With excessively arbitrary panache we decide that, ever year, December 31st is the end cut off for our scourge of “Best Of” lists. I’m guilty for creating. You’re guilty for reading (and maybe creating, as well). We’re all in this together. And we’ll wallow in these lists for the next few months like pigs in shit. Nevermind the industry hurtles round and round. The industry, the artists, they don’t care about December 31st. Maybe they do. But music isn’t like the movie industry. The Academy Awards have the power to fuel box office and drive profits. Your blog, my bl-g, we have nothing but our own narcissism to offer these bands that probably won’t be up for a Grammy or an AMA or (god forbid) a CMA because of our recommendations. Maybe I sell one more record for a few of these bands. If I do, I’m ecstatic for promoting, what I consider, excellence in the vapidly expansive music biz.
With any of my year end music lists, remember I am just one guy. I cannot possibly listen and consider every record evenly. Every year a few records slip in under the wire and forge an immediate connection. But, by and large, these records are the ones that stuck with me, demanded repeat listens and engaged me on some superficial fun time vibe (Poolside, Fanfarlo), ethereal (John Talabot, How to Dress Well), primordial (METZ, Quakers) level. I’m not going to pretend that these picks are going to change the world; we all know that Wyld Stallyns are destined for that job. Some of these records received harsh, hate-mongering from various review sites. I particular enjoy loving a record that Pitchfork lambastes without remorse or scruples (Yeasayer, Alt-J). So here they are, the 30Hz Recommended: Top 40 Records for 2012. And, yes, I am allowed to change these picks should I find another record that grips me by the balls and won’t let go. Even with 40 those last few decisions are heartbreaking (sincere apologies to Lau, Bat for Lashes, Crybaby, El-P, The Lumineers and Freelance Whales). I throw you some videos for 1-15 and hopefully fill in some more later.
1. The Chromatics, Kill for Love
[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSycSBYHitc[/tube]
2. Alt-J, An Awesome Wave
3. John Talabot, Fin
4. Allo Darlin’, Europe
[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUxWuAbclzU[/tube]
5. Perfume Genus, Put Your Back 2 N It
6. Keaton Henson, Dear
[soundcloud id=’25782521′]
7. Poolside, Pacific Standard Time
[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayuG8mpgISg[/tube]
8. Django Django, Django Django
[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDjpOrlfh0Y[/tube]
9. Quakers, Quakers
[soundcloud id=’36487914′]
10. Yeasayer, Fragrant World
[soundcloud id=’56373248′]
11. Twin Shadow, Confess
[soundcloud id=’51888563′]
12. Lampchop, Mr. M
13. Of Monsters and Men, My Head is an Animal
14. Grimes, Visions
15. DIIV, Oshin
[soundcloud id=’44950822′]
16. How to Dress Well, Total Loss
[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tKyMDwWNnA[/tube]
17. Beach House, Bloom
[tube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfzFVbkutFE[/tube]
18. Fanfarlo, Rooms Filled With Light
19. METZ, Metz
20. First Aid Kit, The Lion’s Roar
21. Flying Lotus, Until the Quiet Comes
[tube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7lbY-THNHc[/tube]
22. Killer Mike, R.A.P. Music
23. Two Wounded Birds, Two Wounded Birds
[tube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbnVw1RemZE[/tube]
24. The Pass, Melt
[tube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5myYJM8T95Q[/tube]
25. Friends, Manifest!
26. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Here
[soundcloud id=’3508022′]
27. Tennis, Young & Old
[tube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY5kKn24qvs[/tube]
28. Hospitality, Hospitality
29. Hip Hatchet, Joy and Better Days
[tube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImvWDhYZxc4[/tube]
30. Daughn Gibson, All Hell
[tube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Og1e97QKg0M[/tube]
31. Port St. Willow, Holiday
[tube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQtyG25xN2k[/tube]
32. Dry the River, Shallow Bed
33. The Walkmen, Heaven
[soundcloud id=’43420973′]
34. Stealing Sheep, Into the Diamond Sun
[tube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APmkliiXIXQ[/tube]
35. Bear in Heaven, I Love You, It’s Cool
36. Damien Jurado, Maraqopa
[tube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCcAKNSJ3Ac[/tube]
37. Woods, Bend Beyond
[tube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9s8R7VM9HU[/tube]
38. Tops, Tender Opposites
[tube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJ7SjnBVTNE[/tube]
39. Prinzhorn Dance School, Class Act
[soundcloud id=’40707634′]
40. Mount Eerie, Clear Moon
[tube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7ZWgFv0JDE[/tube]