Burner (Relapse)
- Jenny Owen Youngs - An Unwavering Band of Light (Independent)
- Old Man Gloom - NO (Hydra Head)
- Forgetters - Forgetters (Too Small to Fail)
- Daytrader - Twelve Years (Rise)
Johnny Suck - Former host of Turn Down the Suck
Top 10 Albums 2012
- Ufomammut - Oro
- Dopethrone - III
- The Disease Concept - Liquor Bottles and Broken Steel
- High on Fire - De Vermis Mysteriis
- Cancer Bats - Dead Set on Living
- Acephalix - Deathless Master
- Xibalba - Hasta La Muerte
- Black Breath - Sentenced to Life
- Lamb of God - Resolution
- Ancestors - In Dreams and Time
Top 1 Song 2012
Whitechapel - "I, Dementia"
Michael Bresciani, former host of The Lonesome Strangers
Best of 2012... Maybe not "Best"... Favorites, really
01. A Place To Bury Strangers - Worship
02. Ringo Deathstarr - Mauve
03. Sun Kil Moon - Among the Leaves
04. Beach House - Bloom
05. Jens Lekman - I Know What Love Isn't
06. Lambchop - Mr M
07. Richard Hawley - Standing at the Sky's Edge
08. The Men - Open Your Heart
09. Japandroids - Celebration Rock
10. Julie Doiron - So Many Days
11. John K. Samson - Provincial
12. Redd Kross - Researching the Blues
13. Bob Mould - The Silver Age
14. Lightships - Electric Cables
15. Perfume Genius - Put Your Back N 2 It
16. Tame Impala - Lonerism
17. The Mountain Goats - Transcendental Youth
18. Father John Misty - Fear Fun
19. Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Meat and Bone
20. Spiritualized - Sweet Heart, Sweet Light
Honorable mentions: Swans, Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, Lotus Plaza, Dr. John, Gravenhurst, Raveonettes, METZ, Violens, Avett Brothers, Beachwood Sparks, Mount Eerie, Bobby Womack.
50 Favorite Songs (8tracks)
Disappointments in 2012
- New Magnetic Fields... meh, pretty crap-tacular.
- New Martha Wainwright... too shiny and slick.
- New Animal Collective... too claustrophobic, cluttered, hyped, and awful.
Best Live Shows of 2012
- Yamatanka Sonic Titan / A Place To Bury Strangers / Bleeding Rainbow @ Sala Rossa
- Jens Lekman / Taken By Trees @ Le National
- Leonard Cohen @ The Bell Center
- The Magnetic Fields @ Le National
- John K Samson / Shotgun Jimmie @ Mavericks (Ottawa)
- Julie Doiron & The Wrong guys @ Il Motore
- The Jesus and Mary Chain / Sigur Ros / Black Lips / Raveonettes @ Osheaga
- Sebadoh / Lou Barlow / Circle of Buzzards @ Sala Rossa
- The Beach Boys @ The Bell Center
- No Joy / PS I Love you / Mac DeMarco @ Sala Rossa
- Jeff The Brotherhood @ Il Motore
- Solids / The Men / Beliefs @ Cabaret Underworld
Staff Login | Advertise | Our Location | RSS | Contact Us
