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Nicole Oppenheim: Ear Candy writesCHIRP Radio Best of 2012 (Nicole Oppenheim)

CHIRP Radio Best of 2012

Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its members’ top albums of 2012. Our next list is from DJ and Volunteer Coordinator Nicole Oppenheim.

If you're familiar with my show, this list will come as no great surprise. I love Shoegaze. I love a good dance groove. I love fun guitar pop. And, yes, I love Metal. Feast your eyes, me hearties. I give you my official Top Ten of 2012:

Tamaryn - Tender New Signs (Mexican Summer)
BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
This record is a masterpiece of Shoegaze: classic breathy vocals over echo-y guitar and ethereal soundscapes thick and sweet like cotton candy. This record brings out those intense feelings that only Morrissey in his prime could put to words. If you love Shoegaze like I love Shoegaze, then you know exactly what I'm talking about. You don't hear these songs; you feel them. They unlock that deep, secret place inside all of us where beauty, pain, love, and nostalgia intermingle and they touch on all of these emotions in the most sublime way possible. This is Number One With A Bullet--an absolute gem.
The Sword - Apocryphon (Razor & Tie)
BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
Here's a little secret that's not at all a secret to people who know me well: I love Metal. I'm throwing up the horns in my head as I write this. The Sword, from Austin, Texas, is one of the best "classic" Metal bands out there, IMHO. They consistently release solid records and rock a party like nobody's business at shows. For me, this band recalls classic Sabbath, Maiden, and early Metallica--thunderous drums, powerful guitars, and great lyrics, aptly delivered. It's a standard equation that The Sword knows better than to mess with. This record isn't so much innovative as it is a product of musicians who have absolutely mastered their craft. Turn it up and rip the knob off, for realz.
Azaelia Banks - 1991 (Interscope)
BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
This is the kind of record that makes me fairly certain I've wasted my life. It's called 1991 because that's the year the artist was born. *sigh* Kids these days. Despite her young age, Ms. Banks is an accomplished musician, having trained at the LaGuardia High School for Performing Arts in her native NYC. No wonder her 4-song EP was enough to get her a #3 spot on my list this year. Each track is a booty-shakin' fun bomb with infinitely more chops than the over-produced dreck you'll hear on most dance-centric radio stations these days. That said, she has drawn many comparisons with Nicki Minaj, which I can see, but don't agree with. Where Minaj is all spectacle and vinyl dresses, Banks is all business. Her first solo record drops this coming February and I can't wait to pick it up. Released on Polydor/Interscope, you know it's going to be some quality stuff. Oh, and Nicki? Watch your back, girl. There's a new sheriff in town.
Twin Shadow - Confess (4AD)
BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
Oh, Synth-pop, I wish I knew how to quit you. My youth was the classic Latch Key Kid experience not so uncommon in the 1980s. As such, I was raised largely by MTV and Top 40 radio. Thus, for me, listening to this record was like coming home. It's SO over-the-top 1980s Synth-pop gloss that, at first blush, you honestly think you've stumbled upon some never-before-released Human League singles or a weird Thompson Twins/Siouxsie/Morrissey hybrid record that's been in Trent Reznor's basement for the past 30 years. At least, that was my experience. Because I hang out in Trent's basement all the time. Seriously, though, if you want some top-notch pop that's nostalgic for the Reagan years but also has some substance to it, look no further. (Also, I have to give mega props to a guy who can write novels in between putting out records tight as this one. Nice work, George Lewis, Jr.!)
Echo Lake - Wild Peace (Slumberland)
BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
Ever wonder what a Shoegaze record put out by Martha and the Vandellas would sound like? Wonder no more!! While there are no Motown grooves to be found, this album is pure wall of sound reverb (as you'd expect from a Slumberland release) with female harmonies tight enough to make Brian Wilson weep. On a sad note, the band's drummer, Pete Hayes, died at age 25 just one day before this record was released. No cause of death was given, but family, friends, and loved ones can perhaps find some comfort in the part he played in creating this exquisite piece of dream pop. The comparisons to My Bloody Valentine are not erroneous. If Echo Lake keeps putting out records of this caliber, you can expect to see the two bands mentioned in the same breath.
Japandroids - Celebration Rock (Polyvinyl)
BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
Clocking in at just over 35 minutes, this record is a short and sweet nonstop party. Perfect for 35 minute party people? Bad jokes aside, each song is raw, full of energy, and so well-produced that the band might as well be performing in your head. Seriously. The tracks are *that* clear. This is some great alt-rock that recalls how you felt back when you were 15 and would rock out to your favorite records. You'd feel free, you'd dance, you'd sing off-key (because who cares?), and you'd be confident that you were the coolest person in the world at that particular moment. Wanna feel like that again? Put this record on. You'll thank me later.
2:54 - 2:54 (Fat Possum)
BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
Why does so much quality Shoegaze/Goth come out of England? It just doesn't seem fair. People are depressed in other parts of the world, too! But I guess the rest of us take our meds and see our therapists regularly instead of making heartbreakingly beautiful music. I am not embarrassed to say that after I discovered 2:54 in May of this year, their record has not left my personal playlist for a single day. Sisters Hannah and Colette Thurlow are masters (mistresses?) at mixing a few Grunge-y elements into their Shoegaze sound without creating an Industrial album. This is Shoegaze with a bit of a rock twist and it succeeds at all levels. This band is definitely on my short list of those I'd camp out to get tickets to see. Also, you know that a band who took their name from the "point on 'History Of Bad Men' [a Melvins' song] where the bass line turns doomy and dreamy" (in Colette's words) have got to be some seriously fun people.
Raveonettes - Observator (Vice)
BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
Sweet baby Moses in a basket, do I love this band. I hesitate putting my favorites on my Top Ten lists (looking at you this year, Dum Dum Girls!) because it's hard for me to be completely objective. But I made an exception this year for Raveonettes. Last year's Raven in the Grave was good, but a departure from the usual Raveonettes sound I love so much. In 2012, the band returned to their signature sound with a vengeance on this album. Surf guitar, noise rock, haunting harmonies, ooooohhhhhh yeeeeeessssssss. If you're already a Raveonettes fan, you no doubt have listened to this record at least 1,000 times already. If you aren't, this record is a great place to start a love affair with some fantastic Scandinavian guitar-driven dream pop. Luscious!
Homeboy Sandman - First of a Living Breed (Stones Throw)
BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
In a year where Killer Mike, El-P, and Nas put out some of their best albums in years, I still have to rank this record above them. Why? Because Angel Del Villar II (aka Homeboy Sandman) is the least likely MC among them. He's from NYC, but he attended boarding school in New Hampshire, Penn for undergrad, and Hofstra for law school. Add this up and you usually get corporate lawyer, not cutting-edge hip-hop artist. His flow is smooth, his lyrics are insightful, his record is glorious. He's not all swagger and steel. He's simply himself: an intelligent man with a lot to say and fabulous way of saying it. Don't sleep on this one.
Big K.R.I.T. - Live From the Underground (Def Jam)
BUY: Reckless / Permanent / Insound / iTunes / eMusic
This record singlehandedly changed my opinion of Southern rappers. I like Ludacris, I shook what my mama gave me to Master P back in the day, I've even quoted Lil' John lyrics in Facebook updates. But by and large, these guys are what the music industry has made them. It's all about guns, bitches, and bling with a little countrified charm thrown in for good measure. Yawnfest. Big K.R.I.T. is not cut from the same cloth. I wanted to write him off because of my impression of most Southern rappers, but I couldn't do it. His record is just that good. When I say it knocked me on my ear, it's not just a metaphor. I actually listened to his lyrics instead of simply bobbing my head in time with the beat. What I heard made me a believer. Justin Scott (aka Big K.R.I.T.) is the real deal, not the face of a clever marketing ploy. To shamelessly paraphrase Dr. Dre, Big K.R.I.T. is truly a producer who can rap and control the maestro. But don't just take my word for it. He produced this record himself and is now headlining his own tour after years of opening for the likes of Wiz Khalifa, Curren$y, and Method Man. He has the credentials and he has the talent. Moreover, he's smart enough to do this on his own and not simply be a mouthpiece while someone else pulls the strings. Check it while he wrecks it.