2012年 Dec 27日 Thursday, 10:50
2012 Review
Highlight of the year: Attending 100 gigs and finally going to Fest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnW2G2kYLmo
Yes, I was in the middle during this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCcZ9_1-uDw
Tom May will one day be God. True story.
Lowlight of the year: The whole of my personal life.
Top 10 Albums of 2012
1. The Menzingers – On The Impossible Past
When an album begins with ‘I’ve been having a horrible time’, it makes you sit up and take notice – especially if you’re girlfriend just died the week before. This album is flawless.
Highlight: Casey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntY0Qf1j3FY
2. Bruce Springsteen – Wrecking Ball
This album was stuck in my car for months. The man can do no wrong in my eyes. The whole album is phenomenal but Land of Hopes and Dreams just smashes the rest of the album to pieces. The one song that I can always rely on to make me cry.
Highlight: Land of Hopes and Dreams
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTDNW9BfzfY
3. Watch Commander – Clock and Compass
http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/300x300/79837925.jpg
I first heard this band when they opened for The Menzingers in Manchester last year. Was blown away and have since become hooked. They released their debut full length back in July and the whole thing is bloody incredible. Hope they make it up here sometime soon. Scottish promoters, make it happen!
Highlight: Atlantic
Sadly nothing for this band on youtube.
4. Daytrader – Twelve Years
I never listened to this band before they released this so can’t understand why everyone prefers their older stuff. It does of course mean that I listened to this album with a completely open mind and wow, this is by far the most emotional, passionate and powerful album I’ve heard this year. It will blow you away. Ashame they have since split up.
Highlight: Letter To A Former Lover
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i88OH4pKSOg
5. Our Time Down Here – Midnight Mass
Had heard this band before and enjoyed them but there was something missing for me. I’ve found it in this release. Dark and gothic but immensely enjoyable.
Highlight: The Power of Charm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAycC6LIOxQ
6. Anchors – Lost At The Bottom of The World
This album is brilliant for when you’re angry. I’ve been angry for most of the year. Therefore this album has been played ALOT.
Highlight: Safety First, Then Teamwork
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74q2M7x_7Mc
7. Mixtapes – Even on The Worst Nights
One of those albums you’ll be singing along too on your first listen to it. Every song is bloody catchy. Addictive.
Highlight: Anyways
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoQ7rdz3FhY
8. Make Do and Mend – Everything You Ever Loved
Admittedly, this album took many listens for me to get into but I stuck at it and now I’m left speechless every time I listen to it.
Highlight: Desert Lily
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_m9gx1g3l0
9. Apologies, I Have None – London
I remember hearing about this band at some point last year then finally seeing them support I Am the Avalanche last December. I was blown away. From that point forward I was eagerly awaiting the release of their debut full length. It does not disappoint. Every song has me singing along.
Highlight: Clapton Pond
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGY1m-pnHtM
10. No Trigger – Tycoon
I adore this band. It’s been far too long since their last release. Catchy, punchy, aggressive, the whole thing makes me just want to go fucking crazy.
Highlight: Mountaineer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUfmwOmGm0Q
Also enjoyed:
Dangercat – Where I’ll Be
Highlight: Go, Wolves
(If I had more time to listen to this, it would undoubtedly be in my top 10. Probably number 2 if I’m being honest. So fucking good. For fuck sake, do yourself a favour and listen to it: http://dangercat.bandcamp.com/album/where-ill-be)
Yellowcard – Southern Air
Highlight: Telescope
The Gaslight Anthem - Handwritten
Highlight: Keepsake
Luther – Let’s Get You Somewhere Else
Highlight: The Concrete Sound
Propagandhi – Failed States
Highlight: Duplicate Keys Icaro
Such Gold – Misadventures
Highlight: Storyteller
Top Gigs of 2012
1. The Menzingers @ Audio - 21st September
I’ve seen this band 4 times this year. Every time has been awesome but this was the best for many reasons. 1. It was the first time I’ve seen them on Scottish soil seen as how I was stupid enough to not go to that show at the 13th Note a few years ago even though I had the chance – this of course led me to following them around the U.K like a crazy person. It was special to finally see them in Glasgow 2. I was surrounded by friends – many of whom I had managed to get into the band. That was awesome in itself 3. The band recognised me before I saw them (this is a fucking awesome feeling when it’s your favourite band in question) 4. I did my first stage dives ever at this show. Was so much fun and I haven’t stopped since 5. Rivalries gave me the chills. 6. It sold out. This made me incredibly happy. Thank you Glasgow! This band are going to be fucking massive and I’m all for it. Just hope they never forget the lunatic who gave up so much time and money to show her love for them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmZgYtao7hc
2. Latterman @ The Peel – 16th September
Finally seeing this band was nothing short of amazing. The atmosphere, the venue, the people, the place – everything was perfect. Hearing songs from Turn Up the Punk, We’ll Be Singing, etc, etc, was the best part. I knew I was witnessing something special that night. So positive, I left with the biggest smile I had ever experienced all year glued to my face.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78JbvRRWiWI
3. The Flatliners @ Audio – 29th August
Okay, so every gig on this list, I had a bloody great time at so should probably quit saying that by now. The best part about this gig was SCREAMING my heart out to Eulogy – I had blood in my mouth afterwards – just in case anyone was wondering how hard I was singing. Truly therapeutic. You will never be forgotten…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFXNmRBqdtg
4. Brand New @ O2 Academy – 14th February
5 days after I found out my girlfriend died was Valentine’s Day. We had tickets to go see Brand New. Obviously Kim never did make it. However, I forced myself to go. After seeing Brand New a few years ago, I realised it was going to be good regardless of how crap I felt. This was an emotional gig to say the least (okay, very emotional). I was wasted and cried more than once during their set but there was something special about it. Brand News songs are about heart break and singing lyrics such as ‘die young and save yourself’ actually helped me. This was some raw, powerful stuff.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iOtSO09c-Q
5. Rancid @ Barrowlands – 2nd December
There’s something special about losing yourself with a thousand other people in Glasgow’s best venue to a legendary punk band who only went and sold out said venue.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYyyKLMjFY8
6. Promise of Redemption @ Audio – 18th May
I discovered Shane Henderson’s solo project about a month after Kim died. I bought When The Flowers Bloom and it was the most relatable album I have heard in a very long time. It was almost like fate that he would soon announce a U.K tour shortly after that. For the whole set he took requests mixing it up between Valencia material and his solo stuff. My requests were Live in Love and Trace Those Steps. He played both. My hand was clutching my heart for the entire set. I had tears in my eyes that night.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8T22UNxykU
Sadly there is nothing of that evening on youtube. What ashame. The venue in the above video reminds me a little of the 13th Note so fuck it, watch it.
7. Touche Amore @ Stereo – 24th March
This band finally made it to Scotland this year and it was a fucking Saturday night. I was super excited. The support was phenomenal too. Yet again, another gig where I lost myself makes it onto this list. Pattern forming?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kFw2InOPDY
Couldn’t find anything from the Stereo gig so the above is a video of their support set from the Converge tour – which I was also at and again, it was amazing.
8. Ryan Adams @ Royal Concert Hall – 26th April
Being front and centre next to the best person in the world watching this man last June was far and away one of the highlights of my life. Fast forward 10 months, it’s his 2nd time back to Scotland since then and that person I was sitting next to is now dead. Instead, I find myself sitting next to my favourite gig buddy up on the balcony of the Concert Hall with a broken heart but strangely, it was still a nice experience. Ryan Adams is perfect for every occasion. Not as high up as last year but that’s largely due to all I’ve wanted to do this year is loose myself to music and nothing to do with the quality of this gig because it was a brilliant evening.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV-SGdaA5a0
9. Less Than Jake @ Barrowlands – 7th November
The line up for this was astounding. I think what made this special was the fact that I had only been back from Gainesville, Florida a few days and already there was a band from those parts across here – teaching me life goes on. The hangover I had at work the next day was probably the worst I have had all year but the memories of going crazy to Gainesville Rock City (amongst other songs) will stay with me for the rest of my life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMSpaXU9GwQ
10. Joe Pug @ Captain’s Rest – 26th February
This was one of those gigs I went to not expecting much from. The man is truly captivating. I was hanging on every word of every song that he sang. It was a gig that will stick with me for a very long time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ueovnYOSDE
There’s nothing from his Glasgow gig earlier in the year so this is from his Edinburgh gig in August (which I was also at)
Albums I’m Most Looking Forward to in 2013
OFF WITH THEIR FUCKING HEADS!
Nothington
Elway
Bad Religion
Dropkick Murphys
Tegan and Sara
The Blacklist Royals
Frightened Rabbit
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Silverstein
The Wonder Years
The Story So Far
Vinne Caruana
Touche Amore
The National