As we launch our Best of 2012 series, we begin as we usually do with the first ten albums of our Top 40 Albums of 2012 list. These albums were voted by 42 of our fine contributors and the list that has resulted is an eclectic mix; from local indie, to international chart toppers, Australian Black Metal and all the way back again. We hope you enjoy our annual trip down memory lane…
Last Dinosaurs – In A Million Years
It’s been a long time coming, but this year we finally saw the debut album from Last Dinosaurs, who first exploded onto the scene back in 2009. Guitar driven pop at its finest, the high school friends have managed to create a slick and full bodied sound through 11 tracks that will make your feet tap and head bop along. Super catchy and my favourite album to blast in my car, In A Million Years was my number 2 pick for 2012. – Bridget Hustwaite
Kyü – Kyü 2
Kyu’s second album was released with little fanfare earlier this year, and in fact the band have since broken up. So what are they up to now? Well, “Gnome” is the new project for Freya Berkhout, one half of Kyü, with her brother Elias Berkhout, and their track “Picnic” is being featured in the Sydney Festival 2013 commercials. The album seems to have almost been released as a eulogy to the band, a beautiful farewell for what was an all too short, but still sweet, time together. I like the way Brag‘s Luke Telford put it: “…it’s a swansong for us to pluck feathers from…” Indeed it is. And it’s definitely not the last we’ve heard from either artist…
Say Anything – Anarchy My Dear
This album didn’t receive the most positive set of reviews when it first came out, so I was quite surprised when it made its way comfortably into the top 40 of our charts. I referred to the original review by Jason Strange to try and get my head around it: “…by the time I hit play for the fifth and sixth time, I finally started to appreciate the craft within the songs on this record and now, as it plays again in the background I think i get it. I think I get what this record is. A juxtaposition of the calm and the storm. Making the beautiful ugly and the ugly beautiful…” – Definitely a grower, this album has stuck with fans of the band right to the end of the year.
Pond – Beard, Wives, Denim
“After being blown away by Ponds live set at Fat As Butter Festiva in Newcastle, I headed down to Red Eye Records in Sydney to find myself a copy of their latest offering Beard, Wives, Denim. Like their live set, this album blew me away. It was like being placed in a time machine back to 1967 with The Electric Prunes “I had too much to dream (last night)”… Psychadelic rock back to it’s best even though it’s 2012! Stand out track “You Broke My Cool” – Explosive! Five Stars” – Pete Dovgan
Jake Bugg – Jake Bugg
Gritty, honest and mature beyond his years is probably what I’d describe Jake Bugg’s album. Its got the grittiness of his urban upbringing – reminding me of oasis and arctic monkeys; and a honestly that rings out “what you see is what you get”. A late release, but a good one (especially since it kept a reality TV show album out of the top spot in the UK charts). – Evelyn Tjia
David Byrne & St. Vincent – Love This Giant
A perfectly eccentric collaboration between two art-pop figureheads. Framed by a horn-saturated backdrop, the album works off quirky melodies and staggered rhythms to comment on the strange (and often awkward) realities of human life. Neither musician takes the lead. Rather, they seem to blend into one another, capitalising on the unique talents each of them holds. – Tom Williams
Band of Skulls – Sweet & Sour
The material on Sweet Sour reminds me heavily of early tracks by The White Stripes in some areas, with their dependence on heavy riffs and dirty sounding recordings really bringing forth the sense of grit which some of the songs’ lyrics narrate. The sheer talent this band has in performing this sort of rock is impressive and can’t be ignored. – Sosefina Fuamoli
The Vaccines – Come of Age
Exploding onto the music scene in 2010, The Vaccines have quickly emerged as one of the UK’S most hyped bands. Their debut album What Did You Expect from The Vaccines reaped massive praise and became the highest selling debut album in the UK in 2011. The 4 piece have continued to deliver with the recent release of their second album, Come Of Age hitting number 1 on the UK Billboard charts. You can catch The Vaccines over New Years at Falls Festival, Southbound & Field Day. They are also supporting Two Door Cinema Club.
Fun. – Some Nights
Some Nights combines a winning concoction of singable, catchy and alternative melodies that not only differentiate fun. from the rest of the music industry, but made this album one of the best listens of 2012. – Alyce Wearne
Crystal Castles – Crystal Castles (III)
A darker release in comparison to II. Crystal Castles’ social commentary is pushed through their brand of harsh EDM, to evoke both desperation and ecstasy. – Tom Williams
Stay tuned for our top 30 albums in the week ahead!!
The Top 40 Countdown: Part 1 (40-31) | Part 2 (30-21) | Part 3 (20-11) | Part 4 (10-1)
