100
|
Snow Patrol - In the End.
This
band from Northern Ireland released their album "Fallen Empires" in
2011, but kept releasing singles from the album in 2012....such as this
one,
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99
|
Dr. Dog - That Old Black Hole
These indie-rockers hail from West Grove PA. This track was from their album "Be The Void" that came out earlier this year.
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98
|
Lost in the Trees - Golden Eyelids
This
band is from Chapel Hill, NC. I had mixed feelings about hits song
after a few listens....it sounds a bit melancholy and rather
dreamy...(the band has orchestral overtimes, heard in the strings in
this song), from their album "A Church That Fits Our Needs"
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97
|
Grouplove - Itchin' On A Photograph
This is one of the new bands that broke thru this year. LA band's
first full-length album, "Never Trust A Happy Song", released in late
2011, has produced two alternative top 10 hits i 2012. This is the
second single from the album, currently in the top 10 on the Alternative
chart.
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96
|
Bush - Baby Come Home
This
British band, emerging in the mid 90's in the wake of the U.S. grunged
explosion, led by Gavin Rossdale, reunited in 2010, and the following
year released an album "The Sea of Memories". This was the second single
(third if counted the 2010-released "Afterlife"), released at the
beginning of this year,
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95
|
Dirty Heads - Spread Too Thin
These
guys are from Southern California, and they meld alt-rock with splashes
of reggae and ska. They are somewhat reminicient of the band 311.
Their album, Cabin By the Sea was released in June. This song was the
first single, and hit #13 on the Alternative chart (and #20 on mine).
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94
|
Hedley -Kiss You Inside Out
This
Canadian band made it to the top 3 on "Canadian Idol" in 2005.
They've released several albums since, and performed at the closing
ceremony at the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010. They have a
pop-edge to their alt-rock stylings. Their 4th album, "Storms" was
released in November 2011. This song hit #2 in Canada, and #24 on the
U.S. Adult Top 40 airplay chart.
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93
|
Child Actor - If You Loved Me
This
song is pretty mesmerizing. This is a duo comprised of cousins from
Boston MA. One of many bands I discovered thru the website "RCD LBL"
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92
|
Marriages - Ride In My Place
Love this band's psychededic/jam-like sound. Band is from LA and is made up of members of the band Red Sparowes.
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91
|
My Morning Jacket - First Light
This
band's "Circuital" album, released in 2011, produced "Holding On To
Black Metal", which made my year-end list that year. Another song from
that album, from the Louisville Kentucky psychedelic rockers, makes it
this year.
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90
|
Of Monsters and Men - Mountain Sound
One
of the breakout bands for 2012 was this five-piece band from Iceland,
Of Monsters and Men. Their song "Little Talks" hit #1 on the
Alternative chart this year, the first single from their album "My Head
Is An Animal", released in April and hit #6 on the album chart. That
song just missed my list, but he follow-up single, #8 alternative in its
own right, made it on my list at #90. The song reminds me a bit of
"Home" by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros.
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89
|
Train - 50 Ways to Say Goodbye
In
2012, this pop/rock band from San Francisco released their sixth album
"California 37"...it debuted at #4, their highest showing ever. Now
firmly in pop territory as a competitor to Maroon 5, the album's first
single "Drive By" hit the national top 10 and just missed my countdown.
This follow-up, a top 20 pop hit, almost missed my countdown as well,
until my friend Gail Cacciarelli Bradley posted it on her timeline....the song resurged on my chart, thus making the list.
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88
|
Omnia- Change This Place
A local artist, Omnia Hegazy, cut this song about the 2011 revolutions
going on in the Middle East. The song was from her EP, "Jailbird", and
the song hit #4 on my chart early this year. And of course a thanks
to Omnia's aunt, Diane Tarantino Hegazy for introducing this talented artist in the first place.
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87
|
Golden Void - The Curve
How
can you take a style that's seemingly retro-70's, and make it fresh?
Just listen to this track by San Francisco based Golden Void.
Psychedelic, blues, a little bit of Zeppelin, Kiss, Ozzy and Thin Lizzy
thrown into the mix. A discovery via RCDLBL.com,
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|
86
|
Kopecky Family Band - Heartbeat
This
band hails from Nashville TN, but alas none are related, nor I believe
anyone is named Kopecky. But the song, with enough pop sensibilities to
like, hit my top 20 in the fall.
|
|
85
|
Gary Clark Jr - Bright Lights
One
of the best artists to really emerge in 2012 was this blues guitarist
out of Austin TX. In 2011, he put out an EP, "Bright Lights", which
included this title track. This year, he released a full length
album, "Blak and Blu" which also contains this cut. Vermont radio
station WEQX played this one, and friend Helena Roberts Shaver is also a big fan.
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84
|
Youngblood Hawke - We Come Running
This
year, it seems that L.A. is the new hotspot of indie bands emerging (as
with Portland OR and Brooklyn NY). This band released their eponymous
EP this year. This song reached #7 on Billboard's Alternative chart. My
friend Gail Cacciarelli Bradley posted the heck out of this song in the fall, and the song reached #12 on my list around that time.
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83
|
Young the Giant - Apartment
Another
breakthru band this year. These guys are from Irvine, CA. Three
hits came from their eponymous debut which was released in early 2011.
"My Body", "Cough Syrup" and this one.
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82
|
Adele - Love Song
It's a testament to this British gal's talent that after almost two
years in release, her "21" album is still selling strongly, 10 million
copies and counting. In late 2011 and early 2012 I was digging deep
into her album for songs to play. The original version by The Cure
was my #1 song of 1989, and Adele's slowed-down version comes in at #82
for the year.
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81
|
Sarah Jean - At Last
This talented, local artist hails from Metuchen NJ. Backed by the band The Hounds of Winter (which includes my friend Tom Corea), she released her album "Girl Will Run" late in 2011, and "My Hometown" was on my list last year. In late January, she posted another song on her Timeline, and I took to it right away, reaching #11 on my weekly list.
|
|
80
|
E'lissa Jones - Best I Ever Had
Another local artist (from the Hudson Valley of NY) that I was fortunate to check out in 2012. My friends Stephen Harris and Rene Marinich invited us to the Warwick Valley Winter where she was playing. She melded rock, R&B and even classic music with all kinds of strings. This is one artist I hope succeeds. From her album "Like Water" from 2011.
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79
|
Ellie Goulding - Lights
One of two songs that appear on both my 2011 and 2012 lists. This song was very slow to break, It was my last #1 of 2011, but it took until late summer for the rest of the country to agree, reaching #2 (stuck behind "Call Me Maybe") on the Hot 100. From her debut album of the same name.
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78
|
The Shins - It's Only Life
Critically acclaimed band from Albuquerque NM relased their first album in five year, Port of Morriw, and it was a success, peaking at #3 on Billboard's albums chart. Friend Brian Sniatkowski placed this album at #19 on his top 25 albums of 2012 as well.
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77
|
Jack White - Sixteen Saltines
It was only a matter of time before Jack White, late of White Stripes, and still sometimes with The Racontaurs and The Dead Weather, stepped out on his own. Like his group compositions, his music always catches you off guard. This was the one track that made the most impression on me. Thunderpuss was his first solo effort (a #1 album), and this track reached #12 on Billboard's alt chart and #14 on mine.
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76
|
Yeasayer - Henrietta
If you wondered what happened to all the Brooklyn bands that typically reside on my lists, look no further. These psychedelic rockers released "Fragrent World' this year, which peaked at #44, making way for this cool track
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75
|
Beach House - Myth
Baltimore dream-poppers are back with their fourth effort, "Bloom". Album reached #7 on the album charts, and this one also made Brian Sniatkowski's year end album list at #17.
|
|
74
|
Adele - Skyfall
It's hard to believe its durability, but 2012 marked the 50th anniversary of the first James Bond movie. The latest one in the franchise, "Skyfall" came out this fall. Given the history of the movies' varied themes over the decades, it seemed fitting that Brit sensation Adele perform the title track. Peaking at #8 on the Hot 100 and #2 on the SNS list, Adele captured the essence of the original sixties themes.
|
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73
|
Beach House - Lazuli
The second track on my list from "Bloom", this duo seem to be poised to breakthru. Hopefully it'll come real soon.
|
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72
|
ZZ Ward - Put the Gun Down
It's always nice when something you weren't expecting just hits you in the ears. That's just what this Abington PA songstress has done with this first single off her debut album, "Til the Casket Drops", which dropped in October. Track got some Triple-A formatted airplay, and was recommended by friend Pam Batson (albeit 10 weeks after I started playing it anyway).
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71
|
The Raveonettes - Observations
Danish duo keeps pumping out the albums. Which is a good thing. Their sound keeps evolving to the point that they almost sound current indie, rather than the surf-poppish early efforts. From their album "Observator", song hit my top 10 early this fall.
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70
|
Two Door Cinema Club - Sleep Alone
Band's last album, 2009's "Tourist History" got within an eyeshade of putting three songs on my 2011 countdown. Northern Irish outfit's second album "Beacon" picked up right where they left off with this track which made my top 10 (and top 20 Billboard alternative).
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69
|
Miike Snow - Paddling Out
Swedish indie-pop band released their second album this year, "Happy To You", and reached #43 on the album charts. Catchy song was a hit on my charts in the springtime, when we took our trip down to South Carolina.
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68
|
The Lumineers - Ho Hey
This song, as well as the next song have a lot in common. I was lukewarm in adding them, only to see the song top the Alternative chart, and then even on the pop Top 10, with some of my friends posting them. It forced me to re-add the song. Member of this folk-rock (a growing influence in 2012) band this year hail from both Denver, and Ramsey NJ. Song reached #3 on Billboard's Hot 100, fighting a sea of Taylor Swifts and Carly Rae Jepsens.
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67
|
Alex Clare - Too Close
See above. Another #1 alternative song, this one from his 2011 album debut "The Lateness of the Hour", made the Hot 100 at #7. British artist has many varied styles, and like the Lumineers song above, I had to take a second look. Friend Gail Caccierelli Bradley posted this one as did some other friends.
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66
|
Nada Surf - Waiting For Something
It's nice to see some bands making comebacks of sorts. During 1996, when alternative was a hot commodity, this band released their debut "High/Low" which contained the #11 alt hit "Popular". Then they seem to disappear. Their last few efforts have been on the radar, however, including their 2012 album, "The Stars are Indifferent to Astromony", which topped WFUV "The Alternate Side" top 20.
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65
|
Maroon 5 - One More Night
Most likely due to frontman Adam Levine's stature as a coach on the TV show The Voice, this band is hotter than ever. "Payphone", the first single from 2012's "Overexposed" hit #2 on the Hot 100, but missed my list, but this one reached #1 for eight weeks on the Hot 100, and did make my chart. Another Maroon 5 is coming up, something out of the ordinary.
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64
|
Eve6 - Victoria
These guys are back after a long hiatus. Popular during the first part of the 2000's, they seemed a little out of place when 2012's "Speak in Code". This lead single did chart alternative, but our friend Victoria Scholl seemed to be the inspiration for it making my list. It is pretty catchy, though.
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63
|
Grizzly Bear - Yet Again
This band, and song, made a lot of year-end lists, including Rolling Stones best 50 songs of 2012. I wholeheartedly agree, with this one spending 2 weeks at #1 on my SNS chart. Another from the Brooklyn hotbed, their fourth album "Shields" was released this year containing this great song.
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62
|
Kelly Clarkson - Dark Side
Still my favorite "Idol" winner (and one of two such winners on my list this year), she released her album "Stronger" in late 2011. Although this song only peaked at #42 on the Hot 100, it did make #7 on my list, and coincided with a friend's "Dark Side" (whose name will not be revealed here! lol)
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61
|
The Kooks - Is It Me
English band's 2011 "Junk of the Heart" made me (and a few other friends) "Happy" with the title track that reached #4 on last year's final tally. This is another good one from the same album.
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60
|
Wilco - Dawned On Me
Another holdover 2011 top 10 band, released this single in 2012, and reached my top 10 weekly chart. Loved the "Popeye" video on this song.
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59
|
Matchbox Twenty - She's So Mean
It's spotlight stolen away by bands like Maroon 5, Rob Thomas' outfit released their first album in five years, "North". It hit #1, but this first single, despite some adult top 40 airplay, only hit #40, but was catchy enough for me to consider.
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58
|
The Decemberists - One Engine
This Portland OR band came into their own with their most recent effort, 2011's "The King is Dead" which hit #1. This track is not from any of their albums, but from the soundtrack to "The Hunger Games", probably the best soundtrack of the year, with another song coming up.
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57
|
Mayer Hawthorne - The Walk
Retro-soul cooled off a bit with me (with the exception of the up and coming Alex Stone), but the holdovers were still great. Song was a holdover from 2011 year-end list, and I never get tired of it.
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56
|
Silversun Pickups - Bloody Mary
LA-alt-rockers release their third full-length effort this year, "Neck of the Woods", and just keep on pleasing. The album hit top 10 as did this single on the alt-rock chart, as well as on the SNS list.
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55
|
Toby Keith - Red Solo Cup
Before "Gangnam Style" hit in the fall, this was the song that everyone rallied around. A bit of a novelty for this seasoned country veteran, this one scored with me, and prompted many jokes posted on Facebook. Keith's first entry on my year-end list since "I Love This Bar" in 2003.
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54
|
Fitz and the Tantrums - L.O.V.
It's hard to believe that this album came out in 2010. I have been enjoying this band for what it seems like forever. I don't care if their soulful sound seems out of place in today's world, they almost did break through with last year's 'Money Grabber" plus several other cuts. Here is one more that I listened to. I anxiously await their next effort.
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53
|
Snow Patrol - New York
Another from the band's fine "Fallen Empires' set.
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52
|
M83 - Reunion
French band's "Hurry Up, We're Dreaming" was on many 2011 year-end lists, but it took me this second single to win me over. Peaking at #2 SNS and #24 alternative, the song coincided with two real-life reunions for me in June of this year.
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51
|
Kelly Clarkson - Stronger
Second effort by Ms. Clarkson, hit #1 on Billboard, and #7 here, following the weak (for me) "Mr. Know it All". You know she has a few good songs in there somewhere, and this is one of her best.
|
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50
|
Linkin Park - Burn It Down
This is a perfect example of the continued resistance by popular radio of hard-driving guitar bands. These guys deliver their best album in years, "Living Things", A solid #1 on the Alt chart, only peaked at #30 on the Hot 100. But no matter, my friends still loved this one.
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49
|
Adele - One and Only
Nobody dominated this last year like Adele did in 2011, but nonetheless, she's the only artist to place as many as three songs on my 2012 list, including this bluesy gem from her "21" set.
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48
|
Caveman - Old Friend
Another band from the Brooklyn music scene, this RCD LBL discovery hit my top 10 in the spring.
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47
|
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros - That's What's Up
Band led by Alex Ebert released their follow-up to 2009's "Up From Below" this year, "Here', and although there was nothing to match their "Home" hit from 2010, this was a pretty good song in its own right.
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46
|
Best Coast - The Only Place
Surf-poppers were on the verge of hitting the big time last time out, and this cut from 2012's "The Only Place", kept them on this verge.
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45
|
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - Stars
Grace and her Vermont co-horts finally release their long-await album this year, entitled "The Lion The Beast The Beat". This song, a #1 hit on SNS recently, is catching on nationwide, spurring by a great performance by Amanda Brown on The Voice this fall. This band deserves success..and on their own terms.
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44
|
Foxygen - Make It Known
Credit for discovering this California indie-pop/rockers goes squarely to Brian Sniatkowski. Not only was this his song of the week back into August, but their fine album "Take The Kids off Broadway" landed at #7 on his year-end albums list.
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43
|
Mumford & Sons - I Will Wait
When friends and the award-givers lauded this bands 2009 debut, "Sigh No More", I wondered what the hoopla was. I tried, but really couldn't get into this band. Their second album "Bebel" released this year again took many honors. I think I finally "got them" this go round, with this song firmly in my top 10, #1 alternative and #23 on the Hot 100. A perfect example of the folkish "Americana music" taknig hold this year.
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42
|
Trails and Ways - Nunca
Without winning many accolades (so far), this Oakland outfit, with a dream-pop approaches a la M83 and Beach House, seemed to be one of the most "blogged" bands. Well, if you went thru my entries during the early fall, I'd say that was on the money.
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41
|
Garbage - Blood For Poppies
In the late 1990's, both this band, let by Shirley Manson, and No Doubt, led by Gwen Stefani, competed for chart domination, before this band slumped in the early 2000's. But both bands made somewhat of a comeback this year. But, while No Doubt's was a big disappointment, at least "Not Your Kind of People" did managed to get some airplay in this lead single.
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40
|
Dante vs Zombies - Natural Disaster
Another California band, led by Dante White, whose voice has been compared to everyone from Elvis to Jim Morrison, Freddie Mercury and Mick Jagger.
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39
|
Grassfight - Look Homeward Heathen
Another in the "dream-pop" category as well as another group of New Yorkers, this band's tune was very catchy in that quite popular genre in 2012.
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38
|
Dignan Porch - Picking Up Dust
Indie band released their second effort, "Nothing Bad Will Ever Happen" this year. Band is from South London, who sound reminded me of some early 1990's alternative radio gems
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37
|
Sharon Van Etten - Serpents
Another on the critically-acclaimed list, this songstress from the Brooklyn hotbed, firmly in the indie-rock/folk era. Originally from North Hunterdon NJ, her third LP, "Tramp" released this year, landed on many year-end lists, including Brian Sniatkowski's Top 25 (#5)
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36
|
Oberhofer - Away From You
Brooklyn band, whos "Gotta Go" made my 2011 list, come right back with this gem, from their "Time Capsules II" effort. Song reached the alternative charts, as well as my top 10.
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35
|
The Black Keys - Little Black Submarine
Still one of my favorite bands out today, the Akron OH duo rode the creast of 2011's El Camino this year, including this third single, which echoed "Stairway to Heaven" and landed in the alternative chart's Top 3.
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34
|
Mayer Hawthorne - Henny and Gingerale
If "The Walk" was pure sixties-like soul, this one would have been early 70's R&B. Like its predecessor, it hit #1 on SNS. Detroit MI Singer has been turning some heads out there.
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33
|
Churchill - Change
One friend described this as "bubblegum pop". Yeah, if it was released back in, say, 1974, but it's 2012, and this kind of music is very welcome in a world of Justin Biebers and Taylor Swifts. A #1 hit for me, it's picking up some national airplay as well. Band is from Colorado.
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32
|
The Avett Brothers - Live and Die
Another emerging folk-rock band, they hail from Concord NC. Their seventh effort, "The Carpenter" peaked at #4 on the Album chart this year. This song does have a bit of commercial flair to it, yet landed on the Triple-A chart.
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31
|
Django Django - Default
British band has been developing a buzz, and was one of Brian Sniatkowski's Songs of the Week, in fact, their eponymous debut album made his year-end list at #4. This piece of bouncy and cleverly sung rock, did bounce its way to #2 on my list, and was going thru my head during our autumn trip to Vermont and New York state.
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30
|
Lady Antebellum - Dancing Away With My Heart
At least for me, this song rivaled their "Need You Now". My high school alumni, in June, held an all-classes reunion, and this song was pretty much on my mind. I wondered if any classmates rekindled a past love?
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29
|
Fun. - Some Nights
At what point to you stop consider this New York group an "indie-rock" band and call them a pop band. Well, it's hardly mainstream pop, but this Paul Simon-sounding song reached #3 on the Hot 100, and top 20 plus over 30 weeks on my list.
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28
|
Metric - Youth Without Youth
For some strange reason, my blog talking about these Canadian indie/new wavers, has picked up over 1000 hits, but regardless, band which scored top 10 on my 2009 (#1) and 2010 (#6) lists, came back with "Synthetica"in 2012, which made the top 20 albums, as well as a similar ranking on the alternative chart.
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27
|
The Satelliters - Lost in Time
The title of this song is dead on. Mark Sniatkowski (Brian's brother0, who is a huge fan of vintage 1960's garage rock, posted this song back in September. I loved it instantly. Song actually came from 2009's "Unknown State of Mind" (They did release an album this year). I had a lot of fun listening to this in the fall. Friends apparently agreed with me.
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26
|
Tennis - Origins
Denver seems to be getting its share of the indie pie this year, and this duo, spiced up my iPod back in January with this nice, sentimental yet uptempo song. From 2012's album "Young & Old"
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25
|
Wild Nothing - Nowhere
In February, I went, with a bunch of friends, on a ski weekend to Lake Placid. Much new music was listened to,and this song was one of them. Dream poppers are led by Jack Tetum, and hail from Blacksburg VA. A great song that spiced up the winter.
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24
|
Ty Segall Band - I Brought My Eyes
Ty Segall is the guitarist who would rank among the top current ones if anyone knew who he was. He had the opportunity to release three distinct albums in 2012. A solo acoustic set, a rocking collaboration with White Fence, and this one with his own band. He is from Laguna Beach CA.
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23
|
Veronica Falls - Bad Feeling
Upon listening to this song, it brought me back to the British folk stylings of The Seekers from the 1960's. Heard on my ski trip, song is from their 2011 eponymous debut. A new album is due in early 2013.
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22
|
Atlas Sound - The Shakes
Another soundtrack to my ski weekend in February, this had sort of a "winter sound" to it as well. The band is actually a solo vehicle for Bradford Cox, another from Brooklyn and also of the indie-rock dreampop persuasion. The album, from late 2011, reached #97 on the Billboard album charts; song hit #3 on my chart early in the year
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21
|
The Wombats - Jump Into the Fog
Their "Tokyo" landed on last year's list, and they come right back with this one, which spent 36 weeks on my chart. Friends, most notably Gail Bradley, posted this often, and, unlike last year's song, it made the alternative charts, and got airplay on the short-lived return of WRXP.
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20
|
Dirty Beaches - Elizabeth's Theme
This one comes out of left field, that's for sure. Dirty Beaches is actually Canadian Alex Hungtai, and this unusual soothing, almost new age-ist instrument was a backdrop of my fall trip, as well as my shore "chill day" excursion in September. I had planned on making my own video for it, until Hurricane Sandy killed the focus of it. One friend gave it "two thumbs down", but for me, that wasn't the point. A great song.
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19
|
The Cranberries - Tomorrow
It's hard to believe that twenty years ago, this Irish folk band, led by Delores O'Riordan, were very hot. A welcome, albeit brief, return to the airwaves back in January and February was enough to remember how great they were. I love this song as it stands up to "Longer", "Zombie" and the like. It's got a lot of soul to it. From band's "Roses" set,; their first in 11 years.
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18
|
Rebecca Ferguson - Nothing's Real But Love
Several friends, gave this a thumbs up. A very soulful voice propelled this to #40 on the Adult Top 40 chart, and #2 right here. She falls under the Corinne Bailey Rae/Norah Jones banner very nicely. She was a finalist on the British version of "X Factor", and album "Heaven", released in December '11, hit the top 30.
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17
|
Pageants - Edible Rust
Long Beach, CA duo features Rebecca Coleman, formerly of Avi Buffalo. A bit stripped down, it nonetheless has the catchiness of her former band mates. A standalone release; hopefully we will hear from output soon (not to mention her former band as well).
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16
|
Grace Potter & the Nocturnals - Never Go Back
The first single from "The Lion The Beast The Beat",song has a chugging rhythm for these Vermonters on the verge of breaking wide open. Album peaked at #17 on Billboard.
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15
|
Maroon 5 - Come Away To the Water
While Adam Levine and company continue to top the charts with their pop-funk entries, this song echoes the best of bands like Fleet Foxes. Great departure for this band, from the "Hunger Games" soundtrack. A very haunting record indeed. It topped my chart; hopefully they'll do more stuff like this in the future.
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14
|
Ty Segall & White Fence - I Am Not A Game
Ty Segall's collaboration with LA-based White Fence produced this rocker, especially the jam during the last minute of the song. I repeat, Segall is the best guitarist that you never heard of. A memory of my spring trip to South Carolina.
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13
|
Phillip Phillips - Home
This song has certainly taken a life of its own. Not my pick to win Season 11 of "American Idol" this year, his performance of this song just blew me...and others...away totally. The song has made the national Top 10 three different times. But, did the song score because of "Idol"? It's taken half a year and the song is still rising in the top 10. And, some of his fans didn't even know he was on the show.
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12
|
Florence + the Machine - No Light, No Light
Florence Welch took a recording break in 2012, so we had to rely on 2011's "Ceremonials" for more gems, such as this one.
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11
|
The Shins- The Rifle's Spiral
My favorite from these guys' "Port of Morrow", it hit #1 on my chart. Very rhythmic and catchy, yet still very much indie. Not released as a single, but should have been.
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10
|
Grouplove - Tongue Tied
Another breakout band in 2012. This one was all over the airwaves, and friends loved it. Friend Anthony Josephs was the first to laud it on our February ski trip; others like Gail Bradley posted this more than once. By summer it made its way up the pop charts as well. It spent 38 weeks on my SNS list.
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9
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Electric Guest - This Head I Hold
Duo is from LA, and the song sounds a bit what would happen if Motown legend Smokey Robinson ever went indie. Popular with me during the spring and well into the summer, it did make some charts. From 2012's "Mondo" set.
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8
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Pink - Blow Me (One Last Kiss)
I don't know what it was about this song, that made me like it immediately. Friends, such as Sharon Wojtaszek embraced it, too, and it wound up at #1 on my chart for a record-tying seven weeks, also it just settled for Top 5 nationally. Philly-based singer in my opinion is the best of the current divas, and the only one to make my list this year.
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7
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The Black Keys - Gold On the Ceiling
Second single from "El Camino" reminded me a lot of the second single from the previous album "Brothers" ("Howlin' For You"). These guys still have a lot up their sleeve, and hopefully they'll be around for quite a while. A #1 alternative hit.
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6
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The Heavy - What Makes A Good Man
Like their previously memorable song, 2010's 'How Do You Like Me Now", this haunting yet infectious song, was featured in many commercials. From 2012's "The Glorious Dead".
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5
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Rachel Allyn- Ain't No Fun
Local country gal was quiet on the recording scene in 2012 (a planned full-length album release this summer never materialized), but with a new management firm behind her, she's been opening up for some name acts. She still is Thunder 106's "House Band", and continues to try and make a name for herself. This single, released late last year, becomes the third year she's been in my year-end top 5. Will 2013 be the year of Rachel? Stay tuned.
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4
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Fun. f. Janelle Monae - We Are Young
To say this song just came out of left field, to hit the #1 spot on the Hot 100 for weeks, (as well as the rock charts), is an understatement. But versatile these New York indie rockers they are. From their album "Some Nights".
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3
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The Rapture - How Deep is Your Love
New Yorkers embrace many styles, including indie and dance, and this song exmaplifies both. From 2011's "In the Grace of Your Love", song made its way up my chart in late winter, and was listened to while driving up to Lake Placid in February. Friends, such as Diane Hegazy and Lynda Lippman loved it, and even Brian Sniatkowski, who omitted the album from his 2011 faves, even regretted that omission.
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2
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Those Darlins - Screws Get Loose
This song by a trio of Nashvillians first came to me by friend Craig Young, who caught the band in concert and even talked to the girls. Then Brian Sniatkowski made it a Song of the Week. My mid-spring I was hooked. It got plays on our Roscoe camping trip this year also. In a very big way. I almost got to see them during the summer, but that fell thru, whetting my appetite for the next time tey fly by this area. Many friends responded positively to the several times I posted this.
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1
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Gotye f. Kimbra - Somebody That I Used to Know
If you had told me that this Belgian-Austrailian musician would have my top song this year back in January, you'd have your head examined. But in February, it came on like gangbusters. Played a lot on our Lake Placid ski trip, and raved upon by Anthony Josephs, and then, referenced by Wendy Intili, and posted by Jenni Thanos, the song took hold and hit #1 on the Alternative charts, and then Billboard's Hot 100 in the early summer. It was a pleasant change of pace to hear this on the pop airwaves. What is surprising is that it never hit #1 on my chart, resting at #2 for a whopping dozen weeks. But no matter. It's my number one song of the year, and, with Billboard also granting this honor as well, it's the second year in a row that we both agree, with Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" last year. We also agreed back in 1979 ("My Sharona") and 1980 ("Call Me"). "Somebody That I Used to Know" is my #1 song of 2012.
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