Stereoboard's Top 10 Alternative Albums Of 2012 (Deftones, Soundgarden, Don Broco, Slash Feature)
Monday, 17 December 2012
Written by Heather McDaid
Annually, we music fans are spoiled by bands worldwide. As it draws to a close, we look back on the year as a whole and attempt to pick out our favourite offerings the last twelve months have given us. More often than not there comes an addition feeling - "Next year's got a lot to beat!" And, as each that came before it has done, 2012 has given us countless alternative albums to revel in and, accordingly, here are ten alternative records that come highly recommended.
1. Papa Roach - The Connection. Sacramento's rap-rock kings seemed to be following the over-saturating trend of dabbling with electronics, and frankly, that thought seemed a little scary. Sure, their last album tilted towards their new direction with numbers like 'Kick In The Teeth', but a whole record of this new direction could prove too much. How much we underestimated them.
Where Korn leapt headfirst into dubstep, Papa Roach have artfully toyed with their electronic nuances to enhance their own sound. 'Silence Is The Enemy' is their most indulgent use of electronics but it sums up the entire album: Papa Roach have gone electronic but retained their rock swagger, and damn - does it sound good (even though it probably shouldn't!).
But is the sound the sole selling point of the record? No. Papa Roach are a band that have always worn their hearts on their sleeves, and as Jacoby battled through a very dark period in his life, he found therapy in the music. Probably their darkest and most personal album to date, the lyrical content and raw emotion Jacoby shows in his vocal offerings mixes in with their new sound to produce something exceptional. This is Papa Roach 2.0 - fearless and uncompromising.
2. Blood Command - Funeral Beach. Who? What? When? Now and then you're asked to listen to an album from a band you've never heard of. More often than not they sound like hybrids of their influences and, yes, they're fine, but you move onto the next recommendation and your fleeting dalliance is over. Scandanavian rockers Blood Command, however, are not going to let you pass them by.
There's a certain spunk to their music that seems effortless, and that is almost wholly down to Silje's quirky vocals. The music is exciting, but realistically it's nothing you haven't heard before. Intros or riffs here or there sound almost identical to The Used or Twin Atlantic and, though that's likely down coincidence than rip off, you overlook it almost instantaneously as the band's attitude lures you in. 'Pissed Off And Slightly Offended!' is a blinder, as is pretty much the rest of the record. A little bit wild, a little bit quirky and a large part exciting, Blood Command should be your new favourite band.
3. Gaslight Anthem - Handwritten. Gaslight Anthem have always stayed relatively true to their musical roots, and forged on with their slant of Americana and heartfelt lyricism. Yet, a clean slate seemed exactly what they needed to rejuvenate the band, though no one really felt that they needed rejuvenation. Approaching the record as if it was their first, the band produced a stunning piece of work, a cleaner cut Gaslight Anthem, but not so clean they've lost their definitive raw quality.
It's almost difficult to pick a few stand out tracks, as there's a sublime quality to every moment. '45' opened the record in a flux of catchiness and immediately stood out as one of the tracks of the year thus far. Months on, it still holds its own. 'Mullholland Drive' has a bit more grit to those that came before it, while 'National Anthem' tails the album with a stripped down, heartfelt number. This is Gaslight Anthem's finest work, and from the catchy to the simplistic, there is an honest quality to everything they produce.
4. Don Broco - Priorities. The British rock scene needs someone once in a while to rear their heads and go "Hey, rock music isn't dying." Admittedly, Don Broco's music leans more towards the lighter side of the rock spectrum, but even as someone whose preferences lay in heavy metal, this album is difficult to ignore. Don Broco have taken the cornerstones of their sound and cranked them up a notch. The hooks are bigger, the choruses are catchier - this is the next level for their music.
In line with Tom Delonge's nasal drawl or Simon Neil's Scottish accent, Rob's accent rubs off on the listener and becomes as infectious as the lyrics he sings. 'Whole Truth' is one of those songs that just resonates, and as you travel through the entire record you'll notice that each song throws itself at you, having at least one hook, riff, or line - "I miss you pumpkin" - that just jams itself in your head. From start to finish this is packed with potential hits, big numbers and the band's finest work to date.
5. The Menzingers - On The Impossible Past. Sometimes the best things are the simplest. Sometimes it's better to have something honest, than someone forcing a fake happiness. As the opening lyrics declare "I've been having a horrible time", The Menzingers declare that they're not here to sing about rainbows and unicorns, they're straight forward and honest and, in turn, they're utterly brilliant.
As with many on this list, 2012 saw the band release their finest work to date. Acoustic and wonderful. At no point does the album try too hard to impress and, I guess, that's probably the most impressive part. 'Ava House' possesses some of the most dominant and powerful moments of the record, yet even then it still has a sense of restraint. 'Casey' is another stand out in this sense; bolder than those around it but still reserved. Sometimes bands rely on simplicity and it comes off as laziness, but not here. The Menzingers have packed their simplicity with a refreshing honesty and raw power, which resulted in one of the best records of the year.
6. Lamb of God - Resolution. Albums released at the very dawn of the year can sometimes be overlooked in these lists, but 'Resolution' was what kicked off 2012 in a heroic fashion for Lamb of God. Possessing their noted groove riffs and aggression, the band honed in what they know and moved it forward. Though this has since proven to be one of the toughest and most tumultuous years for the band, this record is a beacon of positivity in 2012.
'Straight From The Sun' explodes with a lethargic roar, declaring that this isn't an album that will ease you in, picking up the pace to tie seamlessly into the speedier 'Desolation'. Assault after assault, the record really stays at full throttle excluding the typical mid-album break. 'King Me' ends the record with the best track, flitting between so many ideas and styles it's better to say "listen to it yourself" than try do it justice in a few fleeting words.
7. Deftones - Koi No Yokan. At a glance, the album title seems quirky. Delve a little deeper and it's a Japanese phrase that means "the sense one can have upon first meeting another person that the two of them are going to fall in love". Apt, really, seeing as most who have come into contact with this record had the very same feeling.
Deftones seem unable to disappoint, proven immediately as they ferociously lurch into 'Swerve City' and effortlessly flow through the record. The band's distinctive groove is still there, but it often plays backdrop to their atmospheric focus. Lyrically, the idea of infatuation rears its head repeatedly. Again, rather apt, considering it doubles as both one of the bets albums of the year, and of the band's career.
8. Soundgarden - King Animal. "I've been away for too long," proclaims Chris Cornell on their latest offering. Couldn't have put it better myself, Chris. Though the lyric itself may border cliché in most instances, and often fall flat as the rest of the album fails to back it up, Soundgarden fans can collectively sigh in relief that despite being away for too long, they've not lost their penchant for writing great music.
As many searched for reasons to criticise them in comparison to their 'glory days', they instead found a many headed monster, effortlessly pleasing listeners with their bluesy offerings such as 'Taree' and a spate of tracks that drew from their grunge forte. Their first full record in over a decade and a half, 'King Animal' sees a band recapture their sound and move forward, not try to recreate their past. And, frankly, they've pulled it off better than most others who tackled their comeback record.
9. Slash - Apocalyptic Love. Sometimes you just need some down and dirty rock 'n' roll to revel in. Fans of ex-Guns N' Roses axe-man will be familiar with his general work, including his self-titled solo debut which saw Slash spread his guitar talents across a range of genres and styles with a star-studded list of collaborators. 'Apocalyptic Love' saw Slash bring his touring band in for the full release, with Alter Bridge's Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators just making a record full of grit, rock and brilliance.
'You're A Lie' makes you want to move - there's no two ways about it. 'Anastasia' is deceptive, luring you in with a Spanish feeling acoustic before exploding into one of the sleekest, biggest tracks of the record. And it's this explosion that is exciting - that sense that while this is rock 'n' roll finery, that it always comes with a twist. Not only is this record an opportunity for Slash to display his talents as a guitarist and craft songs around that, it is a string of banging rock tracks from start to finish.
10. Stone Sour - House of Gold and Bones Part 1. Concept records have the potential to fall completely flat, with bands manipulating their music to conform to some ridiculous sci-fi ideal, or some equivalent. So, as Stone Sour announced they were not only delving into concept territory, but releasing two records, it was fair to question how this would go. Yet, it's the human concept, the idea of a crossroads in someone's life and the tough choices they face that makes this record not only great, but relatable.
'Gone Sovereign' kicks things off in an unruly fashion, bleeding into 'Absolute Zero' with ease. "I'm not the devil, but I won't be your hero," proclaims Corey Taylor; a feeling of inadequacy perhaps, the sense that the character isn't a bad person, but they're nothing exceptional. And it's this story of doubt and struggle conveyed through the music that makes it stand out. From anger to confusion to optimism, the listener is taken on the journey with the band. As 'Last of the Real' seals the record in a blaze of assaulting glory, it leaves us waiting avidly for the second installment.
These, of course, are but ten rock albums that have been released this year, from the lighter side of rock right through to heavy metal. And, of course, these lie on personal opinions.
Since 'top ten's only really work with ten entries, these two can count as an afterthought worthy of checking out: While She Sleeps - 'This Is The Six' and Bury Tomorrow 'The Union of Crowns' - two blinding British metal bands and albums right there.
And now we face that all too common feeling for this time of year... 2013's got a lot to beat!
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
8. Soundgarden - King Animal. "I've been away for too long," proclaims Chris Cornell on their latest offering. Couldn't have put it better myself, Chris. Though the lyric itself may border cliché in most instances, and often fall flat as the rest of the album fails to back it up, Soundgarden fans can collectively sigh in relief that despite being away for too long, they've not lost their penchant for writing great music. 
