Best Music of 2012

1. Heartless Bastards- Arrow

With their intoxicating mix of swampy blues, no frills garage-rock, and Appalachian-style folk, the Heartless Bastards have quickly become one of my favorite bands of the last few years.  Their fourth album Arrow is yet another generous helping of high quality rock n' roll with frontwoman Erika Wennerstrom in top form.  Her awesome Chrissie Hynde-meets-Robert Plant wail is on full display, and as a songwriter this is hands down her finest moment yet.  Out of all the music I bought this year, this is one of the only albums that I've had in constant rotation since its release.  My favorite album of the year.



2. Joel Plaskett Emergency- Scrappy Happiness



For his 7th album, Joel Plaskett decided to write and record a song-a-week at his home studio in Halifax and then release each one for free each week on CBC radio.  The full album was then released in stores a couple of months later.  The end result is a spirited, ramshackle pop/rock gem, and one of the best albums he's ever made.  The songs are simply outstanding, and the loose, carefree approach to the production and the performances only add to its undeniable appeal.



3. The Tragically Hip- Now For Plan A



After almost 30 years in the biz, these veteran alt-rock stalwarts continue to defy the odds and soldier on amidst a constantly changing musical landscape.  Partly inspired by singer Gord Downie's wife's recent bout with breast cancer, the Hip's 13th studio album is the rarest of gems.  A late career masterpiece from a band that refuses to rest on its laurels, featuring some of Downie's most personal lyrics to date and an emotionally-charged vocal performance.  Stylistically the record is kind of a synthesis of the Hip's entire career, with a few new twists thrown in.  It's all here:  fist pumping distortion-heavy rock (At Transformation), melodic power-pop (Streets Ahead, The Modern Spirit), atmospheric mood pieces (Now for Plan A), and even some classic Hip-style Canadiana (Goodnight Attawapiskat).  The album's standout moment is the stunning Man Machine Poem, with Downie channeling his inner Roy Orbison over a gorgeous chord progression.  Recurring themes of love, family, friendship, and survival thread their way through the record.  Dare I say, this is the best Hip album in over a decade.  Long may these greybeards run!



4. Bob Mould- Silver Age



I'm ashamed to admit I was late to the party when it comes to Bob Mould's remarkable solo career.  I always knew who he was, and I was aware that he began his career as one of the founding members of iconic indie-rockers Husker Du in the 80s.  But I didn't truly discover his music until about a year ago when I made it my mission to consume everything the man has ever done.  Needless to say I've become a huge fan ever since.  His new album Silver Age is a refreshing blast of high-energy, blow-yer-socks-off punk rock that will have you nodding along and playing air guitar for 38 glorious minutes.  The overall sound is most reminiscent of his 90s alt-rock project Sugar, but also manages to sound new and fresh at the same time.  His intimate lyrics convey a certain wisdom and world weariness that could only come from a man of his age and experience.  This is deeply personal stuff that could have easily turned into a quiet, introspective singer/songwriter type of effort.  But I love that he chose to deliver these tunes with ear-bleeding volume, big-ass drums and slashing power chords.  Nothing wrong with combining some kick-ass rock n' roll fun with your reflective middle-aged angst.  Accompanied only by bassist Jason Narducy and drummer Jon Wurster, this is probably the best power trio he's put together since his days with the Huskers.  The dude is 52 years old and he's still rockin' harder than most bands half his age.  You gotta love that.



5. John K. Samson- Provincial




Seriously, has this guy ever made a bad record?  Even a mediocre one?  Nope.  Samson is such a wonderfully gifted songwriter, and as a lyricist he's second to none.  His first solo album outside of his main gig, The Weakerthans, continues to mine the central themes that have made him one of the most beloved songwriters that Canada has ever produced:  tales of alienation and down and out characters struggling to find a sense of place and community as they drift through the frozen landscape of an unnamed Winnipeg.  But it's not all bleak.  He also spins heartfelt yarns about unappreciated hockey legends (Petition), teenaged nostalgia (Cruise Night), and secret office romances (The Last And).  It really doesn't sound all that different from a Weakerthans record.  In fact this album could easily slide right in as a natural follow-up to 2007's Reunion Tour.  But that's beside the point.  Bottom line, these are brilliant songs no matter which way you slice 'em.




6. Mark Lanegan- Blues Funeral

Lanegan's songs often sound like just rolled out of bed at 3 in the afternoon after a night of heavy drinking.  And that's what makes them so goddamn great.  As usual, his unique whiskey-soaked baritone is his best weapon, and it gives these songs a ballsy, menacing, lived-in feel.  It's essentially a blues album at heart, but with cool flourishes of spooky electronica and a good old splash of hard-rock borrowed from his stints with the Screaming Trees and Queens of the Stone Age.  Blues Funeral grabs you by the gonads and doesn't let go.



7. Patterson Hood- Heat Lightning Rumbles in the Distance

Taking a well deserved break from his day job in the relentlessly prolific Drive-By Truckers, Patterson Hood gets to explore a quieter, more personal side to his songwriting on his latest solo album.  Full of sweet southern soul and introspective country-rock, these are some of the most intimate songs the guy has ever penned.  Highlights include the beautiful spoken work piece "Untold Pretties" and a touching tribute to the late singer/songwriter Vic Chesnutt, "Come Back Little Star."



8. Soundgarden- King Animal

If there's a top prize for best hard-rock album of the year, I'm giving the trophy to these guys.  Their first new material in over 15 years finds these grizzled Seattle vets picking up right where their 1996 swan song Down on the Upside left off.  It's like they never left.  Singer Chris Cornell's 48-year old pipes can still hit those high notes, while the ferocious drumming of Matt Cameron and Kim Thayil's face melting Middle Eastern-tinged guitar explosions are front and center.  An impressive and confident return.  Welcome back, boys.



9.  Jack White- Blunderbuss

White is a true rock n' roll chameleon.  I don't know of any other musician who can dip his toes into so many different genres on a single record and make it sound as effortless as this.  Whatever your pleasure:  rock, punk, delta blues, funk, soul, R&B, or country.  This guy does it all, and he does it brilliantly.  Easily my favorite Jack White project since his 2003 White Stripes masterpiece, Elephant.



10. Glen Hansard- Rhythm & Repose

Hansard is a terrific songwriter, but it's his passionate vocal delivery that really makes him stand out from the rest.   Anytime I've watched live footage of the guy, whether he's with his longtime band The Frames, The Swell Season, or just by himself, he absolutely sings his guts out and pours every ounce of his soul into his performance.  His beautiful songs always know how to hit me right in the gut.



Honorable mention:

Led Zeppelin- Celebration Day

The most talked about concert of the last 10 years finally gets a proper release, and it truly lives up the hype.  A powerful, ass-kicking reminder of why these guys are considered by many to be the greatest rock n' roll band of all time (all due respect the Beatles and the Stones, but it's true.)