Best of 2012, Part 2 (Notable Bands, Albums and Live Acts)

Sometimes a song tells only part of the story.  For instance, Alabama Shakes had a huge song this year with their  breakout  "Hold On".  It is a terrific song on a solid debut record.  The story goes beyond that.  Last year at this time Alabama Shakes was, in reality, unknown.  Within a year they are now Grammy nominated stars selling out concerts in minutes.  Will they have staying power?  How do you follow the success up when you start so high?  Every generation has its One-Hit Wonders.  Who is 2012's?

With that in mind here is some new talent that appear to have potential for more.  Apologies to Gary Clark Jr and Imagine Dragons, Passion Pit to name a few.  There is only so much time in a day and I failed to see those acts live or give their records an intent listen.  Some respected peers have said good things if it means anything.

Grouplove:  "Tongue Tied" blew up this summer and with good reason.  It is pure, pop magic.  It's that one of a kind song that brings us all together.  Never mind they used it to sell Apple products.  This group of hippies have the classic back story too.  They met at an artist colony in Greece.  Hannah Hooper wasn't even a musician.  She paints (see the groups cover art.)  The boys thought she might be able to sing.  Good call.  In March they opened for Young the Giant at Terminal 5 and destroyed it.  The headliners paled in comparison.  A few months later they sold the place out with top billing.  the band has such a positive energy you can't help root for them.  And expect bigger things!

Gotye:  Psy's "Gangham Style" notwithstanding, this lanky Aussie had the song, and video, of the year (and decade so far.)  Many parodied, often covered, Gotye lays out the blue print for a break up song.  You listening Taylor Swift?  March was a good month in the otherwise mundane life of Terminal 5.  Gotye and his band of merry makers showed precision and care in their flawless show there.  With other gems like "Easy Way Out" and "Eyes Wide Open", Gotye is anything but a flash in the pan.  He's so darn likable too!

Naked and The Famous:  Until recently New Zealand's finest musical export was the comedy duo The Flight of The Conchords.  Granted, this duo's debut is a few years old.  However 2012 saw them find mainstream success headlining larger venues and fine tuning their live act.  This was one of the more refreshing and exciting live shows I was witness to this year.  Sometimes going to an event with no expectations and/or limited knowledge can be a real treat.  Naked and The Famous "Girls Like You", "Young Blood" and "The Sun" are but a few highlights from their debut record.  They are recording the sophomore effort another World away.

M83:  Frenchman Anthony Gonzalez has been performing and recording under the name M83 for over a decade.  His tremendous LP Hurry Up, We're Dreaming is, like Naked and The Famous, hardly new by alternative standards.  But the album kept building steam and I was fortunate enough to catch them/him live this year too.  It was an absolute blast.  Like Gotye, Gonzalez has an eye (and more importantly an ear) for detail.  You have heard several of his tracks in commercials, tv shows, and films.  Here them in their entirety here:  "Midnight City"  "Steve McQueen"  and "Intro"


Walk the Moon:  Oh the power of a hook, and a charismatic lead singer sure helps too.  "Anna Sun" propelled these Ohio rockers into the mainstream from obscurity.  Their self titled album proves they are capable of more than one hit.  Anyone else think they were the Foster the People of 2012?  OK, maybe not that big, but quite similar.  For instance:  "Jenny" or "Next In Line"

Chappo:  They played Mercury Lounge the other night in what was to date their biggest show (supporting their debut record Moonwater.)  They played a show in Brooklyn that defied explanation during the summer and a riveting record release party last winter.  The songs are as fresh and original as the band odd and irreverent.  Unsure what kind of future, if any, they might have.  But you could do a lot worse getting on board with them.  "Come Home"  "Hell No"


Grimes:  It is fashionable to put Clare Boucher, stage name Grimes, on a best of list.  Her album, Visions, is on plenty of them.  Her October NYC shows were all packed with young hipsters dying to dance, do drugs, and let loose.  It is part dance, part theatre, and a whole bunch of fun.  Open your mind and imagination because this is not for everyone.  After all I only managed about 5 songs at the show I saw.  It's ok to dig it from afar though.  No one is watching you, trust me.  "Oblivion" and "Vanessa"

Jack White:  Thanks to the wonderful people at Webster Hall (you know who you are) I was able to see Mr White in this intimate setting.  There are few working musicians today who can blend so many genres seamlessly.  Fewer still who can play guitar like White.  He played a set with an all girl band and then an all guy band.  2 + hours of rock and roll fantasy.  Here is the video, directed by Gary Oldman: Jack White @ Webster Hall, AMEX Unstaged

Brandi Carlile:  This little firecracker can flat out perform.  Her voice is angelic and powerful.  Her personality is infectious and endearing.  And her songs, a rich tapestry of love, life and everything in between, are well written and beyond worthy.  Unsure why she doesn't have the success say, Melissa Etheridge had many years ago.  But this much is certain, she should.  "Raise Hell" live from Craig Ferguson and "The Story" from Austin 2010.  For the record, if "The Story" does not send chills up your spine please check your pulse.

White Rabbits:  Another in a long line of Brooklyn bands that is on the precipice.  There records are good, if not a touch inconsistent.  There live shows however are quite entertaining.  It is a free-wheeling percussion show with a touch of piano and guitar.  Oh, the vocals are solid too.  Just a hard working rock band more than capable of putting together solid music.  "Heavy Metal" or "Percussion Gun"

Enjoy, debate, share and provide feedback.   Part 2 of Best of 2012 can be subscribed to via Spotify here:  2012 Best of Part 2


Concert reviews and/or more detailed info for each act can be found here:

Grouplove
Gotye
Naked and The Famous
M83
Walk the Moon
Chappo
Grimes
Jack White
Brandi Carlile
White Rabbits

Jack White, Webster Hall 4.27.12

DEAR AMEX/WEBSTER HALL/JACK WHITE/GARY OLDMAN...  the above photo was not taking by me...  found it on the interweb.  I understand you had strict no photo rule and as difficult as it was I managed to contain myself.

Sometimes it is best to let things breathe.  Like when someone fails to alternate merge when they know full well that is what is expected.  You could blow the horn and flip a bird.  But that has not changed the outcome, has it?  Take solace knowing that person is most likely unloved and otherwise an enormous a-hole.  No biggie.  Breathe. Smile.  Move on.

It can be challenging to take that approach both on the highway, and with everything in life for that matter.  If a movie fails to engage you after the initial screening that FIRST response often defines the experience.  If a waiter or meal fails to win you over more than likely the restaurants reputation is forever sullied (in your mind.)

Maybe it's unfair.  Maybe unjust.  Everyone is entitled to an off night or misfire.

The same can be said regarding the opposite reaction.  For example, a movie you have longed to see might strike you as amazing even though critics and audiences all admonish it.  You might remember a concert or meal as transcendent.  Meanwhile, in reality the event was enhanced by alcohol, or the communal experience with close friends, a spouse, or family.

First impressions, we are all guilty of applying them.

Which is why, in addition to a weekend and work schedule that have been unrelenting, this review has been slow to see the light.

Was Jack White's Webster Hall concert really that good?  Was it more spectacle than rock show?  Did Webster Hall really dominate the show?  Is alcohol impairment partially responsible?

The answer is yes and no.

Jack White, out celebrating his first(!) solo album Blunderbuss, performed to a sold out, polite, and adoring crowd last Friday.  First, it's hard to imagine this is White's first solo album.  He has been making music consistently since the late 90s, with stints in The White Stripes, Raconteurs, The Dead Weather in addition to collaborations with Danger Mouse and Alicia Keys (to name a few.)

White is a diverse and accomplished musician.  He is honky-tonk and country. He is rock and he is roll.  He is both showman and understated bluesman.   Days have now passed and the prevailing thought is Jack White is an authentic music treasure.

The small show, part of an American Express' "Unstaged" concert series that pairs musicians with directors/actors, highlighted White's diversity.  Most of the event can be seen here:  Jack White at Webster Hall . British actor Gary Oldman did the filming and the always wonderful Webster Hall was home to about a dozen HD cameras.

His opening track, "Dead Leaves and The Dirty Ground," set the tone for the evening.  His driving guitar and howling voice announcing this will be a ROCK show.  He played two sets, the first with an all female band (The Peacocks), leaning more on steel pedal and showcasing terrific back-up singing.  The male band (Los Buzzardos), brought a similar energy to the second set.  They seemed more reliant on White for its direction.  It is a small complaint, if one at all.  The larger complaint might be his/their rendition of "We Are Going to Be Friends" fell a little flat.  Again, proceed with giving them a pass on one track.  They can't all be home runs.

But both bands are beyond competent.  It might be as simple as chicks playing looks hotter and sexier.  Therefore it is overall better.  The women in attendance probably would differ, or maybe not.

Either way, White was comfortable borrowing from his extensive collection.  He even covered Hank Williams' "You Know That I Know."  He asked the audience if it NYC was able to handle country?  They were.

It is funny Eminem and Jack White both grew up In Detroit.  One is the epitome of it's hard edged urban reputation.  The other, reminds us how Detroit is very much the heartland.  White, has his roots in blues and country, but his stories are also based in that same urban (and sometimes suburban) landscape.

He is an one of America's finest working musicians.  Given extended time to reflect that sentence sounds appropriate.  Not an overstatement at all.

Rock and roll is very much alive and well.  And its caretaker is quite capable of carrying the torch.

Setlist/Etc