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Conan Neutron’s best of 2012 | WARNING: Contents will likely rock heavily

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Police Teeth – Police Teeth

I’ve talked plenty about Seattle’s Police Teeth over the years (Full Disclosure: my band shares a record label with them). Some folks have caught on, some haven’t. This is a rock solid record full of great tunes, there are no stand out pop songs such as ‘Summertime Bruise’ or ‘Northern California’ from previous efforts, but that works to their credit. One of the best records that could be qualified as ‘indie rock’, if that term didn’t mean the opposite of both words. You should probably already know if you like this.

RIYL: Fugazi, mcclusky, Archers Of Loaf, Les Savy Fav, indie rock that actually ROCKS

Nervous Curtains – Fake Infinity

Dark and moody anti-beach music from Sean Kirkpatrick of the pAperchAse and company. This is a compelling rainy day record that somehow wraps up the icy foreboding of an Ingmar Bergman film with the gleeful relentless impishness of Breaking Bad. A darkly cinematic synthy post-punk journey, Fake Infinity will get under your skin like an invading alien or possessing spirit. Uniquely American but somehow very worldly, this is a record that really got my attention in 2012 and is hopefully one indie film placement away from winning the hearts and minds of the darkly minded. (More disclosure, my band shares a label with these guys as well; hey it’s a great label!)

RIYL: The Cure, 154-era Wire, Black Heart Procession, The Birthday Party, Neu, Kraftwerk

Melvins – Bulls And The Bees

It irritates me that Melvins are not given their due. Here is a band that continues to pump out quality music that doesn’t adhere to slavish formula or sound and are constantly dismissed as being a half-trick pony or nothing more than the influence for other acts. Balderdash. This is a wonderful and interesting heavy rock act that has more creativity in one song than a Gotye could have in a whole career. I’ve been a fan for-EV-er, and this is one of my favorite releases. Up there with (a) Senile Animal one of their best. Do yourself the favor and check it out. Also, this EP is FREE.

RIYL: Melvins, for Pete’s sake… they are their own genre!, Alice Cooper Band, DEVO, Torche

Torche – Harmonicraft

Ahhh Torche! Nobody does the “heavier than a 2 ton weight” mixed with soaring pop vocals better than Torche. At home in arenas and in basement this fine record is the first full-length to feature second guitarist Andrew Elstner of the aforementioned Tilts (and a bunch of other acts). Torche runs the gamut, from sometimes sounding almost New Wave. There are a few tunes on here that get dangerously close to prog and will definitely inspire some air guitar. There’s the shoegaze element, check!

If you had ever wished the Foo Fighters would just cut it the hell out with the cheese-ball stuff and go for it, or were listening to a great heavy rock record and just pining for some melody you should check out Torche. They ride a fine line that is worth checking out.

RIYL: My Bloody Valentine, Melvins, Mogwai, Jesu, Foo Fighters (when they don’t suck)

Moon Eater – Moon Eater

Flat out good rock and roll. Produced by John Reis and it shows. While never trying to be anti-intellectual, Santa Cruz’s Moon Eater likes to get down to business. Solid band punching way above their weight class. Turn it on, put the pedal to the metal and just drive.

RIYL: Rocket From The Crypt, Hot Snakes, Murder City Devils, Night Marchers, The Replacements, The Saints

Thoughts Detecting Machines – An Introduction To…

Absolutely fascinating one-man band from Rick ‘Poster Children/Salaryman’ Valentin. The album features a 32-page user manual with 10” vinyl disc and text-based operating system (!). The physical package for An Introduction To… puts hack artists like Radiohead to shame. This fascinating EP+ has largely been limited only to fans of the man’s other music. Organic growth, but it’s a very compelling release and, dare I say it? Exactly the kind of thing Collapse Board specializes in. Mechanical and yet organic, this whole release is just fun.

RIYL: Tubeway Army, Talking Heads, Future Of The Left, Buzzcocks, Stereolab

Note: I still haven’t heard that most recent Godspeed! You Extraneous Punctuation, nor have I listened to more than 30 seconds of METZ. The new Mountain Goats has shamefully only gotten one spin by yours truly as well. That said I stand by my choices, as esoteric and boutique as they may be. Give ‘em a listen would you?

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