20 Thousand Roads Best Albums of 2012
Here are TTR's top ten albums of the year. I hope you enjoy the videos some of which include either amazing live versions or the brilliant official film clips of the listed tracks. I encourage you to get copies of albums in their entirety of the artists you enjoy from this list.
1.Channel Orange – Frank Ocean
In 2012, 25 year old New Orleans native Frank Ocean released the standout album of the year, his debut studio album, Channel Orange. The record is cinematic in both its sonic scope and in the way Ocean writes from the perspective of a series of vivid characters. The stories that unfold across this sprawling opus are more complex and meaningful than any R N B/soul album possibly since Marvin Gaye's What’s Goin’ On. Listen to the epic track Pyramids.
2. Blunderbuss – Jack White
Jack White, being one half of the most important duo of the noughties, The White Stripes, released his debut solo record in 2012. It didn’t disappoint. Typical of all of White’s records, the soulful chunky rock is front and centre. His cracking band has no mandate apart from lifting White to his deserved solo pedestal. White blazes through a series of soul-funk-country fused songs that are best served loud. It hits a groove that White hasn’t quite occupied since The White Stripes Elephant release in 2003. Listen to an awesome live version of Sixteen Saltines.
3. Tramp – Sharon Van Etten
Brooklyn-based folk singer-songwriter, Sharon Van Etten third album was produced by Aaron Dressner of The National and is a classic dark confessional record. The themes within the record would end up as anger in someone else’s hands. But the rich tones delivered via Van Etten’s exceptional "Buckley-like" voice creates something else entirely. A tender, beautiful record. Listen to this beautiful version of Give Out courtesy of The Current on Minnesota Public Radio.
4. Lonerism – Tame Impala
Perth based psychadelic band, Tame Impala, released their second album Lonerism in 2012. Personally, my favourite feature of this band is Kevin Parker’s voice which is incredibly similar to Revolver-era Lennon. But there are some great tunes on this record and the psychedelic feel of the songs across Lonerism has turned this into a favourite of critics and rock fans around the world. Check out the wonderfully synched pysch of the Feels Like We Only Go Backwards video.
5. Boys & Girls – Alabama Shakes
One of the best debuts by an American band in recent times, this LP’s mix of soulful rock is all about Brittany Howard’s voice. Howard has been compared to Janis Joplin and Otis Redding and this record will show you why. Every song has Howard pouring out her soul like her life depends on it. The band admit that there is a desperation which is borne out of hailing from a place like Athens, Alabama. You can certainly pick that up on the thrilling live official video of Hold On here.
6. Shields – Grizzly Bear
I was fortunate to witness this band’s unique blend of baroque chamber rock at the Palais Theatre in Melbourne when they were touring in support of their breakthrough Veckatimest album in 2010. It was wonderful to hear the complex textures of their music live in such a beautiful venue. Shields finds the Brooklyn four piece taking their concept a step further, into a deeper, more dynamic mix of songs, while still retaining the beautiful resonant heart of its predecessor. Catch the Grizzly's brilliant performance on Letterman with Yet Again.
7. The Lions Roar – First Aid Kit
Another band I had the pleasure of seeing only last month at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, First Aid Kit are a Swedish folk duo. The Soderberg sisters', Klara and Johanna, second record, wears its influences on its sleeve. It’s most obvious gesture of Nordic Americana is, of course, the hit Emmylou which makes direct references to the classic country duos Parsons/Harris and Cash/Carter as well as the simple magic of singing together. These girls have the most angelic voices, both on record and live. Listen to Emmylou and then check out their pre-stardom breakthrough youtube clip which covers Fleet Foxes’ Tiger Mountain Peasant Song
8. Fear Fun – Father John Misty
Father John Misty is Joshua Tillman who drummed for the Fleet Foxes throughout their first two excellent albums and previously released seven albums under his own name. This album marks Josh’s relocation from Seattle to Los Angeles; Laurel Canyon to be exact, and accordingly he has a new moniker to usher in his new phase. But the changes in his work go beyond the name change. The new album is far more upbeat to his pre-Fleet Foxes work but he still manages to channel primal scream era Lennon on this "latte sipping" video for Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings courtesy of KEXP Seattle.
9. The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do – Fiona Apple
With this being her fourth album in the space of sixteen years, Apple can hardly be described as a prolific artist. One can’t help but think that Fiona needs a standard four year break from the intensity of some of her amazingly, passion-filled recordings. Having said this, The Idler Wheel…. seems to be her most mature record without losing the intense delivery she is known for. I love the cute, sensual but amazing Hot Knife.
10. Life is People – Bill Fay
Bill Fay is one of life’s forgotten songwriters. Handy on the piano, his previous record to this was delivered way back in 1971. He was then unceremoniously dumped from his record label and would seemingly never be heard of again. That is, until he was re-discovered by producer Josh Henry and Wilco front man Jeff Tweedy. He was then smartly placed in a studio and sympathetically recorded performing the best songs he'd written in the intervening 40 years! My favourite of these tracks and its wonderful life-affirming video is here Be At Peace With Yourself.
