Favourite Five Of 2012

A Different Kind Of Truth by Van Halen

Van Halen’s 12th and final studio album, A Different Kind Of Truth, was released in February

Reuniting with original lead singer David Lee Roth, this was the first full album recorded with him on vocals since the 1980s and was also unfortunately the last Van Halen album. It was also the only one to not feature Michael Anthony on bass, as he had been was replaced by Eddie’s son, Wolfgang Van Halen. The album was very successful and achieved top ten status around the world. Two singles were released and for me, was a return to the form of their heyday.

Favourite track: “Stay Frosty”

Love This Giant by David Byrne & St. Vincent

Love This Giant is a collaboration between David Byrne and Annie Clark a.k.a. St. Vincent

This is Byrne’s ninth studio album overall and Clark’s fourth. The duo had previously played together on the album Here Lies Love. The performers enlisted a variety of brass musicians to augment their song-writing and toured over the following year to promote the album. The album was a success and reached the top 30 in the US on the back of two singles.

Favourite track: Lead single, “Who”

Black Rabbits by Grinspoon

Black Rabbits was the seventh and to date, final studio album by Australian act Grinspoon

I have enjoyed Grinspoon’s music throughout their career and own all their albums. Even so, I was surprised by how good this album was and was disappointed that it was not as well received as some of their earlier albums. It did reach the top 10 in Australia though and two singles were released. The following year the band went on a five year hiatus.

Favourite track: “Branded”, released as the album’s second single

King Animal by Soundgarden

King Animal was the sixth and final studio album released by grunge rockers Soundgarden

Released 16 years after its predecessor Down On The Upside, a reunited Soundgarden did their best to recapture their former glory. Largely it worked, picking up from where they left off. The album debuted at number five on the US charts and was a success around the world. Three singles were released, two of which charted well in the US.

Favourite track: “By Crooked Steps”

The Russian Wilds by Howlin Rain

Howlin Rain’s third studio album was four years in the making

I absolutely adore this album and I still haven’t tired of it after 11 years. I think it is a modern masterpiece and it was not just my favourite album of 2012, but also the decade! I had not heard of the band prior to this album and it was another of those serendipitously discovered thanks to a free compact disc accompanying a music magazine. Man do I miss those happy accidents!

Favourite track: “Phantom In The Valley”

Favourite Five Of 1984

Stay Hungry by Twisted Sister

Stay Hungry, their third studio album resulted in international success for Twisted Sister

The music videos for singles “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “I Wanna Rock” and their slapstick humour, were instrumental in the success of this album for Twisted Sister. But at the album’s core were great songs which is ultimately why it all worked. The band’s tour supporting the album was also successful and included a young Metallica as their opening act. They would never achieve such success again and the decision to use their cover of “Leader Of The Pack” as the lead single from their next album Come Out And Play definitely didn’t help.

Favourite track: “Burn In Hell”

Born In The USA by Bruce Springsteen

Born In The USA has sold over 30 million copies worldwide, including 17 million in the US

Bruce Springsteen most successful album saw the release of an unprecedented seven hit singles. It is hard to imagine going anywhere in the western world without hearing music from this album in 1984/5. It was almost as ubiquitous as Brothers In Arms would become in 1985. The E Street band were all in fine form too and the songs were well-developed. The album has the honour of being the first compact disc manufactured in the United States for commercial release.

Favourite track: “No Surrender”

The Swing by INXS

The Swing, the fourth album from INXS, was number one in Australia for 5 weeks

The Swing remained in the top 100 albums in Australia for over 100 weeks upon its release. It went to the top of the charts on the back of four successful singles. “Original Sin” recorded at the Power Station in New York with producer Nile Rodgers, was the most successful. It was their only #1 in Australia and charted in the US and Canada as well.

Favourite track: “Burn For You”

Heartbeat City by The Cars

Heartbeat City was co-produced by the band with uber-producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange

Six singles were released from Heartbeat City, the most successful album from American rock act, The Cars. Their corresponding music videos all received high rotation on MTV, which no doubt contributed to their success. When the band got to perform at Live Aid they played three tracks from this album.

Favourite track: “You Might Think”

1984 by Van Halen

1984 would be David Lee Roth’s last album with the band until 2012

1984 saw David Lee Roth help the band find their greatest success and their best album since their debut, before departing to pursue a solo career. Of course it was Eddie Van Halen’s talents that were at the nucleus of Van Halen, but the flamboyant frontman was also a vital cog in the machine. Eddie’s insistence on the use of keyboards and synthesizers were instrumental in the band’s new found success as were the music videos for the band’s singles.

Favourite track: “Drop Dead Legs”