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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 20, 2012)
THE PROCRASTINATOR’S gift guide ew ’ s Twin Shadow Confess TOP 12 ALBUMS t of 2012 he ongoing proliferation and fragmentation of music production, especially nonlabel productions, makes choosing the top 12 albums of 2012 an impossible and foolish task — but here at EW, we’re OK with attempting the impossible and playing the fool sometimes. And as far as last-minute gifting goes, there aren’t many things as easy to give as music — it’s affordable and ubiquitous, whether it’s a download, CD or vinyl. To make it even easier, we’ve singled out each album’s hot tracks, because what’s more fun than making and giving a mix tape? running, and Delayed Reaction is a wizened amuse- bouche that samples the band’s considerable range, moving from high-octane pop (“Gravity,” “The Juice”) and alt-country (“By the Way”) to unshakeable melodic gems (“Into the Light,” “Take Manhattan”). track: “Into the Light (Breaking Horses)” — Rick Levin Sinéad O’Connor How About I Be Me (and You Be You) Kendrick Lamar good kid, m.A.A.d city If you haven’t heard of Kendrick Lamar, you should probably drop what you’re doing and queue up a tune from his autobiographic sophomore studio album, good kid, m.A.A.d city. Lamar is the artist all your favorite hip-hop artists are listening to, and his album plays out like a powerful, beat-heavy biopic. Start with “Sherane a.k.a. Master Splinter’s Daughter” and let the album unfold in order, closing with “Compton.” Lamar — who points to Tupac Shakur as his greatest musical influence — writes smart and poignant songs, drawing on his upbringing in Compton, eloquently singing or dropping lyrics like “Everybody gonna respect the shooter/ But the one in front of the gun lives forever,” (“Money Trees”). “Swimming Pools (Drank)” is a moody, boozy, party-ready gem, accompanied by an equally atmospheric music video. track: “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst” — Alex Notman Soul Asylum Delayed Reaction Reared in an ’80s Minneapolis scene that also bred Hüsker Dü and The Replacements, Soul Asylum has been plying its gritty pop-punk-rock for three decades Sinéad O’Connor is that rare pure thing: an unrecon- structed rebel and coura- geous artist possessing oodles of talent and a golden throat. At 45, having sur- vived a nearly mythic rise and fall, O’Connor has pro- duced her finest work: not only the comeback of the year but perhaps 2012’s best album, a tour-de-force containing at least three certifiable classics in “Rea- son with Me,” “Old Lady” and “The Wolf Is Getting Married.” track: “The Wolf is Getting Married” — Rick Levin Perfect for your friend who watched “Drive” as much for the synth-pop soundtrack as for Ryan Gosling’s piercing baby blues. George Lewis Jr.’s second album has a dis- tinct ’80s power dance feel, with sharp lyrics, infec- tious beats and shredding guitars. As Stefon of Satur- day Night Live fame would say, “It’s got everything.” track: “You Call Me On” — Jackie Varriano Grimes Visions Claire Boucher, a pint-sized (and occa- sionally eyebrow-less) electronic princess who uses the stage name Grimes, is Can- ada’s best musical export since Alanis. Her album “Visions” is a falsetto- ridden romp through a world filled with loops and layers, perfect for someone with a fondness for cotton candy and technology. Slightly lisped lyrics make it virtually impossible not to sing along. track: “Oblivion” — Jackie Varriano Lindi Ortega Cigarettes & Truckstops Having cut her teeth for a decade-plus in the Toronto indie scene, Lindi Ortega relocated to Nash- ville and cut Cigarettes & Truckstops with producer Colin Linden, who has worked with Lucinda Wil- liams, Emmylou Harris and The Band, among others. Talk about a match made in country music heaven: Linden captures the crystalline perfection of Ortega’s voice, which is redolent of such greats as Tammy Wynette and Dolly Parton, with a dark edge that is all her own. track: “Demons Don’t Get Me Down” — Rick Levin Regina Spektor What We Saw from the Cheap Seats Not just for your adorkable friend, the gift of Russian-born pixie Regina Spektor’s latest album is a gift full of stunning sentimentalism. Good for giving rainy days a sun-filled injection, Spektor’s thoughtful lyrics will charm even the cynics. With the must-have song “Don’t Leave Me (Ne Me Quitte Pas),” why not learn a foreign language phrase while doing a happy dance? track: “Don’t Leave Me (Ne Me Quitte Pas)” — Jackie Varriano Office visits starting at $99 Same Day Appointments Justin Montoya, MD 1410 Oak St, Ste 102 in the Keiper Spine building kjg7hhn7ihmf5R51118*,)"&." '#&3'##(8)' 14 December 20, 2012 • eugeneweekly.com
