2012: TOP TRACKS

Here are my picks for the top ten tracks of 2012, although it's more of a collection than a chart because I am rather loath to order what are all pretty spectacular offerings. Also provided are the accompanying videos in all their (probably) HD glory, ranging from anarchic newsreaders to bedroom fanatics. 

Inhaler – Foals 

You’re Early – 2:54

Echo – Wild Swim

Higher Ground – TNGHT

Gallop – Tall Ships

Hips and Lips – Maximo Park

Ghosts of Holloway – Lone Wolf

Cough Cough – Everything Everything

Arguing With Thermometers – Enter Shikari

The Mother We Share – CHVRCHES

2012: TOP TEN ALBUMS

By now you’ve probably read a fair few end of year pieces reflecting what has been a particularly fast-moving year musically speaking. I cannot possibly claim to round up everything that went down this year, so instead I here present 2012 through my own narrow lens, starting with a rundown of the year’s top ten albums. 

#10: 2:54 – 2:54

Earthy, murky, relentless.

#9: School Of Seven Bells – Ghostory

Soaring, mellow, intricate.

#8: Enter Shikari – A Flash Flood of Colour

Powerful, thought-provoking, DROPS.

#7: Lucy Rose – Like I Used To

Raw, introspective, BEATS.

#6: Two Door Cinema Club – Beacon

Mature, amorous, triumphant.

#5: Jessie Ware – Devotion

Sultry, old-school, irresistible.

#4: Alt-J – An Awesome Wave

Addictive, ingenious, daring. 

#3: The Killers – Battle Born

Expansive, revitalised, nostalgic.

#2: Lone Wolf – The Lovers

Hazy, DIY, personal.

#1: Muse – The 2^nd Law

Indefatigable, intimate, pompous.

LIVE: THE KILLERS @ THE LG ARENA 31/10/12

On a freezing Halloween night the Killers bring their own brand of spooky holiday cheer to Birmingham, opening their set with a ‘Zombie Hands’ music video showing the band suitably attired in Halloween garb. When the band eventually surface, only drummer Ronnie Vanucci is dressed for the occasion, choosing the skeleton onesie as his weapon of choice, but the band nevertheless is in very good form and spirits. They kick off proceedings with ‘Bones’ rather appropriately, and it is clear from the off that the crowd are in for a treat rather than a trick (no more puns, I promise).

What is also clear is the polished performance of Brandon Flowers as frontman and master of ceremonies. He embarks on a monologue during the refrain of ‘The Way It Was’, bemoaning the fact that we are distracted from engaging with our loved ones by things like ‘Angry Birds and Fruit Ninja’. Flowers is an utterly compelling performer, whether he is sermonising or serenading, and those who are at the show tonight feel lucky to just be in his presence.

Of course though, this is not a one-man band, and there are stellar performances all round tonight. Dave Keuning knocks out classic riff after classic riff without even breaking a sweat, and the instinctive musical connection spoken of so much between Vanucci and gentle giant Mark Stoermer is evident in their playing. Highlights include ‘When You Were Young’ and ‘Mr Brightside’, songs that will probably never leave the Killers setlist, as well as the spine-tingling ‘Flesh and Bone’. The band finish with ‘Battle Born’, a track made to be a closer; such is its magnitude and magnificence. As Flowers introduces each member of the band, he tells the audience that there are no ghosts that we see, but as the final notes of ‘Battle Born’ drift away there is a sense that something not of this world has just taken place. 

LIVE: MUSE @ THE LG ARENA 30/10/12

Here is a list of things that you will find at a Muse gig that are Not A Big Deal:

• Massive lasers
• An inverted pyramid that moves into different formations during the show and projects businessmen and cartoon men with Pringles-moustaches
• Drummer Dom Howard dressed as a ninja to fight off said businessmen

The band have honed their live show to a fine art, actually toning it down this time after the vertigo-inducing towers that Bellamy, Howard and Wolstenholme played on while touring The Resistance. Running around the back of the stage is a slanted wall of lights that, when it isn’t projecting thought-provoking and sometimes hilarious visuals, transforms into a roulette wheel designed to pick the last song of the main set. This playful suspense has been taken in the right spirit by the fans, who are no longer surprised by anything that happens during a Muse show.

And what of the music, I hear you ask? As the lights go down, the first strains of controversial track ‘The 2nd Law: Unsustainable’ blare out, and as the song reaches its ‘dubstep’ (I use that term very loosely) climax the band appear and thrash out noises never before heard from guitars. The track was written with opening live shows in mind, and it works perfectly, whipping the crowd into a frenzy. The afore-mentioned roulette wheel chooses Stockholm Syndrome tonight, and it is one of the highlights of the night, along with the resurrection of fan favourite ‘Sunburn’.

What is most surprising about the show is witnessing Matt Bellamy, who seems to be a changed man on stage. Gone is the near silence between songs; Bellamy is extremely chatty and interacting with fans, commenting on one fan’s flashing hair “I’ll have to get that done next tour”. For several songs such as ‘Undisclosed Desires’ and ‘Follow Me’ the frontman is unencumbered by guitars or guitar-shaped instruments and takes this opportunity to strut around the stage and venture into the crowd.

This is far from a one-man show, however, as bassist Chris Wolstenholme moves centre-stage to perform ‘Liquid State’, one of two songs written by Wolstenholme on The 2nd Law. His shy thanks to the crowd belies the assured performance of a satisfyingly heavy song, bound to become a live favourite during the course of the tour.  Muse have of late monopolised the ‘Best Live Band’ title at numerous awards shows, but this is not without reason, as even now the band are evolving their live show and adding more strings to their bows.

LIVE: LUCY ROSE @ THE TEMPLE, HMV INSTITUTE 26/10/12

Off the back of the release of debut album Like I Used To, Lucy Rose has embarked on a lengthy UK tour to sing some songs and sell her wares (the Lucy Rose tea and jam is particularly popular). On this chilly night in Birmingham, Pete Roe opened and tried to warm the crowd’s hearts with his pleasant voice and acoustic guitar. You can see why he has been picked to support Rose; he fits a similar musical mould to her, delivering heartfelt vocals accompanied by intricate folk melodies.

Roe set the stage perfectly for Rose, who shuffled into the limelight rather shyly, picking up her guitar and starting the first song without ceremony. It is this unassuming, down-to-earth personality which makes Rose such a well-loved artist right now, as well as the strength of her work. There is a mutual gratification at work throughout the gig; Rose is simply thrilled to be playing to a full crowd, and the crowd reflect her own warmth back at her in abundance. This atmosphere elevates the songs to a new level, buoyed along by a buoyant crowd. Single ‘Middle of the Bed’ gets a raucous reception and an impressive sing-along, while ‘Bikes’ provides a goose-bumps moment as Rose sings “everybody scream out loud” and the crowd obliges with almost religious fervour.

It would not do to pick out a single highlight, as there was not a weak moment to be seen. ‘Shiver’ was as utterly heart-breaking live as it is on record, ‘Watch Over’ just as bouncy and full of life. An encore performance of ‘Don’t You Worry’ capped off a terrific set which showed all the promise seen on Like I Used To and transformed it into full-blown success. Even with all the superlatives thrown her way, Lucy Rose still has her feet firmly on the ground, still selling her own merchandise and talking to fans after the gig. It is clear, through both her talent and humility, that she deserves all the superlatives she gets.