Songs of 2012

In the time-honoured tradition of The Glass Walking-Stick this post is devoted to my favourite songs of last year... even though we're already four weeks into the New Year. Usual terms and conditions apply...

I seem to have been listening to a lot of Psychedelia-influenced music lately, starting with a couple of songs from my fave album of the year:
Feel To Follow / Pelican by The Maccabees

( I could have chosen any tracks off Given To The Wild to be honest. It's a fantastic album, showcasing a band freeing themselves of indie shackles and spreading their wings. Each song is a masterpiece in mood and construction, with the band effortlessly controlling the pace -  unleashing some dazzling guitar pyrotechnics, as well as knowing when to drop the volume down to a whisper. )

Also on a Psychedelic trip:
When It Explodes by Pond
Even If You Knew by Six Organs Of Admittance
Feels Like We Only Go Backwards / Elephant by Tame Impala
( The latter's Lonerism is another great album, like The Flaming Lips jamming on Syd Barrett / John Lennon acid fantasies with some truly inspired, gonzo freak-outs... )

Yet again, the pop world in 2012 was dominated by fabulous females...

Anything Could Happen by Ellie Goulding
Diamonds by Rihanna
RIP by Rita Ora
Starships by Nikki Minaj ( the only song of hers I've liked )
...and from the Guilty Pleasures vault here at TGWS:
Wings / DNA by Little Mix
Black Heart by Stooshe
Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepson ( yes, really... I think it's a great little pop song )

Dancefloor detonations last year came courtesy of:
Spectrum by Florence and Calvin Harris
Titanium by David Guetta featuring Sia
Hot Right Now by DJ Fresh
Feel The Love by Rudimental

Out on his own ( sitting on a brick wall ) was Ben Drew, one of the most exciting artists in British music. He seemed to be everywhere in 2012  -  acting, rapping, causing controversy and defining a generation of post-2011-riots kids with the incendiary single that was  -
Ill Manors by Plan B

It was another great year for The Boss as Bruce Springsteen embarked on yet another mammoth world tour, helped out a certain Mr. Obama, and still found time to release one of the most vital and surprising albums of his career, the pugilistic Wrecking Ball, from which came these standout tracks:
We Take Care Of Our Own
Rocky Ground
Wrecking Ball
I didn't make it to any of Bruce's gigs last year but I've booked my ticket for the extended leg of the Wrecking Ball Tour when he hits the Ricoh Arena in Coventry this June. Should be awesome!

Fellow Noo Joisey rockers The Gaslight Anthem are also touring this year and I've already got my ticket for their gig in Bristol on March 21st. I haven't seen them since Bruce's Hyde Park gig a few years ago so, as long as my health problems don't get in the way, I'll be down the front for some maximum rock 'n' roll. Standout singles from Brian Fallon and the boys in 2012 were
45 / Handwritten ( top anthems! )

Just a few odds and ends to finish with:

In Distance by Blue Angel Lounge ( see above, at Heaven supporting the Dandy Warhols )
Teenage Icon by The Vaccines
We Are Young by Fun.
Lightning Bolt by Jake Bugg
Cool Zombie by Adam Ant

Aaaaand I'll leave you with a couple of totally gratuitous pics of Rihanna :-)