WMSE Picks of 2012 POSTED:: December 21, 2012
FILED UNDER::
Top Airplay
FILED UNDER:: Top Airplay
Maybe there are almost too many a best-of list by years’ end, but it must be said, that as far as Milwaukee music aficionados go, no group of people knows music, front-to-back, across all genres, than the DJs of WMSE. You see it on our weekly top charts and hear it for yourself on your radios and through your headphones and computer speakers. WMSE DJs are volunteers because they love music, and it shows: each three-hour program is designed, per DJ, to introduce the listener to both old favorites and newly-becoming classics.
Already got a favorite WMSE DJ? Take a peek at what they liked this past year, then check out the rest. You might find your own tastes aligning with DJs whose shows you might not be familiar with. Here’s the best of the best from us, to you. Thanks for another great year of Frontier Radio.
Craig Mertes: The Shape of Rock, Tuesdays, 6am-9am
The Evens: The Odds (Dischord)
The Evens are as focused as ever on their latest album. This album is also their most up-tempo album yet which plays well to the immediacy and tension that they are so good at creating through their music.
White Lung: Sorry (Deranged)
White Lung plays punk rock that magnificently walks the fine line between being in control and total chaos (which shows their musical prowess and tremendous chops). The verses rage on verge of chaos only to have the chorus pull everything together with frantic guitar licks that are catchy as hell. This is why I love punk.
Field Report: Field Report (Partisan)
Field Report’s beauty is simultaneously in their earnest storytelling and the perfectly matched music arrangements that accompany.
Converge: All I Love We Leave Behind (Deathwish)
The latest album from Converge is brutal and expansive. Converge are honing their ability combine their deadly blast beats and atmospheric noise pieces into a cohesive package. This is a lovely yet heavy listen.
Mark Lanegan Band: Blues Funeral (4AD)
Mark Lanegan continues to deliver dark rock and roll. Blues Funeral runs the gamut from straight rockers like “Riot In My House” and “The Gravediggers Song” to a straight up poppy tune in “Harborview Hospital”. The stand out is tune is the down beat dancer “Ode to Sad Disco”. Well worth multiple listens.
Corrosion of Conformity: Corrosion of Conformity (Candlelight)
COC return to their original three piece line-up and bring back the punk rock roots they came from.
Jack White: Blunderbuss (Third Man)
Let’s be frank, Jack White is pretty amazing and this is exactly what we want from a Jack White album.
Painted Caves: Painted Caves (self-released)
This is why I absolutely love Milwaukee and Milwaukee-made music. A mind-bending blend of Middle Eastern, bluegrass, and psychedlic rock influences. There is literally nothing that I know of to compare this to, an amazingly refreshing statement to make about a Milwaukee group.
Kid Koala: 12-Bit Blues (Ninja Tune)
Kid Koala is a wizard when it comes to using samples. Here he uses traditional blues as the ingredients. Even though this album is unmistakably Kid Koala, it sounds fresh, new and swaggers like only Kid Koala can swagger.
How to Destroy Angels: An Omen (Columbia)
Trent Reznor has really come into his own in creating ominous atmospheres. His talent really lies in merely hinting at the evil that is brewing just below the surface. The brilliance is that he never needs to reveal that evil to get his point across. This is a beautiful album for just that reason.
Galactic: Carnivale Electricos (Anti-)
Galactic has recently been releasing albums that seem to be doing a better job of encapsulating their sound and to-date, Carnivale Electricos is best of that work. The album is focused around Mardi Gras and a downright fun listen from front to back.
Dinosaur Jr.: I Bet On Sky (Jagjaguwar) + The Life and Times: No One Will Ever Love You Like I Do (Slimstyle):
What can I say, I’m a sucker for these bands, but that doesn’t mean that these aren’t strong albums worth listening to.
Corin Tucker Band: Kill My Blues (Kill Rock Stars)
Corin Tucker brings back the punk rock after a more folk-driven debut from her new band. This is about as close as we’re going to get to a Sleater-Kinney reunion these days and who really doesn’t want to hear more out of Sleater-Kinney?
Juniper Tar: Since Before (self-released)
Juniper Tar successfully mix their psychedelic rock roots with their alternative country leanings into a single album. There is a lot to listen to on this album, so you better listen to this a couple of times at least.
Ceremony: Zoo (Matador)
Ceremony’s brand of hardcore infuses catchy melodies into their bruising songs. Zoofeatures songs that get downright jangly without losing their punch.
Jade Idol: No Control (self release)
Bleed is far and away my all time favorite Milwaukee band. So it shouldn’t be much of a surprise that I would love Bobby Bleed’s new band, which is a raucous affair of R&B filtered through Sonics-flavored garage punk lenses.
Heavy Cream: Super Treatment (Infinity Cat)
Raw, psychedelic punk rock.
Cloud Nothings: Attack On Memory (Carpark)
Cloud Nothings’ Attack On Memory is a noisy indie-punk affair that features the ultra catchy song “Fall In”. The 8-minute long “Wasted Days” is an excellent noise-infused track.
Japandroids: Celebration Rock (Polyvinyl)
This is a punk rock album that catchy as all hell.
Calexico:Algiers (Anti-)
Calexico delivers the smokey, dusty tunes on Algiers that have become Calexico’s calling card, which means they are excellent songs. Recorded in New Orleans, these songs are slightly less hazy than Calexico’s previous efforts and have a bit more swagger. All of this is definitely a good thing that makes Algiers a very enjoyable listen.
Sonia: The Blues Drive, Fridays, 3pm – 6pm
Hot Tuna: Steady As She Goes (Red House)
This is the first studio album in more than 20 years by world-renowned virtuoso musicians (and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees), guitarist Jorma Kaukonen and bassist Jack Casady, who are on the road performing most of any given year. The album was produced by the exceptionally accomplished multi-instrumentalist, Larry Campbell, who is currently the band leader and arranger for the Levon Helm Band, and recorded at Levon Helm’s studio.
Lou Pallo: Thank You, Les (Showplace Music Productions)
Les Paul’s longtime guitarist, Lou Pallo, honors his old friend and musical partner with eloquent jazz and blues compositions. Pallo is joined by some of the musicians who performed with him and Les Paul at The Iridium in Manhattan, including Jon Paris, Keith Richards, and Steve Miller.
Victor De Lorenzo, Tony Menzer and Jim Ohlschmidt: Lorenzo Menzerschmidt (self-released)
Thoughtfully and creatively produced by drummer extraordinaire Victor DeLorenzo, this blues album includes outstanding originals (mostly written by guitarist Jim Ohlschmidt) and captivating covers. Bassist Tony Menzer makes time from performing with everyone in Wisconsin to also share his accomplished musicianship.
Greg Allman: Low Country Blues (Rounder)
With what might be the ‘bluesiest’, most soulful voice of anyone performing today, Greg Allman sings and plays his own songs and those of others, Muddy Waters in particular, like no one else can. This is one of the albums that I had to own immediately after its release, and that I play a lot. It’s deep!
Magic Slim & the Teardrops: Bad Boy (Blind Pig)
Morris “Magic Slim” Holt’s 24th album reveals once again why his outfit has been referred to as “the last real Chicago blues band.”
The three originals and nine well-selected covers on the album, including songs from Albert King, J.B. Lenoir, and Denise LaSalle, display mesmerizing, high-energy, swinging and soulful musicianship and show what real rocking blues sounds like. When Magic Slim sings, “I want to get high,” on Muddy Waters’ song, “Champagne and Reefer,” there is no doubt that he means it!
Wynton Marsalis and Eric Clapton: Play the Blues:Live From Jazz at Lincoln Center (Warner Bros.)
The fact that Wynton Marsalis provides a completely new, fresh, and surprising take on “Layla,” a song that we have all heard far too much over our lives (in spite of its virtues), is a testament to the truly magnificent arranger and musician that he is. Taj Mahal joins Marsalis and Clapton during part of this live performance.
Paul Host: Why My Head Hurts / Milwaukee Rock Posters, Saturdays, 3pm – 6pm
Prosecutors: self-titled
Lonesome Savages: 4 track 7 “
Burning Sons: Reflective Confessions
Red Stuff: Pagan Rock
Exotics: Enchanted Interrogation Room
Revomatics: 7 “
Jonathan Burks: How I Roll
Painted Caves: self-titled
Rust Belt Demons: Flexi Babies 7 “
Lorn: Ask the Dusk
Scott Lucey: Analog Dumplings, Digital Gravy, Wednesdays, 6am – 9am
Dirty Projectors: Swing Lo, Magellan
Grimes: Visions
WHY?: Mumps, etc.
Dan Deacon: America
Matthew E. White: Big Inner
Bahamas: Barchords
AU: Both Lights
Animal Collective: Centipede Hz
Zammutto: Zammutto
Yellow Ostrich: Ghost EP
E-Form: WMSE DJ sub, various programs
Top Albums of 2012:
Frank Ocean: Channel Orange
Chromatics: Kill For Love
Grimes: Visions
Alice Russell and Quantic: Look Around the Corner
Purity Ring: Shrines
Alabama Shakes: Boys & Girls
xx: Coexist
Polica: Give You the Ghost
THEESatisfaction: awE natural
Jessie Ware: Devotion
Honorable Mention: Alt-J: An Awesome Wave, John Talbot: Fin, Hot Chip: In Our Heads
Top Shows of 2012
Frank Ocean at The Metro (Chicago)
Springsteen at Wrigley Field
Iggy Pop and the Stooges at Austin City Limits
THEESatisfaction at the Cactus Club
The xx and John Talbot at the Pabst
Avett Brothers at Summerfest
Alabama Shakes at the Pabst
M83 at Austin City Limits
Chromatics at Lincoln Hall (Chicago)
Hot Chip at Pitchfork Festival
Honorable Mention: Polica at Turner Hall, Radiohead in Chicago, Wild Flag and Purity Ring at Pitchfork, Jack White at Austin City Limits
All in all, another great year for recorded and live music…
Jonny Z: The Chicken Shack, Fridays, 9am – 12pm
Chelle Rose: Ghost of Browder Holler
JP Harris and the Tough Choices: I’ll Keep Calling
Jason Eady: AM Country Heaven
James Hand: Mighty Lonesome Man
Whiskeybelles: Whiskey Woman
Dr. John: Locked Down
Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale: Buddy and Jim
David Hildalgo, Mato Nanji and Luther Dickinson: 3 Skulls and the Truth
Orbo and the Longshots: Prairie Sun
Old Crow Medicine Show: Carry Me Back
The Departed: Adventus
Jimbo Mathus: Blue Light EP
Juniper Tar: Since Before
Rick Holmstrom: Cruel Sunrise
Anders Osborne: Black Eye Galaxy
Hugh Bob and the Hustle: Hugh Bob and the Hustle
The Trishas: High Wide and Handsome
Dwight Yoakam: 3 Pears
Lucero: Women and Work
Tif Ginn: Tif Ginn
Hal Rammel: Alternating Currents, Sundays, 6pm-9pm
Henry Threadgill’s Zooid: Tomorrow Sunny / The Revelry, Spp (Pi Recordings)
This is Zooid’s most fantastic record to-date. Perfectly sparse, cooking mixes of cello, percussion and guitar supporting Threadgill’s lovely flute and alto playing. This one gets better and better with every listen.
Sam River’s Trio: Reunion:Live in New York (Pi Recordings)
Rivers was 84 years old at the reunion of this 1970s trio and they sound like they had never stopped playing together
Josh Berman and His Gang: There Now (Delmark)
Classic swing, Chicago-style, completely re-thought for the new century. Great playing and full of new ideas.
Ernest Dawkins Quartet: Afro Straight (Delmark)
Great readings of Wayne Shorter classics like Juju and Footprints and the best record cover photo of the year.
Ahmad Jamal Quartet: Blue Moon (Jazz Village)
Ahmad Jamal has been making beautiful records for a long, long time. Even among the discs of this past few years, this is a standout. No one gives his rhythm section the space to breathe and sing the way Jamal can.
Steve Lehman Trio: Dialect Fluorescent (Pi Recordings)
Vija Iyer Trio: Accelerando (Pi Recordings)
Rudresh Mahanthapa: Sandhi (Pi Recordings)
Hafez Modirzadeh: Post Chromodal Out (Pi Recordings)
Fred Longberg-Holm’s Fast Citizens: Gather (Delmark)
Buzz: Buzz’s Garage, Mondays, 6pm – 9pm
Bad Brains: Into the Future (Megaforce)
OFF!: S/T (Vice)
JJ and the Real Jerks: Economy Class Ego Trip (Rank Outsider)
Police Teeth: S/T (Latest Flame)
Cheap Time: Wallpaper Music (In The Red)
The Mistreaters: S/T double LP (Dusty Medical)
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion: Meat and Bone (Mom & Pop)
Mean Jeans: On Mars (Dirtnap)
Various Artists: Two Much! Never Enough: Rock ‘N’ Roll’s Smoothest Party Monsters (Why Me?)
Daddy Long Legs: Evil Eye On You (Norton)
Soggy: Slog (Memoire Neuve)
Tyvek: On Triple Beams (In The Red)
Jeff and Debbie Duris: Alternative Bliss, Sundays, 12am – 3am
Debbie and I are going to feature these on a “Best Of” show this Saturday night / Sunday morning…
Guided By Voices: Let’s Go Eat the Factory (Three GBV discs this year! I think that the first was the best!)
Diiv: Oshin
Dandy Warhols: This Machine
Tame Impala: Lonerism
Thee Oh Sees: Putrifiers II
The Disappears: Pre-Language (a great Cactus Club show!)
Ceremony: Zoo
A Place to Bury Strangers: Worship
School of Seven Bells: Ghostory (“Low Times is one of the best songs of the year!)
Neil Young and Crazy Horse: Psychedelic Pill (I’m drifting back…)
Young Prisms: In Between
Ringo Death Starr: Mauve
The Divine Fits: A Thing Called Divine Fits
Brian Jonestown Massacre: Aufheben (another great concert!)
Wild Nothing: Nocturne
The DVD from LCD Soundsystem, ‘Shut Up and Play the Hits’ is fantastic!
Mary Bartlein: Instrumental Saturdays, Saturdays, 6pm – 9pm
Carl Weingarten: Panomorphia
M.K. Sol: The Guild/Days of Sorrow
Michael Brant DeMaria : Bindu
Marys Brother: Time and Space
David Karaganis: Multiplex
Ludovico Einaudi: Islands
Todd Boston: Touched by the Sun
Northcore: Desatero
Logical Drift: Colors of Asia
Ken Elkinson: Christmas Ambient
Matt Schoeffler: WMSE Underwriting Director
Murder By Death: Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon
Black Moth Super Rainbow: Cobra Juicy
The Gaslight Anthem: Handwritten
Brendan Kelly & the Wandering Birds: I’d Rather Die Than Live Forever
Young Jesus: Home
Sigur Ros: Valtari
Nada Surf: The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy
City Of Ghosts: Daylight EP
Margot & the Nuclear So & So’s: Gut Rot Domestic
Deftones: Koi No Yokan
Rick Israel: Urban Fantasy, alternating Wednesdays, 9am-12pm
Sam Rivers: Reunion – Live in New York
Anat Cohen: Charoscuro
Hafez Modirzadeh: Post-Chromodal Out
Stacey Kent: Dreamer in Concert
Steve Lehman: Dialect Fluorescent
Paul Cebar: Way Back Home, alternating Wednesdays, 9am – 12pm
Ry Cooder: Election Special
Dayna Kurtz: Secret Canon Vol. 1
Jimmy Cliff: Rebirth
Painted Caves: Painted Caves
Michael Kiwanuka: Home Again
Ondatropica: Ondatropica
Dan Penn: The FAME Recordings: The FAME Studio Story (3 disc set)
Alabama Shakes: Boys & Girls
JD McPherson: Signs & Signifiers
Chuck Prophet: Temple Beautiful
Dr. John: Locked Down
Leonard Cohen: Old Ideas
Andy Turner: Zero Hour, Fridays, 12pm – 3pm
El Pathos: Hate & Love (Saustex)
Electric Mess: Falling Off the Face of the Earth (Groovie)
Subsonics: In the Black Spot (Slovenly)
Redd Kross: Researching the Blues (Merge)
Hank Haint: Blackout (Voodoo Rhythm)
MFC Chicken: Music For Chicken (Dirty Water)
Mess Around: Boner Time (Drug Front)
Daddy Long Legs: Evil Eye On You (Norton)
The Hangmen: East of Western (Acetate)
The Doughboys: Shakin’ Our Souls (Ram)
Gentleman Jesse: Leaving Atlanta (Douchemaster)
Midnight Woolf: I’ll Be a Dog (Off the Hip)
The Attention: Getting’ All the…(Screaming Apple)
Jam Messenegers: Kick Out (Thick Syrup)
Cowbell: Stampede (Damaged Goods)
The Flip-Tops: Are a Band (Bachelor)
Lee Bains III & the Glory Fires: There Is a Bomb in Gilead (Alive Naturalsound)
Million Sellers: Music City USA and Other Ghost Stories (Wanda)
The Sugar Stems: Can’t Wait (Screaming Apple)
Detective: However Strange (Burger)
John Goelzer: bts.wrkng, Mondays, 9pm – 12am
Strategy: Strategy (Peak Oil)
Lovelock: Burning Feeling (Internasjonal)
Mohn: Mohn (Kompakt)
Prins Thomas: Prins Thomas 2 (Full Pupp)
V 13th District (Nuearth Kitchen)
The Orb With Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry: The Orbserver in the Star House (Cooking Vinyl)
Ulrich Schnauss & Mark Peters: Underrated Silence (Bureau B)
Lindstrom: Smallhans (Feedelity)
Andy Stott: Luxury Problems (Modern Love)
Legowelt: The Paranormal Soul (Clone)
Shopkeeper Ken: The Five & Dime Show, Thursdays, 9am – 12pm
New records this year:
Goat: World Music
Lau Nau: Valohiukkanen
Las Malas Amistades: Maleza
Gunn/Truscinski Duo: Ocean Parkway
The Slaves: Spirits of the Sun
From the Mouth of the Sun: Woven Tide
The Spyrals: The Spyrals
Brian Eno: Lux
Mind Over Mirrors: Check Your Swing
Black Eagle Child: Go Around, Again
Reissues and/or lost gems:
The Slaves: Ocean On Ocean
Bunalim: Bunalim
Erkin Koray: Mechul
Dariush Dolat: Shahi:Electronic Music, Tar & Sehtar
Various: Hasabe
Tsege Mariam Gebru: Speilt Eigene Kompositionen
Various: Work Hard, Play Hard, Pray Hard
John Fahey: The Transcendental Waterfall:Guitar Excursions 1962-1967
Orchestre Super Borgou de Parakou: The Bariba Sound 1970-1976
Karantamba: Ndigal
Susan Million: Female Focus, Sundays, 10:30pm – 12am
Top national:
Brandi Carlile: Bear Creak
K’s Choice: Little Echoes
Rose Cousins: We Have Made a Spark
Tristan Prettyman: Cedar and Gold
Alabama Shakes: Boys & Girls
Regina Spektor: What We Saw From the Cheap Seats
Girlyman: Supernova
The Rescues: Blah Blah Love and War
Metric: Synthetica
Grace Potter & the Nocturnals: The Lion the Beast the Beat
Top local:
Sleeper and the Sleepless: To Begin (Minneapolis)
Vic & Gab: Bridges and Guns (Milwaukee)
Anne Heaton: Honeycomb (Chicago)
Katie Todd: Closer (Chicago)
Jordin Baas: Non-Pop (Wisconsin)
Justin Shoman: WMSE Development Director
Swans: The Seer
Damien Jurado: Maraqopa
Ty Segall Band: Slaughterhouse
Spiritualized: Huh?
Ty Segall: Twins
Lotus Plaza: Spooky Action at a Distance
Altos: Altos
Tim Hecker & Daniel Lopatin: Instrumental Tourist
Juniper Tar: Since Before
The Walkmen: Heaven
Black Moth Super Rainbow: Cobra Juicy
Diiv: Oshin
Patrick Buckley: The Happy Monday show, alternating Mondays, 6am – 9am
King Tuff: King Tuff
Field Report: Field Report
Diiv: Oshin
Tame Impala: Lonerism
Ty Segall: Twins
Black Moth Super Rainbow: Cobra Juicy
Polica: Give You the Ghost
Wild Nothing: Nocturne
Jaill: Traps
Massive Attack: Blue Lines reissue
Alexander Stafford: WMSE DJ sub, various programs
Neurosis: Honor Found In the Decay
Witchcraft: Legend
Baroness: Yellow and Green
Down: IV Purple EP
Deftones: Koi No Yokan
Gojira: L’Enfant Sauvage
Testament: Dark Roots Of Earth
Lamb Of God: Resolution
Hot Water Music: Exister
Gaslight Anthem: Handwritten
Rush: Clockwork Angles
Soundgarden: King Animal
Royal Thunder: CVI
Jack White: Blunderbuss
Dethklok: Dethablum III
Mickey Comerford: Sundry Sides, Mondays, 3am – 6am
Albums:
Quakers: Quakers
Fegurs & Geronimo: Funky Was the State of Affairs
Dirty Projectors: Swing Lo Magellan
Captain Murphy: Duality
Tame Impala: Lonerism
J. Dilla: Dillatroit (vinyl)
Toussaint Morrison: …Is Not My Boyfriend
Jaill: Traps
Sat. Nite Duets: Summer of Punishment
The Do: Both Ways Open Jaws
JJ Doom: Keys to the Kuffs
Grimes: Visions
Catacombz: Mother Tongue 2
Wax Taylor: Dusty Rainbows From the Dark
David Bowie & St. Vincent: Love This Giant
Delicate Steve: Positive Force
Fiona Apple: The Idler Wheel…
Dr. John: Locked Don
Wolfgang Schaefer: Typewriter
Songs:
Quakers: “Fitta Happier” (featuring Guilty Simpson + MED)
The xx: “Sunset”
Sat. Nite Duets: “Ghenghis Khan”
Tame Impala: “Mind Mischief”
Azaelie Banks: “22”
Captain Murphy: “The Killing Joke”, “Mighty Morphin Foreskin”
The Do: “Slippery Slope”
J. Dilla: “The Best That Ever Did It”
Grimes: “Oblivion”
Fegus & Geronimo: “No Parties”
Frank Ocean: “Pink Matter” (featuring Andre 3000)
Fiona Apple: “Left Alone”
Wolfgang Schaefer: “Pocket Full Of Pills”
Dirty Projectors: “About To Die”
Delicate Steve: “Afrika Talks To You”
Jaill: “Waste A Lot Of Things”, “Horrible Things (Make Pretty Songs)”
M.I.A.: “Bad Girls”
King Tuff: “Bad Thing”
Mutts: “Separation Anxiety”
Beach House: “Myths”
iamamiwhoami: “play”
Jack White: “Freedom at 21”
Quakers: “Soul Power” (featuring Dead Prez)
AND, lastly – a tip of the hat to the Alchemist for putting out three releases that are each as solid as the other: Rapper’s Best Friend 2; Russian Roulette; Action Bronson’s Rare Chandeliers
Cal Roach: WMSE volunteer contributor to Sonic Diet
Tame Impala: Lonerism
Swans: The Seer
Open Mike Eagle: 4NML HSPTL
Godspeed You! Black Emperor: Allelujah! Don’t Bend! Ascend!
Mount Eerie: Clear Moon
Anathema: Weather Systems
Fiona Apple: The Idler Wheel…
Zatokrev: The Bat, The Wheel & a Long Road to Nowhere
Iamamiwhoami: Kin
Baroness: Yellow & Green
Dr. Sushi: Dr. Sushi’s Free Jazz BBQ, Tuesdays, 9am – 12pm
Vijay Iyer: Accelerando
Jeff Parker Trio: Bright Light in Winter
Sam Rivers Trio Reunion: Live in New York
Robert Glasper Experiment: Black Radio
Chick Corea, Paul Motian and Eddie Gomez: Further Explorations
Forgas Band Phenomena: Acte V
Ballister: Mechanisms
Jason Kao Hwang: Burning Bridge
Platform 1: Takes Off
Neneh Cherry and the Thing: The Cherry Thing
DJ Ninna: The Industrial Zone, Fridays, 12am – 3am
Stromkern: Dead Letters EP
First new material in some time shows a progression in Ned’s sound. Hip Hop, yes, hip hop, beats make his somber/suffering soundscapes more accessible. It’s great stuff, as long as you can in your own mind allow a band to grow and not require them to stick to their same sound album after album.
Die Sektor: Final Electro Solution
Dubstep vs. Industrial. They’re doing the best of any that are attempting such a union, hands down.
İVardensphere: APOK
This is the release of the year. Scott Fox, Servitor Sanctum, and a slew of guest artists trample all over what it means to be an industrial band and create this new thing that’s so potent it will blow a girl’s clothes completely off. Tribal beats that don’t sound like a bad soft rock song or Sepultura, heavily affected, drive all the songs. Samples as often as lyrics convey meaning, and are often very very very dark. The whole album is dark. It’s scary. I haven’t heard anything really scary from an industrial band in awhile, something lacking in today’s generation. In summation, go buy this record and every other damn thing they’ve done.
Caustic: The Man Who Couldn’t Stop
Matt Fanale is kinda braindead (right, bro?), but that allows him to see how braindead the rest of the world is, and he releases his fury over this fact through his music. He’s sober now, but no less violent, no less likely to scream ‘uterus’ at you. His newest is riveting. Heh, rivet. See, now I’m braindead just from listening to this garbage! Look, save your life, avoid missing this one. He hates it all, for you.
Pop Will Eat Itself: New Noise Designed By a Sadist
At last! New material from self-styled ‘grebo’ punks that once ruled the alt U.K. scene, with decent crossover success as well. They were one of those bands it was ‘cool’ to like. So, now, after howevertoolong between releases, they surprise me with angst, wit, and power chords. The new album is good, and it’s good that they made it. Some bands shouldn’t go away, they’re too important.
Radio Dave: Local/Live, Tuesdays, 6pm – 9pm
Redd Kross: Researching the Blues
Trapper Schoepp & the Shades: Run, Engine, Run
The Tallest Man On Earth: There’s No Leaving Now
Archie Powell & the Exports: Great Ideas in Action
Blackberry Smoke: The Whippoorwill
Bob Mould: Silver Age
Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons: Old Believers
Dr. John: Locked Down
Nada Surf: The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy
Black Pistol Fire: Big Beat ‘59
Erin: WMSE Music Director, The Rockleidoscope Show, Tuesdays, 12pm – 3pm
Some of 2012’s releases were best for headphones and/or on the home turntable…some of ‘em were great car-listening (‘quiet’ versus ‘loud’). Here are some of my favorites out of a towering pile of great music from this past year:
Quiet:
Lambchop: Mr. M (Merge)
Mac DeMarco: 2 (Captured Tracks)
Blessed Feathers: Peaceful Beasts in an Ocean of Weeds (self-released)
Chelsea Wolfe: Unknown Rooms: A Collection of Acoustic Songs (Sargent House)
Adelyn Rose: Mezzanine (self-released)
Damien Jurado: Maraqopa (Secretly Canadian)
Mirel Wagner: Mirel Wagner (Friendly Fire)
Field Report: Field Report (Partisan)
Melody’s Echo Chamber: Melody’s Echo Chamber (Fat Possum)
Matthew E. White: Big Inner (Hometapes)
Loud:
Zammuto: Zammuto (Temporary Residence)
Mark Lanegan Band: Blues Funeral (4AD)
The DØ: Live Sessions at Studio Pigalle (Six Degrees)
John Maus: A Collection of Rarities and Previously Unreleased Material (Ribbon Music)
Fahri: Final Disconnect Notice (self-released)
Sharon Van Etten: Tramp (Jagjaguwar)
Polica: Give You the Ghost (Totally Gross National Product)
Father John Misty: Fear Fun (Sub Pop)
Tame Impala: Lonerism (Modular)
Fiona Apple: The Idler Wheel…(Epic)
Jerry Glocka: Jerry’s Attic, Fridays, 6pm – 9pm
Patti Smith: Banga
Otherwordly, poetic, spell-binding
Robert Cray: Nothing But Love
Cool, soulful blues from Robert and band. Always a treat to hear late at night. Steady rollin’ blues.
Mark Knopfler: Privateering
A heaping, helping of mellow rock, Celtic soul and blues, pushed along with some fine harp playing from Kim Wilson of the Fabulous T-Birds.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse: Psychedelic Pill
The Crazy Horse album we’ve all been waiting for since the early 90’s. Long, swirling guitar jams to lose yourself in.
Dr. John: Locked Down
Jimmy Cliff: Rebirth
Great, old-school reggae from one of Jamaica’s best. Jimmy sings out on some new originals plus a nice cover of the Clash’s – Guns of Brixton.
Van Morrison: Born to Sing
After a four year absence, Van returns with some jazzy new tunes, backed by a solid band that includes sax and trombone. Van’s voice rings mellow and strong, plus adds his own harp, sax and guitar to the mix. Commentary on the media, corporate greed and the impending meltdown of world economies makes for an uplifting listening experience. But seriously, a decent album throughout.
The dB’s: Falling Off the Sky
Produced by Mitch Easter, Chris Stamey & Peter Holsapple reunite and come on strong with some fine, melodic, guitar driven originals – picking up right where they left off in the early 80’s.
Graham Parker & the Rumour: Three Chords Good
His reuniting with the Rumour coincides with their incorporation into a new movie called – “This is 40”. Go figure. Although not a real rockin’ affair, it chugs along with some strong song writing and fine ensemble playing from the original Rumour.
Donald Fagen: Sunken Condos
What can I say? This old bird can still bring it. All original tunes . Great band, solid production and tight, funky grooves. I don’t know why but I still dig it.
Eric Von Munz: The Von Munz Vinyl Variety Show, Tuesdays, 3am – 6am
Disappears: Pre Language (Kranky)
Their third release on Kranky boasts Steve Shelley (from Sonic Youth) on drums, and straight away, the beat is infectious. Hints of early Gang Of Four guitar poke through the sonic haze that this Chicago quartet (ex-Ponies) lay down, resulting in their finest release to date. Deep and dark, but an excellently driving album.
Adult: Shari Vari / 122 Hours of Fear 7”
As well as the long awaited VINYL release of ‘Resuscitation’ (2xLP) -Ghostly International Beats Working turned me on to Adult. well before I was volunteering as a DJ. What to say? I’ve waited YEARS to finally have this on wax. Ghostly International consistently releases the best of the genre, and this is a great label for this Detroit duo.
Ty Segall Band: Slaughter House (2×10”)
In The Red Ty Segall released TWO excellent albums this year, but this double clear vinyl 10″ gets my vote. ‘I Bought My Eyes’, ‘Tell Me What’s Inside’ as well as their cover of the 60′s psych classic: ‘That’s The Bag I’m In’ ensure this gem to be on my turntable until I wear it out. Should have bought a second copy…
OFF!: OFF! LP (Vice)
Sixteen songs. Sixteen minutes. This is PUNK. A good follow up to last year’s boxed set of five 7″s (also on Vice). Like 1979 all over again. Keith Morris and company bring it with no apologies offered.
The Avengers: 3×7” Record Store Day re-press (Superior Viaduct)
These gems were worth every penny, because digging up the originals would probably break the bank. Heck, I’ve only ever seen one, and that was on Tesco Vee’s Instagram feed. (Yeah, I follow the lead singer of The Meatmen!) I still have a punk rock crush on Penelope Houston…this is legit West Coast Punk, just as fresh and intense now as the day it was recorded.
The Sword: Apocryphon (Razor & Tie)
This record SHREDS! Yeah, they may LOOK like they play role playing games, and their lyrics could be based on whatever quest their Dungeon Master sent them on last week, but wow. Just wow. Amazing guitar. Excellent art. Intelligent lyrics. The vinyl? Splattered black on a sea of green…if the world does come to an end on Friday,(which it won’t) this would be the soundtrack for it.
Mark Sultan: War On Rock and Roll (In the Red)
Solo work by the BBQ half of King Khan & BBQ Show recorded live in one take at a show in Brazil. This is ONE GUY putting Doo-Wop, R&B and punk into a blender and hitting the ‘Frappe’ button. What comes out is a HipShake. If you’ve never caught him live, this is exactly what you get, except you have to flip the album over…
King Tuff: King Tuff (Sub Pop)
A garage rawk powerhouse of a record. Excellent songs ranging from the flippant to the heartfelt. Stand out tracks are: “Keep On Movin’”, “Bad Thing” and “Hit & Run”, however all of my close friends can be found causing trouble at “Loser’s Wall”. See ya there!
The Future of the Left: The Plot Against Common Sense (XTra Mile)
The Future Of The Left contains the lead singer of the sadly defunct McLusky, (who’s RSD repress was limited to a criminally small edition of 500 worldwide) this is modern punk at its acidic, razor tongued finest. From “Sheena Is A Tshirt Salesman” to the final track: “Notes On Acheiving Orbit” the record slays.
Apache Dropout: Bubblegum Graveyard (Trouble In Mind)
Apache Dropout on the other hand is a trio of seemingly psychotropic casualties making songs that sound like they could have toured with the Velvet Underground, and have a surprisingly fresh, catchy wave. This is a relatively new addition (released recently) and I’ve had a hard time getting it off of my turntable. “She’s Carrying Fleas” and “The Fried Stranger” ensure this LP to gain airtime well into the future.
Mark Lanegan Band: Blues Funeral (4AD)
Back when my friends were wearing flannel and debating the merits of Nirvana’s ‘Bleach’ vs. ‘Nevermind’ I was the guy cranking up The Screaming Trees. This release kind of goes all over the place musically, from the macabre opening track of ‘The Gravedigger’s Song’ to the rocking ‘Riot In My House (featuring longtime collaborator Josh Homme on guitar) all the way to the final cut, this album melds exquisite songwriting with stunning composition. This was on my list for months as number one…
The Blind Shake: Seriousness (Learning Curve Records)
When Eric at Cactus Club says: “If you don’t like that record, I’ll BUY IT FROM YOU!” it piques my interest. So I sauntered over to the merch booth, scooped up the display LP and paid for it while they set up. What happened next was a tightly frenzied set of punk reminiscent of early Wire. From their opening chord, my jaw hit the floor. At the end, as the reverb was still echoing through Cactus’s stage, I needed to locate the chunks of my blown mind among the broken beer bottles. This record will destroy anyone’s jaded notion that punk died a loooong time ago, and Garage is the same old four chords.
Brian Jay: World Music Mondays, Mondays, 9am – 12pm
The Toure Raichel Collective: The Tel Aviv Sessions
Baloji: Kinshasa Succursale
Amadou and Mariam: Folila
Bib Tanga and the Selenites: 40 Degrees of Sunshine
Jovanotti: Italia 1988 – 2012
Painted Caves: Painted Caves
Rupa and the April Fishes: Build
Melissa, The Melissa Show, Wednesdays, 12:30pm – 3pm
Crocodiles: Endless Flowers EP
A Place to Bury Strangers: Worship EP
A Place to Bury Strangers: Onwards to the Wall LP
Dum Dum Girls: End of Daze EP
Guided By Voices: The Bears For Lunch LP (my favorite out of THREE releases from GBV this year)
Erik: Everything That Rises Must Converge, Wednesdays, 12am – 3am
Arc In Round: Arc In Round
Wild Nothing: Nocturne
Jessica Bailiff: At the Down-turned Jagged Rim of the Sky
A Place to Bury Strangers: Worship
Tamaryn: Tender New Signs
Black Marble: A Different Arrangement
Airiel: Kid Games EP
Craft Spells: Gallery EP
Medicine: The Buried Life (reissue)
Ceremony: Safranin Sounds (reissue)
Panda Riot: Serious Radical Girls 7”
A Place to Bury Strangers / Ceremony: split 7”
Grasscutter Andy: The Five & Dime Show, Thursdays, 9am – 12pm
Lumerians: Transmissions From Telos Volume IV (Permanent Records)
Alec K. Redfearn and the Eyesores: Sister Death (Cuneiform)
Locrian & Mamifer: Bless Them That Curse You (Utech / Sige Records)
Gareth Davis & Frances-Marie Utti: Gramercy (Miasmah Recordings)
Horseback: Half Blood (Relapse)
Rhyton: The Emerald Tablet (Three Lobed Recordings)
Gunn-Truscinski Duo: Ocean Parkway (Three Lobed Recordings)
Lau Nau: Valohiukkanen (Fonal Records)
Anworth Kirk: Shacklecross (Pre-Cert Home Entertainment)
Goat: World Music (Rocket Recordings)
Barghest/False: split (Gilead Media/Mirror Universe)
In Aeternam Vale: La Piscine (Minimal Wave)
CAN: The Losts Tapes: 1968-1975 (Spoon Records)
Various: Music Minus Music (Fat City Records)
In Trance 95: Shapes In a New Geometry cassette (Minimal Wave)
AdamZero: formerly of The Night Lab and WMSE DJ sub, various programs
Elsiane: Mechanics of Emotion
The xx: Coexist
Young Wonder: Young Wonder EP
Yppah: Eighty One
Kid Koala: 12 Bit Blues
Bloodshot Pyramid: Every Level Larger
More Or Les: Mastication
Of Monsters and Men: My Head Is An Animal
Wax Tailor: Dusty Rainbows From the Dark
Blue Sky Black Death: 13
Tim Noble: Why My Head Hurts / Milwaukee Rock Posters, Saturdays, 3pm – 6pm
Frank Ocean: Channel Orange
Swans: The Seer
Tame Impala: Lonerism
Grizzly Bear: Shields
Death Grips: The Money Store
Flying Lotus: Until the Quiet Comes
Andy Stott: Luxury Problems
Punch Brothers: Who’s Feeling Young Now?
Godspeed You! Black Emperor: Allelujah! Don’t Bend! Ascend!
Metz: Metz
The local band whose next release I eagerly wait for – The Lonesome Savages.
The Good John: alternate for The Chicken Shack, Zero Hour, Friday mornings/afternoons
James Hand: Mighty Lonesome Man (#1 album of the year)
Billy Don Burns: Nights When I’m Sober: Portrait Of A Honky Tonk
Turnpike Troubadours – Goodbye Normal Street
Wrinkle Neck Mules – Apprentice To Ghosts
The Damn Quails – Down The Hatch
Erick Strickland & The B Sides – Honky Tonk Till I Die
Otis Taylor – Contraband
Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires – There Is A Bomb In Gilead
Million Sellers – Music City USA and Other Ghost Stories
Marty Stuart – Nashville, Vol 1: Tear The Woodpile Down
Favorite locals:
Juniper Tar – Since Before
Hugh Bob and The Hustle – S/T
God’s Outlaw – Poetic Justice
Jason Wietlispach: The Modern Chamber, Sundays, 3pm – 6pm
Georges Lentz: Orchestral Works
My favorite release of the year.
Rich Mars: The City Rock Showgram, Wednesdays, 6pm – 9pm
Dandy Warhols: This Machine
Black Box Revelation: My Perception
Firewater: International Orange
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion: Meat and Bone
Corin Tucker Band: Kill My Blues
John Wesley Coleman III: Last Donkey Show
Galactic: Carnivale Electricos
Crocodiles: Endless Flowers
Mark Lanegan Band: Blues Funeral
Pontiak: Echo Ono
Ryan: WMSE Promotions Director, The Richard Nice Show, Thursdays, 12pm – 3pm
Filed by category…
“I Wish More People Had My Musical Tastes”
Damien Jurado: Maraqopa
“Too Many People Have My Musical Tastes”
Tame Impala: Lonerism
“Favorite Artist to Released 3 Albums in 2012”
Ty Segall: Slaughterhouse, Twins, Hair (w/ White Fence)
“12 Favorite Songs in No Particular Order”
Ty Segall: I Bought My Eyes
Tame Impala: Elephant
Fiona Apple: Hot Knife
Damien Jurado: Working Titles
Sharon Van Etten: Tell Me
Field Report: Incommunicado
Painted Caves: The Ocean
Lord Huron: Brothers
The Men: Open Your Heart
Michael Kiwanuka: Always Waiting
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis: Same Love featuring Mary Lambert
Father John Misty: Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings
“Yup, That Sounds Like Another Album From That Artist; An Album I Sort of Enjoyed and Probably Won’t Spend Much More Time With…Unless I Do”
Sun Kil Moon: Among the Leaves
“I Can’t Believe the Indie-Sphere Blog-o-Verse Didn’t Fall Hard For These Albums”
Diiv: Oshin
Lotus Plaza: Spooky Action at a Distance
“Favorite Show With a Fan Whose Health I Was Concerned With”
Eric Bachman at Cactus Club where the crazy old guy was screaming and banging his head on the monitors. Wait, was that even this year?
“I Was Not Expecting To Like It Much Because I Don’t Care For the Bands Whose Members Make Up the Band (But I Like It A Lot)”
Divine Fits: A Thing Called Divine Fits
“Really Solid Follow Up To a Really Solid Debut Album”
First Aid Kit: The Lion’s Roar
“It’s Just Really Nice to Have”
George Harrison: Early Takes, Vol. 1
“Album From 1997 That Made My iTunes Most-Played List”
Lullaby For the Working Class: I Never Even Asked For the Light
“Album From 2001 That I Made My iTunes Most-Played List”
The New Year: Newness Ends
Jon Blick: Overnight Sensations, Thursdays, 12am – 3am
I certainly don’t pretend to have heard everything that came out in 2012. As a DJ always on the lookout for something new to play, I listened to over 500 albums this year (at least once). That means that there are a mere thousands that I didn’t hear. I’m sure I don’t listen to some records enough for them to really sink in, but I kept coming back to these. In alphabetical order:
Gary Clark Jr.: Blak and Blu
Another hot young blues guitarist from Texas? Yawn. No so fast. Gary Clark Jr.’s blues covers everything from Hendrix to hip hop to soul and he does it all really well. His debut EP from 2011 only hinted at what he’s into.
Honky Tonkitis: Alcohol and Heartbreak
Old time country music, with all of the wit and smart-ass wordplay you can stand. The songwriting on this third album is even better than before. Minor lineup changes, with John Steffes switching to upright bass and the addition of Don Turner on squeezebox, help to give the album that real Bakersfield sound.
Hugh Bob & the Hustle: Hugh Bob & the Hustle
As much as I miss the Wildbirds, this new incarnation just might be better. This is country music played straight, without irony or modern Nashville BS. This bunch can do no wrong whatever they call themselves.
Japandroids: Celebration Rock
The title says it all: loud, joyous, noisy.
Lady Cannon: Whiskey Dear
Great debut from a promising local band. Intelligent songs, done in a sort of roots-rock/cabaret style, that really get your attention. “Get You Back” is my favorite song of the year.
Painted Caves: Painted Caves
East meets west, old meets new. This album was a left field surprise in the local music section, a sophisticated “world music sounding” release that is kind of hard to categorize. Very cool, indeed.
Chuck Prophet: Temple Beautiful
I’d never heard much Chuck Prophet before this album. This is great straight ahead guitar pop wrapped around some of the best songwriting I’ve heard. “I Felt Like Jesus” is a standout.
Stars: The North
Dreamy, spacey, tuneful, literate pop of the dueling male/female singers variety that is so prevalent right now, but done so well. If the xx is a bit too sleepy for you, check this out.
Titus Andronicus: Local Business
Good, loud, snotty punk rock with a three guitar attack. Great show at Turner over Thanksgiving.
Jack White: Blunderbuss
Mr. White became Mr. Eclectic on this album. People who were expecting another loud Stripes outing were a bit surprised by the range of styles here. I think the ballads outclass the rockers, but I like them all.
Honorable Mention:
Championship – High Feather
Charlotte Gainsbourg – Stage Whisper
Delicate Steve – Positive Force
Kelly Hogan – I Like To Keep Myself In Pain
Ian Hunter and the Rant Band – When I’m President
Juniper Tar – Since Before
King Tuff: King Tuff
Midnight Reruns – Central Time
Liv Mueller – Liv Sings: Love Songs For the Forlorn and Misguided
Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band – Between The Ditches
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Meat and Bone
Corin Tucker Band – Kill My Blues
Grant: The Grant Show, Mondays, 6am – 9am
A lot of great music was released this year. At present (these things change over time), my “top ten” albums of 2012 are as follows (in no particular order):
Cat Power: Sun
David Byrne & St. Vincent: Love This Giant
Fiona Apple: The Idler Wheel…
Japandroids: Celebration Rock
Tame Impala: Lonerism
Bat For Lashes: The Haunted Man
Bob Mould: Silver Age
Andrew Bird: Hands of Glory
Field Report: Field Report
Various: Just Tell Me That You Want M (A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac)
But, to be honest, I once again spent a good amount of time this year in the musical “way back” machine, dialing it back to the 1980′s. Last year, I listed my “top ten” albums from the early-to-mid 80′s. This year, I list my “top ten” albums from the mid-to-late 80′s (again, in no particular order):
The Smiths: The Queen Is Dead (1986)
Peter Gabriel: So (1986)
Pixies: Doolittle (1989)
Prince: Sign ‘O’ The Times (1987)
XTC: Oranges & Lemons (1989)
Husker Du: Candy Apple Grey (1986)
Tom Waits: Franks Wild Years (1987)
The Cure: Disintegration (1989)
Paul Simon: Graceland (1986)
Jane’s Addiction: Nothing’s Shocking (1988)
Zack Holder: WMSE music department volunteer
Jimmy Cliff: Rebirth
Justin Townes Earle: Nothing’s Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now
Head On Electric: Sleep Slaughter Sheep
Juniper Tar: Since Before
Killer Mike: R.A.P. Music
Luna Down: Junk
Midnight Reruns: Central Time
Pins Of Light: II
The Union Suits: You Got the Wrong Guy
Neil Young: Americana
DJ Rose: Female Focus, alternating Sundays 10:30pm – 12am & Rock and Blues/Monday Comes Fast, alternating Mondays 12:30am – 3am
Nightwish: Imaginaerum [special 2 CD set] (Roadrunner)
Finnish band, Nightwish, continues to create melodic goth rock/symphonic metal music that is captivating and astounding. This epic masterpiece contains beautiful and dramatic melodies with female and male vocals. The special edition version contains a 2nd CD with instrumentals of all the songs.
Lakecia Benjamin: Retox (Motema)
Saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin’s debut CD is filled with funky and soulful music that you will love. Great CD to party to! Hopefully, we will be hearing more from this talented new artist.
Brulé: Hidden Heritage (Buffalo Moon)
Multi-award winning, Brulé is back with another excellent instrumental CD combining traditional Native American music with contemporary sounds. Their music is beautiful, spiritual and highly spirited. Brulé is comprised of Lakota Sioux native, Paul LaRoche on keyboards, daughter Nicole on flute, son Shane on guitar and they are backed by traditional drums. Brulé performs frequently at Milwaukee’s Indian Summer Festival and are a huge hit with the crowd. That was where I first heard and saw them; I have been a big fan ever since!
Rodrigo y Gabriela and C.U.B.A.: Area 52 (ATO)
Amazing guitar work from Rodrigo y Gabriela and they are backed by brass horns and percussion from the 13-piece band, C.U.B.A. Mostly instrumental, this CD contains high energy, very enjoyable Latin American music. Sitar player, Anoushka Shankar joins them on the track, “Ixtapa”, giving the song an Indian flavor. All in all, a very lively CD!
Eljuri: Fuerte (Manovill)
Eljuri is a gifted songwriter, singer and guitarist. Originally from Ecuador, she now lives in NYC. On her second CD, Eljuri mixes rock and Latin music. Most of the songs are sung in Spanish. This is a great CD for rock music lovers who wish to broaden their cultural horizons.
Xandria: Neverworld’s End (Napalm)
Xandria is a female-fronted symphonic metal band from Germany much in the same vein as the earlier version of Finland’s Nightwish when Tarja Turunen was their vocalist. Xandria’s new lead singer, classically trained soprano, Manuela Krall, provides beautiful vocals. All songs are well written and well performed. This CD is not only one of the best symphonic metal CDs of 2012, but of all time.
Shemekia Copeland: 33 1/2 (Telarc)
Shemekia is back! This CD showcases Copeland’s powerful voice on a number of excellent blues songs.
Terry Quiett Band: Live at the Orpheum (Lucky Bag)
A great blues band giving a great blues concert! Well-produced live CD.
Heart: Fanatic (Legacy)
Anne and Nancy Wilson are back and they are sounding as great as ever! Big congrats to Heart on their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!
Gov’t Mule: The Georgia Bootleg Box (Evil Teen)
Six-CD set of live recordings from 1996 from blues rockers Gov’t Mule. Over 60 electrically charged songs in this set! Live CDs are well produced.
Amy Ray: Lung of Love (Daemon)
Amy Ray is an incredible song writer and musician. She is half of the Indigo Girls, however, she also has several solo CDs, including the 2012 release, Lung of Love. This CD contains many uplifting songs such as the Appalachian spiritual “The Rock is my Foundation.”
Hi Fashion : Sprechen Sie Hi Fashion? (self-released)
Their song “I’m Not Madonna” is incredibly funny! A must-hear for any Madonna fan.