1. The Sheepdogs- The Sheepdogs

                                                   

Top Ten Albums 2012

1. The Sheepdogs- The Sheepdogs

 What a wonderful year of music 2012 has been.  We have seen Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artists, like Neil Young, deliver new and exciting work.  In addition, some new independent labels continue to offer rich music in such high quantities, that it is almost a part-time job just to try and keep up with it all.  However, it has been a labor of love for me, and we now reach my top album for 2012.

I had first heard of The Sheepdogs in a Rolling Stone article, months before I would ever give them a listen.  For whatever reason, it just never occurred for me to search them on youtube or Spotify when I had the opportunity to sample a new artist.  Fortunately, one day this year I did discover them, and I immediately had a great appreciation for their sound.  They have harmony, but they also have this amazing retro-quality in their music that makes it delicious.

Patrick Carney, of Black Keys fame, helped produce this album, and you can see his fingerprints on the album.  In particular, "Feeling Good" has the same type of groove that you would hear on a Black Keys album.  If you follow NCAA basketball, the song has been featured frequently as a transition to and from commercial breaks this year.  The fuzzy guitar blended in with the smooth vocals make this a great track.

If you close your eyes, "Laid Back" will make you feel like you are in the 1970's spinning a vinyl record.  The way their voices harmonize are very reminiscent of that time period.  "Alright Okay" also conjures up melodies and feel of the same era.  And this is what is so amazing about this band, they can bring the bluesy rock and roll crunch, while also being adept enough to explore a variety of different song textures.

There is an added bonus of 3 acoustic versions of their songs at the end of the album.  Two of the songs, "The Way it is," and "Alright OK" come from this album.  They also include "WHOCOUSTIC" which is a song they released on a previous effort.  Like all great albums, this record is great in it's entirety, with each track worthy of enjoyment.

Anytime I do a Top 10 list, it is always a difficult process.  I frequently changed the albums I would include in this list, and the lineup shuffled more than once. What were some of your favorites for 2012?  Did you share any of mine?  I'd love to hear a comment from you and hopefully discover some new music.  Let us all hope that 2013 will be as rich in music as 2012 was, and I wish you all a Happy New Year!

Brian Richardson

2. The Avett Brothers- The Carpenter

Top Ten Albums of 2012

2. The Avett Brothers- The Carpenter

When I first listened to The Carpenter, by the Avett Brothers, I wasn't immediately sold on the album.  The trademark banjo seemed to be missing, there were no bluegrass influenced songs, and the band seemed to be moving to a more pop oriented sound.  There is nothing wrong with a good pop album, it just doesn't tend to drift towards my favorite musical tastes.

I was talking to a colleague, mentioning my less than stellar first time listening, and he encouraged me to give it another listen.  He assured me that the "banjo is there" and that this was an album worth the extra listen.  So, I embarked on  a second listen, which led to a third, and eventually it was on my steady rotation.

"The Once and Future Carpenter" is a classic penned Avett Brothers song with heartfelt lyrics and their trademark blended harmonies.  "Live and Die" is getting the most airplay for them on this record, and again it is what the classic Avett Brothers fan is expecting.  The banjo is prominent and this song would fit on any of their prior albums like a hand in a glove.  "And now I spend my days in search of a woman we called purpose, and if I ever pass back through her town I'll stay."  That is poetry my friends, and worthy of admiration.

"Through My Prayers" is the first song that I was really drawn to on this album.  It is somewhat melancholy because it deals with a painful subject, missing somebody who has passed away.  However, most of us can relate to those feelings of loss, and there is some hope of continuing conversations through our prayers.

The first time I heard "Down With The Shine," I wasn't exactly sure what the song was about.  Is it speaking of something of luster like a diamond, or since they are from the south, is this a song about the perils of alcohol and abbreviating moonshine with "shine?"  I listened to the commentary on Spotify and learned that this is indeed a song about materialism.  I find myself singing this song frequently, so it does have a nice ear-worm quality.

I'm still not sure how I feel about "Paul Newman vs. The Demons," this is where they have really experimented with their sound, trying out new ideas.  However, I love the fact that I haven't figured out all the songs on the album yet.  Any album that requires several listens is typically a better record in the long run, because it necessitates more effort and time to evaluate.  This is consistent with many of the finer things in life.

On their next release, I'd love to see them continue to experiment, but would like to see a bit more bluegrass in their music.  When they play that music live, you can just see the band and the audience go to a different level, ultimately it is just who they are.  They are definitely one of my favorite bands I've personally discovered in the last couple of years, and if you are new to the Avett Brothers, I highly recommend giving their live music a listen.

Brian Richardson

3. Alabama Shakes- Boys and Girls

Top Ten Albums of 2012

3.  Alabama Shakes- Boys & Girls

Alabama Shakes easily walks away with my Best New Artist of 2012 with their work on Boys & Girls.  Some albums require a few listens before you can make a judgement, but this does not fall in that category for me.  The first time I heard it, I just fell in love with their sound, and immediately became a Fan Club of one.  I can't tell you how many people I turned on to Alabama Shakes, but I don't recall a single person who was not impressed with their work.

Their sound is a mix of blues, country, soul, and tinges of gospel as well.  Brittany Howard is the lead vocalist and she is a huge part of the draw of this band.  When she sings "Hold On," their song nominated for "Best Rock Performance" in the upcoming Grammy's, the comparison to Janis Joplin is inevitable.  She brings out the pain in the emotion in her raspy vocally delivery, and nobody does it better.

She also delivers the smooth side as well.  "I Found You" showcases her soulful side.  The band just has the perfect accompaniment.  A nice driving pace and a balance between the vocalist and the band.  Each seeking to compliment rather than overpower one another.  "Hang Loose" is another great track, and pretty soon you realize that this is just the type of album that you just press "play" and walk away.  Anybody who is just buying an .mp3 or two from this album is missing out on a true work of art.

Susan Tedeschi is my favorite female vocalist.  I love her ability to own a song, and part of that is taking her voice to some rough places.  Susan, I still love ya', but you've got some competition from Brittany.  I can't wait to see what the Alabama Shakes come up with next, and they are currently on my wish list to attend a live show.

Brian Richardson

4. Japandroids- Celebration Rock

Top 10 Albums of 2012

4. Japandroids- Celebration Rock

Sometimes in music, more is more.  Listen to what Phil Spector was able to create with the "Wall of Sound," or the numerous instrumental intricacies that make up a "Good Vibrations" or "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band."  We get a beautiful piece of music enhanced in so many good ways that it blows our mind.

But sometimes we get addition by subtraction.  I still remember the whole MTV "Unplugged" craze that started with Tesla and perfected by Eric Clapton.  Stripping a song down to it's most basic components and making it raw, that also can be oh so powerful.

Like other 2-piece bands before them, The White Stripes, The Black Keys, and The Pack a.d., Japandroids have unleashed the same beast with Celebration Rock.  The album fittingly starts off with the sound of fireworks and you are launched into "The Night of Wine and Roses."  Drums booming and steady guitars begin and guide this album from start to finish.

Make way for "The House that Heaven Built," which is leading the Spotify charts for Japandroids as I write this.  It is a relentless rocker that gives you a taste of punk angst in the lyrics and feel.  "Fires Highway" is another high octane anthem with Japandroids delivering the goods.  This is only an 8-track album, but they didn't waste any songs.

Celebration Rock ends with "Continuous Thunder," a slower track that is my favorite.  I've seen them on live youtube videos almost apologize for putting out a slower number, but it is is totally unnecessary, because though the song is slower, it is still heavy.  And true to it's opening, the last song has an outro to fireworks to put an audible bough on the album.

The Japandroids are making lots of lists by critics, and this time, the critics got it right.  So buy this rock album now... and celebrate!

Brian Richardson

5. JD. McPherson- Signs and Signifiers

Top Ten Albums 2012

5. JD McPherson- Signs and Signifiers

Once in awhile we get a peek of early 50's Rock and Roll in music of today.  You'll hear a certain groove you have heard before or somebody nails a lick that would have made Chuck Berry proud.  But rarely do we see somebody make a recording that takes us to another time period.

JD Mcpherson has achieved this feat with Signs and Signifiers.  He is one of those guys you hear about from a friend, or a friend of a friend, and pretty soon everybody has them on their Spotify playlist.  Brian Stetzer made a great tribute to Sun records with his album "Rockabilly Riot."  Chris Isaak did the same with "Beyond the Sun."  Those are both great records, but here we have JD creating original songs in the same vein.

My favorite track, "North Side Gal," opens the album. You are transcended to the 1950's as he brilliantly picks and croons, weaving words and music like a tapestry.  If you are familiar with his work, this is probably the track that you know.

"Fire Bug" is up next, and it reminds me of Gene Vincent's "Be Bop a lula," as the tempo slows allowing the song to simmer.  "Wolf Teeth" demonstrates his ability to truly command a vocal, making every note count. "Scandalous" turns up the tempo and the heat, making it my second favorite track on the album.  I'm not much of a dancer, but this is definitely "cut a rug" quality.

2012 has been one of the best years for new music in recent memory.  If you are tired of what is playing on the radio, there is some great stuff out there if you just dig a little beneath the service.  If JD keeps putting out albums like this, maybe I'll learn to dance after all.

Brian Richardson

6. Gary Clark Jr.- Blak and Blu

Top Ten Albums of 2012

6. Gary Clark Jr.- Blak and Blu

Mix the smoothness of Robert Cray, the guitar wizardry of Buddy Guy, and the nastiness of The Black Keys and you wind up with Blak and Blu.  Each song has a way of feeling like it's own island, yet it also retains unity with the other tracks on the album.  In a day of auto-tuning and the march to conformity, it is refreshing to find an artist who moves in so many directions successfully on the same album.

My favorite track on the album is "Next Door Neighbor Blues."  This is a straight up traditional blues song, and it shows his allegiance to the fundamentals of the blues.  There are some great youtube videos featuring him playing this, with his foot stomping right along, and it is tough to sit still if you've got some soul.

His cover of "Third From the Sun" and "Love Me Like You Say" shows the range of his ability.  If you are going to cover Jimi Hendrix, and do it well, you earn respect.  But to put his own unique spin on it and combine it with a cover of "Little Johnny Taylor's" song at the same time, well that is just something that makes him special.

"Travis County" is a straight ahead rocker that reminds me of something Foghat would have marched through in the 70's.  The lead track, "Ain't Messin' Round" dips into a funky soul groove and it features his dynamic voice.  Often times when you have a guitar genius, you tolerate the vocals, but Gary does a solid job in both departments.

He lists a wide variety of influences from Hendrix, to Otis Reading, Nirvana, and the Strokes.  And I can tell you from listening, that he has utilized every one.  Well, music is much more fun to listen to than it is to read about, so I'll encourage you to give this album a listen.  It is soulful.  It is divergent.  It is solid.

7. Van Halen- A Different Kind of Truth

Top Ten Albums of 2012

7. A Different Kind of Truth- Van Halen

Two of my favorite hard rock bands listed 2012 as the year they would put out an album that returned to their rock and roll roots.  Those two bands were Aerosmith and Van Halen, and unlike Aerosmith, Van Halen delivered the goods.  Thundering drums, a relentless guitar, and David Lee Roth on vocals is the recipe for a Van Halen album, and that is exactly what we have here.

No Hagar.  No Cherone.  And no freaking synthesizers.  The band even went as far as to re-work some songs they played in their youth.  If you search for it, you can find a recording of "She's The Woman" on some B-side rarity recordings that are available via youtube.

I am so happy that Van Halen put out a new album with Roth on vocals, I am going to go easy on them for releasing "Tatoo" as their first single.  The song grew on me from "terrible" to "okay," but why announce to the world you are back with a mid-tempo rocker?  I didn't understand it then, I don't understand it now, but they unfortunately didn't consult my opinion.

"She's The Woman" would be a hit on any Van Halen record, and it is the crown jewel of the album.  Wolfgang gets to cut his chops on a very nice bass line, and this is a song that is best heard when turned up to eleven.  Roth sounds great and delivers the quintessential party lyrics that are part of what Van Halen delivers.  The lyrics aren't akin to Bob Dylan, but that has never been the strong suit of Van Halen.  This is a band that was created to rip your face off.  Period.

I've come to the conclusion that Eddie seems to be at the epicenter of much of the drama that has marred Van Halen.  But he is also the driving force behind this band and he plays brilliantly on this album.  Hard Rock/Heavy Metal bands are often swept away by some as not providing relevant music, but I disagree wholeheartedly.  And unlike punk, where the skill set is often low, the musicianship here is among the best in the world.

Listen to the beginning of Chinatown as it morphs into the steady beat driven by Alex Van Halen.  Even Hagar's bandmate in Chickenfoot, Chad Smith, had to say "Alex Van Halen playin his ass off on their new record."  And you know what?  He totally does.

But as usual, Eddie steals the show.  Each song has a classic solo in the middle.  One of my favorite tracks is "Blood and Fire."  It is one of the more commercially appealing songs on the album, but Eddie gives the song teeth.  If you want to hear his bluesy side, "Stay Frosty" echoes the ghosts of "Ice Cream Man" past.  There isn't a song on the record that doesn't showcase the versatility and skillfulness of Edward Van Halen.

It is great to hear Roth on Vocals again.  Charlie Sheen quipped, "Welcome back David Lee Roth, rock has a new Sheriff."  Roth doesn't have the same range he once had, and he has never had the range of Sammy Hagar.  But music isn't all about notes and words on a page, it is about chemistry and finding what fits, and Roth just works best in this band.

I would like to have seen them bring back Michael Anthony, because his high falsetto vocals are such a big part of the band's sound.  However, I also understand the desire to add another Van Halen to the band, especially since it is Eddie's son.  Van Halen fans may not all be united in their love for this album, nor are they in full agreement with all of the others.  Quite frankly, "Jump" is one of my least favorite Van Halen songs.  However, nobody can argue that they didn't put out a trademark Van Halen album.  I for one am glad they did.

Brian Richardson

8. Led Zeppelin- Celebration Day

Top 10 Albums of 2012

8. Led Zeppelin- Celebration Day

Led Zeppelin is my favorite band, so it is difficult for me to not place them the top of every Top 10 list I come up with.  I also lamented whether I should include a live album, composed of music that was written before 1980, for a 2012 best of list.  And then I am sure everybody is asking the same question, "Does the world need another live Led Zeppelin album?"

My answer is an unequivocal "Yes!"  I had great trepidation when I heard this concert was going to happen. Part of me was very excited because of the hope for the three remaining members to make everybody's day by announcing a World Tour.  But then I was concerned with Robert Plant's vocals, as he is not a young man anymore, and the songs were sung at such a high register.

I was pleasantly surprised to find his pipes in perfect working order on this album.  He didn't push himself into the ranges that a young Robert Plant would, but there were some added benefits to his change in style.  I for one love "Whole Lotta Love," but was happy to see him avoid the orgasmic sounds featured so prominently in the original recording.   His other band mates were also up to the task.

I gained an even greater respect for John Paul Jones after seeing his work in Them Crooked Vultures.  And Jimmy Page arguably sounds better than his heroin addled 70's self.  Much like Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin has seemed to discover that discarding the drugs, is a fountain of youth of sorts.

The sixteen song set is a perfect blend of the Mighty Zeppelin covering their entire career.  The crunching blues of "Since I've Been Loving You" is played splendidly. Jason Bonham will never replace his father Bonzo, but he does a serviceable job on the drums.  And in spite of the knock it gets for it's popularity, there is still something magical about hearing those first notes played on "Stairway to Heaven."

Perhaps the albums best gem, from Physical Graffiti, is "Kashmir."  Although I was never able to see the original band all together, I did get to see Page & Plant on their tour, and they played this song with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.  The song epitomes what is so unique about Led Zeppelin.  A predominant blues band not afraid to bring in an orchestra, to weave in the classic folk inspired lyrics of Robert Plant, and the best rhythm section in the world.  

If you are a Zeppelin fan, pick it up and you'll be glad you did.  If you aren't a Led Zeppelin fan, this album just might change your mind.

Brian Richardson

9. Junior Brown- Volume 10

Top Ten Albums of 2012

9. Junior Brown- Volume 10

My brother-in-law tried to get me to listen to Junior Brown for years, calling him the "Jimi Hendrix of Country Music."  I guess I have always resisted country music as it was pretty much force fed to me on the car radio for much of my youth.  However, some of it has stuck, and there is such a deficit of what I consider to be real country music available today.

Junior Brown brings in a classic country sound, but everything about him is original, including the axe he plays in concert.  He carries his one of a kind "Guit-Steel" which is part traditional guitar and part slide guitar all rolled into one.  It allows him to be free on stage and create some definite original works of art.  If you want to get a taste of Junior's chops, I advise you to see his rock medley and judge for yourself.

Volume 10 is everything I have described above as he delivers with his trademark musicianship blended with some great witty lyrics.  "Hang Up and Drive" will undoubtedly get an AMEN! from most of us who have been behind the person who refuses to, but needs to put down their cell phone while behind the wheel.  "Phantom of the Opry" is a slower song and a clever play on words and even features a call out to "Scooby Doo and those meddling kids."

"The Apathy Waltz" almost has a bluesy jazz feel to it, and "Almost to Tulsa" is a nice instrumental piece covering a variety of genres.  I must confess that I've never seen Junior Brown live, but I'm told it is something to behold.  One last little tidbit, thought he has spent most of his life in Texas, I'm proud to count Junior Brown as a fellow Hoosier.

Brian Richardson

10. Mumford and Sons- Babel

Top 10 Albums of 2012

10.  Mumford and Sons- Babel

I would love to go back to the year 1992 and interview myself on musical predictions of the future.  The grunge era had entered full force, and metal bands like Motley Crue, Guns & Roses, and Metallica helped rule the airwaves.  The new kid on the block was rap, and it seemed to be gaining momentum everywhere, including some rap infused metal with bands like Anthrax and Faith No More.  One thing I would not have predicted, was the rise of popularity of the banjo.

The banjo?  The instrument most associated to the movie "Deliverance" and Bluegrass is now ruling the pop airwaves?  I mean, not even country music was country in 1992, it had begun it's transcendence into pop.  But here we are and we find many bands like Mumford & Sons, The Avett Brothers, and The Lumineers making their mark on the music world.  Even comedian Steve Martin has come into musical relevance with his mastery of the instrument.

Babel is the follow up to the critical and commercial success, Sigh No More.  The album starts off hitting you with the title track full force.  The band changes tempos, crescendos, and Marcus Mumford adds fantastic vocals. One of the hallmarks of a great vocalist is how real they can sound.  Marcus bridges that to the listener with each song he sings.

"I Will Wait" is another great song featuring some of the wonderful harmonies of the band.  Virtually everybody in the band is listed as a vocalist, and that always adds to the rich textures of a song.  The entire album is great to spin in it's entirety, but I love that they pay homage to folk heroes of the past with their cover of "The Boxer" by Simon and Garfunkel.

The one challenge that I think remains for the band is to expand beyond their current sound.  They rule the charts, and it could be easy to play it safe and stick with this formula that has worked so well for them.  However, I'd love Brian of 2014 to turn on the radio and say "Wow.  Was that Mumford and Sons?"  I think it will happen and I look forward to watch them continue to evolve.

Brian Richardson